Results 1,001-1,020 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Rural Renewal Scheme: Rural Renewal Scheme (6 Feb 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Additional information/documentation, which is necessary to enable this application to be further processed, was requested from the applicant in March 2005 and is still awaited.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (6 Feb 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: An application by Dublin City Council for the approval of funding to demolish the existing 67-unit Fr. Scully House scheme, and to replace it with 90 one-bedroom and 9 two-bedroom apartments, was received in my Department in December, 2007. The proposal, costing an estimated €34 million, is under active consideration at present and a decision will be made as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (7 Feb 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The operation of the Shared Ownership Scheme in a particular area is a matter for the relevant local authority. I have no role in directing local authorities in relation to issues arising in individual cases.

Written Answers — Vacant Dwellings: Vacant Dwellings (12 Feb 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am aware of information regarding vacant dwellings, published by the Central Statistics Office as part of the 2006 Census results which, I understand, was derived from analysis of cases where Census forms were not received from dwellings by enumerators. The total number of dwellings reported vacant by CSO on this basis on the Census night, 23 April 2006, was 266,000. This represented...

Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (12 Feb 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 595 and 596 together. Minimum standards for private rented accommodation are prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 1993. All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with these regulations. Failure to do so is an offence, subject, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding €3,000, or a...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (12 Feb 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 601 and 602 together. Assessment of the overall requirement for affordable homes is primarily a matter for local authorities. While comprehensive information on the numbers applying for all affordable housing schemes is not collected by my Department, the indications are that demand for affordable housing remains strong in certain areas, particularly in the...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (12 Feb 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The local authority made a submission in respect of the development in question on 24 July 2007. The submission was considered by my Department and a letter issued to the authority on 12 September 2007 requesting clarification on a number of points. A reminder issued on 30 January 2008. A reply is awaited from the local authority.

Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (12 Feb 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am advised by Dublin City Council that currently there are 330 private sector landlords providing housing units under the Rental Accommodation Scheme in the Dublin City area.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (12 Feb 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: On 8 February 2008, my Department issued approval to Meath County Council, setting out a budget cost of €5,462,702 to proceed with the works to the estate in question. It is now a matter for the Council to progress this project.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (12 Feb 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Under the Housing Management Initiative, local authorities have been given direct control, from 1 January 2007, in relation to their internal capital receipts from the sale of local authority dwellings, to be used primarily for their improvement works programmes. While my Department approves the overall programmes it is the responsibility of local authorities to prioritise and advance...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (12 Feb 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Housing Adaptation Grant Scheme, for people with a disability, which is administered by local authorities, is intended to provide grant aid towards the adaptation or provision of accommodation to meet the needs of a person with a disability. The types of works aided include the provision of access ramps, downstairs toilet facilities, stair-lifts, accessible showers, adaptations to...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (12 Feb 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I refer to the reply to Question Nos. 666 and 624 of 27 November 2007. County and city councils have since been provided with an indication of the general level of Exchequer funding that will be available over the next three years for the main housing programmes. Otherwise the position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (13 Feb 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 408 and 409 together. 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. In relation to the Dublin region, the following table gives the number of households on the waiting lists of the...

Written Answers — Rural Renewal Schemes: Rural Renewal Schemes (13 Feb 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: A further inspection of this property was carried out last week and a Certificate of Reasonable Cost will issue very shortly.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (13 Feb 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Eligibility for the affordable housing schemes is determined on the basis that applicants are in need of housing and cannot afford to purchase a house outright on the open market. Any downturn in house prices improves affordability in the market and would, therefore, be expected to reduce demand for the affordable housing schemes. Applicants for affordable housing under Part V of the...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (14 Feb 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The negative impact referred to relates to increased mortgage protection insurance costs which would arise for borrowers if the obligatory nature of the arrangements were altered. The Mortgage Protection Committee, which is a sub-committee of the County and City Managers' Association and is also representative of the Housing Finance Agency and my Department, has recently appointed a...

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (14 Feb 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The application for post tender approval is being considered in the light of the additional information received from Dublin City Council on 18 January, 2008, and a decision will be made as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (14 Feb 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department recoups 90% of expenditure by local authorities on the provision of accommodation for homeless persons under Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988. Funding to local authorities for the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons has increased significantly since the adoption of the Integrated Strategy on Adult Homelessness in 2000, with €12.6m provided...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (14 Feb 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 232 and 247 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 in Circular letter HRT 3/2002 of 6 March 2002: the rent payable should be related to income and a smaller proportion of income...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (14 Feb 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: An application for funding under the Capital Assistance Scheme towards the provision of 8 units of accommodation has been received from Cork County Council who are responsible for the detailed administration of schemes in their area. Further clarification has been sought from the Council on this proposal and a reply is awaited. When this is to hand, the application will be further...