Results 1,481-1,500 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

Seanad: Departmental Properties. (16 Nov 2005)

Noel Ahern: I do not need to know those details until I am offered the land. Any land we get is deemed surplus land not required for medium-term requirements. However, I have not received any land yet. These sites were only up for consideration. I do not know whether we will get part or all of what was suggested. We expect finalisation of the HSE examination soon.

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (17 Nov 2005)

Noel Ahern: Evaluation is an integral part of any programme or initiative and, on the local drugs task force, LDTF, process, it was agreed by all the parties involved in developing the programme that, in addition to evaluating the overall process to measure its success or otherwise, individual projects being funded through the initiative would also be evaluated. In 2000, an evaluation, at an approximate...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (17 Nov 2005)

Noel Ahern: Local authorities completed or acquired 4,510 local authority housing units in 2004. Detailed information on a local authority basis on the number of such houses completed or acquired in 2004 is available in the annual housing statistics bulletins published by my Department, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library and on the Department's website at www.environ.ie. Information...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (17 Nov 2005)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 138 to 140, inclusive, together. Capital funding is not available from my Department for maintenance programmes which are funded by local authorities from their own resources. My Department does provide capital funding for major refurbishment of local authority dwellings under the remedial works scheme which may include certain works considered as part of a...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (17 Nov 2005)

Noel Ahern: All local authorities have prepared action plans which include an outline of basic principles on the authority's strategy for housing management. The Department has requested that these be made available on authority websites. In addition, the housing unit, in conjunction with my Department and the City and County Managers Association, publishes a series entitled Guidelines for Local...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (17 Nov 2005)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 143 to 147, inclusive, together. An application for funding under the voluntary housing capital loan and subsidy scheme has been received from Fingal County Council in respect of this project and clarification on a number of aspects sought from the council is awaited. When this is to hand the application will be further considered and officials from my...

Written Answers — Grant Applications: Grant Applications (22 Nov 2005)

Noel Ahern: An application has been received by the Department from the group in question under the 2005 programme of grants for locally based community and voluntary organisations. I expect to be deciding on qualifying applications shortly.

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (22 Nov 2005)

Noel Ahern: An application for substantial funding from the organisation in question is being considered in my Department and I expect that a decision will be made on the application over the coming weeks.

Written Answers — Care of the Elderly: Care of the Elderly (22 Nov 2005)

Noel Ahern: The scheme of community support for older people is administered by community and voluntary organisations on an annual basis with support provided by my Department. An application was received in May of this year from the Carers Association, Kilkenny, under the scheme. The scheme guidelines outline that applicant organisations, when submitting their application, must provide certain...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (22 Nov 2005)

Noel Ahern: In 2004, Laois County Council received an initial combined capital allocation of €1,602,000 for the payment of disabled persons and essential repairs grants. An increase in the allocation was approved during the year following requests from the council which brought the final combined capital allocation for 2004 to €2,630,677. This was comprised of a one third contribution of €876,892...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (22 Nov 2005)

Noel Ahern: It is the responsibility of the local authority when letting a dwelling to put in place a tenancy agreement setting out the respective responsibilities of the authority and the tenant for the maintenance and upkeep of the dwelling. This agreement is subject to compliance with statutory provisions and regulations, notably Article 83 of the Housing Regulations 1980. Included in the provisions...

Written Answers — State Property: State Property (22 Nov 2005)

Noel Ahern: My Department does not maintain a register of State land. However, the Office of Public Works has compiled an electronic database of property holdings based on information supplied by Departments and agencies. This has assisted in developing the affordable housing initiative, a key aspect of which is the identification and disposal of State land by various Departments and agencies for...

Housing Developments: Motion (Resumed). (23 Nov 2005)

Noel Ahern: I welcome the opportunity to clarify some points that were made during the debate. Deputy Gilmore spoke about section 180 of the 2000 Act, saying that local authorities were using it to refuse to take estates in charge when there is a management company in place.

Housing Developments: Motion (Resumed). (23 Nov 2005)

Noel Ahern: As the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government made clear, in our opinion section 180 is clear. It does not refer to management companies.

Housing Developments: Motion (Resumed). (23 Nov 2005)

Noel Ahern: In our opinion the existence of a management company for a development should not override the legal obligation on developers to complete and maintain estates until they are taken in charge. We have heard that some local authorities have been attaching conditions beyond what is allowed by the law and we have commenced a survey to ascertain what is happening. It is not acceptable that this...

Housing Developments: Motion (Resumed). (23 Nov 2005)

Noel Ahern: Councillors have a responsibility. Managers and management may try to lead at times.

Housing Developments: Motion (Resumed). (23 Nov 2005)

Noel Ahern: Councillors have a responsibility and, through the strategic policy committee system, they should exercise it.

Housing Developments: Motion (Resumed). (23 Nov 2005)

Noel Ahern: The councillors in Kildare will have an opportunity to do that and to shape things to a more satisfactory extent when the report of the sub-committee they have established comes back. We cannot just walk away from this. We all have a responsibility to do what we must. The Law Reform Commission has been asked to provide a report on the legal issues relating to management companies and it would...

Housing Developments: Motion (Resumed). (23 Nov 2005)

Noel Ahern: We will not because we realise there are inconsistencies and the Kildare cases prove that.

Housing Developments: Motion (Resumed). (23 Nov 2005)

Noel Ahern: We are carrying out a survey to see exactly what is happening. The law applies to us all. It is clear and should be applied. If people are trying to evade it, we should identify them and take appropriate action. Apartment living is relatively new and we must adjust to it and get our laws in order. The Government has and will continue to take the necessary action. We have given local...