Results 3,721-3,740 of 7,024 for speaker:Willie Penrose

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (6 Jul 2011)

Willie Penrose: On 16 June I launched the Government's new housing policy statement which will serve as a framework for a sequence of legislative and policy initiatives in the short to medium term. Based on a number of fundamental principles and goals that will form the foundation of a substantial reform programme, the new framework for housing policy responds to current and emerging conditions in the...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (7 Jul 2011)

Willie Penrose: The site in question was acquired by the Sue Ryder Housing Association for the purpose of developing 33 units of sheltered housing for older people under the terms of my Department's funding schemes for voluntary and co-operative housing. To date, some €468,711 has been paid by my Department in respect of site costs and planning and design fees. It was decided to defer the construction...

Written Answers — Housing Aid for the Elderly: Housing Aid for the Elderly (7 Jul 2011)

Willie Penrose: Capital funding is available through my Department's Capital Assistance Scheme to approved voluntary housing bodies for the provision of accommodation to meet the needs of persons with specific categories of housing need such as older people, the homeless or persons with a physical, intellectual or mental health disability. The scheme is not intended to fund nursing home or similar...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (7 Jul 2011)

Willie Penrose: Part H of the Building Regulations (Drainage and Waste Water Disposal) sets out the requirements for the design and installation of wastewater systems. The relevant Technical Guidance Document (TGD) H provides guidance on how to comply with the requirements of Part H. The EPA's new Code of Practice on Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems serving Single Houses was published in October...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (7 Jul 2011)

Willie Penrose: Under the social housing investment programme, local authorities meet social housing needs from a variety of sources including the traditional construction and acquisition programmes, projects advanced by the voluntary and co-operative sector and through the leasing of accommodation from private landlords and property owners. In 2011, my Department allocated €5.7 million for Kildare...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (12 Jul 2011)

Willie Penrose: I refer to the reply to Question No. 229 of 31 May 2011. My Department issued Wind Energy Development Guidelines in June 2006. A copy of the Guidelines is available on my Department's website www.environ.ie. These Guidelines recommend an approach which seeks to identify, within the development plan process, key areas where wind energy resources are good and capable of being exploited....

Written Answers — Urban Renewal Schemes: Urban Renewal Schemes (12 Jul 2011)

Willie Penrose: My Department advised Sligo Borough Council that no objection would be raised to the inclusion of proposals in respect of the maisonette complex in the regeneration project for the eastern quadrant of Sligo, and it understands that 23 of the 28 units in the complex are vacant at present and that discussions are taking place between the Council and the five remaining tenants with a view to...

Written Answers — Retail Sector Developments: Retail Sector Developments (12 Jul 2011)

Willie Penrose: In response to the requirement in the EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support for Ireland for an economic analysis of the potential impact on competition and consumer prices of eliminating or relaxing the floorspace cap on retail premises, my Department and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation commissioned Forfás to undertake an evidence-based and focused study to analyse the...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (13 Jul 2011)

Willie Penrose: In accordance with Part II of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2010 the making, reviewing and varying of development plans are reserved functions of the elected members of a planning authority. Section 10(2) provides, as a mandatory objective in development plans, for the integration of the planning and sustainable development of the area with the social, community and cultural...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Payments: Social Welfare Payments (13 Jul 2011)

Willie Penrose: The new housing policy statement published by my Department on 16 June 2011 signalled key reforms in housing policy, including the phased transfer of responsibility for meeting the housing needs of long term rent supplement recipients from the community welfare service to the housing authorities. Together with Minister Burton I have already established a steering group to oversee the...

Seanad: Unfinished Housing Developments: Statements (13 Jul 2011)

Willie Penrose: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach. I am delighted to have the opportunity to appear before the Members of the Seanad. I was here once before. I thank the House for giving me the opportunity to discuss this very important issue. I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for the opportunity to outline the background, recent developments and future plans that are in place to ensure clear, decisive and...

Seanad: Unfinished Housing Developments: Statements (13 Jul 2011)

Willie Penrose: I thank the Acting Chairman and as he is aware, I was present for every second of the debate. I had intended to go elsewhere but I called it off. I am heartened to note the key points and contributions raised in a non-partisan way in today's debate have been broadly captured in the context of the advisory group's report and my Department's response to it. It gives me confidence the...

Seanad: Unfinished Housing Developments: Statements (13 Jul 2011)

Willie Penrose: I would like to finish my contribution.

Seanad: Unfinished Housing Developments: Statements (13 Jul 2011)

Willie Penrose: I am enjoying the company of the Senators so much.

Seanad: Unfinished Housing Developments: Statements (13 Jul 2011)

Willie Penrose: The real funding will come from developers, banks and financiers. The funds are not for completion of the houses because that is for the developers and the banks but public safety works are the first priority and we have to deal with these as best we can. Based on their concerns, the local authorities have categorised all estates and of 655 estates with works to be completed, a total of 242...

Seanad: Unfinished Housing Developments: Statements (13 Jul 2011)

Willie Penrose: I want to reply to each individual speaker.

Seanad: Unfinished Housing Developments: Statements (13 Jul 2011)

Willie Penrose: Approved housing bodies are the way forward. An assessment was carried out at the end of March and approximately 100,000 will be on the list when it is released in August. A total of 100,000 people are being supported by rent supplement of €500 million. I intend to change the system and to give responsibility for rent supplement to the local authorities. There is no sense in having rent...

Written Answers — Unfinished Housing Estates: Unfinished Housing Estates (14 Jul 2011)

Willie Penrose: The table below sets out details on funding sought by Monaghan County Council for public safety measures to be undertaken on Category 4 developments. Development Location Funding Sought Recommendation Forest Walk Monaghan Town â'¬3,405 Full amount Chapel Court Carrickroe â'¬5,700 Full amount Wylies Hill Ballybay â'¬211,715 See Note below Note: Further information has been sought...

Written Answers — Mortgage Schemes: Mortgage Schemes (14 Jul 2011)

Willie Penrose: To date 10 Home Choice Loans have been issued, with a total value of €2,007,080. A further 6 Home Choice Loans have been approved but not yet drawn down, with a total value of €1,192,840. The total cost to date of administering the scheme is approximately €305,925. These costs include the setting up of the central processing unit (CPU) within the Housing & Sustainable Communities...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (14 Jul 2011)

Willie Penrose: Section 33(2)(c) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 makes provision for a person to make a submission or observation on a planning application on payment of the prescribed fee and within the prescribed period. Under the Planning Regulations the prescribed fee is €20 and the prescribed period is 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt of the planning application by the planning...