Results 3,621-3,640 of 7,024 for speaker:Willie Penrose

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (9 Jun 2011)

Willie Penrose: This year my Department has allocated €140 million and €34 million to support local authority capital investment in social housing supply and remedial works programmes respectively. In the case of the Remedial Works Scheme at St. Mary's Terrace, Fermoy which involves the refurbishment of eleven houses and the construction of one new unit, my Department issued approval in principle for...

Written Answers — National Spatial Strategy: National Spatial Strategy (9 Jun 2011)

Willie Penrose: The 2002 National Spatial Strategy (NSS) is a twenty-year planning framework designed to achieve a better balance of social, economic and physical development and population growth between regions, and it provides the spatial vision and principles for statutory regional planning guidelines across the eight regions and for development plans at a local level. A comprehensive review of...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (9 Jun 2011)

Willie Penrose: The Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2010 provide the legislative framework within which An Bord Pleanála determines planning appeals. Section 143 of the Act, states that the Board shall, in performing its functions, have regard to: policies and objectives of the Government, a State Authority, the Minister, planning authorities and any other public authority whose functions have, or...

Written Answers — Homelessness Strategy: Homelessness Strategy (15 Jun 2011)

Willie Penrose: I refer to the reply to Question No. 35 of 17 May 2011 which outlined my intention to complete the homeless strategy review and introduce an updated strategy this autumn, including clear performance targets and associated timelines. There is a comprehensive range of measures in place to underpin the role of housing authorities and approved housing bodies towards achieving the ambitious...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (15 Jun 2011)

Willie Penrose: In response to the downturn in the housing market and the prevailing economic climate in 2008, Dublin City Council suspended its PPP programme, which included a proposal for the regeneration of St Teresa's Gardens. In the absence of PPP alternatives, and with the support of my Department, the City Council established a multi-disciplinary Special Housing Taskforce to examine all options with...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (15 Jun 2011)

Willie Penrose: It is a matter for individual housing authorities to decide on the type and size of dwellings to be allocated to applicants on their waiting lists. This policy is decided in their Allocation Schemes, the making of which is a reserved function of the housing authority. I understand, however, that some authorities make provision for an extra bedroom space when making an allocation to single...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (15 Jun 2011)

Willie Penrose: I refer to the reply to Question No. 208 of 19 April 2011, which sets out the position in relation to this matter.

Written Answers — Traveller Accommodation: Traveller Accommodation (15 Jun 2011)

Willie Penrose: The National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee (NTACC) was established, on a statutory basis, on 29 April 1999 under sections 19 and 20 of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998. The fourth NTACC was appointed on 22 April 2010 for a period of three years. The terms of reference of the Committee are to advise the Minister in relation to: · any general matter...

Written Answers — Traveller Accommodation: Traveller Accommodation (15 Jun 2011)

Willie Penrose: Local authorities have a wide and effective range of powers to deal with unauthorised Traveller encampments. The principal powers of local authorities to deal with the unauthorised placing of temporary dwellings on public property, under legislation coming within the ambit of my Department, are contained in the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act 1948 and Section 10 of the Housing...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (15 Jun 2011)

Willie Penrose: Sections of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2009 dealing with social housing support, and related Social Housing Assessment Regulations, 2011, were commenced on 1 April 2011. A new standard procedure for assessing applicants for social housing was introduced in every housing authority. One of the important provisions of the new regulations is that a household need only apply to...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (15 Jun 2011)

Willie Penrose: My Department is aware that the wording on the new application form may give rise to difficulties in some cases and I propose to amend the prescribed form to address this as soon as possible. I have advised local authorities that a consultant's report is not essential in all cases where applicants have a medical condition or disability which impacts on their housing needs. However, an...

Written Answers — Urban Renewal Schemes: Urban Renewal Schemes (15 Jun 2011)

Willie Penrose: My Department recently approved a proposal by Sligo Borough Council to refurbish up to 53 houses in the Cranmore estate. The Council estimates the cost of these works at €445,000. Expenditure incurred this year will be met from the €2 million allocation for regeneration.

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (15 Jun 2011)

Willie Penrose: As part of the Housing Management Initiative, from 1 January 2007 local authorities were given delegated sanction for the delivery of their annual improvement works programmes subject to specific conditions and overall programme approval from my Department. Funding for these programmes was provided from the authority's own internal capital receipts from the sale of local authority dwellings....

Local Authority Housing (16 Jun 2011)

Willie Penrose: At present, local authorities are free to use their own application forms for social housing tenants seeking a transfer from their current accommodation. In some cases they may use the existing standard application form when there is a lot of new information to collect. In such cases, it should be indicated that it is a transfer rather than a new application. However, this is a matter for...

Local Authority Housing (16 Jun 2011)

Willie Penrose: This should be an informal process unless there is information missing. The local authority has comprehensive information on each of the applicants. If someone seeks a transfer, it is a formal situation. The Department does not require the use of the new standard application form for transfers. Local authorities are free to set up transfer procedures and to require the completion of...

Local Authority Housing (16 Jun 2011)

Willie Penrose: I do not see how this could be of benefit to the Department or to me. These matters are dealt with at local level.

Local Authority Housing (16 Jun 2011)

Willie Penrose: There is no one better than people at local level to implement the transfer where appropriate. The last thing I want to do is to take a dictatorial attitude to whether someone should be transferred or the background reason for it. The background reason is a matter of discussion between the applicant, possibly a local representative and the housing officer involved. In 18 years as a member...

Social and Affordable Housing (16 Jun 2011)

Willie Penrose: The operation of Part V, including the purchase of housing units for social or affordable housing purposes, is a matter for the local authority concerned. In the particular instance referred to in the question Dublin City Council informed my Department that it entered an agreement under Part V for the provision of 49 social units at Clare Village. Funding has been approved by my Department...

Social and Affordable Housing (16 Jun 2011)

Willie Penrose: As far as I am aware there is no impediment to selling the units and it is expected that sales will be closed over the summer and the units will be ready for occupation immediately thereafter. However, if Deputy Ellis has specific information I would be willing to pursue the matter with the chief executive and chairperson of NAMA. My Department and, I am sure, the local authority considers...

Urban Renewal Schemes (16 Jun 2011)

Willie Penrose: The national regeneration programme targets the country's most disadvantaged communities, particularly those defined by extreme social exclusion, unemployment and anti-social behaviour. Regeneration seeks to rebuild those damaged communities by improving not just the physical environment in which people live, but also by investing in the social and economic life of the areas. This holistic,...