Results 2,641-2,660 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

Seanad: Housing Policy: Statements (12 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: I am pleased to have the opportunity to address the Seanad to outline recent developments in housing policy and to update Senators on the positive effect of our policies. We all would agree that housing is a vital element in our national infrastructure and access to good housing is essential to our continued economic success. This is why housing has been high on the Government's agenda...

Seanad: Housing Policy: Statements (12 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: That is what I am doing. I will be formally doing it later in the day. What it shows is that in the first eight months of this year 58,600 housing units — houses and apartments — were completed, an increase of 23% on the corresponding period for last year. If we hit 80,000 units last year, we are confident of being ahead of that figure this year. We should hit 90,000 units anyway....

Seanad: Housing Policy: Statements (12 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: What does the Senator recommend?

Seanad: Housing Policy: Statements (12 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: Does he recommend lone parents should keep their lone parent allowance, even if they are not lone parents?

Seanad: Housing Policy: Statements (12 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: I thank Members for their comments. I tried to be factual in my opening statement and I thank everyone who tried to be reasoned in their responses. Some comments were not valid. I might go on about supply, but it is important. Only with a decent supply can one bring stability to house prices. In recent years, overall supply has increased considerably, but it must be put in context. The...

Seanad: Housing Policy: Statements (12 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: Prices have increased and I do not deny they are staggering. Many Senators, particularly Senator Brady, spoke about affordability, which is the key factor. It depends on prices, income before and after tax and interest rates. In the affordability index, which has been calculated over several years, the percentage of one's net pay that goes towards the mortgage repayment is the main figure....

Seanad: Housing Policy: Statements (12 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: It is a phase. They are getting by. While I have heard some of their comments, they do not seem to be deprived of continental holidays or whatever.

Seanad: Housing Policy: Statements (12 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: We speak about the concerns of first-time buyers, but when people compile figures such as in the Halifax survey, I wish they would be fair and honest. First-time buyers purchase new or second-hand houses that are cheaper than average. Such studies use the example of a nurse, civil servant or garda on the first or second year or his or her salary and forget that the person will get a few...

Seanad: Housing Policy: Statements (12 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: It is the law of the land, but it will take time for its dividends to show. Some Members' comments are a bit rich for people whose parties fought the law. Senator McCarthy spoke about Clonakilty. When Deputy Joe Walsh was the Minister for Agriculture and Food, he provided a site in Clonakilty and believed that houses would be built on it in a year or two. The council is proceeding at a...

Seanad: Housing Policy: Statements (12 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: It is a fact. Unfortunately, Fianna Fáil does not have a majority on Cork County Council and its Fine Gael members have been doing everything in their power——

Seanad: Housing Policy: Statements (12 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: Fine Gael got the majority to look after the snobs and not build houses for decent people.

Seanad: Housing Policy: Statements (12 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: If the Fine Gael-Labour coalition ever gets into power, it will be a problem. Senator McCarthy spoke about the fact that there is no affordable housing in Clonakilty and that a site was provided a few years ago, but in respect of which the council is proceeding at a snail's pace. Every twist and turn is being slowed down by council members who want to preserve the image of Clonakilty as...

Seanad: Housing Policy: Statements (12 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: We talk about people who need houses and then do very little for them at ground level. People must examine that situation. Every country in the world has a property tax. It can be like our stamp duty, a poll tax, rates or so on. One must be careful of people who want to do away with it. Unfortunately, tax must come from somewhere.

Seanad: Housing Policy: Statements (12 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: There is always a property tax, but we have tweaked it and may tweak it again. When the Government last tweaked it, the limit increased to €317,000. We all sympathise with the belief that first-time buyers should not pay stamp duty, but when the Government increased the threshold, we were accused of increasing house prices. Senator O'Toole mentioned a sliding scale. If a house costs...

Seanad: Housing Policy: Statements (12 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: ——there is no point in the local authorities building three bedroom semi-detached houses like they did 20 years ago. They are supposed to build in accordance with the breakdown of what is on their list. We have been trying to get that through to them. Many of the local authorities are coming on board but there is still a bit of a culture and ethos among them of building three bedroom...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (17 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: Arising from the recommendations of the Mid-Term Review of the National Drugs Strategy in 2005, a Working Group on Drugs Rehabilitation was set up to develop a strategy for the provision of integrated rehabilitation services. The Working Group is chaired by my Department and includes representatives of relevant Departments and Agencies as well as the Community and Voluntary sectors. It is...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (17 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: Ireland's housing stock is comparatively the newest and fastest growing in Europe. The Building Regulations have represented an important policy instrument for ensuring satisfactory standards of thermal insulation and other energy performance features in new housing stock. Part L Building Regulation insulation standards for new dwellings have been in operation since 1 June 1992 with...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (17 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: My Department has previously issued approval to North Tipperary County Council for the use of its surplus internal receipts for the construction of boundary walls in Marion Estate, Newport. It is understood that the Council has engaged the National Building Agency to examine and re-assess refurbishment works in the estate; the provision of boundary walls will be examined as part of this exercise.

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (17 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: Capital funding is provided to approved housing bodies which provide accommodation under my Department's voluntary and co-operative housing schemes. My Department's involvement with the schemes relate primarily to the provision of funds for individual projects. The administration of the schemes, the certification that particular projects comply with the terms of the schemes and the payment of...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (17 Oct 2006)

Noel Ahern: Section 90(12)(a) of the Housing Act 1966, (as amended) provides the legislative basis for the power of a housing authority in certain circumstances to refuse to consent to the re-sale of a tenant purchase dwelling within the period of twenty years from the date of the completion of the sale. My Department is reviewing all aspects of the tenant purchase scheme in the context of the commitment...