Results 761-780 of 2,386 for speaker:Michael Finneran

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (5 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Question Nos. 21, 25, 27 and 46 together. On 30 June 2008, Councillors Dessie Larkin and Vincent P. Martin were appointed as members of the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) for the period up to 31 December 2012. Subsequently, the Board appointed both members to its Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC), consistent with its general policy of appointing all Board...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (5 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: 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 Dáil Committee Stage of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (5 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: On 9 December 2008 I published preliminary results of the Housing Needs Assessment 2008 carried out in accordance with the terms of the Housing Act, 1988. The assessment took place in March 2008 and indicated that there were 56,249 households in need of social housing support, an increase of some 30% on the corresponding figure in 2005. Further information regarding the assessment is...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (5 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: Where a local authority, having explored all appropriate options, is satisfied that affordable homes on hands are no longer required for that purpose, they may be used for another purpose connected with the functions of the authority, including social housing. Accordingly, the question of introducing legislation in that regard does not arise.

Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (5 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 51 together. Minimum standards for rental accommodation are prescribed by regulations made under section 18 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992. All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with these regulations. Failure to do so is an offence, subject, on summary conviction, to a fine not...

Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (5 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: The transfer of tenants under the rental accommodation scheme commenced in September 2005 with 606 transfers in that year. The original target was to achieve 5,000 transfers from rent supplement per full year, over the period of the implementation programme to the end of 2009. The output in relation to the scheme for the years 2006, 2007 and 2008 is provided in the following table. Year...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (5 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: The issues raised in the question in relation to eviction procedures have been the subject of recent court decisions which are currently under appeal to the Supreme Court and the matter is in effect sub judice.

Written Answers — Housing Regulations: Housing Regulations (5 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 221 together. The Housing (Home Choice Loan) Regulations 2008, which provide for the introduction of the Home Choice Loan scheme came into effect on 1 January 2009. The scheme is now fully operational. Over 1,200 prospective purchasers had formally registered interest on the dedicated Home Choice website (www.homechoiceloan.ie) in advance of the...

Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (5 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: My Department has no function in the operational matters of the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB), which is an independent statutory body established under the terms of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004. The board's performance is, however, now benefiting from the increase in its permanent staff complement from 26 to 40 approved by my Department last year. The PRTB may be...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (5 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: It is a feature of the operation of the affordable housing schemes that individual authorities ordinarily have a certain quantum of completed affordable homes on hands at any given time, principally comprising units either being prepared for, or in the course of, sale. However, the information available from local authorities would suggest that the strong level of affordable housing delivery...

Written Answers — Housing Aid for the Elderly: Housing Aid for the Elderly (5 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: In line with my objective of prioritising the needs of the most vulnerable households, the financial provision secured for housing in 2009 will allow for the level of funding allocated towards housing supports for older people and people with a disability this year to be increased by 8% over the initial estimate for 2008. This provision will enable local authorities to continue effectively...

Written Answers — Housing Needs Assessments: Housing Needs Assessments (5 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: The Housing (Miscellaneous) Provisions Bill 2008, published in July 2008, provides for a new housing needs assessment process, replacing section 9 of the Housing Act 1988, which currently governs the assessment of need. The new provisions give the Minister power to require housing authorities to carry out housing needs assessments periodically. Following the enactment of the Bill and the...

Written Answers — Energy Ratings: Energy Ratings (5 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: The Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB), an independent statutory body established under the terms of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, has no function with regard to the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2008 or the European Communities (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations 2006-2008. The Board's principal functions include the resolution of disputes between...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (5 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 223, 229 and 231 together. The number of households on a local authority's waiting list continuously fluctuates as households on the list are allocated housing and new households apply for housing support. My Department does not hold information on waiting lists. A statutory assessment of housing need is carried out every three years by all housing authorities...

Written Answers — Urban Renewal Schemes: Urban Renewal Schemes (5 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: My Department continues to provide strong support for the regeneration project across Limerick City, through ongoing liaison with the Limerick Northside and Southside Regeneration Agencies and with the local authorities in the area. In 2008 alone, some €16 million was provided under the national regeneration programme and the Department's sustainable communities fund to support the...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (10 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: A Remedial Works Scheme application in relation to the estate in question was received on 3 November 2008 and, following the initial evaluation of all proposals received from local authorities, my Department has informed Kildare County Council that it is favourably disposed towards the proposal and would like to have it progressed under the Remedial Works Scheme Programme for 2009. The...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (10 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: I refer to the reply to Question No. 16 of 5 February 2009. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (10 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: Details of the grants and funding made available to Dublin City Council towards the operation of the schemes in question are set out in the table below. The Schemes are funded by 80% recoupment available from my Department together with 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority. The Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant Scheme and...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (10 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: Information on affordable housing activity, up to the end of June 2008, is available on my Department's website at www.environ.ie. Information is also published in my Department's Housing Statistics Bulletins, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library. Data for the third quarter of 2008 will be published shortly. Comprehensive information on the average cost price of affordable...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (10 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: My Department issued approval on 20 January 2009 for the Council to proceed to tender with this proposal.