Results 1,861-1,880 of 2,386 for speaker:Michael Finneran

Social and Affordable Housing. (27 Nov 2008)

Michael Finneran: To date, 9,300 social and affordable homes have been delivered under Part V, with activity increasing in this area. While the charge has been made about these houses not being available in the future, and while I understand this to be the case, 9,300 have been delivered. For 2007, the number of affordable houses, leaving out social houses, was 3,539, which is a significant number. I...

Social and Affordable Housing. (27 Nov 2008)

Michael Finneran: I did not hear the question.

Social and Affordable Housing. (27 Nov 2008)

Michael Finneran: The figure available on the social housing programme for 2009 is €1.5 billion. While it is 1.7% down on 2008, it amounts to €4.2 million per day. In the circumstances in which we find ourselves, with decreased costs in construction I expect our local authorities will deliver more houses with the money available than they did in 2008.

Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) (No. 2) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Nov 2008)

Michael Finneran: On behalf of the Minister, Deputy Gormley, I thank all Deputies who contributed to this debate and I appreciate the indications of support for the Bill. The Minister in his introductory remarks made clear that the sole reason for increasing motor tax rates was to fund local government. He also pointed out that motor tax increases since the year 2000, including the current increases, are...

Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) (No. 2) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Nov 2008)

Michael Finneran: I express my gratitude to all contributors to the debate. I appreciate the point made by Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher regarding holiday homes and I will refer his point on 16% VRT on new cars coming into the country.

Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) (No. 2) Bill 2008: Referral to Select Committee (27 Nov 2008)

Michael Finneran: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, in accordance with Standing Order 122(1) and paragraph 1(a)(i) of the Orders of Reference of that committee.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (26 Nov 2008)

Michael Finneran: In the first instance, the allocation of a dwelling to a household is a matter for each individual local authority in accordance with its scheme of letting priorities, and the making of such a scheme is a reserved function of the authority under section 11 of the Housing Act 1988. In metropolitan areas which cross local authority boundaries, it is important that effective arrangements are...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (26 Nov 2008)

Michael Finneran: The interest rate on local authority housing loans is determined by the Housing Finance Agency (HFA) by reference to mortgage rates prevailing in the financial market. The current variable interest rate to local authority borrowers, excluding mortgage protection, is 5.25%. The current fixed interest rate available on local authority loans, excluding mortgage protection, is 5.5% for a period...

Written Answers — House Prices: House Prices (26 Nov 2008)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 222 to 224, inclusive, together. As indicated during the debate on Budget 2009, it is important that the ongoing process of correction in the housing market is not artificially interfered with. Given that sentiment in the housing market is heavily dependent on wider sentiment in the economy, the Government's approach is focused on the broader economic...

Written Answers — Registration of Tenancies: Registration of Tenancies (25 Nov 2008)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Question Nos. 446 and 454 together. In 2006 and 2007, the amounts collected by the Private Residential Tenancies Board in fees associated with the registration of tenancies were €5,995,772 and €6,156,749, respectively. The purposes for which such fees are utilised include the provision of financial support to assist local authorities in discharging their functions under...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (25 Nov 2008)

Michael Finneran: The total capital investment in the supply of social housing for the years 2004-2007 was €4,222,092,455. The breakdown between the local authority programme and the Capital Loan and Subsidy (CLSS) and Capital Assistance (CAS) Schemes for the Voluntary and Co-Operative Housing sector for this period is set out in the table below, together with the corresponding allocations for 2008....

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (25 Nov 2008)

Michael Finneran: My Department's Housing Aid for Older People Scheme, which is administered by local authorities, provides targeted support to improve conditions in the existing housing of older people. The types of works which may be grant aided under the Scheme are varied and may include the provision and upgrading of insulation works. In addition, older people living in local authority housing may benefit...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (25 Nov 2008)

Michael Finneran: The Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability are funded by 80% recoupment available from my Department together with 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority. In May 2008, my Department made a combined capital allocation of €638,820 to Longford County Council for the operation of the Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (25 Nov 2008)

Michael Finneran: The housing units referred to were developed by the National Association of Building Co-operatives (Nabco), on behalf of Dublin City Council, under the 1999 Affordable Housing Scheme. In conjunction with Nabco and my Department, the City Council is considering how these dwellings can, as soon as possible, be utilised in meeting housing needs.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (20 Nov 2008)

Michael Finneran: The making and amending of rent schemes is the responsibility of local authorities as an integral part of their housing management functions, subject to broad principles laid down by my Department in Circular letter HRT 3/2002 of 6 March 2002. Decisions on whether or not to disregard either a proportion of income or particular sources of income for the purposes of calculating rents are...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (19 Nov 2008)

Michael Finneran: The latest date for which figures are available is 31 December, 2007. Returns indicate that 2,414 dwellings within the local authority social housing stock were vacant for more than 3 months, not including those vacant because of planned refurbishment. When dwellings vacant due to planned refurbishment are included, the total figure is 5,046.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (19 Nov 2008)

Michael Finneran: The local authority mortgage protection insurance scheme is overseen by the Mortgage Protection Committee which is a sub-committee of the County and City Managers association, CCMA and is representative of the CCMA, local authorities, the Housing Finance Agency and my Department. The Committee recently held a tender competition with a view to putting a new scheme in place from 1 January 2009....

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2008)

Michael Finneran: It is a matter for the Houses to organise their business through the Whips. We cannot delay the progress on the legislation and I will not delay it. We have indicated here in respect of a number of amendments that we must go back to the Parliamentary Counsel. The same must apply to those that must be dealt with in the future. It is a work in progress and parliamentarians understand that....

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2008)

Michael Finneran: I do not accept that the definition of homelessness in the 1988 Act is inadequate. It is very clear and deals with people who live in temporary or insecure accommodation. Much is covered. There is always a danger in tying down definitions that it may not work the way one wants it to. The implementation of the homeless strategy is what is important. We have a statutory framework in the...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2008)

Michael Finneran: Section 11 of the Bill replaces and updates section 56(2) of the Housing Act 1966 which, as Senator Coffey has said, empowers local authorities to provide services which are ancillary to the provision of dwellings, such as roads, shops and playgrounds. The services in question are capital in nature. This section of the Bill envisages the provision of supporting infrastructure and amenities...