Results 1,641-1,660 of 2,386 for speaker:Michael Finneran

Written Answers — Private Residential Tenancies Board: Private Residential Tenancies Board (8 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 348 and 349 together. My Department's involvement with the voluntary and co-operative housing schemes relates primarily to the provision of funds for individual projects. The detailed administration of the schemes, and the certification that projects comply with the terms and conditions of the funding schemes, are the responsibility of the local authority....

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (8 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 351 and 353 together. Houses sold to first time buyers under the various affordable housing schemes at a significant discount from market value contain a clawback provision, in order to prevent short-term profit taking on the resale of the house, to the detriment of the objectives of the schemes. There are no plans to abolish the claw-back arrangements for...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (8 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: To date, some 1,660 units, across 23 housing authority areas, have been approved by my Department under the Social Housing Leasing Initiative. This comprises 1,309 properties in respect of which full funding approval has issued and a further 351 units in respect of which provisional approval has issued. A further 23 proposals are also under consideration by my Department. A breakdown by...

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (8 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: The number and locations of fire stations in each county are set out in the following tables below. The number of fire personnel in each fire station is not available in the Department. This is a matter for each fire authority. 6153TABLE A FIRE STATIONS Number of Stations Carlow 4 Cavan 12 Clare 7 Cork * 23 Donegal 16 Dublin * 14 Galway * 10 Kerry 10 Kildare 6 Kilkenny 7 Laois...

Dublin Docklands Development Authority (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (9 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: As the Minister, Deputy Gormley, indicated last night, the Government is firmly committed to ensuring that the Dublin Docklands Development Authority, like all State bodies, should be subject to highest standards of corporate governance and review. Since the authority's chair assumed her role in March of this year, she has undertaken a fundamental review of procedures and processes within...

Financial Resolution No.5: General (Resumed). Debate resumed on the following motion: (10 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: There was an increase.

Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (10 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: Minimum standards for rental accommodation are prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2008 (as amended), made under section 18 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992. All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with these regulations. Responsibility for enforcing the regulations rests with the relevant local...

Seanad: Climate Change: Statements (10 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: I am pleased to be here. I have been impressed with the level of engagement of Senators on this issue, which is being debated at international level. The Seanad has given great thought and expression to the whole issue of climate change. Before I respond to the comments of various Senators, I would like to compliment the newest Member of the House, Senator Carroll, on his maiden speech....

Seanad: Climate Change: Statements (10 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: -----public transport will be improved, while at the same time supporting climate change objectives. The Government's engagement with Europe is important and I mentioned that the Minister, Deputy Gormley, is travelling to the summit. We are fully committed to meeting these challenges and the Government recognises the importance of action.

Seanad: Climate Change: Statements (10 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: A couple of minutes. It is an important issue.

Seanad: Climate Change: Statements (10 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: I will conclude as I do not wish to upset the clár of the House. I have taken note of all Members' contributions, for which I thank them. At the Department's offices in the Customs House, the Minister, Deputy Gormley, and I, as well as our officials, will be highly conscious of the points made in this House. I again thank Members for the opportunity to address at least some of the issues...

Written Answers — House Prices: House Prices (15 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 308, 309 and 325 together. The renewed Programme for Government sets out a clear commitment to create and maintain a comprehensive House Price Database based on sales prices. My Department, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the Property Services Regulatory Authority, and the Central Statistics Office, as well as representatives from consumer...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (15 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: In order to facilitate the continued independent occupancy of their own homes by older people and people with a disability, and following a review of the old Disabled Persons and Essential Repairs Grant Schemes, a revised suite of Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability was implemented on 1 November 2007. The revised schemes target the available...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (15 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 311 and 339 together. I am pleased that the Government has committed a total of €240 million under the 2010 estimates for the Local Authority Estate Regeneration and Remedial Works programme, including a new Energy Efficiency/Retrofitting provision of €45m. This represents a significant increase on the 2009 provision of €190m, reflecting the importance I...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (15 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 315 and 316 together. The operation of Dublin City Council's allocation scheme is a matter for the Council itself. I understand that a review of allocation protocols and procedures has already been undertaken.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (15 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: It is open to any household to apply to a housing authority to undergo an assessment as to whether they are eligible for and in need of social housing support. The determination of an individual household's eligibility, or ineligibility, is a matter for the housing authority making the assessment. Once an authority has determined that a household is in need of support there are a range of...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (15 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 320 to 324, inclusive, together. All matters relating to the management and maintenance of social rented accommodation funded under my Department's Social Housing Investment Programme are the responsibility of the relevant Local Authority, in this case Longford Town Council. I understand that technical issues have arisen with regard to the operation of the...

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (15 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 332 and 333 together. My Department's involvement with inspections under the Homebond Structural Guarantee Scheme ended in 2004. Details of receipts in respect of these inspections for the period 2000 to 2004 and receipts in respect of applications for Certificates of Reasonable Cost under the Tax Incentive Schemes for the period 2000 to 11 December, 2009 are...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (15 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: I have requested my Department to arrange to have the provisions that will facilitate existing affordable housing purchasers to remortgage their properties included in the first available appropriate legislative vehicle.

Written Answers — Regeneration Schemes: Regeneration Schemes (15 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: My Department currently has no proposal for the project in question.