Results 1,121-1,140 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (8 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (8 Apr 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 — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (8 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 419 to 421, inclusive, together. Mayo County Council has submitted the following construction projects, at various stages of the project cycle, to my Department for approval of funding under the Social Housing Investment Programme. I hope to be in a position to announce the allocations of funding for the local authority housing programme in the near future....

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (8 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Social Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, currently being drafted, is expected to be published during the present Dáil session. Work on addressing the complex legal issues relating to the tenant purchase of local authority apartments is being advanced in that context.

Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (8 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Guidelines have been issued to local authorities relating to the procurement of accommodation for RAS. Authorities are advised in procuring accommodation to have regard to the quality of accommodation, the demand within particular areas, and tenure mix generally and at individual project level. There is close cooperation between local authorities and the Health Service Executive community...

Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (8 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The establishment of the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PTRB) has provided a strong regulatory framework for the private rented residential sector. Since its establishment, the Board has achieved considerable success in the registration of tenancies, with in excess of 210,000 tenancies now registered, compared to no more than 30,000 under the previous system of registration. The PRTB...

Written Answers — Urban Renewal Schemes: Urban Renewal Schemes (8 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Approval to proceed with this project issued to Dublin City Council on 4 April 2008.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (9 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The administration of the Disabled Persons Grant and the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability Schemes, including the processing and approval of individual applications, is a matter for the local authority concerned and is one in which my Department has no direct function.

Written Answers — Housing Aid for the Elderly: Housing Aid for the Elderly (10 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I understand that Galway City Council has been experiencing difficulties as regards the operation of the Housing Aid for Older People Scheme, due to staffing issues. However, I have been advised by the Council that arrangements are currently being put in place to ensure a sufficient level of staffing to administer the scheme in the Galway City area, pending the completion of ongoing...

Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: He is knocking on a different door.

Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I wish to share my time with Deputy Timmy Dooley.

Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am delighted to get the opportunity to speak on the EU reform treaty, or the Lisbon treaty as it is commonly known. We can all accept that since Ireland joined the EU in 1973, our involvement has helped shape our economy and our society in an extremely positive manner. EU membership has been a key factor in the growth in employment and prosperity which has come our way in recent years....

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (17 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Affordable housing is currently made available at substantially below the market price for comparable housing. Direct subsidies by my Department to local authorities, the provision of land by the State and local authorities at below market value, and the capacity, through Part V of the Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2006, to acquire land at "existing use" value all contribute to...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (17 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Work is continuing on addressing legal issues relating to the sale of local authority apartments to tenants in the context of drafting the Social Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which is scheduled to be published by the end of the current parliamentary session.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (17 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: An application for funding under the Capital Assistance Scheme has been received from Limerick City Council in respect of 15 units of accommodation, costing an estimated €3.6m. My Department sought clarification from the Council on a number of issues relating to the project and a reply is awaited. When this is to hand, the application will be further considered and the Council will be...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (17 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 627 and 645 together. Current practice requires that if a private lender agrees to provide re-mortgage finance in respect of a house purchased under the Government's affordable housing schemes, it would be on the basis that their mortgage charge would rank below the clawback charge where such a charge exists. This is consistent with the time sensitive nature...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (17 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The normal practice is for housing authorities to submit project applications, including site location details, to my Department for funding under the Social Housing Investment Programme. My Department has not received any proposals regarding the specified location.

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (17 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The local authority has since submitted further information in support of their application for funding. My Department is currently awaiting a Valuer's Report on the project. On submission of the report, my Department will be in a position to make a decision on the provision of funding.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (17 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department recently met with all local authorities to discuss allocations for social housing for the 2008 — 2010 period and I anticipate being in a position to issue capital allocations for 2008 shortly. Question No. 645 answered with Question No. 627.

Written Answers — Housing Aid for the Elderly: Housing Aid for the Elderly (17 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department operates a number of targeted options to assist vulnerable groups, such as lower income households and older persons, to secure necessary improvement works to their homes. These include the local authority house improvement loan scheme, a Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, a Mobility Aids Housing Grant Scheme and a Scheme of Housing Aid for Older People. ...