Results 1,401-1,420 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern
- Written Answers — : (26 Oct 2005)
Noel Ahern: An inspection with a view to the issue of a certificate of compliance, if in order, will be carried out as soon as possible.
- Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (26 Oct 2005)
Noel Ahern: The number and grade of staff required for the performance of the functions of the Private Residential Tenancies Board, PRTB, as determined by the board is subject to the consent of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the consent of the Minister for Finance. Development of the PRTB's services and structure is proceeding and approved staffing has been increased...
- Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (26 Oct 2005)
Noel Ahern: The approval issued to Mayo County Council as referred to in the reply to Question No. 168 of 29 September 2005 related to the acceptance of tenders for refurbishment of rural houses only in the Belmullet area. It is understood that proposals for other refurbishment works in housing estates will be submitted by the council in due course.
- Written Answers — Security of the Elderly: Security of the Elderly (27 Oct 2005)
Noel Ahern: The purpose of the scheme of community support for older people is to encourage and assist the community's support for older people by means of a community based grant scheme to improve the security of its older members. Funding under the scheme can be provided for door locks, door chains and window locks; security lighting; smoke alarms and the once-off cost of installing socially monitored...
- Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (27 Oct 2005)
Noel Ahern: The most recent three yearly assessment of need for social housing was carried out by local authorities in March 2005. Returns were received in my Department over the summer period and the overall data are being finalised and will be published very shortly. Information as to extent of Leitrim's housing waiting list and the length of time households have been on the waiting list along with...
- Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (27 Oct 2005)
Noel Ahern: I assume that the question refers to voluntary bodies approved by my Department, of which there are currently over 600, for the purpose of providing housing under the capital assistance and capital loan and subsidy schemes, although these bodies are not required to register with local authorities. A list of the approved bodies is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as...
- Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes. (27 Oct 2005)
Noel Ahern: I thank the Senator for raising this issue. The provision of modern environmental infrastructure to support social and economic objectives has been a major focus of Government spending over the past number of years. Towards this end there has been unprecedented investment by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government under the national development plan on water and...
- Seanad: Waste Management. (27 Oct 2005)
Noel Ahern: I thank Senator Cummins for raising this issue. The Waste Management (Farm Plastics) Regulations 2001 require manufacturers and importers of farm plastics to take steps to recover farm plastic waste they have placed on the market or contribute to and participate in compliance schemes to recover the waste in question. A farm plastics recovery scheme has been operated by the IFFPG since 1997,...
- Written Answers — Security of the Elderly: Security of the Elderly (2 Nov 2005)
Noel Ahern: The experience of the operation of the scheme of community support for older people in 2005 will be borne in mind when finalising the operational details of the scheme for 2006. However, it is worth pointing out that I have recently approved the first tranche of funding to some 100 applicant groups, which has enabled earlier payments than in previous years. Assessment of the remaining...
- Seanad: Social and Affordable Housing. (2 Nov 2005)
Noel Ahern: I thank the Senator for raising this matter. Part V of the Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2004 is fully operational and all relevant residential planning applications are now subject to a Part V agreement. Apart from the provision of housing units to the local authority on-site or off-site, an agreement under Part V may provide for a range of other options. Notwithstanding the...
- Anti-Social Behaviour. (3 Nov 2005)
Noel Ahern: I am speaking on behalf of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform who is unfortunately unable to be present. The Minister and I share the Deputy's concerns about anti-social and unlawful behaviour by gangs of youths at Hallowe'en and at other times of the year. Strong provisions are already in place to combat anti-social and unlawful behaviour. The primary basis for the law...
- Schools Amalgamation. (3 Nov 2005)
Noel Ahern: I thank the Deputy for raising these matters as it provides me with an opportunity to outline to the House the position with regard to the Department of Education and Science policy on multi-school campus arrangements and post-primary school sizes. In the first instance, where possible, the Department favours the development of multi-school campus arrangements. Conceivably, such an...
- Local Authority Staff. (3 Nov 2005)
Noel Ahern: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. The public is entitled to expect the highest standards of conduct from all local authority employees. It must also be said that local government personnel have, by and large, a long tradition of honest and committed service to their communities. The core values underlying that tradition are integrity, impartiality and dedication to the...
- Genetically Modified Organisms. (3 Nov 2005)
Noel Ahern: I thank the Deputy for the opportunity to outline the position on the authorisation by the European Commission on 31 August 2005 of Monsanto GT73 genetically modified oilseed rape. The House is already aware from replies to recent parliamentary questions that Ireland was among a number of member states that abstained in the vote at the Environment Council on 20 December 2004 on the...
- Genetically Modified Organisms. (3 Nov 2005)
Noel Ahern: Another suggestion â this is reflected in the Adjournment motion â is that there will be inevitable and widespread contamination arising from the import of GT73 for animal feed. My understanding is that oilseed rape imported into this country is processed prior to its importation by crushing and its oil extracted. This minimises the possibility of live seed entering the environment. The...
- Written Answers — Charities Sector: Charities Sector (3 Nov 2005)
Noel Ahern: As the Deputy will be aware, there is a clear commitment in An Agreed Programme for Government to regulation of the charities sector through the enactment of a comprehensive reform of charity law in order to ensure accountability and to protect against abuse of charitable status and fraud. The new legislation will introduce an integrated system of mandatory registration, proportionate...
- Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (3 Nov 2005)
Noel Ahern: Kildare County Council was advised of a combined capital allocation for disabled persons' and essential repairs grants of â¬1,050,000 in 2004 and â¬1,500,000 in 2005. Kildare County Council's expenditure in respect of those two grant schemes in 2004 was â¬1,092,053. Expenditure in 2005 in respect of those two schemes stood at â¬964,036 at the end of September 2005, according to a return...
- Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (3 Nov 2005)
Noel Ahern: Kildare County Council published proposed changes to the draft Magee Barracks local area plan and invited written submissions or observations with respect to the proposed amendments to the draft plan to be made within the period from 29 August 2005 to 10 October 2005. It is understood that the council will consider those submissions or observations at its next meeting on 28 November 2005....
- Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (3 Nov 2005)
Noel Ahern: The construction of all new local authority flat complexes and the material alteration of existing complexes are governed by Parts A to M, inclusive, of the national building regulations and the related technical guidance documents published by my Department. Part B and the associated technical guidance documents relate to fire safety.
- Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (3 Nov 2005)
Noel Ahern: I refer to the reply to Question No. 210 of 21 October 2004. The position is unchanged.