Results 1,761-1,780 of 2,386 for speaker:Michael Finneran

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (11 Feb 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 — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (11 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: A response to the representations made by the individual concerned will issue shortly.

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (16 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: Up to the end of 2009, some €51 million was provided by my Department to support the development of Limerick City's integrated regeneration programme, to fund an ambitious schedule of demolition and enabling works, as well as to implement the associated regeneration relocation strategy. In addition, funding was provided for a broad range of much needed social inclusion, community...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (16 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: Some 301 unsold affordable homes in the Dublin City area have been approved for use under the Social Housing Leasing Initiative. Of these, 158 units are operational with lease agreements signed and in place. To protect the privacy of individual households in receipt of housing support it is not the normal practice to provide information on the location of such properties. There are...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (16 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 523 and 542 together. While provision has been made in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 to allow purchasers under the new Affordable Dwelling Purchase Arrangements to re-mortgage or top-up their mortgage without triggering the clawback, the Act does not, in error, provide this facility for purchasers under existing affordable housing or shared...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (16 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: The Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) is designed to cater for the accommodation needs of persons in receipt of rent supplement who have a long-term housing need. It is a collaborative project between my Department, local authorities, the Department of Social and Family Affairs and the Health Service Executive, and it operates in all housing authority areas. Under the scheme, which commenced...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (16 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: At any given time, whatever the prevailing market conditions, there will always be a certain level of stock of unsold affordable units on hands, including units in the course of being sold or being readied for sale. Very considerable progress continues to be made on the sale of affordable housing with over 1,300 affordable homes sold in the first 9 months of 2009, despite the current...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (16 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: I expect to notify local authorities of my Department's block grant allocations under the 2010 Rural Water Programme shortly.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (16 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: The Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, signed into law in July 2009, provides the legal framework for a new approach to the allocation of social housing by local authorities. The progressive implementation of this new framework will provide for clearer provisions in relation to preferences identified by applicant households, including location preferences. Notwithstanding this, it...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (16 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: At the end of January 2010, some 27 housing authorities and 4 approved housing bodies have had projects approved under the Social Housing Leasing Initiative comprising over 2,000 units. A breakdown of the units per authority/approved body is provided in the table below. To protect the privacy of individual households in receipt of housing support, it is not the normal practice to provide...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects (16 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe. I thank the Senator for raising this matter as it provides me with an opportunity to outline to the Seanad the Government's strategy for capital investment in educational projects as well as outlining the current position concerning St. Laurence O'Toole national school...

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes (16 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: I thank the Senator for this opportunity to clarify the position concerning the Dunmanway regional water supply scheme. The objective of the scheme, which was included in the 2007-2009 water services investment programme, is to improve the existing water supply in Dunmanway and provide for future capacity. The council has already addressed some of the supply problems in Dunmanway through...

Seanad: Cancer Screening Programme (16 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: I have been asked by the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, to respond to this question on her behalf. The Government welcomes the opportunity to address the House and to outline the position on breast cancer screening under the BreastCheck programme. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women in Ireland. More than 2,300 women are diagnosed with breast cancer...

Seanad: Cancer Screening Programme (16 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: I thank the Senator for her contributions and I realise this is a very important issue. I will certainly relay her further comments to the Minister for Health and Children on this issue. I know it is an issue that involves 50% of the population and as such, needs to be addressed. As the Minister has said, the debate on the review is ongoing and every input is worthy of consideration. I...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (17 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: My Department issued budget approval for 6 new social houses at this location to Wicklow County Council on 14 October, 2009. It is a matter for each housing authority to manage its Social Housing Investment Programme within the annual capital allocation provided by my Department.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (17 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: Following a receipt of a project proposal for the provision of 18 units in Cahir, South Tipperary, my Department considered the proposal and issued provisional approval for inclusion in the Social Housing Leasing Initiative in December 2009. It is now a matter for the association in question to progress the matter to facilitate full funding approval.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (17 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: My Department's Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) provides funding to approved housing bodies of up to 100% of the approved costs of accommodation for older people, the homeless, persons with special needs, returning emigrants and victims of domestic violence. My Department's involvement with the scheme relates primarily to the provision of funds for individual projects. The detailed...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (17 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: Information in relation to vacant local authority houses is a Local Authority Service Indicator and reports on these indicators are available on the Local Government Management Services Board's website www.lgmsb.ie. The latest available figures relate to 2008.

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (18 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: A provisional target for 2010 of 8,000 households to be transferred from rent supplement to the Rental Accommodation Scheme and other forms of social housing has been agreed between my Department and the Department of Social and Family Affairs.

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (18 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: I refer to the reply to Question No. 222 of 11 February 2010. A response to the representations made by the individual concerned will issue shortly.