Results 1,741-1,760 of 2,386 for speaker:Michael Finneran

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (9 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: No payments have been made by my Department in relation to this project. Applications for funding under my Department's Capital Assistance Scheme are considered in the light of, inter alia, the available funding for 2010 and the relative priority afforded to the project by Laois County Council.

Services for the Homeless (10 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: Under housing legislation, decisions regarding the facilities and arrangements necessary to accommodate homeless persons are matters for individual housing authorities to consider at local level. However, given the inaccurate and unhelpful public comments made by Deputy Costello about the Cedar House homeless shelter, I am happy to set the record straight, particularly to allay any concerns...

Services for the Homeless (10 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: The first people Deputy Costello spoke about were not the homeless but the employees and their positions. There are procedures for that matter.

Local Authority Housing (10 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: In responding, I want to place the matter raised by Deputy McGrath in context. The allocation of housing is the responsibility of individual housing authorities, with the functions involved being exercised by each authority in accordance with its scheme of letting priorities. The making of such schemes is a reserved function of the elected members of the housing authority, under section...

Drug Rehabilitation and Youth Services (10 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: I am replying this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe. I thank the Deputy for raising this matter as it gives me an opportunity to outline the Department's involvement with these projects and its ongoing contribution to the implementation of the national drugs strategy. Currently, the Department provides funding for 38 projects in...

Educational Access (10 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy O'Keeffe. I thank the Deputy for giving me this opportunity to outline the position of the Department of Education and Science regarding changes announced in the budget to student maintenance grants for those also availing of the back to education allowance scheme. I am pleased to...

Educational Access (10 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: However, all students, including mature students, currently in receipt of the BTEA or VTOS allowances and the maintenance grant will continue to be eligible for both payments for the duration of their current course provided, of course, that they continue to meet the terms and conditions of the schemes. Students progressing to a new course, with effect from the 2010-11 academic year, will no...

Educational Access (10 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: The objective of the fund is to assist students in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise, due to their financial circumstances, be unable to continue their third level studies. Information on the fund is available from the access officer at a candidate's college. I again thank the Deputy for raising this matter.

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (10 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: I understand Wicklow County Council is currently trying to secure possession of the building from Suaimhneas Housing Association with a view to having the property transferred to another Approved Housing Body in order to complete outstanding works and to make it available for accommodating persons with special housing needs.

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: I do not propose to accept the Senator's amendment to the section. The proposed amendment would have the effect of exempting hunt clubs from the regulations and possible inspections. Following consideration of the practical difficulties such an exemption would create for the implementation of the regulations, it is not considered that the exemption would be feasible or justifiable. I...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: Members of both Houses and the public in general are aware that the legislation pertains to the welfare of dogs. That is the foundation of the Bill. It is not a question of something that arose lately. Members will be aware that the working group on the Bill sat initially in 2005. There has been a long lead-in to this legislation. It is not a knee-jerk reaction to the Lisbon treaty or...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: In his Second Stage speech the Minister explained why the exemption of hunt clubs was not practical for reasons on which he received good advice. It is important that the legislation is effective and that it can be implemented. I reject the insinuation that this is an attack on rural life or sporting activities. That is totally wrong. It is an inappropriate contribution to make. The...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: The legislation will not place an undue burden on any of the hunt clubs. We should remember what the legislation is about, namely, the care and welfare of dogs. That is the fundamental reason for the legislation.

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: The matter raised by a number of Senators was explained by the Minister on Second Stage.

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: He made a long contribution on the matter and he explained the difficulties that would arise in implementing the regulations if there was an exemption. That was done following advice and due consideration. The Bill is about the welfare of dogs and the amendment deals with hunt clubs. Many issues have been raised that are not related to the amendment. Registers and the use of names and...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: I do not propose to accept the amendment. Section 8(17) provides that, if a dog breeding establishment does not prominently display its registration certificate, it shall be guilty of an offence. The proposed amendment would expand the number of offences included in section 8(17) to include offences already listed elsewhere in the Bill. These include offences provided for in section 8(16)...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: I do not propose to accept the Senator's amendment to this section. The proposed amendment would extend the period in which dog breeding establishments have to register from three months to 12 months. It could be argued that the five years that have elapsed since the report on the working group should be considered an ample lead-in time for the new regulatory regime. However, I am seeking...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: The working group's deliberations are available to the public and are on the website. It might be helpful if I were to explain to the House that once the legislation is enacted, there will be a public consultation period which will be announced by the Minister. Not until after that public consultation period will the regulations be written, with the three months kicking in from that stage....

Written Answers — Housing Aid for the Elderly: Housing Aid for the Elderly (11 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: Under the terms of the Housing Aid for Older People Scheme, which is administered by the local authorities, grants of up to €10,500 may be available to assist older people living in poor housing conditions to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out. It is a matter for individual authorities to determine what works are eligible and to prioritise these in line with their systems of...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (11 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 €1.5m for 2010 has been advised to the local authority to assist in undertaking remedial works at this location. The overall proposal includes the refurbishment of tenanted dwellings, the demolition of a number of existing units, the...