Results 8,321-8,340 of 17,531 for speaker:Jan O'Sullivan

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing Issues (30 Apr 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: There is on-going engagement between my Department, Dublin City Council and Tuath Housing Association with regard to the remediation of problems affecting the Tuath-owned apartments at Gallery Quay. At a meeting with my Department on Wednesday 9 April, attended by representatives of Dublin City Council, Tuath provided an update in relation to progress with palliative works to the outer...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Foreshore Licence Applications (30 Apr 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: My Department received a n application for a licence under the Foreshore Act 1933 to carry out site investigations in Killala Bay, Co Mayo in February 2014. The application has undergone a public consultation process and is currently being assessed by the Marine Licence Vetting Committee. I expect to be in a position to make a determination on the application shortly, based on the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Private Residential Tenancies Board (30 Apr 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004. The primary functions of the Board are to operate a national tenancy registration system and to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants in the private rented residential sector. In accordance with the Act, the Board also has functions regarding...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Maintenance (30 Apr 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: There are no proposals with m y Department from Sligo Borough Council in rel ation to the provision of replacement fencing at this location.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Rental Accommodation Scheme Administration (30 Apr 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 503 and 504 together. My priority is to maximise delivery of social housing to cater for the greatest level of need while also achieving value for money . It is simply not possible to purchase or build anything like the same number of units as can be provided for through the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) and the Social Housing Leasing Initiative (SHLI)....

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Rental Accommodation Scheme Administration (30 Apr 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: In the years since the first transfer from Rent Supplement in late 2005, 48,503 households have been transferred by local authorities under the Rental Accommodation Scheme. Of this number 28,712 were housed directly under RAS and a further 19,791 were accommodated under other social housing options. The approval of units into the scheme is entirely a matter for local authorities. It is not...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Seaweed Harvesting Licences (30 Apr 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: According to my Department’s records, 38 foreshore licences to harvest seaweed have issued since the commencement of the Foreshore Act 1933 . The majority of these licences concern the hand harvesting of small amounts of seaweed, which is reflected in the fees charged. Detailed information in relation to the licences is set out in tabular form below : Commencement date...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Planning Issues (30 Apr 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: A quarry which commenced operation prior to 1 October 1964 and which was deemed by the planning authority under section 261A of the Planning and Development Act 2000 as not requiring an Appropriate Assessment and/or an Environmental Impact Assessment may still require planning permission in circumstances where it had extend ed beyond the area that might reasonably ha ve been anticipated at...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Mortgages (30 Apr 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 519 and 520 together. My Department publishes a wide range of housing statistics , including the number and value of local authority mortgages with a breakdown of those in arrears for more than 90 days . The statistics are available on my Department’s website at:by clicking “Mortgage Data/Arrears in Local Authorities” under the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Mortgages (30 Apr 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: The local authority mortgage protection insurance scheme is overseen by the Mortgage Protection Committee which is a sub-committee of the County and City Managers Association (CCMA) and is representative of the CCMA, local authorities, the Housing Finance Agency and my Department. One of the conditions of the scheme , which is a group policy, is that it is obligatory for all local...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing (30 Apr 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: Housing authorities are responsible for the assessment of social housing need within their administrative areas and for the compilation of strategies and programmes which optimise the delivery of social housing having regard to the resources available across the full range of measures supported under my Department’s Social Housing Investment Programme. It is a matter for individual...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Wind Energy Guidelines (1 May 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: As I indicated during the discussions on the Private Members' Wind Turbine Regulation Bill 2014, the Government did not oppose the Bill on Second Stage on the basis that some of the issues raised in the Bill are already under consideration. However, the Government will need to consider the outcome of the consultation processes on the revision to the 2006 wind energy development guidelines...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Wind Energy Guidelines (1 May 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: To answer the Deputy's point directly, as I have stated already, the matter is addressed in the existing wind energy guidelines, which include a recommendation that development plan maps would identify key areas.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Wind Energy Guidelines (1 May 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: The larger ones will be going directly to An Bord Pleanála. An Bord Pleanála does have regard to the various planning laws and guidelines in terms of making decisions. With regard to the Deputy's point on the Green Paper, the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, will be publishing that shortly. On the guidelines, there is a large number of submissions and it will be quarter three of this...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Wind Energy Guidelines (1 May 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: First, we are proposing an improvement with regard to noise levels. Second, I will take note of the various submissions. Third, with regard to setback, they are now statutory guidelines, so we are strengthening the guidelines in that regard. We will take account of the submissions-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Wind Energy Guidelines (1 May 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: -----and I do not wish to pre-empt what the decision will be. To clarify the matter of the Green Paper, that was approved by the Government yesterday and I presume it will be published in the near future. It is obviously a matter for the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.

Other Questions: Housing Policy (1 May 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Government’s housing policy statement of June 2011 acknowledged the capacity and track record of the voluntary and co-operative housing sector, and placed approved housing bodies, AHBs, at the heart of its vision for social housing provision. My Department is currently in consultation with the AHB sector regarding the development of a regulatory framework to support the expanded...

Other Questions: Housing Policy (1 May 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: My understanding is that there is no legal obstacle to local authorities establishing housing associations if they wish to do so. I agree with the Deputy's comments on the difficulties in accessing funding. I share her frustration. As Dr. Norris stated, the Housing Finance Agency has significant funding. We would all like to see that money being drawn down and used to construct houses for...

Other Questions: Housing Policy (1 May 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I have arranged to meet the directors of services for housing in the near future. One of the issues that I want to discuss with them is the provision of housing, but also the issue of voids, which was raised in last night's debate, and how to ensure that local authorities reallocate empty houses more quickly. Some of what I heard about a particular local authority closing houses for more...

Other Questions: Departmental Investigations (1 May 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: In accordance with section 255 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, I appointed MacCabe Durney Barnes to carry out an independent review of planning issues in respect of six of the seven planning authorities that were previously the subject of review by my Department. The planning authorities concerned are Carlow, Cork, Galway and Meath county councils and Cork and Dublin...