Results 321-340 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

Housing Provisions: Motion. (25 May 2004)

Noel Ahern: I assure the Deputy that I am seriously considering this matter. In this regard, I have asked local authorities to put in place five year action plans covering the full range of their housing programmes. These plans, to be agreed with my Department, will ensure that a fully strategic approach is taken by local authorities and will ensure that they avail of the certainty provided by...

Housing Provisions: Motion. (25 May 2004)

Noel Ahern: Last year more than 1,500 families——

Housing Provisions: Motion. (25 May 2004)

Noel Ahern: ——moved into those homes. The provision of these houses in different local authority areas throughout the country are meeting a real need.

Housing Provisions: Motion. (25 May 2004)

Noel Ahern: What is wrong with that?

Housing Provisions: Motion. (25 May 2004)

Noel Ahern: In some cases local authorities are having a draw to assign the houses. That indicates that people are taking up these houses and consider them good value.

Housing Provisions: Motion. (25 May 2004)

Noel Ahern: Last year some 1,500 units were built. I urge Deputies who have contacts in local authorities or who are friendly with councillors to push for the development of these housing sites. Many Members here made a good deal of noise but the local authority areas from which they come are pathetic in that they are not doing anything to provide social or affordable housing.

Housing Provisions: Motion. (25 May 2004)

Noel Ahern: I ask the Deputy to assist in this regard because his local authority area, to put it mildly is not one of the best. The Deputy might do something to assist us in that direction.

Housing Provisions: Motion. (25 May 2004)

Noel Ahern: I anticipate that the numbers of such purchasers benefiting from affordable housing will further increase this year as more affordable housing comes on stream as a result of agreements under Part V of the Planning and Development Act. The new affordable housing initiative introduced under the national partnership agreement, Sustaining Progress, is also being progressed as a priority. The...

Housing Provisions: Motion. (25 May 2004)

Noel Ahern: There are 166 affordable homes under construction on that site.

Housing Provisions: Motion. (25 May 2004)

Noel Ahern: Significant progress has been made on the development of a delivery model for the houses and the eligibility criteria for the potential house purchasers. It takes time to plan and deliver housing on a site.

Housing Provisions: Motion. (25 May 2004)

Noel Ahern: Whether such housing is social, affordable or private, any developer would tell one that on acquiring a site it takes three to four years before one will start to produce houses. That is one of the problems; it is not like turning on the tap.

Housing Provisions: Motion. (25 May 2004)

Noel Ahern: The proof of that is that the real benefit of the 1999 scheme is coming on stream. In its motion, the Labour Party mentioned the changes to the social welfare allowance rent supplement scheme. The Minister for Social and Family Affairs has given specific assurances on a number of occasions that the measures will not result in hardship to people in need.

Housing Provisions: Motion. (25 May 2004)

Noel Ahern: My officials and I had a good deal of contact with the Department of Social and Family Affairs during the period between the announcement of the changes by the Minister, Deputy Coughlan, in the context of the Estimates for 2004 and the making by her of regulations to give legal effect to the measures.

Housing Provisions: Motion. (25 May 2004)

Noel Ahern: I stressed the need for adequate safeguards——

Housing Provisions: Motion. (25 May 2004)

Noel Ahern: ——and exemptions.

Housing Provisions: Motion. (25 May 2004)

Noel Ahern: These measures were needed to ensure that people with genuine needs would not be adversely affected.

Housing Provisions: Motion. (25 May 2004)

Noel Ahern: There was also a need to monitor closely the operation of the measures. These matters were reflected in the regulations made by the Minister, Deputy Coughlan, and the guidelines issued by her Department. Deputies continue to talk about the media's interpretation, or their own interpretation, of the events of last November.

Housing Provisions: Motion. (25 May 2004)

Noel Ahern: They should look at the guidelines.

Housing Provisions: Motion. (25 May 2004)

Noel Ahern: Deputy O'Sullivan spoke about people in her constituency. All they have to do is to go to their local authority to have their needs assessed and to get their points. They will qualify for the rent allowance if they need it.

Housing Provisions: Motion. (25 May 2004)

Noel Ahern: There is no need for them——