Results 781-800 of 2,386 for speaker:Michael Finneran

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

Michael Finneran: The legislation provides that houses sold or leased under the affordable schemes will be subject to any terms and conditions that the local authority specifies including, inter alia, the occupation of the house by the purchaser. Furthermore, affordable housing sold at a discount from market value contains a clawback provision. The amount payable under the clawback is reduced by 10% in...

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

Michael Finneran: Given that sentiment in the housing market is heavily dependent on wider sentiment in the economy, the Government's approach is focused on the broader economic fundamentals and on ensuring, ultimately, that the housing market is underpinned by these. While the Government has been careful to ensure that the process of correction in the housing market is not artificially interfered with, a...

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

Michael Finneran: It is a matter for each individual local authority to set their rents schemes in accordance with guidance issued by my Department. The amount of rent due to any local authority from individual households is determined in accordance with its rents scheme. Data on the amount of rental income collected by Meath County Council for the years 2004 to 2007 are available in the Housing/Housing...

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

Michael Finneran: The information requested for the years 2004-2007 is set out in the table. Data for 2008 are not yet available. Housing Loans Year Amount Due for Collection Collected % Collected â'¬ â'¬ 2004 2,184,102 2,137,537.979 2005 2,075,247 1,958,089.944 2006 2,178,003 2,082,741.956 2007 2,088,855 1,937,654.928

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

Michael Finneran: Housing authorities are legally responsible for meeting the accommodation needs of homeless people. It is, accordingly, the responsibility of the individual housing authorities to determine the level of emergency accommodation to be provided, having regard to the need for such accommodation within their areas. My Department is currently working in partnership with the Homeless Agency and the...

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

Michael Finneran: In line with my objective of prioritising the needs of the most vulnerable households, the total 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 to be increased by 8% over the initial estimate for 2008. In the context of an overall reduction in the Exchequer provision for...

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

Michael Finneran: An outline proposal was received in my Department from Westmeath County Council in relation to a proposed scheme for Cluid Housing Association at Springfield, Mullingar in May, 2005. Following my Department's response and subsequent discussions on the matter, the Council sought Departmental approval for the scheme in November, 2008. My Department wrote to the Council on 21 January 2009...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (11 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 236 to 238, inclusive, 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. However, a statutory assessment of housing need is carried out every three years by all...

Written Answers — Housing Aid for the Elderly: Housing Aid for the Elderly (11 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: Local authorities will be notified of their capital allocations for 2009 in respect of the Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes, following the publication of the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2009.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (11 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: In general, following consideration by its Board, the rates charged to local authority borrowers are normally adjusted by the Housing Finance Agency (HFA) in line with movements in European Central Bank (ECB) rates. The Agency recently notified local authorities of its decision to pass on, in full, the 0.5% decrease announced by the ECB in January. The effective rate for local authority...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (11 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: Sanction for a loan of €5.6 million in respect of land acquisition in Castleinch, Listowel was provided to Kerry County Council on 7 August 2008.

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (12 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: I refer to the reply to Question No. 1038 of 27 January 2009. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Housing Projects: Housing Projects (17 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: An application for funding under the Capital Assistance Scheme for a project at this location was received from Cork County Council by my Department in late 2004. Since then, my Department has engaged with the Council with a view to resolving certain technical and procurement issues attaching to the application. In December 2008 further information was requested from the Council and a...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (17 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: The provision of accommodation by approved voluntary and co-operative housing bodies is an integral part of my Department's overall response to delivering on social housing need. Local authorities and approved housing bodies are working in close co-operation to deliver an expanded range of social housing options and a wide range of accommodation types to meet the needs of low-income families...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (17 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: I recently announced new arrangements for the delivery of social housing whereby housing authorities may enter into long-term leases of private dwellings as a means of meeting housing need. My Department has outlined the details of these new arrangements in a circular which I have requested be sent to the Deputy. The purpose of the new arrangements is to provide a wider range of supply...

Written Answers — Housing Schemes: Housing Schemes (17 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: My Department's involvement with the voluntary and co-operative housing schemes relates primarily to the provision of funds for individual projects. The administration of the schemes, including the detailed appraisal of new applications, the management of the planning and procurement stages of projects and the certification that projects comply with the terms and conditions of the funding...

Written Answers — Housing Aid for the Elderly: Housing Aid for the Elderly (17 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: Following the cessation of the Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme from 1 August 2008, it was agreed between my Department and the Health Service Executive, that all applications on hand at that date will be processed by the Health Service Executive under the provisions of the Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme. I expect to make an allocation to the Health Service Executive...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (17 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 402 and 404 together. The Home Choice Loan scheme is available to first time buyers of new houses or self-builds, subject to a maximum loan of €285,000 or maximum LTV of 92% (whichever is the lesser). A minimum income requirement of €40,000 for single applicants and €50,000 for joint applicants applies. The low cost sites scheme is targeted at lower...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (18 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: Under new leasing arrangements housing authorities may enter into long-term leases of private dwellings to meet housing need. The lease periods entered into will be for between 10-20 years. The arrangements once entered into will apply for the full term of the lease regardless of whether the property owner decides to sell the dwelling. This will ensure that tenants will not be affected in...

Written Answers — Urban Renewal Schemes: Urban Renewal Schemes (18 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: As with all Social Housing Investment Programme projects, works and related expenditure and the resulting Exchequer funding requirements must be managed by the commissioning authority in accordance with the allocations available to them. My Department has recouped, and will continue to recoup, qualifying costs in respect of the Ballymun regeneration project in accordance with allocations and...