Results 441-460 of 2,386 for speaker:Michael Finneran

Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (4 Nov 2008)

Michael Finneran: I refer to the reply to Question No. 479 of 21 October 2008. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Housing Statistics: Housing Statistics (4 Nov 2008)

Michael Finneran: While my Department compiles a broad range of housing statistics for publication in its Housing Bulletins, specific data are not available on the number of planning permissions or completions for houses outside of areas zoned for development. As part of my Department's ongoing commitment to enhancing the relevance and quality of its housing statistics, the data collected are reviewed on a...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (5 Nov 2008)

Michael Finneran: It is a matter for individual authorities to decide on the eligibility of applicants for social housing and the allocation of houses to eligible applicants within the terms of their approved Scheme of Letting Priorities. The provision of social housing support by housing authorities is determined on the basis of a number of eligibility criteria, of which residency is one. These residency...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (5 Nov 2008)

Michael Finneran: I do not believe it would be appropriate, at the outset, to set definitive limitations on the period of operation of the Home Choice loan scheme or for the total loan finance to be made available, as the timing of the termination of the scheme will be dependent on a range of issues, particularly the extent to which the credit crunch eases and mortgage finance becomes more readily available...

Seanad: Drug Abuse (5 Nov 2008)

Michael Finneran: I will take this Adjournment matter on behalf of the Minister for Health and Children and I would like to thank the Senator for raising it. The Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 and regulations made thereunder regulate and control the import, export, production, supply and possession of a range of named narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances listed in the Schedules to the Act. Substances are...

Seanad: Drug Abuse (5 Nov 2008)

Michael Finneran: I will convey the Senator's comments to the Minister for Health and Children.

Seanad: Budgetary Measures (5 Nov 2008)

Michael Finneran: Os rud é gur thíolacadh an cheist seo don Seanad i mBéarla, freagróidh mé é i mBéarla. Current expenditure by the local government sector is forecast at about €5 billion this year. Clearly, a very significant income stream is required to underpin expenditure of this order. However, the revenue base available to local authorities is relatively narrow. Commercial rates account for...

Seanad: Budgetary Measures (5 Nov 2008)

Michael Finneran: I have stated already that I will be bringing forward legislation on this matter and the county managers and the Houses of the Oireachtas will be informed. On the Senator's argument that the moneys accruing from holiday homes should be held by the local authority, the information and advice available is that smaller counties would lose out drastically because this charge includes all second...

Seanad: Museum Projects (5 Nov 2008)

Michael Finneran: I am taking the Adjournment on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Deputy Martin Cullen. I thank Senators Keaveney and Hannigan for raising this matter. I applaud the well-informed and sincere interest shown by Senators in matters relating to our archival heritage. With regard to the Ballykinlar material and site, I understand that the Department of Culture,...

Seanad: Museum Projects (5 Nov 2008)

Michael Finneran: I will have the comments of the Senator conveyed to the Minister.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (6 Nov 2008)

Michael Finneran: The regulations governing standards for rented houses are set out in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 1993. These regulations, which apply to all rented dwellings including dwellings let by housing authorities, are currently under review and I expect to bring forward updated regulations shortly. Through funding for remedial and regeneration programmes, significant...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (11 Nov 2008)

Michael Finneran: Under my Department's Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS), grants of up to 100% of the approved cost of projects are available for accommodation provided by approved housing bodies. Legal costs necessarily incurred in respect of land acquisition, oversight of services and works contracts, effecting mortgages and registration of title etc. are eligible for grant assistance under the CAS. As is the...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (11 Nov 2008)

Michael Finneran: Local authorities operate a number of grant schemes to meet the mobility needs of older people and people with a disability. The Disabled Persons and Essential Repairs Grant Schemes were replaced by the Housing Adaptation Grant schemes for older people and people with a disability in November 2007. Allocations under these grant schemes are calculated on an annual basis, based on each local...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (11 Nov 2008)

Michael Finneran: Legislative provision to facilitate persons in affordable housing wishing to re-mortgage with a private lender is being considered in the context of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008, which is currently before the Oireachtas.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (11 Nov 2008)

Michael Finneran: Under the Social Housing Investment Programme local authorities may purchase houses for the purpose of meeting social housing need, including need created by necessary relocation of households within a regeneration area. The allocation of such dwellings is, however, solely a matter for the local authority in question. As part of any approved regeneration project local authorities may also...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (13 Nov 2008)

Michael Finneran: Local authorities already have powers under the Planning and Development Act 2000 to purchase land for the purpose of their housing strategies and under the Housing Act 1966 to acquire dwellings for social housing purposes. I have no proposals at this time for the further expansion of these powers.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (13 Nov 2008)

Michael Finneran: While I do not consider it appropriate to legislate for a specific right to housing, Government policy on housing has the overarching aim of enabling every household to have available an affordable dwelling of good quality, suited to its needs, in a good environment and, as far as possible, at the tenure of its choice. The Government's approach to achieving this policy aim is that those who...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (13 Nov 2008)

Michael Finneran: The interest rate on local authority housing loans is determined by the Housing Finance Agency (HFA) by reference to mortgage rates prevailing in the financial market. The current variable interest rate to local authority borrowers, excluding mortgage protection, is 5.25%. The current fixed interest rate available on local authority loans, excluding mortgage protection, is 5.5% for a period...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (13 Nov 2008)

Michael Finneran: As indicated in the reply to Question Nos. 270 and 275 of 14 October 2008, work is continuing to address the outstanding issues relating to the tenant purchase of local authority apartments. I hope that legislative proposals for a viable apartment sales scheme can be finalised in time for consideration during the passage of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008 through the Oireachtas.

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (13 Nov 2008)

Michael Finneran: My Department's involvement with the Capital Loan and Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) relates primarily to the provision of funds for individual projects. The administration of the scheme, including the detailed appraisal of new applications, the management of the planning and procurement stages of projects and the certification that particular projects comply with the terms of the funding schemes, are...