Results 2,221-2,240 of 2,386 for speaker:Michael Finneran

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (28 Oct 2010)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 95 to 97, inclusive, together. Interest rates charged to local authority borrowers are determined by the Board of the Housing Finance Agency (HFA). In determining these rates, the Board of the Agency gives careful consideration to the fluctuating relationship between the rates at which it can borrow and its lending rates. The HFA is required to operate on a...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (2 Nov 2010)

Michael Finneran: The amounts allocated for the Rental Accommodation Scheme and for the Social Housing Leasing Initiative in 2009 and 2010 are set out in the following table: 2009 2010 Rental Accommodation Scheme. â'¬90.5m â'¬125m Social Housing Leasing Initiative. â'¬20m â'¬25m

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (2 Nov 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. My Department's role is one of supporting and assisting fire authorities in delivering fire services...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (2 Nov 2010)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 447 to 450, inclusive, together. Local authorities have, for a number of years now, progressed a programme of house purchases better to meet local housing need as well as to promote my Department's sustainable communities objectives. These programmes are undertaken and managed by the authorities having regard to their annual housing capital allocations and the...

Hospital Services (3 Nov 2010)

Michael Finneran: I respond to this Adjournment debate on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney. I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. It provides me with an opportunity to update the House on the matter. Government policy on palliative care is contained in the report of the national advisory committee on palliative care. The provision of modern, quality...

Mental Health Services (3 Nov 2010)

Michael Finneran: I am taking this Adjournment on behalf of my colleague, Deputy Harney, Minister for Health and Children. I thank Deputy Neville for raising this issue as it provides me with an opportunity to update the House regarding funding for mental health services. As the Deputy is aware, I worked in psychiatric services for a number of years. I continue as chairman of the Roscommon Mental Health...

Mental Health Services (3 Nov 2010)

Michael Finneran: However, I want to make it clear to the House that our current financial difficulties do not in any way dilute the Government's commitment in the area of mental health. I fully accept that the impact of any cuts to front-line services must be minimised and that we must ensure that the needs of service users remain the highest priority. However, I am confident that this can be achieved, and...

Mental Health Services (3 Nov 2010)

Michael Finneran: -----the reconfiguring and remodelling of resources will be the main focus for the immediate future.

Mental Health Services (3 Nov 2010)

Michael Finneran: Deputies can be assured that this Government is determined to do everything possible to protect services, to respond to priority needs and to support ongoing reform of the public health services within the resources available for health. We are all too aware that the Health Service Executive must work within limited financial resources. The health sector represents more than 27% of public...

Social and Affordable Housing (3 Nov 2010)

Michael Finneran: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I addressed this matter in the House last June when I outlined the details of my Department's capital funding schemes, which provide up to 100% of the cost of voluntary and co-operative housing projects. Since March 2007, funding under the capital assistance scheme for the provision of voluntary housing covers up to 100% of the capital cost where...

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (3 Nov 2010)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 205 and 222 together. All properties provided to meet social housing need (including Rental Accommodation Scheme properties) are excluded from the application of the Non Principal Private Residence charge on the basis that the costs of providing such housing is borne by local authorities with the support of the Exchequer.

Written Answers — Local Authority Lands: Local Authority Lands (3 Nov 2010)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 211 and 212 together. In the information provided by Dublin City Council as part of the land audit carried out in April 2010, the site in question is referred to as Ayrefield/Malahide Road. My Department has no further details as regards the location of the site. My Department has not received an application from Dublin City Council, seeking inclusion of this...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (3 Nov 2010)

Michael Finneran: In July 2010 Housing and Sustainable Communities Ltd. was established as a subsidiary of the National Building Agency. The Constitution of the Company, including the Memorandum of Association, is available on the website of the Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency - www.housing.ie . At present the company is involved in the management of land transferred to it from local authorities...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (3 Nov 2010)

Michael Finneran: Clare County Council was allocated €500,000 in 2010 under the scheme for retrofitting of energy efficiency improvements to social housing stock. The Council is currently undertaking a programme of works under this scheme and will submit a claim for recoupment of appropriate costs before the end of 2010. The works being undertaken are a matter for Clare County Council having regard to the...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (3 Nov 2010)

Michael Finneran: It is open to any person or household to apply to any housing authority for an assessment of their housing need. Under existing legislation, households can apply to multiple authorities. The social housing reform programme, which was given legislative effect by the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, provides for a new process of housing needs assessment. Regulations will be made...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (9 Nov 2010)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 341 and 343 together. Local authorities operate a range of housing supports, including support involving the voluntary and cooperative sector, for households with varying degrees of need, from the most vulnerable and disadvantaged households, including homeless people and people with disabilities, to middle income households whose needs may be more modest....

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (9 Nov 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 — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (9 Nov 2010)

Michael Finneran: Dublin City Council recouped €4,687,099 in 2009 under the scheme for retrofitting of energy efficiency improvements to social housing stock. The Council has been allocated €7,000,000 under the 2010 scheme, is currently undertaking a programme of works, and will submit a claim for recoupment of appropriate costs before the end of 2010. Fingal County Council did not have any spend in 2009...

Hospital Services (10 Nov 2010)

Michael Finneran: I am replying to this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney. The Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar is part of the Dublin-Midlands Hospital Group. The aim of the hospital is to deliver a quality-driven people-centred service to the public of the Dublin-midlands area and, in particular, the Longford-Westmeath area. The...

Sports Capital Programme (10 Nov 2010)

Michael Finneran: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue which is, I am sure, of great importance to the club concerned. The sports capital programme, which is part funded from the proceeds of the national lottery, is the primary means of granting Government support for the provision of sports facilities at national, regional and local level. It would not be an exaggeration to state that the programme has...