Results 861-880 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

Written Answers — Asbestos Removal: Asbestos Removal (12 Apr 2005)

Noel Ahern: It is not proposed to introduce a scheme of assistance for private householders who are removing asbestos from their homes. It is a matter for individual local authorities, which are responsible for housing maintenance, to consider the desirability in particular circumstances of removing any asbestos-containing materials from their rented housing stock. It is not considered necessary to...

Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (12 Apr 2005)

Noel Ahern: Under the rental accommodation scheme, local authorities enter into arrangements with private landlords to provide accommodation to persons in receipt of rent supplement who are deemed to have a long-term housing need. Landlords are not obliged to participate in the scheme. Local authorities will seek to secure suitable accommodation for rent supplement recipients whose landlords do not wish...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (12 Apr 2005)

Noel Ahern: Under the rental accommodation scheme announced by the Government in July 2004, local authorities will over a four-year period progressively assume responsibility for accommodating supplementary welfare allowance rent supplement recipients of 18 months or more continuous duration with a long-term housing need. The scheme is a collaborative project between the Department of the Environment,...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (12 Apr 2005)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1081, 1082 and 1099 together. The allocation of houses under the affordable housing schemes is a matter for each local authority, in accordance with the scheme of allocation priorities adopted by its elected members. Each local authority must establish a scheme that determines the order of priority to be accorded to persons to whom affordable houses are made...

Written Answers — Capital Loan and Subsidy Scheme: Capital Loan and Subsidy Scheme (12 Apr 2005)

Noel Ahern: Certain clarifications regarding the design of the project and the application submitted under the capital loan and subsidy scheme by south Tipperary County Council, which is responsible for the detailed administration of the scheme in its area, were sought from the council. The documentation requested has been received and the application is being considered. The council will be advised of...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (12 Apr 2005)

Noel Ahern: An application has been received by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government from Carrick-on-Suir Town Council seeking approval for the construction of 35 local authority houses at Coolnamuck Road in Carrick-on-Suir. It is one element of the proposed housing scheme and no application has been received in respect of the voluntary housing element of the proposal. The...

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (12 Apr 2005)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1092 and 1110 together. Under the Building Control Act 1990, local authorities inspect buildings for compliance with the building regulations. However, my Department's housing inspectorate is involved in the inspection of houses in connection with various grant schemes and with certification for taxation and other benefits. This includes inspections carried...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (12 Apr 2005)

Noel Ahern: The detenanting of dwellings that are to be subject to refurbishment works is a matter for local authorities and my Department has no function in the matter. My Department, in design guidelines issued to local authorities in 1999 on refurbishment works undertaken under the remedial works scheme, states that the issue of whether tenants should remain in occupation of their dwellings during...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (12 Apr 2005)

Noel Ahern: The clawback provisions provide that if a house purchased under the affordable housing schemes at a discount from market value is resold before the expiration of 20 years from the date of the purchase, the person selling the property shall pay to the local authority a percentage of the proceeds of the sale. This percentage is equal to the percentage discount allowed by the local authority on...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (12 Apr 2005)

Noel Ahern: The information sought is not available in my Department.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (12 Apr 2005)

Noel Ahern: Information on the number of housing units provided under the various affordable housing schemes in each local authority area is published in my Department's housing statistics bulletins, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library. The annual housing statistics bulletins provide information on the income categories of purchasers under the shared ownership and the 1999 affordable...

Written Answers — House Prices: House Prices (12 Apr 2005)

Noel Ahern: The information requested on the percentage increase in house prices is available on a quarterly basis and is set out in the following table. New and Second hand house prices % change, quarter over previous quarter New House prices Second-hand house prices % % Q1 '02 4.8 5.8 Q2 '02 3.7 6.4 Q3 '02 1.2 1.0 Q4 '02 3.8 5.1 Q1...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (12 Apr 2005)

Noel Ahern: The maximum loan which may be advanced by local authorities for the acquisition of a house under the affordable housing and shared ownership schemes is €165,000. This is 26.9% higher than the maximum in 2002.

Written Answers — Homeless Persons: Homeless Persons (12 Apr 2005)

Noel Ahern: The Government is continuing to work towards ensuring that housing needs, and in particular social housing needs, are adequately addressed. The Government's strategy on housing has the overarching aim of enabling every household to have available an affordable dwelling of good quality, suited to its needs, in a good environment and, as far as possible, at the tenure of its choice. The general...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (12 Apr 2005)

Noel Ahern: I refer to the reply to Question No. 217 of 3 March 2005. The position is unchanged.

Local Authority Housing. (13 Apr 2005)

Noel Ahern: Persons, including former prisoners, who are unable to provide housing for themselves from their own resources are entitled to apply for social housing provided either by a local authority or a voluntary body. It is a matter for individual local authorities to decide on the allocation of tenancies to various categories of needs on their waiting lists in accordance with their schemes of...

Local Authority Housing. (13 Apr 2005)

Noel Ahern: I agree that it is a serious, difficult and sensitive situation. The question is whether a blanket rule should be issued by the Department or whether matters be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. I understand the sensitivity but legislation exists to deal with this issue. Letting priority schemes are administered by local authorities according to guidelines. They have the right to exclude...

Local Authority Housing. (13 Apr 2005)

Noel Ahern: I regard the matter as serious but we must consider how to deal with it. Legislation exists in the Sex Offenders Act 2001 which places responsibility on the prison authorities, Garda and health services. The Deputy has not convinced me. How did the information get out in the case to which he referred?

Local Authority Housing. (13 Apr 2005)

Noel Ahern: People coming out of prison, no matter what they have been convicted of, have a right and entitlement to apply for housing.

Local Authority Housing. (13 Apr 2005)

Noel Ahern: They must be housed somewhere. However, legislation exists and local authorities are not in the loop.