Results 7,261-7,280 of 17,531 for speaker:Jan O'Sullivan

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Planning Issues (16 Jul 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: It will not take long. We will shortly put it out to tender. There is a period of probably two months or so when that will need to be considered and then a decision will be made. I expect the process to be in operation in the autumn.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Local Authority Housing Issues (16 Jul 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Government's housing policy statement, published in June 2011, clearly identifies that the priority for Government will be to meet the most acute needs of households applying for social housing support. I am determined to ensure that the social housing programme optimises the delivery of social housing and the return for the resources invested. To achieve this, it is essential that we...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Local Authority Housing Issues (16 Jul 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: I agree with Deputy Collins that we have large housing waiting lists. Those housing waiting lists have been building up for many years, including during the Celtic tiger years when there was money around. Unfortunately, we are constrained in terms of funding. That is why we are adopting a flexible approach whereby we are delivering 5,000 units per year. Deputy Collins asked a specific...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Local Authority Housing Issues (16 Jul 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: Yes, there is.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Local Authority Housing Issues (16 Jul 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: I must make two points in response. First, of those people on the housing waiting list, approximately 40% are in receipt of rent supplement and therefore are already getting some support from the State. Second, with regard to RAS, such schemes are the responsibility of local authorities. Consequently, if the landlord sells the house, the local authority has a responsibility to the people...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Leader Programmes Funding (16 Jul 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Leader elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, RDP, commenced in February 2009 after a delay of more than two years. This reduced the time available to allocate funding to less than five years, rather than the original seven. Following the reduction of funding available under the programme due to the increased co-funding rate from the European Commission for 2012 and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Leader Programmes Funding (16 Jul 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: First, the Department is monitoring the position carefully and, as I indicated in my initial reply, a commitment exists to examine all unallocated funding at 31 August with a view to reallocating money. Consequently, the Minister would consider it prudent financial management to ensure he does not ask them to enter into contractual arrangements that could not be honoured. The intention is...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Leader Programmes Funding (16 Jul 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: The local development companies must ensure they play their part as well. This is the reason there is ongoing communication with such companies and it is being impressed on them they must be accurate and must give the Department the correct information as to what they can allocate and spend. They have a responsibility to ensure this happens, the allocations are accurate and the expenditure...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Homelessness Strategy (16 Jul 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: My Department’s role in respect of homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility regarding the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with the housing authorities. Expenditure on homeless...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Homelessness Strategy (16 Jul 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: I agree with Deputy Ellis that this is very challenging and that there has been an increase in the number of people presenting as homeless. That is why we have been so focused on a housing-led policy. Research has shown it is a much more effective way of ensuring people settle in a home with the necessary supports and do not, as has happened in the past, present repeatedly as homeless. We...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Homelessness Strategy (16 Jul 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: I have liaised, and will continue to liaise, with the Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald, who published a document on youth homelessness. The voluntary sector is particularly effective in the area. It has worked very hard in terms of provision but there are ongoing issues.

Other Questions: Water Charges Administration (16 Jul 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: Will I read out the reply?

Other Questions: Water Charges Administration (16 Jul 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: It is more or less the same reply.

Other Questions: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (16 Jul 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: In March 2013 I announced a capital provision of €275 million for allocation to 34 city and county councils in respect of a number of measures under my Department's social housing investment programme, SHIP, for 2013. The allocations included some €65 million for the local authority housing construction and acquisitions programme, some €40 million for the voluntary and...

Other Questions: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (16 Jul 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: We have addressed this issue many times. I am trying to do as much as I can under the various funding mechanisms we have at our disposal. There have been reductions in the housing capital budget over recent years. We are positioning ourselves to expand the construction programme as soon as the economy improves. As I have said, I am making a strong case under the various stimulus packages...

Leaders' Questions (16 Jul 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: How did the Deputy know what the Taoiseach was going to say when the Deputy wrote that?

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Waiting Lists (16 Jul 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Government’s housing policy statement, published in June 2011, clearly identifies that the priority for Government will be to meet the most acute needs of households applying for social housing support. I am determined to ensure that the social housing programme optimises the delivery of social housing and the return for the resources invested. To achieve this, it is essential that...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Homelessness Strategy (16 Jul 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: Local authorities are the designated authorities with powers to enforce the statutory requirements arising under the Fire Services, Building Control and Planning and Development legislation, all of which is at issue in Priory Hall and in other potential condemned dwellings. The local authorities are also the designated housing authority under the Housing Acts. Neither I nor my Department have...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Repossessions (16 Jul 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Government is acutely conscious of the difficulties many households are facing in terms of mortgage arrears. Where any borrower, either from a local authority or from a private financial institution, is facing difficulties in meeting mortgage repayments, they should engage proactively and constructively with the lender to seek to achieve an agreed solution. The services of the Money...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Rental Accommodation Scheme Administration (16 Jul 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: I refer to the reply to Question No. 55 of 12 June 2013 which outlines the position in this matter.