Results 2,481-2,500 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (27 Sep 2006)

Noel Ahern: A specific funding mechanism of this kind is not operated by my Department. Capital funding for major refurbishment work to local authority dwellings is available from my Department, under the Remedial Works Scheme. The management, maintenance and improvements to their rented dwellings is the responsibility of each local authority and the funding of such works may be provided by local...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (27 Sep 2006)

Noel Ahern: My Department sanctioned the provision of funding to Athy Town Council in March of this year for refurbishment works to houses at Carbery Park / Townspark in Athy under the Remedial Works Scheme. I understand that there are a number of outstanding issues between the Council and owners of private houses in the estate. Once these are resolved it will be a matter for the Council to enter into...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (27 Sep 2006)

Noel Ahern: Under my Department's Remedial Works Scheme, Ennis Town Council submitted a programme of refurbishment works for local authority houses at various locations, including Davitt Terrace. My Department gave approval for the first phase of these works in May of this year which includes works in Shallee Drive and Gordon Drive which is a pilot project within the wider programme. It is a matter for...

Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (27 Sep 2006)

Noel Ahern: The new partnership agreement, Towards 2016, contains a commitment that minimum private rented housing standards regulations will be updated and effectively enforced. Earlier this month I announced an Action Programme which comprehensively addresses the standards issue involving a combination of promotion, information, appropriate regulation and strategic enforcement, backed up by funding...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (27 Sep 2006)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1574 and 1576 together. The information requested in relation to the 1999 Affordable Housing Scheme and Part V for the three months ending 31 March 2006 is set out in the table. In relation to the Affordable Housing Initiative over the same period, units were sold by Fingal County Council at an average price of €156,000. 1999 AFFORDABLE HOUSING SCHEME...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (28 Sep 2006)

Noel Ahern: In August 2004, the Dormant Accounts Fund Disbursements Board approved a grant for the group concerned totalling €81,226 for the purpose of employing a youth worker to work with young people at risk of early school leaving. The Board engaged Pobal to administer its funding programme. To date, €13,066 has been drawn down and the balance of €68,160 will be paid as and when the group...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (28 Sep 2006)

Noel Ahern: In 2004 I sought local authorities to set about the preparation of social and affordable housing action plans to provide a framework for the integrated and cohesive planning and delivery over the coming years of specific social and affordable housing measures in each local authority area. Provision was made with the Department for a mid-term review of the plans to take place in 2006, to take...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (28 Sep 2006)

Noel Ahern: Roscommon County Council sought my Department's approval to convert accommodation units at Torpon Beg, Ballyforan, from halting site units to group houses and to provide additional houses and associated works. Further consideration will be given to the proposal on receipt of the additional information recently requested from the Council.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (28 Sep 2006)

Noel Ahern: My Department has received an application from Cork County Council in this case. The Council has been asked to furnish additional information regarding the technical merit of the application. An early decision will be made by my Department following the receipt of the necessary information from the Council.

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (28 Sep 2006)

Noel Ahern: Shared ownership loans are provided solely by local authorities and, given that, the commercial lending agencies do not finance arrangements in which the local authority retains a share in the dwelling. Finance for these loans is made available by the Housing Finance Agency at a competitive rate, identical to their variable interest rate for other types of house purchase. There is no direct...

Social and Affordable Housing. (3 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: I thank Deputy Walsh for his continuing interest in this project. The site in Clonakilty was one of the sites released to the affordable housing initiative by Deputy Walsh and I acknowledge both this and the other sites released by him to the initiative during his tenure as Minister for Agriculture and Food. While progress on this site may appear to be slow, Cork County Council, whose...

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (3 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: An application was received by my Department from the organisation in question under the 2006 Programme of Grants for Locally-Based Community and Voluntary Organisations. All applications under this Programme are assessed objectively against the published criteria. This assessment process is being carried out at present and all groups will be notified in writing of my decision in relation to...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (3 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: My Department gave approval to Kildare County Council to accept a tender for the construction of social housing at Coolaghknock Glebe in Kildare town in December, 2005. There were some outstanding issues to be resolved relating to the overall budget cost for the scheme. However, the Department considered that these should not be critical to the Council commencing work on site. Following...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (3 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: South Dublin County Council has submitted a revised scheme of letting priorities for approval to my Department. Following discussions and correspondence between the Department and the Council on the contents of the revised scheme, it is expected that a decision will be conveyed to the Council shortly.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (3 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: The installation of central heating is a matter for the local authority concerned. No instructions have been issued by my Department relating to the retention or otherwise of solid fuel cookers. Under the Central Heating Programme local authorities have been asked to satisfy themselves that any heating system installed is safe, efficient and appropriate to the needs of the tenants.

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (3 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: There are no specific grants available from my Department for the building of granny flats onto family homes. There are, however, a number of schemes available, which are intended to assist with works, which provide additional or adapted accommodation in private houses. The Disabled Persons Grant, which is administered by the local authorities, is available for the provision of additional...

Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (3 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: The action programme on private rented standards, which I announced last month, includes a commitment that a general review of the existing standards regulations will commence later this year. This will be carried out in consultation with the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB), local authorities and other relevant interests.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (3 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: My Department is currently preparing proposals for the legislation required to give effect to the commitment in the Housing Policy Framework: Building Sustainable Communities to introduce a new tenant purchase scheme that will allow for the sale of local authority apartments to tenants under certain conditions. Draft legislation will be brought before the Oireachtas as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (3 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: It is understood that Dublin City Council are finalising a strategy to be completed early in 2007 to replace their senior citizen bed-sit accommodation with separate bedroom(s) and living areas. Following the completion of this report it is the intention of the City Council to make a submission to my Department requesting capital funding to undertake this programme. My Department's current...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (3 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: Tralee Town Council submitted proposals to my Department in mid 2005 to carry out refurbishment works, extensions and site development works to the scheme in question. It was considered that a more efficient use could be made of the available site and following discussions with my Department the Council have been requested to review their submission. My Department will further consider the...