Results 15,901-15,920 of 21,489 for speaker:Alan Kelly

Housing and Homelessness: Motion [Private Members] (17 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: While the supply of housing is taking time, progress is being made by the Government, local authorities and approved housing bodies, AHB, sector. I met a gentleman today by the name of Patrick Kinsella. The Government, through the Peter McVerry Trust, acquired units that allowed him to get the keys to his new home, which is a five minute walk from where I am standing. He had spent more...

Housing and Homelessness: Motion [Private Members] (17 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: I move amendment No. 1:To delete all words after “Dáil Éireann” and substitute the following:acknowledges that the construction sector and the housing market were profoundly affected by the economic downturn, consequently creating a significant shortfall in both market and social housing supply; welcomes the economic recovery and increase in job creation underway for...

Housing and Homelessness: Motion [Private Members] (17 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: Deputy Coppinger need not worry as I know what she said.

Housing and Homelessness: Motion [Private Members] (17 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: I thank the Deputies for proposing this motion. I welcome the fact that Members have raised the issue of housing and homelessness once again, ensuring this important topic can be discussed tonight. Homelessness and housing are top of my and the Government’s agenda. Every day I am working with my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Coffey, to deliver real and tangible solutions...

Housing and Homelessness: Motion [Private Members] (17 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: I would like to take this opportunity to put on the record of the House the excellent work of the NGO sector in meeting the challenges on a day-to-day basis at the front line of homelessness service delivery. The full truth of the homelessness situation is that there are many stories of desperation. There are also stories, however, of inspiration, of hope, of people and families rising...

Housing and Homelessness: Motion [Private Members] (17 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: -----so it can politically benefit and validate its flawed theory that there is no hope for people, that communities are not capable of rising above poverty or that people cannot rise out of homelessness. The AAA Members are wrong and I saw it again just today.

Housing and Homelessness: Motion [Private Members] (17 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: Just like it did with the property tax, just like SYRIZA, just like it did on water charges, the AAA walks away from causes it leads when the going gets tough. I am delighted Deputy Paul Murphy saw sense to pay his property tax.

Housing and Homelessness: Motion [Private Members] (17 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: I noted, with great humour, that Deputy Paul Murphy had to have a meeting with his AAA colleagues to get permission to pay his property tax. I remember when this Dáil started in 2011, there was a supposed new dawn with the United Left Alliance.

Housing and Homelessness: Motion [Private Members] (17 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: When politics is the art of the possible, the AAA hides behind ideological theory rather than deal with inconvenient facts. Constructive opposition and debate is welcome. There is an onus on those who criticise to propose something workable, however. It does not take a legal qualification to see where these proposals will fall foul of the Constitution. How exactly is it going to help...

Housing and Homelessness: Motion [Private Members] (17 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: Of course, the AAA has no real interest in helping homelessness, only revelling in misery. I have not seen any budgetary proposal to increase the spending on homeless services for people in dire need. The Government, however, has increased spending on homelessness by approximately 40% in recent years.

Housing and Homelessness: Motion [Private Members] (17 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: All told, this Government will provide over 6,000 new social housing units this year between building, buying, refurbishing and leasing, with another 4,000 people being newly accommodated through the HAP, housing assistance payment, scheme. When one is in government, one has to deal in solutions. Members opposite criticise. We analyse, prioritise and solve. People benefit from our...

Housing and Homelessness: Motion [Private Members] (17 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: The Government has rightly prioritised the recovery of the economy and increasing employment. The economy is now the fastest growing in Europe, with growth of 5.2% GDP seen in 2014 set to be outdone this year by growth of over 6%. This fast growth, taken together with unemployment now being below 9% for the first time since 2008, is a phenomenal achievement, and one of which I and my party...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Rates (17 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: I understand that the extent of the CO2discrepancies is the subject of ongoing evaluation. I am not in a position to comment further at this stage.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (17 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 548 and 581 together. In November 2014 the Government approved the Social Housing Strategy 2020which sets out a strategic framework for meeting the State's social housing needs to the end of the decade.The Strategy includes a commitment tocommence work on a financial vehicle, to be known as the Strategic Housing Fund, to raise funding for the social housing...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (17 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: Approved housing bodies (AHBs) such as Respond, Túath and Clúid are organisations approved under section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992 to provide social housing support in conjunction with local authorities. Since the late 1980s, AHBs have been providing social housing under various capital funding schemes underpinned by mortgages. More recently, a scheme was...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: National Positive Ageing Strategy Implementation (17 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: My Department is working across a number of fronts in regard to our responsibility for the objective set out in the National Positive Ageing Strategyof facilitating older people to live in well-maintained, affordable, safe and secure homes, which are suitable to their physical and social needs. The provision of social housing to meet the accommodation needs of older people, and other people...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Irish Water Administration (17 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: The Water Services Act 2013 provides for the establishment of Irish Water as a subsidiary of Bord Gáis Éireann (changed to Ervia in accordance with SI 287 of 2014), conforming to the conditions contained in the Act and registered under the Companies Acts. Section 5 of the Act provides that the subsidiary shall be known, in the Irish language as Uisce Éireann, and in the English...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Rates (17 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 554, 571 and 582 together. Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Act 2001. The Commissioner for Valuation has sole responsibility for all...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: NAMA Social Housing Provision (17 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: The Government has enabled and facilitated the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) in playing an important role in the delivery of housing supply generally, and social housing in particular.  In that context NAMA affords public bodies first option on the acquisition of land and property required for demonstrable public purposes. In the context of social housing delivery, NAMA has...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing Adaptation Grant (17 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: The Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability is administered by local authorities with funding from my Department. Grant eligible works are generally those carried out to the fabric of a building, such as structural repairs or improvements, re-wiring, repairs to or replacement of windows and doors, sanitary facilities, the provision of heating and other...