Results 2,341-2,360 of 2,386 for speaker:Michael Finneran

Grant Payments (19 Jan 2011)

Michael Finneran: I have been asked by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Smith, to clarify the position regarding payments to farmers in County Kerry under the rural environment protection scheme, REPS. I thank Deputy Tom Sheahan for raising this matter on the Adjournment. As the Deputy is no doubt aware, REPS is an agri-environment measure under the rural development programme 2007 to...

Water and Sewerage Schemes (19 Jan 2011)

Michael Finneran: I thank Deputy McGrath for the opportunity to clarify the position in regard to the Burncourt and Fethard regional water supply scheme water treatment plants. The contract for the scheme is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012 as a contract to commence during the period of the programme. Further network elements of the scheme are also included to advance...

Written Answers — Housing Aid for the Elderly: Housing Aid for the Elderly (19 Jan 2011)

Michael Finneran: To comprehensively assess the overall level of demand for grant assistance under the suite of Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability, my Department requested local authorities to submit details of their funding requirements for 2011, with a view to determining the allocations for this year as soon as possible after the publication of the 2011 Revised Estimates for Public...

Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (19 Jan 2011)

Michael Finneran: Minimum standards for rental accommodation are prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2008, made under section 18 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992. These Regulations were further amended by the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses)(Amendment) Regulations 2009 which expanded the definition of "a proper state of structural repair" to allow for all...

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (20 Jan 2011)

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, the provision of a premises and the making of such other provisions as it considers necessary or desirable, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under section 10 of the Fire Services Act 1981. Accordingly, the issue...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (25 Jan 2011)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 395, 396 and 412 together. The support of accommodation provided by approved housing bodies is an integral part of my Department's overall response to delivering on social housing need. Local authorities and approved housing bodies are working in close co-operation to deliver an expanded range of social housing options and a wide range of accommodation types...

Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (25 Jan 2011)

Michael Finneran: The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 provides that a landlord must apply to register the tenancy of a dwelling with the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB). Such registration must be accompanied by a fee, the level of which is dependent on whether the tenancy is registered within one month of its commencement or later than one month after the commencement of the tenancy. There is also a...

Written Answers — Urban Regeneration: Urban Regeneration (25 Jan 2011)

Michael Finneran: The Mitchel's Regeneration Masterplan, which was completed in 2008, sets out a multi-annual programme of regeneration for the Mitchel's Crescent area of Tralee. In line with my Department's policy on regeneration, the Masterplan addresses not just physical improvements involving demolition, construction and refurbishment of the estate but also seeks to address social isolation and...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (25 Jan 2011)

Michael Finneran: In the context of the broader Local Government Efficiency Review, I am giving consideration to the organisational structure that currently supports the delivery of housing services with a view to mapping out how we can get the best use of the resources available to us in the organisations charged with providing housing services. This includes a consideration of the possible rationalisation...

Written Answers — Anti-Social Behaviour: Anti-Social Behaviour (26 Jan 2011)

Michael Finneran: Housing authorities, in their capacity as landlords, have powers under the Housing Act 1997 to take action against their own tenants who are engaged in anti-social behaviour. Households in receipt of rent supplement, however, are private rented tenants and as such are not covered under the provisions of the 1997 Act in the same way. Tenancies in the private rented sector are governed by the...

Seanad: National Monument at 14-16 Moore Street, Dublin: Statements (26 Jan 2011)

Michael Finneran: I am very pleased to see that we have representatives of all seven signatories in the Visitors Gallery today. This is an historic day in some ways. I welcome them all. It is my pleasure to give the Government position on this matter and to take some questions and make some comments at the end of the debate following contributions made by Members of the Upper House. The Government fully...

Seanad: National Monument at 14-16 Moore Street, Dublin: Statements (26 Jan 2011)

Michael Finneran: I am impressed with the fact the Leader of the House accommodated such a debate, that so many Members of the Upper House have decided to contribute and for the constructive contributions made. Senator Ó Murchú vividly outlined the background and painted a picture that encompassed the views of many other Members who spoke. I compliment him on that. He suggested it would be appropriate at...

Finance Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (27 Jan 2011)

Michael Finneran: It has always been the interpretation, wish and determination of Government and the Minister for Finance to the effect that there is a job creation aspect to measures that are being brought forward in this Bill and indeed in other finance Bills. To go back to a point made by Deputy Noonan and reflected upon by Deputy Higgins, the social dimension is very much apparent. We only have to look...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (27 Jan 2011)

Michael Finneran: Any person or household may apply to a housing authority for social housing support. In assessing whether an applicant requires such support a housing authority will take into consideration whether the applicant has available to them alternative accommodation that would meet their accommodation needs. If there is no alternative accommodation available to the applicant then the housing...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (27 Jan 2011)

Michael Finneran: The Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability are funded by 80% recoupment available from my Department together with a 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority. Record Exchequer allocations totalling almost €80m were notified to local authorities under the schemes on 5 March 2010, giving a combined allocation of almost €100m. It is...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (27 Jan 2011)

Michael Finneran: In the case of standard accommodation provided under the CLSS, tenants are drawn from the local authority housing waiting list and rents are largely based on the local authority Differential Rents Schemes. Under the CLSS, the application of the rent formula as set out in the scheme may be modified, at the discretion of the approved housing body, in particular respects where they consider this...

Written Answers — Emergency Planning: Emergency Planning (27 Jan 2011)

Michael Finneran: A process to review the response to the latest exceptional severe weather began on 12 January 2011. The primary objective of this latest review is to enable a quick identification of lessons which should be learned – what worked successfully and what needs improvement, so that organizations/ agencies are facilitated to consolidate and further enhance preparedness and the response process....

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (27 Jan 2011)

Michael Finneran: I refer to the reply to Question No. 796 of 12 January 2011, which outlined the current position on this matter.

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (27 Jan 2011)

Michael Finneran: While the operation of Part V is a matter for local authorities, I have asked my Department to identify, through contact with the City and County Managers Association, whether specific implementation issues have recently arisen.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage (Resumed). (29 Jan 2011)

Michael Finneran: This matter is not exclusive to the VHI; it is a matter for all health insurance companies. It is also a matter for the Minister for Health and Children, not the Minister for Finance