Results 7,761-7,780 of 17,531 for speaker:Jan O'Sullivan

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Expenditure (4 Dec 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 118 together. My Department’s 2014 Estimate includes a provision in excess of €223 million for capital expenditure and €302 million for current expenditure for housing in 2014. The 2014 capital provision includes €40 million for local authority housing, €40.9 million for voluntary and co-operative housing, €3...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Homeless Persons Data (4 Dec 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: Traditionally it has been difficult to quantify the number of homeless persons on an on-going basis; this is in part a consequence of the volatility within this cohort of housing need. However, during the course of 2013 the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS), which commenced operation in Dublin in 2011, is being extended nationally. When PASS is fully implemented it will...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (5 Dec 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: The housing budget for 2013 provides a €310 million allocation in current spending while €275 million will be invested through the housing capital programme. In the region of 5,000 units will be provided for social housing in 2013 including: - 350 units for people with special housing needs; - 150 units specifically for people leaving institutional care; - an...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Voluntary Housing Sector (5 Dec 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Government’s Housing Policy Statement of June 2011 acknowledged the capacity and track record of the voluntary and cooperative housing sector and placed approved housing bodies (AHBs) at the heart of its vision for social housing provision. In July 2013 we published Building for the Future, a voluntary regulation code and an important step towards a statutory regulatory framework....

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing Assistance Payments Implementation (5 Dec 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: In March 2012, the Government approved in principle the transfer of responsibility for recipients of rent supplement with an established housing need from the Department of Social Protection (DSP) to local authorities using a new Housing Assistance Payment (HAP). On 18 July 2013, the Government approved the introduction of HAP and that the DSP would provide for the implementation of the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Provision (5 Dec 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...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Voluntary Housing Sector (5 Dec 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: My Department’s role in relation to the voluntary housing capital funding schemes relates primarily to the provision of funds to support the annual construction and housing acquisitions programmes by the sector. It is a matter for the relevant housing authority to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of the schemes, and to have appropriate oversight and liaison arrangements...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Wind Energy Guidelines (5 Dec 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: I refer to Section 7.19 of my Department’s Wind Energy Development Guidelines 2006 on ‘Decommissioning and Reinstatement ’. Conditions requiring the lodgement of financial bonds have been used in the past to try to ensure that decommissioning will take place in a responsible manner. However, the use of long-term bonds to secure satisfactory reinstatement of the site...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Land Issues (5 Dec 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: The only penalty of this nature applicable to the hoarding and non-development of sites is the derelict sites levy provided for under section 23 of the Derelict Sites Act 1990. This levy, which only applies to sites in urban areas, allows local authorities to apply an annual levy of 3 per cent of the market value of the derelict, but potentially developable, site in question subject to the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Rental Accommodation Standards (5 Dec 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: Minimum standards for rental accommodation are prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2008, as amended by the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) (Amendment) Regulations 2009 made under section 18 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992. These specify requirements in relation to a range of matters such as structural repair, sanitary facilities,...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing Adaptation Grants Funding (5 Dec 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: The funding provided to County Councils in respect of adaptations and extensions to meet the needs of tenants with a disability is allocated and recouped on a county-at-large basis. Information on the amounts spent in each of the nine town councils in County Cork is not available in my Department and could appropriately be sought from the relevant town councils. Details of the funding...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Foreshore Licences Applications (5 Dec 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: An application from Sligo County Council for a licence under the Foreshore Act to undertake dredging works at Sligo Harbour was received by my Department on 28 February 2013. The application is currently being assessed by my Department in the context of the relevant regulatory framework including obligations arising under the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. I will make a determination on...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Provision (5 Dec 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 158, 163 and 164 together. The Government’s housing policy statement, published in June 2011, clearly identifies that the priority for Government is to meet the most acute needs of households applying for social housing support in all local authority areas. I am determined to ensure that the social housing programme is optimised in terms of resources...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Waiting Lists (5 Dec 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: The results of the 2013 Summary of Housing Needs Assessment will be available later this month. The assessment involved the submission by all housing authorities of details of the social housing assessments carried out in their administrative area as at 7 May, 2013, and the findings will provide details on the number of households on waiting lists at this date. My Department will engage with...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing Adaptation Grants Expenditure (5 Dec 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: My Department’s involvement with the Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability relates primarily to the recoupment of a proportion of local authority expenditure on the payment of individual grants. These schemes, introduced in November 2007, are funded by 80% recoupments available from my Department together with a 20% contribution from the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing Issues (10 Dec 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Government’s housing policy statement, published in June 2011, clearly identifies that the priority for Government is to meet the most acute needs of households applying for social housing support in all local authority areas. I am determined to ensure that the social housing programme is optimised in terms of resources and focus to maximise the response to social housing need....

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Mortgages (10 Dec 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Government’s 2011 housing policy statement announced the standing down of all affordable housing schemes, including the shared ownership scheme, in the context of a full review of Part V of the Planning and Development Act. Details regarding that review are available on my Department’s website and the period for public submissions closed on 27 September 2013. Earlier this...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Issues (10 Dec 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 327 and 329 together. The additional €30 million Exchequer investment in social housing announced on Budget Day is expected to deliver some 500 local authority homes for families on the housing waiting list. Approximately half of this investment will facilitate the construction of new infill housing developments in areas with a high demand for...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: House Purchase Schemes (10 Dec 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: While I cannot comment on an individual case, m y Department estimates that the overall timeframe per case from start to completed transaction will be up to eight months. This compares favourably to the timeframes in other jurisdictions operating similar schemes. It is also important to bear in mind that the transition from being a homeowner to a social housing tenant is a major one for...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing Issues (10 Dec 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: Responsibility for compliance with the terms and conditions attaching to a planning permission is legally a matter for the developer. Until such time as a development is taken in charge, housing estates remain in private ownership and the responsibility of the developer. Local authorities are not empowered to enter onto private lands for the purpose of carrying out repair and maintenance...