Results 2,501-2,520 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

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

Noel Ahern: Local authorities have been encouraged to accelerate progress on the implementation of their housing programmes in order to provide as many social housing units as possible to meet housing need. This includes the acquisition of dwellings to meet their housing targets as set out in their Housing Action Plans. Typically, local authorities purchase such units in areas where they do not have...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (3 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: Comprehensive guidelines to assist local authorities in the implementation of Part V of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 have issued on a number of occasions by my Department since December, 2000. These Guidelines are currently available on my Department's website at www.environ.ie and may be purchased from the Government Publications Sales Office. The most recent advice in this matter...

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

Noel Ahern: The review of the Disabled Persons Grant scheme, which incorporates the conditions governing the Essential Repairs Grant scheme and the Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme was recently finalised within my Department. The aim of the review has been to ensure that the available resources are targeted to those in most need of such assistance, to streamline as far as possible the...

House Prices. (4 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: Prevailing house price differentials mean the environment is generally favourable for people who wish to trade down to smaller homes. Ultimately, this is not merely a financial matter, but rather a question of personal choice, depending on a household's circumstances and on connections to wider family and community. Our strategy has and will continue to be to increase housing supply to meet...

House Prices. (4 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: I know the theory of what the Deputy has said. He did not mention it but he is probably trying to introduce a reduced rate of stamp duty. One can make a theoretical argument for the point the Deputy has made. These things can be done by the carrot and the stick. Some countries might do it by the stick by imposing rates or a property charge on elderly people which would force them out of...

House Prices. (4 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: I am not dismissing the Deputy's idea. I know the idea and have often talked about it. It is done under the financial contribution schemes where, certainly in the city, people are selling their houses back to local authorities at prices ranging up to €450,000. The scheme exists at that level. Depending on one's age one makes a financial contribution. Currently the scheme does not exist...

House Prices. (4 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: One would need to tread carefully because the whole market is finely balanced. If it was too successful, one could solve one group's problems but create a shortage in another area.

Social and Affordable Housing. (4 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: Up to end June 2006, 1,837 affordable homes were acquired under Part V, while 2,373 dwellings were under construction and 3,012 were proposed on foot of agreements with developers. In addition to the number of affordable housing units acquired under Part V, the end-June figures also indicate that 950 social units were acquired, with 1,428 under construction and 1,097 proposed. Some 51 land...

Social and Affordable Housing. (4 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: The changes being made and those that will come from the legislation will have a fundamental effect.

Social and Affordable Housing. (4 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: The figures I gave demonstrate that almost 3,000 units have been delivered.

Social and Affordable Housing. (4 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: Right, 2,787.

Social and Affordable Housing. (4 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: Over 3,800 are under construction and agreement has been reached for 4,000 more. I consider these figures fundamental. I am blue in the face saying that, as we all know, Part V applies to new planning permissions, not to unzoned land——

Social and Affordable Housing. (4 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: The figures are adding up and will continue to do so. In the future Part V will be seen as a significant means of providing social and affordable housing. There is no doubt that it takes time to deliver the dividend, but it is coming. The figures indicate that and each quarter they are on an upward graph. Part V is and will be a fundamental delivery mechanism for social and affordable...

Social and Affordable Housing. (4 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: The Deputy fully understands the rules relating to Part V, but he continues to try to mislead——

Social and Affordable Housing. (4 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: ——by selectively quoting figures. We know Part V does not apply to existing planning permissions, to unzoned land, one-off housing or schemes of under five units. However, Part V will be a significant contributor——

Social and Affordable Housing. (4 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: Now, today, and next year.

Social and Affordable Housing. (4 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: The Deputy knows that planning permission lasts for five years and many of the houses on sale this weekend got their planning permission five to seven years ago. No one action can be taken overnight to ramp up the delivery of affordable units. However, as the old planning permissions die out, the dividend in the future will be considerable.

Social and Affordable Housing. (4 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: I suggest it is Deputy Gilmore who is putting a spin on the situation. Many of the housing units currently on sale are still exempt.

Social and Affordable Housing. (4 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: The Deputy knows well also that many of the big developments, particularly in the Dublin area, got ten-year planning permissions from the local authorities. The dividend on affordable units is delivering and coming forward——

Social and Affordable Housing. (4 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: Not alone have we got Part V, there are other schemes. Last year these schemes, including Part V, delivered nearly 3,000 units. This will increase to 8,000 over the next couple of years. The dividend from Part V will be considerable, not to mention the good work the affordable homes partnership will do and the different land swaps that will be made. The Deputy will always try to make...