Results 1,321-1,340 of 2,386 for speaker:Michael Finneran

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (9 Jul 2009)

Michael Finneran: A total of €1.415 million in voted Exchequer capital and current funding is being provided for the various social housing and affordable housing programmes in 2009. The provision for 2010 and 2011 will be finalised in the context of the Estimates processes for each of those years. As part of a further restructuring of the Social Housing Investment Programme, I recently announced new...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (9 Jul 2009)

Michael Finneran: Information on social housing starts and completions, including acquisitions, and on affordable housing activity is published in my Department's Annual and Quarterly Housing Statistics Bulletins, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas library. Bulletins from 2000 onwards are also available on my Department's website, www.environ.ie.

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (9 Jul 2009)

Michael Finneran: I refer to the reply to Question No. 474 of 7 July, 2009. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (9 Jul 2009)

Michael Finneran: In January 2009, to facilitate local authorities in planning for and managing projects, provisional allocations were notified to authorities. Following this, my Department held Housing Action Plan meetings with all housing authorities during which the direction and content of social housing supply and improvement programmes were discussed. The final allocations which issued to all housing...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (9 Jul 2009)

Michael Finneran: The annual allocations to local authorities under the schemes concerned are calculated on foot of detailed discussion between my Department and individual authorities and on the basis of a number of criteria, including the level of applications on hand that have been assessed as eligible, applications yet to be assessed and projections for new applications to be received during the year. It...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (9 Jul 2009)

Michael Finneran: Funding of €1,281,914 was approved under my Department's capital assistance scheme for this project. To date, €1,217,818 has been paid to Cork County Council, which is responsible for the administration of the scheme in its area. An application from the council for funding of €90,000 under the Communal Facilities Grant scheme has been received and is being considered in the light of...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (9 Jul 2009)

Michael Finneran: Funding of €1,419,801 was approved for this project under my Department's capital assistance scheme. To date, €1,348,811 has been paid to Cork County Council, which is responsible for the administration of the scheme in its area. An application from the council for supplementary funding to meet the cost of site remediation works is under consideration in my Department and a decision...

Written Answers — Health and Safety Programmes: Health and Safety Programmes (9 Jul 2009)

Michael Finneran: Capital funding is available through my Department's Capital Assistance Scheme to approved voluntary housing bodies to provide accommodation to meet the special housing needs of groups including the elderly, the homeless, persons with disabilities and victims of domestic violence. Given that the accommodation provided by voluntary housing bodies for victims of domestic violence may often be...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (17 Sep 2009)

Michael Finneran: Allocations totalling €79.562 million for 2009 were notified to local authorities on 7 May 2009 under the Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant Scheme and the old Disabled Persons and Essential Repairs Grant Schemes. The 2009 allocation to Kildare County Council amounts to €1,870,000 compared to an initial allocation of...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (17 Sep 2009)

Michael Finneran: A pilot scheme involving the refurbishment of 10 dwellings has been undertaken at this estate by Westmeath County Council. A further phase of works involving the demolition of 12 units has now been completed. The local authority is currently considering options to facilitate the refurbishment of the estate and is engaging with the existing social and private tenants in this regard. Any...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (22 Sep 2009)

Michael Finneran: Under the shared ownership scheme houses are acquired by a local authority and leased to the shared owner, who purchases at least 40% of the value of the house and rents the remaining equity from the local authority. The shared owner must purchase full ownership outright within 30 years. For transactions commenced on or after 1 January 2003, the annual rent is calculated at 4.3% of the...

Written Answers — Homeless Persons: Homeless Persons (22 Sep 2009)

Michael Finneran: I am conscious of the need to ensure effective coordination of capital and revenue funding streams for homeless services and this matter is addressed in the Government Strategy on homelessness, The Way Home, and the associated Implementation Plan. The issue of improved co-ordination at local level is a matter, in the first instance, for consideration by the management group of the relevant...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (22 Sep 2009)

Michael Finneran: The Housing Adaptation Grant Scheme for People with a Disability is administered by the local authorities and all matters relating to compliance with the terms and conditions of the scheme, the processing and approval of applications and the payment of grants to individual applicants are the responsibility of the relevant local authority.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (22 Sep 2009)

Michael Finneran: In accordance with the objectives set out in the Policy Framework for the Regeneration of Local Authority Estates, my Department advised Sligo Borough Council in 2007 that their allocation would be increased by €3m in 2008 to provide for the development of recreational facilities at Cleveragh. This was contingent on the projects in question fitting in with framework objectives and the...

Urban Renewal Schemes. (23 Sep 2009)

Michael Finneran: I thank the Deputies for raising this item as it affords me an opportunity once again to confirm the Government's commitment to the regeneration of the most disadvantaged areas of Limerick city, to the communities living there, and to the ongoing viability of the city as a gateway for the mid-west. I also acknowledge the involvement of the Minister for Defence, Deputy Willie O'Dea, who met...

Urban Renewal Schemes. (23 Sep 2009)

Michael Finneran: It is €1.5 million.

Urban Renewal Schemes. (23 Sep 2009)

Michael Finneran: There will be money for 2010.

Seanad: Water Pollution (23 Sep 2009)

Michael Finneran: I thank the Senator for giving me the opportunity to clarify the position regarding the recent issues with water quality in Bantry. As Senators will be aware, the operation and maintenance of water supply infrastructure is the responsibility of the local authority concerned, in this instance Cork County Council. Under the drinking water regulations, local authorities are obliged to ensure...

Seanad: Water Pollution (23 Sep 2009)

Michael Finneran: With the permission of the House, I propose to leave a copy of the reply for Senator Walsh.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (24 Sep 2009)

Michael Finneran: Since 2003, my Department has recouped almost €7 million under Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988 to local authorities in respect of 90% of revenue expenditure incurred by the organisation concerned on homeless accommodation and related services. A further 10% has been provided by the local authorities concerned. It is a matter for each local authority, in the first instance, to ensure...