Results 19,861-19,880 of 27,080 for speaker:Richard Boyd Barrett

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (4 Jun 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Does that mean it is like a house share?

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (4 Jun 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I would like to underline that point. The rent caps do not work in large parts of this city and in other large urban centres. Currently, local authorities are breaching the caps, but they are denying that right to individuals in receipt of rent allowance. The council housing departments know the rent caps are unworkable and they are being forced into private arrangements with private...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (4 Jun 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I take the point that there are many amendments to get through but this is a key one. I agree, as I am sure does almost everybody here, that streamlining areas under the local authority makes sense. There are many positive aspects to that move but suggesting that an interim or temporary solution is permanent and that being in a HAP arrangement is the same as getting a council house is...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (4 Jun 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: If the PRTB is going to have responsibility for tenancies involving housing assistance payments, HAPs, and also for voluntary housing associations, why will it not apply to housing built under the terms of the capital assistance scheme, CAS?

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (4 Jun 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Why is provision for an exception being made in this section?

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (4 Jun 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I will take the Minister of State and her officials at their word. However, I wish to flag my concern to the effect that the same processes of recourse should be available to everybody.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (4 Jun 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: This is one of the most problematic and objectionable sections in the Bill. It goes to the heart of a policy shift which began with a document produced by the Department in either 2011 or 2012. That shift involved a move away from direct provision of council housing to a situation where the provision of social housing was outsourced to landlords. This was slightly glossed over by what is a...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (4 Jun 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I believe income is one good criterion, but there should be a few criteria. We should have a textured position on it. Deputy Ellis makes a good point about relatives and family who might be willing to assist. If that can help people, it should be taken into account. The other matter that was taken into account in the past was how long one had been in the house. People will regularly say,...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (4 Jun 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Perhaps the Minister will explain why the Residential Tenancies Act should not apply to housing assistance payment, HAP, tenancies. The section refers to the restriction on the application of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (4 Jun 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I can come back to the issue on Report Stage now that I have flagged it. Is that correct?

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (4 Jun 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I have this point underlined. The Minister of State is planning to remove section 25(2)(f). Is that correct?

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (4 Jun 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: The Minister of State is removing the line "the purchaser shall not, without the prior consent of the housing authority, make material improvements to the house". Is that the case?

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (4 Jun 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Do local authorities need the approval of the Minister or the Minister of State in order to build council houses? From what I can see, local authorities have no freedom to make decisions about providing housing or taking money from elsewhere in the capital budget, allocating it to housing and deciding to build houses. Should we not give as much freedom and flexibility as possible to local...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (4 Jun 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: With the approval of the Department.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (4 Jun 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Section 22(3) states: (3) The purchase of a house under this Part does not apply to—(a) a separate and self-contained dwelling in a building that—(i) is divided into a dwelling and one or more dwellings or other properties or both, andThis refers to flats or maisonettes. I think it is unfair on the people in flats and maisonettes. Notwithstanding my agreement with Deputy...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (4 Jun 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Maybe I am reading the Bill wrong, but it seems clear. It is pretty clear and it seems it applies to any apartment complex or maisonette. This is specifically excluding apartments and flats from the provisions of the tenant purchase scheme. Does Minister of State think that is fair and reasonable? I do not think it is, and it should be removed.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (4 Jun 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I must examine that section of the other Bill. Does this provision override the existing provision? Why is this particular tenant purchase scheme different?

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Remuneration (4 Jun 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: 68. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the provisions of the financial emergency measures in the public interest, FEMPI, legislation will no longer apply; his plans for restoring pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23816/14]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Charges Exemptions (4 Jun 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: 121. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if Crohn's disease, colitis and ulcerative colitis will be on the vulnerable customers list for water charges in view of the fact that these medical conditions require high water usage. [23908/14]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (4 Jun 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: 147. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will review the application fee for naturalisation and the subsequent fee for the issue of the certificate of naturalisation, which can add up to a cost of more than €1,000 per person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23724/14]