Results 1,721-1,740 of 2,386 for speaker:Michael Finneran

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (2 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: My Department will shortly meet with Dublin City Council as part of the Annual Housing Action Plan process at which time this proposal, which was submitted in December 2009, can be considered in the context of the Council's priorities for funding from within its 2010 social housing investment allocation.

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (2 Feb 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 Housing Leasing Initiative: Social Housing Leasing Initiative (3 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: I refer to the reply to Question No. 2 of Thursday, 21 January 2010. In relation to the rationale for the scheme, the Social Housing Leasing Initiative is designed further to widen the sources of social housing supply and thereby help create a flexible range of delivery mechanisms for local authorities to meet demand. The use of leasing arrangements will also allow for a substantial increase...

Written Answers — Construction Industry Review: Construction Industry Review (3 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: It is important to note that many of the recommendations made in the report by the National Consumer Agency (NCA) relate to areas outside my remit. These include, for example, recommendations on the introduction of legislative amendments to the period for the statute of limitations, or the provision of information to the consumer by the home construction industry. Similarly, recommendations...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (3 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 339 to 341, inclusive, together. The annual allocations to local authorities under the suite of Grants for Older People and People with a Disability are calculated on foot of detailed discussion between my Department and the local authorities and on the basis of the projected level of demand for grants, taking account of the level of applications on hand that...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (3 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: It is anticipated that the leasing initiative and the Rental Accommodation Scheme programme will deliver between 4,000 and 4,500 units in 2010, accounting for 50% of the total social housing output expected this year. My Department has not specified a limit on the number of housing units that can be leased for social housing purposes. A circular and guidance note to housing authorities...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (3 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: There is no specific relocation grant scheme in place in my Department for households affected by flooding and there are no plans to introduce such a grant. While it is a matter for any household in private owner occupation or in the private rental sector to have in place the necessary insurance arrangements to deal with natural disasters such as flooding, the Government is providing very...

Written Answers — Local Authority Grants: Local Authority Grants (4 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: The Government's housing policy statement, Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities, reflects the commitment to develop a national housing strategy for people with a disability. Work on the strategy is well advanced under the aegis of a National Advisory Group, headed by my Department and involving the Department of Health and Children, the Health Service Executive, social partners and other...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (4 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: It should be recognised that there will always be a certain level of stock of unsold affordable units on hands at any given time, whatever the prevailing housing market conditions. The slowdown in sales of affordable housing has moved in step with the process of correction in the wider housing market. Since late 2008, my Department and the Affordable Homes Partnership have been working...

Written Answers — Sheltered Housing: Sheltered Housing (4 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: It is a matter for individual housing authorities to plan the composition and management of their social housing investment programmes having regard to the specific social housing needs and priorities in their areas and to the Exchequer funding allocations available to them. My Department will shortly meet with Kildare County Council as part of the Annual Housing Action Plan process at which...

Regeneration Projects (9 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: I thank the Deputies for raising this item and their ongoing interest in this important issue. Limerick regeneration is an issue with which I am intimately acquainted, not just because of my office, but because of the extent to which my colleagues, the Minister for Defence, Deputy Willie O'Dea, and the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Power, have acted as powerful advocates for the programme...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (9 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: The intention of the Social Housing Leasing Initiative is to widen the range of supply options available to authorities to meet housing need and to maximise the level of social housing that can be delivered from within available public resources. Under the initiative housing authorities and approved housing bodies can procure properties on long term leases of 10 to 20 years in order to meet...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (9 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: Under the terms of the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, which is administered by the local authorities, grants of up to €30,000 may be available for the provision or adaptation of accommodation to meet the needs of people with a disability. It is a matter for individual authorities to determine what works are eligible and to prioritise them in line with their systems...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (9 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: My Department has recently granted approval for this project and the council may now proceed to advanced planning and tender stage. A provisional allocation of €1.5 million for 2010 has been advised to the local authority to assist in undertaking remedial works at this location.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (9 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: I recently announced funding of €157 million, under my Department's capital funding schemes for voluntary and co-operative housing, for some 75 individual projects at various locations around the country, including the project being advanced by Rural Resettlement Ireland at Tullycrine and Knockadereen. Clare County Council will advise the housing body with regard to the procedures for...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (9 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: Housing allocations are made by a local authority in accordance with an allocation scheme, the making of which is a reserved function of the authority. The legislation governing local authority allocations precludes ministerial involvement in the allocation of housing in individual cases. I understand from Dublin City Council that the matter in question is subject to ongoing examination....

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (9 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 339 to 341, inclusive, of 3 February 2010. The position remains unchanged.

Written Answers — Home Choice Loan Scheme: Home Choice Loan Scheme (9 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: More than 1,400 prospective purchasers formally registered interest on the dedicated home choice loan website with 44 applications being made over the course of 2009. Of these, four loan applications were approved with a combined value in excess of €800,000. In terms of available budget for the scheme, it is important to note the scheme is demand led. As such, no budget has been set and...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (9 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: I refer to the reply to Question Nos. 285 and 286 of 27 January, 2010.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (9 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: I recently announced the approval of funding for some 75 voluntary and co-operative housing projects at various locations around the country, including a project being advanced by Rathangan Senior Citizens Housing Association at Rathangan, Co. Wexford. Wexford County Council will advise the housing body with regard to the procedures for drawing down the funding in accordance with the terms...