Results 2,021-2,040 of 2,386 for speaker:Michael Finneran

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (22 Jun 2010)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 403 to 405, inclusive, together. Responsibility for the administration of the Rural Water Programme has been devolved to local authorities since 1997. The advancement of individual group schemes under the programme, within the overall priorities set by my Department and subject to the block grant funding provided, is, therefore, a matter for the local...

Written Answers — Land Aggregation Scheme: Land Aggregation Scheme (22 Jun 2010)

Michael Finneran: Under the land aggregation scheme, local authorities have been given the option to apply to my Department to recoup the cost of outstanding loans that are due to mature before the end of 2010 and where it is considered that the land involved is unlikely to be developed in the short to medium term. Lands that are to be transferred to the Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency Ltd. may...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (22 Jun 2010)

Michael Finneran: In carrying out an assessment of a household's eligibility and need for social housing support, identification is an important part of that process. While a driver's licence or passport may be presented, if available, for identification purposes, any other suitable document that contains a photograph of the applicant or joint applicant is also acceptable. Birth certificates are normally...

Written Answers — House Prices: House Prices (22 Jun 2010)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 413 and 419 together. The renewed Programme for Government sets out a clear commitment to create and maintain a comprehensive House Price Database based on sales prices. Not only would accurate house price information arising from this database facilitate key decisions by home buyers, home sellers, and mortgage lenders, it would also inform national economic...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (22 Jun 2010)

Michael Finneran: I refer to the reply to Question No. 419 of 1 June 2010, which outlines the most up to date position available in relation the number of applications that have been received under the terms of the long term leasing scheme.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (22 Jun 2010)

Michael Finneran: The focus of data collection has moved away from the number of social housing starts towards the delivery of dwellings. It is anticipated that, through more flexible market based delivery mechanisms such as the Rental Accommodation Scheme and long term leasing, the significant increase in funding available under the Capital Assistance Scheme in 2010 to €145m, and the availability from the...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (22 Jun 2010)

Michael Finneran: The information for 2006 to 2008, as requested, is available on my Department's website: www.environ.ie. Statistics for 2009 are currently being collated and will be published later this year.

Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (22 Jun 2010)

Michael Finneran: In April 2009 my Department commenced a review of the provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, under which the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) operates. The purpose of this review was to consider whether the Act best supported the PRTB's key functions and whether legislative amendments would support either the achievement of additional operational efficiencies by the PRTB...

Written Answers — Urban Renewal Schemes: Urban Renewal Schemes (22 Jun 2010)

Michael Finneran: On 18 June 2010 the Taoiseach announced Government support for the first phase implementation plan for the Limerick Regeneration Programme. This will require an estimated public sector investment of €337 million over the four and a half year delivery period to December 2014. The Taoiseach has indicated that the works should commence immediately. Some 26 projects are included, across a...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (23 Jun 2010)

Michael Finneran: The practice whereby tenant purchasers paid the purchase price for their dwellings to housing authorities by instalments was replaced in 1993 by the current practice of purchasers paying the full amount of the purchase price at the point of sale, supported as required by mortgage finance. I have no proposals to revert to the old system as a person who cannot obtain a mortgage in respect of...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (23 Jun 2010)

Michael Finneran: Local authorities operate a range of housing supports for households with varying degrees of need, from the most vulnerable, disadvantaged households such as homeless people and people with disabilities, to middle income households whose needs may be more modest. The various supports available are detailed on my Department's website, www.environ.ie. In terms of the options available for...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (24 Jun 2010)

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. It is a matter for local authorities, when assessing individual households, to consider whether rents payable are in accordance with the authority's...

Regeneration Programme (29 Jun 2010)

Michael Finneran: I thank Deputy Perry for raising this matter and I welcome this opportunity to comment on these issues. I also welcome his support for my position on this matter. I know that to be his position locally in Cranmore and in Sligo. That information is readily available to me from people who are of the same opinion as myself, namely the residents of the Cranmore estate. I acknowledge Deputy...

Regeneration Programme (29 Jun 2010)

Michael Finneran: It is also subject to a decision by An Bord Pleanála and an oral hearing. I would say to the borough council it should, in the best interests of the citizens of Cranmore and Sligo, which is now a gateway town, reverse its decision regarding the change in the town development plan. Sligo County Council supports my position and that of my Department on this matter. I understand all the...

Regeneration Programme (29 Jun 2010)

Michael Finneran: As someone who had his second level education in Sligo, I know the town extremely well and am very keen that this be developed. The people of Cranmore are crying out for this development. It is estimated that more than €100 million will be invested in the region in developing that bridge and in the regeneration of Cranmore. This is dependent on a decision of the local borough council. I...

Social Welfare Benefits (29 Jun 2010)

Michael Finneran: I am taking the debate on behalf of the Minister for Social Protection. If the Deputy gives me the details of the case of woman she referred to as Mary, although that is not her real name, I will pass them directly to the Minister and ask him to have it investigated. On the broader issue of the difficulties experienced by carers in accessing funding under the carer's allowance, entitlement...

Foreshore Licences (29 Jun 2010)

Michael Finneran: I thank Deputies Ferris and Deenihan for raising this matter. I am very conscious of the economic potential of this project and I hope to throw some light on the matter in my reply. Following the enactment of the Foreshore and Dumping at Sea (Amendment) Act 2009, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government assumed responsibility in January 2010 for a range of foreshore...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (29 Jun 2010)

Michael Finneran: I refer to the reply to Question No. 351 of 3 February 2009. The position remains unchanged.

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (29 Jun 2010)

Michael Finneran: The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of premises is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under section 10 of the Fire Services Act 1981. The Department's role is one of supporting and assisting fire authorities in delivering fire services...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (29 Jun 2010)

Michael Finneran: The allocation of an affordable home is made on the basis that an individual is in need of housing, is a first time buyer, cannot afford to purchase privately on the open market but can service a mortgage obtained by loan through an approved financial institution or a local authority where private finance has been refused. While the terms and conditions of the various affordable housing...