Results 1,341-1,360 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

Written Answers — Homeless Persons: Homeless Persons (25 Oct 2005)

Noel Ahern: The Government's general response to homelessness is outlined in the integrated strategy on homelessness 2000 and the homeless preventative strategy 2002. Under the terms of the integrated strategy, homeless fora, representative of the statutory and voluntary homeless sectors, were established at local authority level and homeless action plans, adopted under their aegis and designed to...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (25 Oct 2005)

Noel Ahern: My Department is participating actively in the review of various tax relief schemes led by the Department of Finance. As the review involves an ongoing deliberative process which will support decisions to be taken by my colleague, the Minister for Finance, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on this work.

Written Answers — Local Authority Grants: Local Authority Grants (25 Oct 2005)

Noel Ahern: A review of the disabled persons grant scheme is being finalised in my Department. On its completion, it will be possible to determine the changes, if any, required to the regulations governing the scheme to ensure that the funding available is directed at those persons in greatest need of such assistance.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (25 Oct 2005)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and 165 together. The voluntary and co-operative housing sector has an important contribution to make in the provision of social housing. The Government is fully committed to developing and expanding the sector and to supplying the necessary resources and support to enable it to become an important and significant force and provider in the housing area....

Written Answers — Homeless Persons: Homeless Persons (25 Oct 2005)

Noel Ahern: Since the introduction of the Government's homeless strategies, there have been significant developments in the provision of a wide range of additional accommodation and services for homeless persons. Since the introduction of the integrated strategy in 2000, 1,000 extra emergency beds have been provided in the Dublin area alone. Rough sleepers have been enabled to access emergency...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (25 Oct 2005)

Noel Ahern: A recent report from the local government auditor noted two errors of undercharging by Waterford County Council in the calculation of financial contributions where payment was made in lieu of housing units as an agreement under Part V of the Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2004. These errors, which the report also notes are not recoverable, had been identified earlier within the...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (25 Oct 2005)

Noel Ahern: The claw-back 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 (25 Oct 2005)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 175 and 587 together. Information to June 2005 on the number of affordable housing units acquired under the 1999 affordable housing scheme and Part V of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-04, is published in my Department's housing statistics bulletins, which are available in the Oireachtas Library and on the Department's website,www.environ.ie. Almost 800...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (25 Oct 2005)

Noel Ahern: The Government have provided significant additional resources for housing in recent years. Investment in social and affordable housing is at its highest ever level. The total Exchequer capital and current funding available for social and affordable housing in 2005 amounts to €1.3 billion, which represents an increase of 20% on 2004. Total capital spending on social and affordable housing...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (25 Oct 2005)

Noel Ahern: The total number of local authority houses constructed-acquired in the first six months of 2005 was 1,756 units which compares favourably with the figures for the similar period in 2004 of 1,752 units. In addition, work was in progress on a further 8,000 units at the end of June last — an increase of 26% on the same date last year. It is anticipated that local authorities will...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (25 Oct 2005)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 182 and 694 together. The nature of and demand for social housing varies among European countries depending on need and policy approaches also reflect this diversity of conditions. Overall national housing output provides a more straightforward point of comparison, and in this context the Government's approach to increasing overall supply has had major success...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (25 Oct 2005)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 186 and 194 together. The Government has been making substantial progress in addressing the concerns raised in the NESC report and the report of the All-Party Committee on the Constitution with record housing output levels and increased investment in social and affordable housing measures. The recently launched affordable homes partnership provides further...

Written Answers — Local Authority Land Development: Local Authority Land Development (25 Oct 2005)

Noel Ahern: Local authorities are empowered to dispose of land in accordance with section 211 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 and Article 206 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001. In general, any land previously acquired by a local authority may be sold, leased or exchanged subject to such conditions as the local authority considers necessary in order to secure the best use of that...

Written Answers — Homeless Persons: Homeless Persons (25 Oct 2005)

Noel Ahern: Local authorities and the Health Service Executive are responsible for meeting the accommodation and health care needs of homeless persons. The Government's integrated and preventative strategies on homelessness provide the framework within which the agencies fulfil these responsibilities. Under the terms of the integrated strategy, homeless fora, representative of the statutory and voluntary...

Written Answers — House Prices: House Prices (25 Oct 2005)

Noel Ahern: The unprecedented demand for housing consequent of rapid economic growth and demographic changes has been the major driver of house price increases in recent years. While precise information is not available, it is clear there has been significant activity over this period by investors and owners of second properties. This is to be expected in a growing economy. Although at different times...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (25 Oct 2005)

Noel Ahern: An application has been received by my Department from the group in question under the 2005 programme of grants for locally based community and voluntary organisations. The process of assessment of the large number of applications received under the programme is ongoing and I expect to be deciding on qualifying applications early in November 2005.

Written Answers — Security of the Elderly: Security of the Elderly (25 Oct 2005)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 438 and 439 together. The scheme of community support for older people encourages and assists local support for older people by means of a community-based grant scheme to improve the security of its older members through the provision of security devices including pendant alarms. The scheme is administered by community and voluntary organisations throughout...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (25 Oct 2005)

Noel Ahern: Under my Department's voluntary housing capital assistance scheme, accommodation may be provided for persons with special needs such as the elderly, homeless or persons with disabilities. Funding of €238,642 was made available to Leitrim County Council in 2002 towards the provision of accommodation for persons with disabilities. My Department also provides a combined allocation for local...

Written Answers — Sheltered Housing: Sheltered Housing (25 Oct 2005)

Noel Ahern: Following the receipt of documentation requested from Donegal County Council, which is responsible for the detailed administration of the voluntary housing scheme in its area, further clarification has been sought from the council and is awaited. When this is to hand the application will be considered by my Department and the council will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Housing Projects: Housing Projects (25 Oct 2005)

Noel Ahern: The Affordable Homes Partnership was established with effect from 1 August 2005 under the terms of the Affordable Homes Partnership (Establishment) Order 2005, copies of which have been placed in the Oireachtas Library. In the short period since its appointment, the board of the partnership has already met on two occasions. An interim chief executive officer has taken up duty, arrangements...