Results 2,201-2,220 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (23 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: Capital funding from my Department is made available for environmental improvements to local authority dwellings only in circumstances where more extensive works are being undertaken under the Remedial Works Scheme. In all other circumstances, responsibility for financing environmental works lies with the local authority; including in situations where environmental works are being carried out...

Written Answers — Rural Housing: Rural Housing (23 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: My Department has published guidelines for planning authorities on sustainable rural housing which encourage planning authorities to opt for a housing needs-based approach to assessment of rural housing proposals in areas where development pressure for new houses in rural areas is high. A housing needs-based planning policy approach should establish a positive presumption in favour of housing...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (23 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: Certain clarifications were sought by my Department from Offaly County Council regarding the design of this project, which was submitted under the Capital Assistance Scheme. The documentation requested has now been received and the application is being further examined by my Department. The Council will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible.

Social and Affordable Housing. (24 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: I thank my colleague, Deputy Walsh, for raising this matter. In December 2003 he, as Minister for Agriculture and Food, proposed a site at Darrara Agricultural College in Clonakilty for inclusion in the affordable housing initiative and the Government agreed to this proposal. As Minister of State with responsibility for housing, I acknowledge this and thank Deputy Walsh for it and the other...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (24 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: My Department has no role in relation to individual tenancy agreements, which are a matter for each housing authority. Tenancy agreements must comply with statutory provisions and Regulations, notably article 83 of the Housing Regulations 1980. Agreements provide the legal framework for the relationship between the housing authority and its tenants, and generally contain provisions in...

Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (24 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 290 and 291 together. These matters are responsibilities of the Private Residential Tenancies Board, which is an independent statutory body established under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004. It is a matter for the Board to determine how its statutory functions can most effectively be performed and to deploy resources having regard to demands and priorities....

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing. : Local Authority Housing. (25 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: In accordance with guidelines issued by my Department in 2003 two categories of non EU nationals have a right to apply and be assessed for local authority housing: those who have been granted refugee status and those who have been granted leave to remain in the State. Any other non EU national residing in Ireland must first secure citizenship or refugee status or permission to remain in the...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (25 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: Houses sold under the various affordable housing schemes at a discount from market value contain a clawback provision, in order to prevent short-term profit taking on the resale of the house to the detriment of the objectives of the schemes. In the case of affordable dwellings provided under shared ownership arrangements and at a discount from market value, a person wishing to buy out the...

Written Answers — Security of the Elderly: Security of the Elderly (30 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: The guidelines to the Scheme of Community Support for Older People (CSOP) recommend that Groups installing socially monitored alarms should only deal with reputable suppliers with a proven track record and an ability to operate to best industry standards. I have no function in "approving" installations of alarm systems or enforcing such approvals. The Deputy may be aware that the European...

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (30 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: I am aware that Pobal is attempting to assist the boards of area partnerships and community partnerships with the issue of salary adjustments for Local Development Social Inclusion Programme employees. However, the position as outlined in my reply to questions 536 and 541 on 26th April 2006 is unchanged.

Written Answers — Departmental Appointments: Departmental Appointments (30 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: The membership of the Working Group on Drug Rehabilitation includes representatives of the Department of Health and Children and the Health Service Executive.

Written Answers — Homeless Persons: Homeless Persons (30 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: A basic indicator of progress in addressing homelessness is a reduction in the number of homeless households and persons and in the level of rough sleeping. "Counted in 2005", the third periodic assessment on homelessness in Dublin carried out by the Homeless Agency and published last week, shows a 19% decrease in the number of households experiencing homelessness in the four Dublin local...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (30 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: There are no proposals with my Department for funding from Mayo County Council in respect of refurbishment work to the two estates in question.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (30 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: The operation of the scheme of extensions to local authority houses is a matter for local authorities which is funded by my Department as part of their capital provision for the housing construction/acquisition programme. My Department has not received requests from local authorities for additional funding to undertake works under the scheme. It is matter for individual local authorities to...

Written Answers — Services for People with Disabilities: Services for People with Disabilities (30 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: The information requested is not available in my Department. Amendments to Part M (Access for People with Disabilities) of the Building Regulations which came into effect on 1 January 2001 require all new dwellings, subject to certain transitional arrangements, to be accessible to people with disabilities. Compliance with the regulations including Part M is primarily the responsibility of the...

Written Answers — Homeless Persons: Homeless Persons (30 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: The Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy, which was published by the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children in January 2006, recommends, inter alia, the closure of all the remaining mental hospitals and the re-investment of the resources realised as a consequence in the mental health services. The further development and reorientation of services for homeless persons...

Written Answers — Homeless Persons: Homeless Persons (30 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 625 to 627, inclusive, together. Local authorities are responsible for meeting the accommodation needs of homeless persons. It is consequently a matter for individual authorities to determine the level and category of accommodation to be provided, having regard to the need for such accommodation within their areas. Information on the number of homeless persons...

Written Answers — Urban Renewal Schemes: Urban Renewal Schemes (30 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: A Certificate of Reasonable Cost cannot issue in this case as contrary to a condition of the scheme, the floor area exceeds the maximum limit of 125 square metres. On receipt of an appeal, together with supporting documentation, a further inspection will be arranged to establish if the house, as built, satisfies the floor area requirements under the scheme.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (30 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: Westmeath County Council are currently undertaking a pilot phase involving refurbishment work to ten of their rented houses at Ennell Court in Mullingar which is being funded under my Department's Remedial Works Scheme. My Department is forwardly disposed to fund further phases of the overall project provided a positive evaluation of the pilot project is forthcoming in terms of suitability of...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (30 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: An inspection with a view to the issuing of a Certificate of Compliance, if in order, is being arranged and will be carried out as soon as possible.