Results 2,301-2,320 of 2,386 for speaker:Michael Finneran

Written Answers — Local Authority Expenditure: Local Authority Expenditure (8 Dec 2010)

Michael Finneran: My Department has, over the past number of years, overseen a significant exchequer investment in the improvement of heating systems and energy efficiency of the existing stock of local authority dwellings. Although central heating has been provided in all new local authority dwellings as a matter of course since 1994, there were an estimated 36,000 dwellings constructed prior to this date...

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

Michael Finneran: Social Welfare legislation provides the Health Service Executive (HSE) with the authority to refuse, suspend or terminate payment of a rent supplement in the case of a person who has been required to deliver up possession of a dwelling provided by a housing authority or an approved body where the reasons for that requirement include anti-social behaviour or the interests of good estate...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (14 Dec 2010)

Michael Finneran: My Department collates and publishes a wide range of housing statistics that inform the preparation and evaluation of housing policy. The full range of data compiled can be viewed on my Department's website, www.environ.ie , where data on First Time Lettings by local authorities (up to 2006) and on Casual Vacancies (to 2009) are displayed.

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (14 Dec 2010)

Michael Finneran: Under the Limerick Regeneration Programme there is a commitment to provide replacement housing for those individuals and households where the properties they currently occupy are scheduled for demolition in the short to medium term or where the individual or household has expressed a wish to move elsewhere within the regeneration areas, or where the acquisition of the property by Limerick...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (15 Dec 2010)

Michael Finneran: In June 2008 my Department issued approval to Dublin City Council to proceed to detailed design stage for a social housing project at the site in question. My Department is currently awaiting Dublin City Council's detailed proposal for this project. It is a matter for the Council, in the first instance, to prioritise and manage the advancement of projects within the programme, having regard...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (15 Dec 2010)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 189 to 191, inclusive, together. My Department's involvement with the Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability relates primarily to the recoupment of a proportion of local authority expenditure on the payment of individual grants. The grant schemes, introduced in November 2007, are funded by 80% recoupment available from...

Written Answers — Traveller Accommodation: Traveller Accommodation (15 Dec 2010)

Michael Finneran: In February 2010 my Department approved the proposal by Roscommon County Council to proceed to tender with Phase 1 of this project. Approval was contingent on receiving further information from the Council on a number of issues. This information is awaited at present.

Written Answers — Traveller Accommodation: Traveller Accommodation (15 Dec 2010)

Michael Finneran: I refer to the reply to Question No. 1476 of 29 September 2010 which sets out the position in this matter.

Written Answers — Strategy on Homelessness: Strategy on Homelessness (15 Dec 2010)

Michael Finneran: I refer to the reply to Question No. 242 of 30 November 2010 which sets out the position on meeting the target for tackling long term homelessness. The costs associated with The Way Home 2008-2013 were €27,135.95.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (15 Dec 2010)

Michael Finneran: Local authority rents are set in accordance with a rent scheme adopted by each local council. The making and amending of these rent schemes are an integral part of a housing authority's housing management functions, subject to broad principles laid down by my Department in Circular letter HRT 3/2002 of 6 March 2002. Housing authorities set out in their rent schemes the income that they will...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (16 Dec 2010)

Michael Finneran: My Department is currently awaiting Dublin City Council's submission of further details relating to its proposal for a social housing project at the site in question. It is a matter for Dublin City Council, in the first instance, to prioritise and manage the advancement of such projects within its social housing investment programme, having regard to its available funding resources.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (16 Dec 2010)

Michael Finneran: The social housing proposal in question has not advanced beyond Dublin City Councils submission of a pre-planning proposal to my Department. It is a matter for the Council, in the first instance, to prioritise and manage the advancement of such projects within the context of its overall social housing investment programme, having regard to its available funding resources.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (16 Dec 2010)

Michael Finneran: My Department's Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) provides funding to approved housing bodies of up to 100% of the approved costs of accommodation for older people, the homeless, persons with special needs, returning emigrants and victims of domestic violence. In February 2010, I announced approval to advance some 75 voluntary and co-operative housing projects at various locations around the...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (16 Dec 2010)

Michael Finneran: Under my Department's Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS), funding of up to 100% of the approved cost is available for the provision of housing to meet the accommodation needs for persons with specific categories of need, including older people, persons with an intellectual, physical or mental health disability, homeless persons, victims of domestic violence etc. All of the €145 million CAS...

Written Answers — Homeless Persons: Homeless Persons (16 Dec 2010)

Michael Finneran: Under Section 9 of the Housing Act 1988, local authorities are required to carry out an assessment of the overall need for social housing on a triennial basis. The most recent assessment took place in March 2008 and the results, including those in relation to homelessness are published in the 2008 Annual Housing Statistics Bulletin. This is available on my Departments website www.environ.ie.

Written Answers — Homeless Persons: Homeless Persons (16 Dec 2010)

Michael Finneran: My Department reminded local authorities last month, in the context of the extreme cold weather conditions, of the need for vigilance in relation to any possible incidences of rough sleeping. Housing authorities have wide and flexible statutory powers to assist or make arrangements for the accommodation of homeless persons and have adequate arrangements in place to deal with any possible...

Written Answers — Severe Weather Events: Severe Weather Events (16 Dec 2010)

Michael Finneran: I would like to acknowledge the outstanding work of all local authorities, including the staff of South Dublin County Council, in responding to the challenges posed by the spell of severe cold weather which commenced on Saturday 27 November, and affected practically all of the country. Local authority staff worked continuously over the period with other State bodies and transport agencies to...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (16 Dec 2010)

Michael Finneran: A statutory assessment of housing need is carried out every three years by all housing authorities. The last assessment took place in 2008 and indicated that there were 56 older person households awaiting the allocation of social housing support in Waterford County Council and 51 older person households awaiting the allocation of social housing support in Waterford City Council. Detailed...

Written Answers — Housing Aid for the Elderly: Housing Aid for the Elderly (16 Dec 2010)

Michael Finneran: My Department's involvement with the Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability relates primarily to the recoupment of a proportion of local authority expenditure on the payment of individual grants. The grant schemes, introduced in November 2007, are funded by 80% recoupment available from my Department together with a 20% contribution from the resources...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (16 Dec 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 local authorities in delivering fire services...