Results 1,701-1,720 of 2,386 for speaker:Michael Finneran

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (21 Jan 2010)

Michael Finneran: The information requested in respect of 2008 and previous years is published in my Department's Annual Housing Statics Bulletin, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library and on my Department's website at www.environ.ie. Information in respect of 2009 is not yet available.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (21 Jan 2010)

Michael Finneran: Despite the challenges currently faced in the housing sector, significant levels of activity have been achieved under the range of housing supports funded by my Department in recent years. Through these, the accommodation needs of over 20,200 households were met in 2008, an increase of 10% on corresponding figure of 18,300 in 2007. Final data in respect of 2009 are not yet available....

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (21 Jan 2010)

Michael Finneran: The number of households on a local authority's waiting list continuously fluctuates as households on the list are allocated housing and new households apply for housing support. My Department does not hold information in relation to the numbers currently on waiting lists in local authorities. A statutory assessment of housing need is carried out every three years by all housing authorities...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (21 Jan 2010)

Michael Finneran: Under my Department's renewal or repair of thatch roofs of a house grant scheme, a grant up to €3,810, or two thirds of the approved cost, whichever is the lesser, may be payable in respect of necessary works to renew or repair the thatched roofs of houses. A higher grant of up to €5,714 may be payable where the house is situated on certain specified islands off the west and south...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (21 Jan 2010)

Michael Finneran: My Department's housing capital programme has provided significant investment in the construction and acquisition of new social housing stock, as well as supporting major regeneration and remedial works schemes for existing housing stock, thereby ensuring that the overall social housing stock is not depleted. From 1 January 2007, local authorities were given direct control in relation to...

Written Answers — Homeless Persons: Homeless Persons (21 Jan 2010)

Michael Finneran: The National Implementation Plan for the Government's Homeless Strategy, The Way Home, provides a robust framework to guide the action required at national level to end long term homelessness and the need to sleep rough by end 2010 through a series of priority actions and supporting measures, and promotes and supports effective implementation locally. At national level, a range of action is...

Written Answers — Housing Forum: Housing Forum (26 Jan 2010)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 484 to 486, inclusive, together. The Housing Forum, as reconstituted under Towards 2016 in December 2006, has met on six occasions and I am arranging to have the minutes of those meetings, already adopted by the members, placed in the Oireachtas Library. The Forum provides an opportunity for its members to contribute constructively to ongoing housing policy...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (26 Jan 2010)

Michael Finneran: Part 4 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, which provides for a scheme for the sale of local authority apartments to tenants, based on the principles of the incremental purchase model, has not yet been commenced as detailed Regulations are required to give full effect to the scheme. My Department will be working to finalise these Regulations as soon as possible after the...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (26 Jan 2010)

Michael Finneran: Work is continuing in my Department on the review of the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004 to 2009 with a view to preparing legislative proposals that will streamline and simplify the Act and reduce delays. I will be aiming to have the General Scheme of the Bill prepared by Autumn 2010, with publication dependent on the time required thereafter for drafting by the Office of the Parliamentary...

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (26 Jan 2010)

Michael Finneran: I refer to the reply to Question No. 465 of 7 July, 2009. The position is unchanged.

Severe Weather Emergencies: Motion (Resumed) (27 Jan 2010)

Michael Finneran: I feel aggrieved to have stopped that fine representative from west Cork in full flow. I compliment him. He made some positive suggestions which many others did not. This debate has been timely following the severe weather which we experienced recently. Like other contributors, I wish to record the Government's appreciation of all the people who responded to the ice and snow conditions and...

Severe Weather Emergencies: Motion (Resumed) (27 Jan 2010)

Michael Finneran: A Private Members' motion in the Seanad addressed that.

Severe Weather Emergencies: Motion (Resumed) (27 Jan 2010)

Michael Finneran: The Deputy should read the record.

Severe Weather Emergencies: Motion (Resumed) (27 Jan 2010)

Michael Finneran: The Deputy should not hold his breath in that regard.

Severe Weather Emergencies: Motion (Resumed) (27 Jan 2010)

Michael Finneran: An application has been made to the European Union in respect of this matter.

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (27 Jan 2010)

Michael Finneran: The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of premises is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under section 10 of the Fire Services Act 1981. My Department's role is one of supporting and assisting local authorities in delivering fire services...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (27 Jan 2010)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 285 and 286 together. Since 2000, very significant levels of investment have been made available under the Social Housing Investment Programme. Since then, over €11.5 billion has been provided for the construction or acquisition of units by local authorities and approved housing bodies. Information is not available on the breakdown of expenditure between...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (27 Jan 2010)

Michael Finneran: I refer to the reply to Question No. 949 of 3 November 2009. Any person occupying a house under the shared ownership scheme can sell their house at any time provided they have bought out the local authority's share and have acquired full ownership of the dwelling.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (27 Jan 2010)

Michael Finneran: The number of households on a local authority's waiting list continuously fluctuates as households on the list are allocated housing and new households apply for housing support. My Department does not hold information on waiting lists. A statutory assessment of housing need is carried out every three years by all housing authorities in accordance with the terms of the Housing Act 1988....

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (2 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: The project in question, which is at an early stage of development, is part of my Department's Remedial Works Programme 2009-2011. The project proposal was received in late 2008 and, following an evaluation process, approval in principle issued from my Department in February 2009. Following a meeting between my Department and Kildare County Council on 18 November 2009, the Council agreed to...