Results 661-680 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Ahern: In July 2004 my Department introduced a special programme for the installation of central heating in existing local authority rented dwellings. The closing date for receipt of applications under last year's scheme was 31 August 2004. The programme has recently been extended for a further period with the objective of ensuring that all local authority rented dwellings have central heating....

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Ahern: The Government has been conscious of the increased level of social housing need and has responded actively to this situation by expanding social and affordable housing output. My Department is allocating record levels of funding to local authorities for their social and affordable housing programmes in 2005. The total Exchequer capital funding available for social and affordable housing in...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Ahern: There are no current applications with my Department from Sligo Borough Council for the designation of an estate for refurbishment under the remedial works scheme. However, I understand that the borough council intends to submit proposals shortly to my Department to undertake refurbishment work on houses in an estate which has already been designated for funding under the scheme.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Ahern: The most recent statutory assessment of local authority housing need was undertaken by local authorities in March 2002. The number of households in need of housing in the two local authorities in County Longford at that time is set out in the following table. Local authority No. of households on the waiting list at end March 2002 Longford County Council 374 Longford Town Council 159...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Ahern: Information on the number of houses completed by the two local authorities in County Longford for each of the past five years under the local authority housing construction-acquisition programme is set out in the following table. Local authority housing completions-acquisitions Local authority 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 (end September) Longford County Council 49 138 93 74 19 ...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Ahern: Information on activity under the various affordable housing schemes in each local authority area is published in my Department's Housing Statistics Bulletins, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Ahern: I assume that the question refers to assistance from my Department under the voluntary housing capital assistance and communal facilities grant schemes. My Department's involvement with the voluntary housing schemes relates primarily to the provision of funds for individual projects. The administration of the scheme, and the certification that particular projects comply with the terms of the...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Ahern: I assume that the question refers to assistance from my Department under the voluntary housing capital assistance and communal facilities grant schemes. My Department's involvement with the voluntary housing schemes relates primarily to the provision of funds for individual projects. The administration of the scheme, and the certification that particular projects comply with the terms of the...

Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Ahern: The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 provides the legislative underpinning to a modernised private rental sector. Key features of the legislation are provision for a new centralised system of tenancy registration and the establishment of the Private Residential Tenancies Board as an independent body with a range of specific statutory functions. These include responsibility for the...

Social and Affordable Housing. (9 Feb 2005)

Noel Ahern: I welcome the publication of the NESC report. The report provides an important analysis of the Irish housing system and an agenda for the future development of policy. Importantly, the report recognises that the general thrust of existing policy is well directed. The Government is already examining the issues raised in the report and will consider whatever changes are required to better focus...

Social and Affordable Housing. (9 Feb 2005)

Noel Ahern: The NESC report was published before Christmas and the Government is considering it.

Social and Affordable Housing. (9 Feb 2005)

Noel Ahern: The Government has yet to accept that report. The Department is working on the matter. One can expect Government action on, and consideration of, the matter in the coming months. Already this year, the number of starts is up by 500 on last year. The capital envelope is €6 billion for the period 2005-09. Whether this will be increased is a matter for decision by Government over the coming months.

Social and Affordable Housing. (9 Feb 2005)

Noel Ahern: I am aware of the points and recommendations made in the NESC report. Those who compiled the report studied the situation and came up with a consensus view. However, it is a major decision for Government whether the level of social housing output can be increased to that degree over the next seven or eight years. The Government will consider the issue. Deputy Gilmore is correct to the extent...

Social and Affordable Housing. (9 Feb 2005)

Noel Ahern: This endorsement was also contained in the earlier part of the report.

Social and Affordable Housing. (9 Feb 2005)

Noel Ahern: There are key decisions to be made. There will be an increase of 500 in the number of units this year. To achieve the figure recommended in the NESC report, we will need to maintain that increase over a number of years into the future.

Social and Affordable Housing. (9 Feb 2005)

Noel Ahern: Work is ongoing in this regard and I hope to do so within the next two months. Much of what is contained in the report is specific and it contains key recommendations. However, the report also observed that many issues require further consideration.

Social and Affordable Housing. (9 Feb 2005)

Noel Ahern: As the Deputy said, I am a slow reader.

Social and Affordable Housing. (9 Feb 2005)

Noel Ahern: The report does not offer definitive recommendations on all the issues. It observes that agreement was not reached on many of the points with which it dealt and that these would require further consideration. This will take place in the Department and in co-operation with the social partners through the housing forum. There are many issues to tease out.

Social and Affordable Housing. (9 Feb 2005)

Noel Ahern: I accept that the fundamental issue relates to increasing the output of social housing. This will be a matter for the Government and I expect a decision to be made within the next two months.

Housing Policy. (9 Feb 2005)

Noel Ahern: The recently published Housing Policy Review 1990-2002, which is available in the Oireachtas Library, was produced by the housing unit at the request of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The primary purpose of the report is to document the principal changes to the system of housing provision and policy in Ireland since 1990. It also outlines recent social and...