Results 2,221-2,240 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

Physical Education Facilities. (31 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: I thank Deputy Deenihan for raising the matter. Obesity in children has been identified as an emerging public health problem, especially in the western world. Data from recent surveys indicate that one in five Irish boys and girls is overweight and one in 20 is obese. Worryingly, the age of onset of obesity in children across the world is falling and a child is twice as likely to be an obese...

Physical Education Facilities. (31 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: They have the development levies. I do not know much about County Kerry but perhaps the percentage for the amenity——

Physical Education Facilities. (31 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: Perhaps councillors might fight for a higher percentage. A scheme is being introduced this year. The Deputy is the expert on Kerry and some of the places I might have driven through on holidays are not huge compared with some of the suburbs in Dublin. However, if there is a local need and a local committee to drive the fund-raising, then the Department and the council might work with them. If...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (31 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: My Department has responsibility for the co-ordination of the National Drugs Strategy across a range of Government Departments and State Agencies. Just over €245m has been allocated for this work since 1997. Approximately €125m has been allocated to support in the region of 440 projects contained in the two rounds of plans of the 14 Local Drugs Task Forces (LDTFs) in the areas of...

Written Answers — Youth Services: Youth Services (31 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: The Young Peoples Facilities & Services Fund (YPFSF) was established in 1998 to assist in the development of facilities (including sport and recreational facilities) and services in disadvantaged areas where a significant drug problem existed or had the potential to develop. To date, the focus of the Fund has been in the 14 Local Drugs Task Force areas (12 in Dublin and the others in Bray and...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (1 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: I am advised that the Inter Sectoral Crack Cocaine Strategy Group arose from the North Inner City Community Policing Forum and that this Group is formulating proposals that may lead to a submission to the National Drug Strategy Team. As proposals from the Group have yet to be formulated, I cannot indicate what my response to them is likely to be. However, I will consider any submission in the...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (1 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: When Local Drugs Task Force projects are mainstreamed the associated funding provision passes from the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to the relevant Department or Agency. The subsequent issue of core funding for mainstreamed drugs projects is a matter for the State Agency involved, following consultation with the project promoter and the relevant Local Drugs Task Force.

Written Answers — Security of the Elderly: Security of the Elderly (1 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No.174 of the 28th April 2005. The details in respect of grants paid under the 2005 scheme are available on my Departments website: www.pobail.ie. The figures for Socially Monitored Alarms in 2005 are as follows: Year Number of Groups Approved Number of Applications (Individuals) Number of Applications (Individuals) Approved...

Written Answers — Services for People with Disabilities: Services for People with Disabilities (1 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: I refer to the reply to Question No. 314 of 17 May 2006. The position is unchanged.

Social Infrastructure. (7 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: I emphasise to the Deputy that direct responsibility for the planning and delivery of the north fringe development rests with the local authorities involved, that is, Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council. The achievement of sustainable communities is a key objective of the Government's housing policy. A wide range of policies and measures has been put in place to ensure that housing...

Social Infrastructure. (7 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: Perhaps it was, I do not know.

Social Infrastructure. (7 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: The membership includes Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council senior officials, residents' groups and representatives from other statutory bodies such as the HSE, the Department of Education and Science, the Garda Síochána, Dublin Bus and Iarnród Éireann. The objectives of the forum include the provision of regular bus services, the construction and operation of a new train...

Social Infrastructure. (7 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: Things can be made to happen without necessarily having legislative power. I hear what the Deputy is saying, but I do not know whether his view is formally conveyed from members of the forum. They seem to be happy enough and if they are not, they should say so. However, I hear what the Deputy is saying about special and strategic development zones and putting the measure on a statutory basis....

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (7 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: The group referred to in the Deputy's question will receive core funding of €189,700 in 2006 as a specialist support agency through the Community Development Programme. This funding covers salaries and basic running costs.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (7 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 398 and 413 together. I refer to the reply to Question No. 631 of 30 May 2006. The position is unchanged. 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. An appeal, together with supporting documentation, may be made to my Department and the...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (7 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: Eligibility for the affordable housing schemes is open to persons in need of housing and whose income in the previous tax year satisfies an income test. The administration of the schemes is a matter for individual local authorities and they must assess each application on its merits having regard, inter alia, to the ability of applicants to manage their repayments. They must satisfy...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (7 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: On 28 November 2005, my Department wrote to each local authority (Circular Letter HPSS 7/2005) reminding them that Article 2(2)(b) of the Housing (Sale of Houses) Regulations, 1995 provides that, where the site of a dwelling has been provided to a housing authority for a nominal sum the sale price should be reduced accordingly for the tenant purchaser. Authorities were requested to review the...

Written Answers — Housing Policy: Housing Policy (7 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: Part V is an important and growing supply mechanism for increasing our stock of social and affordable homes. The manner in which local authorities avail of Part V arrangements for the provision of such housing is determined by them based on the social and affordable housing needs identified in their housing strategies. Where units are being transferred, the method of calculating their cost to...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (7 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: The new house grant scheme was terminated in 2003 to concentrate housing programmes on areas of greatest impact and social need. It is not proposed to reintroduce the grant. However, through overall increases in supply, and increasing output under various affordable housing initiatives, the Government are seeking to improve access to home ownership for first time buyers. These targeted...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (7 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: Following the outcome of the review of the implementation of the disabled persons and essential repairs grant schemes, proposals for the future operation of the schemes are being prepared in my Department. I hope to be in a position to announce these shortly.