Results 841-860 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Seanad: Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (31 Oct 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am told that relates to the Central Bank and does not concern commercial banks.

Seanad: Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (31 Oct 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank the Senators who attended the debate and the Whips for giving priority to the Bill. As has been mentioned, sections 5 and 8 are stated in the text to have effect as of 1 November next and, therefore, this Bill must be enacted by that date. The Seanad amendments will go to the Dáil today for debate and a motion for early signature is down on the Seanad Order Paper for 7.10 p.m....

Seanad: Housing Market: Statements (31 Oct 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: I welcome the opportunity to address the House on developments in the housing market and to hear the views of Members on a topic that is of great importance not only to my area of responsibility but to the overall economy. The past year or so has seen significant changes in the housing market. A key point I want to make is that recent trends in aspects such as house prices and housing output...

Seanad: Housing Market: Statements (31 Oct 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am past that now.

Seanad: Housing Market: Statements (31 Oct 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: These are the next generation of Irish workers who may further boost demand for housing in the longer-term. There are also a number of positive factors in the more immediate context. The prospects for income growth remain positive. Increased mortgage relief, first-time buyer stamp duty exemption, greater accessibility to the market as result of easing prices and the prospect that we may...

Seanad: Housing Market: Statements (31 Oct 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am grateful to the House for allowing me time to make a presentation on housing. As public representatives we have a particular interest in it. I thank the Senators for their thoughtful contributions. I wish to reiterate a number of key points and to respond to a number of the issues raised. Senator Coffey spoke about the CIF and targets. I wish to put this into perspective. The CIF...

Written Answers — Mortgage Assistance Payment: Mortgage Assistance Payment (6 Nov 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: On receipt of a claim for payment from the lending agency concerned, my Department will arrange for payment of the allowance as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Rural Renewal Scheme: Rural Renewal Scheme (6 Nov 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: An inspection with a view to issuing a Certificate of Compliance, if in order, will be carried out as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (7 Nov 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 274 and 275 together. A review of Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000, undertaken by my Department in 2002 in consultation with a wide range of interested bodies including local authorities and representatives of the house building industry, professional institutes and voluntary housing providers, concluded that greater flexibility in the operation...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (7 Nov 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: The targets for social housing in 2007 were set with the goal of making reasonable progress towards reaching the social housing targets in the National Development Plan (NDP) 2007-2013. The aim is to commence/acquire some 9,000 new social homes. Activity has increased as the year has progressed and at the end of June the number of starts and acquisitions under the local authority, voluntary...

Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (7 Nov 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 provides security of tenure for tenants based on a four-year cycle. This significant improvement to tenants' security of tenure was recommended by the Commission on the Private Rented Residential Sector whose report largely formed the basis of the legislation. Information relating to the private rental sector in other countries was among the matters...

Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (7 Nov 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: Good progress is being made with the Action Programme announced in September 2006 to promote improvement in standards in private rented accommodation, involving a range of measures including improved regulation, enforcement, funding and information. Updating of the existing standards regulations in consultation with relevant interests is an important element of this programme. Submissions...

Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (7 Nov 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Government is committed to achieving the targets set out in the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion 2007-2016 and the National Development Plan 2007-2013 in accordance with the overarching framework contained in the national partnership agreement, Towards 2016. Taken together, these plans represent a coherent and ambitious strategy that will deliver real change for the most...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (7 Nov 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: A revised framework of grants to assist older people and people with a disability with their accommodation needs was introduced on 1 November 2007. As part of the new framework, two new schemes, the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability and the Mobility Aids Housing Grant will assist with the provision or adaptation of accommodation to meet the needs of people who have a...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (7 Nov 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: Arising from the construction review process, the Department of Finance introduced revised arrangements in October, 2006, for the procurement of public works projects and for the engagement and payment of construction consultants. In addition to Government Departments and local authorities, the new arrangements apply to other relevant bodies, including voluntary housing bodies, where 50% or...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (8 Nov 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) is designed to cater for the accommodation needs of persons in receipt of rent supplement who have a long-term housing need. It is a collaborative project between my Department, local authorities, the Department of Social and Family Affairs and the Health Service Executive. I am satisfied at this stage that RAS is meeting the objectives set for it by...

Written Answers — Departmental Certificates: Departmental Certificates (8 Nov 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: An inspection has been carried out in this case and a Certificate of Reasonable Cost will issue very shortly.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (13 Nov 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: Houses sold to first time buyers under the various affordable housing schemes at a significant discount from market value contain a clawback provision, in order to prevent short-term profit taking on the resale of the house, to the detriment of the objectives of the schemes. As there is no provision in the affordable housing schemes that allow households switch accommodation from one...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (13 Nov 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 495 and 496 together. In April 2005, my Department approved the scheme of letting priorities submitted by Dublin City Council, subject to certain conditions. One of these conditions related to the proposal to award equal points in the allocation of housing to the applicant and their partner. My Department requested the City Council to provide further...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (13 Nov 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Question Nos. 506 and 518 together. The design standards for social housing, including the provision of appropriate heating systems, are set out in my Department's recently published guidelines, Quality Housing for Sustainable Communities. My Department has been supportive of a number of initiatives taken by housing authorities in relation to the use of alternative energy...