Results 821-840 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (3 Mar 2005)

Noel Ahern: It is a matter for local authorities to decide on the level of funding to be provided for the disabled persons grant scheme in their area from within the allocation notified to them for disabled persons and essential repairs grants by my Department and to manage the operation of the schemes from within this allocation. My Department recoups to local authorities two thirds of their expenditure...

Written Answers — Traveller Accommodation: Traveller Accommodation (3 Mar 2005)

Noel Ahern: I refer to the reply to Question No. 1339 of 26 January 2005. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Voluntary Activity: Voluntary Activity (8 Mar 2005)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 305 and 308 together. I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 176 of 2 March 2005. As indicated in that reply, it is intended that the group concerned will receive approximately €146,000 in support from my Department in 2005. At a recent meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, I...

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (8 Mar 2005)

Noel Ahern: I refer the Deputy to the reply to Question No. 128 on 21 October 2003. Each year my Department provides education and training grants to community development projects. Some 185 community development projects are based in disadvantaged areas across the country. These projects run a range of courses, including IT training, geared towards enhancing the computer and Internet access skills of...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (8 Mar 2005)

Noel Ahern: As the Deputy is aware, my Department has overall responsibility for co-ordinating the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008. It also has responsibility for the work of the 14 local drugs task forces, LDTFs, the ten regional drugs task forces and the young people's facilities and services fund. The role of the LDTFs is to prepare local action plans, which include a range of...

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (9 Mar 2005)

Noel Ahern: I accept the finishing of housing estates is an important issue, particularly in the greater Dublin area. It often depends on the constituency a Member represents. Powers are in place to deny, with the approval of the courts, planning permission to developers who fail in this regard. Deputy Gilmore wants this process to be speeded up. Careful consideration must be given to some of the...

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (9 Mar 2005)

Noel Ahern: I do not know if the Deputy is. I would like to see the Deputy's definition of "fudging". I understand the Bill's basis and I believe it has merit. We look forward to teasing it out more on Committee Stage.

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (9 Mar 2005)

Noel Ahern: Sour grapes. The Deputy is never happy.

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (9 Mar 2005)

Noel Ahern: It is about affordability, not price.

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (9 Mar 2005)

Noel Ahern: Why not?

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (9 Mar 2005)

Noel Ahern: It was 77,000.

Written Answers — Voluntary Sector Organisations: Voluntary Sector Organisations (9 Mar 2005)

Noel Ahern: I have dealt with this issue comprehensively already in the House. I refer the Deputy in particular to my reply to Question No. 4 and related questions on 22 February 2005. The views expressed by the person in question do not change my view that there is in existence a well developed structure providing supports to the sector. I do not accept the person's dismissal of the value or capability...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (9 Mar 2005)

Noel Ahern: An application for funding under the voluntary housing capital assistance scheme has been received from Leitrim County Council, which is responsible for the detailed administration of the scheme in its area. The application is under examination and the council will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (10 Mar 2005)

Noel Ahern: No application has been received from the group concerned under schemes operated by my Department. However, in response to a letter received by me from the group, my officials have been in contact with the group explaining the schemes operated by my Department, including the limits of funding available under the schemes.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (10 Mar 2005)

Noel Ahern: The re-letting of vacant local authority houses is a matter for individual local authorities and my Department has no function in the matter. Information on the location of individual local authority vacant houses in the Mayo local authority areas is not available in my Department. According to the revised housing action plan for the period 2004 to 2008 recently received in my Department from...

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (22 Mar 2005)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 360 and 367 together. I have dealt with this issue comprehensively already in the House. I refer the Deputies, in particular, to my reply to Questions Nos. 4 and 5 of 22 February and related questions on 9 March 2005.

Written Answers — Local Authority Schemes: Local Authority Schemes (22 Mar 2005)

Noel Ahern: A review of the disabled persons grant scheme is currently being finalised in my Department. On its completion, it will be possible to determine the changes, if any, required to the regulations governing the scheme to ensure that the funding available is directed at those persons in greatest need of such assistance. The outcome of the review will be made available when completed.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (22 Mar 2005)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 643 and 662 together. I was pleased to announce that 2004 was the tenth consecutive year of record housing output with 76,954 units completed, an 11.8% increase over 2003 levels. Of these, 71,808 were built by the private sector, 3,539 by the local authorities and 1,607 by voluntary bodies and co-operatives. Local authorities also acquired 971 units in 2004. A...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (22 Mar 2005)

Noel Ahern: As set out in reply to Question No. 414 of 1 March 2005, the guidelines for local authorities regarding the administration of rent schemes for the letting of their dwellings were issued by my Department in 1986. These guidelines were restated and updated in a circular letter of March 2002, without changing the broad principles applying to the schemes. In the circular of 2002 a request was...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (22 Mar 2005)

Noel Ahern: A grant has recently been approved in this case.