Results 6,481-6,500 of 17,531 for speaker:Jan O'Sullivan

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Capital Assistance Scheme Funding (22 Jan 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: Under the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS), funding of up to 100% of the approved cost is available for the provision of accommodation to meet the needs of persons with specific categories of housing need including older people, people with an intellectual, physical or mental health disability, the homeless, returning emigrants and victims of domestic violence. My Department’s...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: An Bord Pleanála Appeals (22 Jan 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: The average time taken to process an appeal in An Bord Pleanála in 2012 was 23 weeks with 36% of appeals d isposed of within the 18-week statutory objective period . The breakdown sought between larger and smaller developments is not available in my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Maintenance (22 Jan 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: Local authorities, as landlords and owners of their social housing stock, are responsible for the management, maintenance and repair of rented properties, including necessary maintenance and repair works to heating systems. Under my Department's Social Housing Investment Programme, local authorities are allocated capital funding each year in respect of a range of measures to improve the...

Topical Issue Debate: Local Authority Housing Provision (23 Jan 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: I thank Deputy Phelan for raising this matter and for her proactive approach to it. As she, rightly, points out, the pressure on housing budgets means that we must do more with less. Capital budgets for housing have been decreasing over the past five years. The Government's housing policy statement, published in June 2011, reaffirms our focus on meeting the most acute needs of households...

Topical Issue Debate: Local Authority Housing Provision (23 Jan 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: There is always a balance to be struck between incentivising private landlords and being prudent with public money. We must get that balance right. Deputy Phelan referred to vacant houses. We are working with NAMA to acquire properties that can be used for social housing through that agency. We are making some progress on that now. There were some delays but NAMA has now set up what is...

Topical Issue Debate: Remedial Works in Housing Estates (23 Jan 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: I thank Deputy Bannon for raising this matter. Two explosions occurred in the Gleann Riada development in March and October of last year, the first in a privately owned dwelling, the second involving an external boiler. Subsequent to the first explosion, Longford County Council established an expert steering group and appointed a firm of consulting engineers to investigate the causes of the...

Topical Issue Debate: Remedial Works in Housing Estates (23 Jan 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: We made the initial allocation because we realised the seriousness of the situation and we made further money available as well. I appreciate Deputy Bannon's concern and hope I have been able to alleviate some of those concerns today.

Education (Welfare) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) [Private Members] (23 Jan 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: On behalf of the Minister for Education and Skills, I thank Deputy O'Brien for the opportunity to have this debate and I commend the House for the wide range of comments and analysis which Deputies have made to this debate on bullying. As the Minister of State, Deputy White, stated last night, it is important that we use every opportunity to raise awareness about this issue and also to...

Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (24 Jan 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Deputy made his contribution last year.

Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (24 Jan 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: That money cannot be spent on the balance sheet, in accordance with agreements.

Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (24 Jan 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: Would that it were so simple.

Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (24 Jan 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: We were not borrowing €1 billion a month to finance the gap between revenue and expenditure.

Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (24 Jan 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: We are in a very different position in respect of the gap between expenditure and revenue.

Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (24 Jan 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: As the Deputy is aware, we are making progress.

Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (24 Jan 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: I am afraid not.

Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (24 Jan 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: First, I thank all the Deputies who spoke on the Bill. Even if one counts Deputy Finian McGrath only once, more than 30 Members did so. It was a highly informed debate, as Members obviously knew what they were talking about. Moreover, many highly constructive suggestions were made and I look forward to teasing out on Committee Stage many of the issues raised here. However, I will refer to...

Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (24 Jan 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: We can supply to the Deputy details of a number of areas in which private residences are supposed to meet standards. They are listed in regulations. As Deputy Boyd Barrett indicated, we must improve enforcement. The pilot scheme is a positive step and has been working well. We are encouraging local authorities to carry out their inspection responsibilities as well. With regard to the...

Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Referral to Committee (24 Jan 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: I move:That the Bill be referred to the Select Sub-Committee on Environment, Community and Local Government pursuant to Standing Order 82A(3)(a) and (6)(a) and 126(1).

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Voluntary Housing Sector (24 Jan 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: In July 2012, my Department approved a number of voluntary housing projects to commence construction over the 2013 – 2014 period, including a proposal by Renewal Sheltered Housing Limited to construct some 30 units of accommodation for homeless persons at Spur Hill, Togher, County Cork. Cork County Council’s request to progress the project to tender stage is under...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Maintenance (24 Jan 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: My Department understands that the property in this case is owned by Dublin City Council and is being managed and maintained by Clúid Housing Association on behalf of the Council. Local authorities, as landlords and owners of their social housing stock, are responsible for the management, maintenance and repair of all their rented properties. Matters relating to the management and...