Results 921-940 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (27 Nov 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 664 and 672 together. It is not possible to provide an overall cost figure for the construction of 12,000 social housing units in 2008 as this would depend on a range of factors including the distribution of units across the country, the number of different types of units and the state of the housing market. The average unit cost for the construction of a 3...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (27 Nov 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: The assessment of housing need, including verification of the relevant circumstances of applicants, is a matter for the local authority concerned. As standard procedure, local authorities seek information on applicants' accommodation history and have powers under Section 15 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1997 to seek information from a range of relevant bodies in relation to...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (27 Nov 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: The matters referred to and other related issues are under review and I hope to be in a position to announce the outcome of that review shortly.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (27 Nov 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: The revised housing adaptation grant schemes to assist older people and people with a disability became operational on 1 November 2007. Under the new Housing Aid for Older People Scheme, grant assistance may be made available for the installation and upgrading of heating systems and related insulation works. The maximum grant available under the scheme is €10,500 and may cover 100% of the...

Written Answers — Remedial Works Scheme: Remedial Works Scheme (28 Nov 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 278 and 282 together. Last year my Department approved a provisional budget of €3,553,982 for refurbishment works in Carbery Park/Townspark. The scope of works was subsequently reduced by the local authority and on 2 July 2007 a tender recommendation was received from Athy Town Council for the revised works. On 18 July 2007, my Department issued approval...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (28 Nov 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: Mortgage finance for affordable housing has traditionally been provided by local authorities through funding by Housing Finance Agency borrowings and this continues to be the case. However, in recent times my Department has facilitated a number of the main financial institutions in also introducing mortgage finance for persons wishing to access affordable housing. It is, therefore, not...

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Motion (28 Nov 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: He is very polite.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (29 Nov 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 169 and 179 together. Under the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS), households pay a contribution towards their rent to the local authority. This contribution is determined by the housing authority by reference to each authority's Differential Rent Scheme. The level of contribution will vary from authority to authority and over time to reflect changes in the...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (29 Nov 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: The detailed information sought in the Question in relation to the numbers of vacant dwellings on the dates concerned is not held in my Department. The third report from the Local Government Management Services Board on Local Authority Service Indicators, copies of which are in the Oireachtas Library, details the performance of local authorities in 2006 in relation to a wide range of...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (29 Nov 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 180 to 182, inclusive, together. The variable interest rate charged by a local authority on the mortgage element of a shared ownership transaction is determined by the Housing Finance Agency by reference to prevailing rates in the financial market. The current variable rate is 5%. In addition, a mortgage protection charge of 0.598% is applied to all local...

Written Answers — Rental Accommodation Scheme: Rental Accommodation Scheme (4 Dec 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 568 and 604 together. 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. Good progress is being...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (4 Dec 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 570 and 571 together. The making and amending of rent schemes is the responsibility of local authorities as an integral part of their housing management functions subject to the following broad principles laid down by my Department: the rent payable should be related to income and a smaller proportion of income should be required from low income households;...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (4 Dec 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 582 and 584 together. It is expected that about 250 housing units will be provided specifically through arrangements with private and voluntary sector landlords under the Rental Accommodation Scheme by the end of 2007. Information on the construction of social housing is published in my Department's Housing Statistics Bulletins, copies of which are...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (4 Dec 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: Information on affordable housing activity up to end June 2007 in each local authority area is available on my Department's website at www.environ.ie. Information is also published in my Department's Housing Statistics Bulletins, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library and on the above-mentioned website.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (4 Dec 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department is examining the feasibility of introducing a set of arrangements under which a local authority would agree to its clawback charge ranking in second place behind a new or topped-up mortgage charge to facilitate re-mortgaging. In the case of shared ownership transactions, the arrangements will ensure that the clawback will not kick-in when a purchaser simply wishes to buy out...

Written Answers — Housing Aid for the Elderly: Housing Aid for the Elderly (5 Dec 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Housing Aid for Older People Scheme, which was introduced on 1 November 2007, amalgamates the provisions of the old Essential Repairs Grant Scheme and the existing Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme, with the aim of assisting older people in carrying out necessary repairs and improvements to their homes. The Essential Repairs Grant Scheme ceased on 31 October 2007 and the relevant...

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: I welcome the record financial provision for housing in 2008. It is worth reflecting on the extent of the resources being made available — over €1.7 billion in Exchequer capital and current finance. This figure is up 16% on the 2007 Estimate and more than double the Exchequer resources made available only six years ago in 2001 at the same juncture in the last national development plan...

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: I understood it was to be circulated. I will check that. We will also pilot a new approach — incremental purchase — through which social housing applicants can commence purchase of new social housing on an incremental basis over 30 years. These initiatives form part of a package of measures reflecting the Government's commitment to broaden people's housing choices and offer increasing...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (6 Dec 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: The revised Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability were implemented on 1 November 2007. In relation to funding for the schemes, monies allocated to local authorities for the administration of the Disabled Persons and Essential Repairs Grant Schemes in 2007 have been re-directed to fund the new Adaptation Grant Schemes from 1 November to the end of...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (6 Dec 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: The most recent assessment of need for social housing was undertaken by local authorities in March 2005. The results of that assessment indicated that there were 43,684 households on local authority housing waiting lists. Data in relation to these assessments for each housing authority, including waiting times, are available on my Department's website at www.environ.ie. The next statutory...