Results 7,921-7,940 of 17,531 for speaker:Jan O'Sullivan

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Homeless Accommodation Provision (4 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: In February 2013, I published the Government’s homelessness policy statement and at that time I announced a set of indicators to be used to demonstrate the dynamics of homelessness as it is addressed. These indicators will give a clearer picture of homelessness in Ireland and, in quantifying its ongoing extent, will support the bringing forward of realistic and practical solutions....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Homeless Accommodation Provision (4 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I have listened to the Deputy in respect of the local authority areas with the longest waiting lists and the most urgent problem. I said that in allocating funding, we will put a major focus on those local authorities. We will announce funding in the relatively near future in respect of housing construction and the provision of social housing. Rental caps are the responsibility of the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Homeless Accommodation Provision (4 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: Deputy Murphy's question was statistical in nature but I acknowledge that, as far as we know, there has been an increase in the number of families declaring themselves homeless or becoming homeless. It is a cause for serious concern. There is the social investment programme, which is directed at families, and it currently operates as a pilot in the Dublin area. It specifically addresses...

Other Questions: Local Authority Housing (4 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Government’s 2011 housing policy statement clearly outlines that the priority for Government will be to meet the most acute needs of households applying for social housing support. I am addressing that priority in the context of the resources available to me. In July 2012, I announced details of a three-year funding programme of €100 million to deliver some 800 new units...

Other Questions: Local Authority Housing (4 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I recognise that there is huge pressure, in particular on some local authorities. I will ensure in the allocation of funding that we are aware of the local authorities that have the most pressing needs. We are recommencing a reconstruction programme. The fact that public capital budgets were cut to such an extent in recent years because of the recession and the economic collapse has meant...

Other Questions: Local Authority Housing (4 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: Some of the issue relates to rent supplement and rent caps. My colleague, the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton, reviewed the rent caps recently but there is a constant pressure in that particular area. The transfer of long-term rent supplement, which came under the Department of Social Protection, to the local authorities, which comes under the Department of the Environment,...

Other Questions: Local Authority Housing Provision (4 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: While the figures in respect of housing completions for the fourth quarter of 2013 are not yet available, I expect that some 5,000 units of accommodation were delivered across the full range of social housing measures last year. Delivery of social housing is significantly facilitated through more flexible funding models such as the rental accommodation scheme and leasing, but the Government...

Other Questions: Local Authority Housing Provision (4 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I have no ideological argument with Deputy Stanley. That is why we are commencing-----

Other Questions: Local Authority Housing Provision (4 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: Deputy Hogan is not stopping me from building houses either. Unfortunately, what stopped us from building houses over the last number of years was the Celtic tiger boom and bust during which, despite the fact that a very large number of private houses were built, the local authority house building programme was not enormous. Later it was seriously constrained by the agreement with the...

Other Questions: Local Authority Housing Provision (4 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: We have made an application to the European Investment Bank for €100 million, to be used for the provision of local authority apartments in major cities. However, it will probably not affect County Laois. This is the first application we have submitted, but we will keep the option in mind for other construction projects.

Other Questions: Local Authority Housing Provision (4 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: With regard to trusts, if local authorities want to set up voluntary housing bodies, we will not stop them. Also, we are moving towards regulation of the voluntary sector in order that it will be better able to raise funds. In that regard, I will meet the new regulatory authority tomorrow, but at this stage we are only implementing a voluntary regulatory code, in conjunction with the...

Other Questions: Planning Issues (4 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: My Department is currently considering, in consultation with Irish Water, the amendments to section 180 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, which relates to the taking in charge of housing developments, that will be required in the context of the establishment of Irish Water and the transfer of water and wastewater infrastructure assets to Irish Water. My Department will also consider...

Other Questions: Planning Issues (4 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I appreciate that there is a specific issue in that regard. The legislation refers to the owners of housing units. As I said, significant planning legislation is due to come forward and I will examine it to see whether, with regard to taking estates in charge, there are areas that need to be changed. I would make the point, however, that the local authority does not have to wait to get...

Other Questions: Planning Issues (4 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: The developer can request it as well.

Other Questions: Planning Issues (4 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I could comment on why the legislation was changed but, obviously, I was not the person who changed it. Deputy Naughten asked me to examine the current situation. I will consider the issue in the context of forthcoming legislation.

Other Questions: Planning Issues (4 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: As I noted earlier, we will be introducing a significant piece of planning legislation in the near future. The primary intention of the legislation is to implement recommendations arising from the Mahon tribunal and to ensure the planning system is trusted. Any Member who has been on a local authority will be aware that issues relating to taking in charge of estates occupy a significant...

Other Questions: Local Authority Housing (4 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: This is an issue we have discussed already in the context of an earlier question.

Other Questions: Local Authority Housing (4 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: As outlined in the Government’s housing policy statement of 2011, the main focus in terms of housing supports provided by Government will be on meeting acute needs, with increased reliance on more flexible, revenue-based approaches based around the rental accommodation scheme, the leasing of properties and the use of private finance by approved housing bodies for the construction and...

Other Questions: Local Authority Housing (4 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: As I noted previously, we have resumed construction of local authority housing. That is an important development in terms of the Government's intentions and we intend to continue investment in this area. Officials in my Department meet regularly with directors of housing and county and city managers, but if it is necessary to hold a meeting specifically with officials from Kildare County...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Provision (4 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: There was no decision made to cut my Department’s allocation to Dublin City Council in respect of the housing programme for this year. Work is well advanced on preparing the capital allocations under the various housing measures which comprise the Social Housing Investment Programme for 2014. As part of this process, my Department liaised closely with the City Council to ascertain the...