Results 4,161-4,180 of 20,796 for speaker:Alan Kelly

Other Questions: Homeless Persons Supports (23 Apr 2015)

Alan Kelly: I thank the Deputy for his question. The long-term solution to homelessness is to increase the supply of homes, particularly in terms of social housing. In November 2014, I launched the Government’s Social Housing Strategy: 2020. This is a six-year strategy which is intended to deliver over 110,000 social housing tenancies through the provision of 35,000 new social housing units, at...

Other Questions: Homeless Persons Supports (23 Apr 2015)

Alan Kelly: I respect the sincerity in which the Deputy asks this question. I have always said, and I wish to be fair to Deputies across the Chamber who have worked with me on it, that this issue is above political to-ing and fro-ing. Many measures are being taken and examined. We are constantly examining other ways in which we can facilitate. We listed 80 actions and implemented them before...

Other Questions: Homeless Persons Supports (23 Apr 2015)

Alan Kelly: We have delivered quicker on voids. We are looking at other measures, including in relation to rent. They are being concluded or are being examined at the moment. I also wish to repeat something to the Deputy.

Other Questions: Homeless Persons Supports (23 Apr 2015)

Alan Kelly: As the Minister responsible, I need co-operation from many different areas, in particular, from politicians. A number of measures I announced have been welcomed and implemented and have had huge dramatic impacts.

Other Questions: Homeless Persons Supports (23 Apr 2015)

Alan Kelly: However, I need local authorities, in particular, to play ball in relation to this.

Other Questions: Homeless Persons Supports (23 Apr 2015)

Alan Kelly: It is our ambition to meet our targets in respect of ending involuntary long-term homelessness. I will deal with two issues in the short time available to me. First, to conclude my earlier point, I need the co-operation of local authorities. In some cases, that has not been forthcoming. Given its role in relation to the refurbishment of certain apartments in O'Devaney Gardens, Dublin City...

Other Questions: Island Communities (23 Apr 2015)

Alan Kelly: Hear, hear.

Other Questions: Electoral Reform (23 Apr 2015)

Alan Kelly: Provisions for the layout of the ballot paper for Dáil elections are set out in section 88 of the Electoral Act 1992, as amended. Over the years, many suggestions have been made for change to the format and layout of ballot papers. These include blacking or shading the empty emblem box for non–party candidates and the use of the word "independent" instead of "non-party". The...

Other Questions: Electoral Reform (23 Apr 2015)

Alan Kelly: The Deputy has raised a number of issues and this is one. I will examine it. The Deputy and others, who take a keen interest in this, as we all should, have raised several issues. It is a valid argument and it is something we will be able to deal with over time. I must take some advice on it, particularly legal advice, but at this juncture it is something I would consider favourably.

Other Questions: Electoral Reform (23 Apr 2015)

Alan Kelly: The Deputy makes a valid point and we will certainly examine it. I cannot commit to getting it done before the by-election, although I will see if it is possible. We will take advice on the matter and revert to the Deputy and the House. However, the issue is validly put and must be seriously examined.

Other Questions: Housing Data (23 Apr 2015)

Alan Kelly: Hear, hear.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Reform (23 Apr 2015)

Alan Kelly: In the context of local government, the principle of subsidiarity, whereby decisions are taken as closely as possible to the citizen, is effectively enshrined in Bunreacht Na hÉireann. Article 28A gives constitutional recognition and protection to the role of local government. The principle is also reflected in the Action Programme for Effective Local Governmentwhich makes clear the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Homeless Accommodation Provision (23 Apr 2015)

Alan Kelly: The targets I recently announced for all local authorities are out to 2017 and include the provision of almost 7,500 units that will be capital-funded. It is a matter for each local authority to identify the appropriate initiatives to respond to their housing need, including acquiring available properties, as well as building, leasing and the provision of housing supports through the private...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing Assistance Payments Data (23 Apr 2015)

Alan Kelly: The implementation of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a key Government priority and a major pillar of the Social Housing Strategy 2020, which I published on 26 November 2014. The HAP scheme will bring all social housing supports provided by the State under the aegis of local authorities. The scheme will remove a barrier to employment by allowing recipients to remain in the scheme if...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Shared Ownership Scheme (23 Apr 2015)

Alan Kelly: The Shared Ownership Scheme, first introduced in 1991 and amended in January 2003, was designed to facilitate access to home ownership to those who were unable to buy a home outright with a conventional mortgage. The Scheme offered an option to purchase up to half of a property with a standard annuity mortgage, with the balance to be rented from the local authority. The initiative worked...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Maintenance (23 Apr 2015)

Alan Kelly: The management and maintenance of the local authority housing stock, including the compilation and implementation of planned maintenance programmes and the carrying out of responsive repairs and pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, is a matter for each individual local authority under section 58 of the Housing Act1966. My Department is committed to supporting local authorities in...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Data (23 Apr 2015)

Alan Kelly: The social housing targets that I recently announced for all local authorities out to 2017 include almost 7,500 units that will be capital-funded and 15,400 current-funded units, of which 11,400 will be delivered through leasing and 4,000 delivered through the Rental Accommodation Scheme. Local authorities are responsible for the detailed planning of social housing provision based on...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Irish Water Remit (23 Apr 2015)

Alan Kelly: The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides for the transfer of water services functions from the water services authorities to Irish Water. With effect from 1 January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for the provision of public water services. The current regime governing discharges to sewers was introduced under the provisions of Section 16 of the Water Pollution Act 1977, which...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Reform (23 Apr 2015)

Alan Kelly: The majority of the provisions of the Local Government Reform Act 2014 commenced with effect from 1 June 2014, activating a range of significant changes in the local government system signalled in the Action Programme for Effective Local Government(October 2012). Those changes include enhanced roles for local authorities in economic development and in community and local development,...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Tenant Purchase Scheme Administration (23 Apr 2015)

Alan Kelly: Part 3 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 provides for a new scheme for the tenant purchase of existing local authority houses along incremental purchase lines. The Government’s Social Housing Strategy 2020includes a commitment to make the Regulations necessary for its introduction, which will set out the full details of the new scheme, in the second quarter of 2015. ...