Results 1,501-1,520 of 2,386 for speaker:Michael Finneran

Social and Affordable Housing. (24 Nov 2009)

Michael Finneran: Yes.

Social and Affordable Housing. (24 Nov 2009)

Michael Finneran: We expect the cost to increase because we will deal more with the private market. However, a cost is associated with affordable housing because there are loan costs for each local authority. I accept the figure is possibly not the market rent applicable to private properties at this time.

Social and Affordable Housing. (24 Nov 2009)

Michael Finneran: The rental figures run from approximately €550 per month - the maximum - to €299; therefore, there is a variation. Local authorities have an entitlement to a review, both upwards and downwards. We indicated to them that they should look for a 20% reduction in the current market because we are leasing multiple units. It is very important that I achieve the best possible value for the...

Social and Affordable Housing. (24 Nov 2009)

Michael Finneran: We indicated to local authorities that they should seek a rent review which could be either upwards or downwards. That is only appropriate and what we would expect. The matter of affordability is of benefit to the taxpayer at this time, as the amount we are paying covers loan repayments. We are putting national infrastructure into public use with good value, which is important. Local...

Social and Affordable Housing. (24 Nov 2009)

Michael Finneran: I will take the last question first. Anybody will accept that the maximum figure paid by any local authority is €550 per month. That compares very favourably on a national basis, including Dublin and Cork. However, the figure can be as low as €299. I will provide the figures for the administrative costs because I do not have them readily available. I will ask my officials to make the...

Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (24 Nov 2009)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 54 together. The number of households transferring from Rent Supplement to the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) has increased year on year since RAS commenced in 2005. At the end of October 2009, a total of 23,469 households had been accommodated under the scheme. This included 6,915 households in 2008, some 38% ahead of the 5,000 target set, and...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (24 Nov 2009)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 91 together. Meeting social housing need remains a high priority for the Government. While ensuring that the full range of needs continues to be met, the scale and composition of the public housing programme in the years ahead will be dependent on a number of factors, including the level of available funding and the evolution of the housing market...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (24 Nov 2009)

Michael Finneran: Information in relation to the amounts allocated in capital grants to each local authority for social housing purposes is available in a Housing Allocations 2009 spreadsheet on my Department's website, via the following link: http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/StatisticsandRegularPu blications/HousingStatistics/. Taking account of the spend to date, claims currently being processed and...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (24 Nov 2009)

Michael Finneran: I refer to the reply to Question No. 144 of 14 October 2009, which outlines the current position in regard to this matter.

Written Answers — Residential Tenancies Act: Residential Tenancies Act (24 Nov 2009)

Michael Finneran: Earlier this year, I announced my intention to review the provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 under which the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) operates. The purpose of this review is to consider whether the Act best supports the PRTB's key functions and whether legislative amendments would support either the achievement of additional operational efficiencies by the...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (24 Nov 2009)

Michael Finneran: Amendment of the Data Protection legislation to allow publication of the sale price of property is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The relevant Government Departments and agencies will be working in the coming months with a view to the development, as soon as possible, of the new house price database.

Written Answers — Private Residential Tenancies Board: Private Residential Tenancies Board (24 Nov 2009)

Michael Finneran: My Department has no function in the operational matters of the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB), which is an independent statutory body established under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004. The PRTB may be contacted at its offices at O'Connell Bridge House, D'Olier Street, Dublin 2 or by telephone or email. Contact details are available on the Board's website at www.prtb.ie. The...

Written Answers — Local Authority Expenditure: Local Authority Expenditure (24 Nov 2009)

Michael Finneran: The primary focus in negotiating leasing costs is the delivery of value for money. In that context, it is expected that authorities would be able to secure lease costs of at least 20% below current market rent. In general, each lease agreement entered into will also be subject to periodic rent reviews. Where reviews are provided for, my Department has advised authorities that reviews should...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (24 Nov 2009)

Michael Finneran: I refer to the reply to Question No.47 on today's order paper.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (24 Nov 2009)

Michael Finneran: My Department has recently extended the Social Housing Leasing Initiative to allow for the direct provision of dwellings by approved housing bodies. The extension of the leasing arrangements to the voluntary and co-operative housing sector is designed further to broaden the sources of supply and accelerate delivery under the initiative. The new arrangements put in place mean that approved...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (24 Nov 2009)

Michael Finneran: The objective of achieving sustainable communities as set out in the Government's housing policy statement, Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities, is a key priority for my Department. The current market conditions relating to house purchase generally have inevitably impacted on the sale of affordable housing, leaving unsold affordable accommodation vacant. My Department has taken a number...

Written Answers — Homeless Persons: Homeless Persons (24 Nov 2009)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 427, 428 and 451 together. I refer to the reply to Question No. 135 of 14 October 2009, which set out the most recent information available on the extent of homelessness in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick, based on the March 2008 Counted In survey, with comparative data at 2005 for Dublin, the only location in which the survey was conducted prior to 2008....

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (24 Nov 2009)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Question Nos. 447 and 448 together. Having regard to the existing high level of commitments under my Department's funding schemes for voluntary and co-operative housing, I am not in a position to approve funding for these proposals at this time. The funding applications will be considered in the light of, inter alia, the estimates provision for new projects in 2010 and the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 Nov 2009)

Michael Finneran: My Department issued a Certificate of Compliance under the terms of the Rural Renewal Scheme in respect of the property concerned on 2 July, 2008. Issues relating to tax benefits under the scheme are a matter for the Revenue Commissioners.

Written Answers — Fire Services: Fire Services (24 Nov 2009)

Michael Finneran: The provision of a fire service, including equipment and personnel, is a statutory function of the individual fire authorities under section 10 of the Fire Services Act 1981. Issues relating to the recruitment and employment conditions of fire fighters are matters for the local authority under the Local Government Act 2001. The Department supports local fire authorities through the setting...