Results 1,861-1,880 of 2,386 for speaker:Michael Finneran

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (24 Mar 2010)

Michael Finneran: A circular letter (SHIP 2010.07 Leasing Clarification) has recently issued from my Department clarifying arrangements to facilitate housing authorities who wish to lease single or small numbers of properties from individual owners, including previously occupied housing. This circular letter is subject to the conditions of the original leasing initiative circular letter (N3-09 Leasing...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (24 Mar 2010)

Michael Finneran: On 22 March 2010, my Department notified Cork County Council that a supplementary grant of €77,340 had been approved in respect of this project.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (24 Mar 2010)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 185 to 187, inclusive, together. My Department does not collate age specific information on housing allocations to specific household categories. However, more general information in relation to activity under the range of housing programmes is set out in my Department's annual and quarterly Housing Statistics Bulletin, copies of which are available in the...

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Mar 2010)

Michael Finneran: NAMA itself has an entitlement to contribute to the planning process.

Written Answers — Housing Statistics: Housing Statistics (25 Mar 2010)

Michael Finneran: Data on the number of houses built by type of dwelling for each year from 2000 to 2008 are published in the Annual Housing Statistics Bulletins, which are available in the Oireachtas Library or on my Department's website at www.environ.ie. Data for 2009 are currently being compiled, and will be made available on the Department's website once finalised.

Written Answers — Housing Policy: Housing Policy (25 Mar 2010)

Michael Finneran: I refer to the reply to Question No. 240 of 3 March 2010. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (25 Mar 2010)

Michael Finneran: The level of contributions paid by tenants under the Rental Accommodation Scheme is based on the differential rents scheme for local authority dwellings as set by housing authorities. My Department does not hold information on the contribution levels in each authority. Variations in rent contributions, upwards and downwards, will normally be a consequence of changes in individual household...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (1 Apr 2010)

Michael Finneran: The Affordable Homes Partnership (AHP) was established in August 2005 under the aegis of my Department. The AHP is subject to public service corporate governance disciplines as outlined in the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, which includes audit and appropriate ethics requirements. The functions of the AHP are specified in the Affordable Homes Partnership (Establishment)...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (1 Apr 2010)

Michael Finneran: The Social Housing Leasing Initiative (SHLI), which was introduced last year, will be a key element of the future housing programme. It is anticipated that in 2010 the leasing initiative and the Rental Accommodation Scheme will together deliver some 4,000 to 4,500 units, or 50% of the total expected social housing output. To the end of March 2010, approximately 2,268 units had been sourced...

Written Answers — Homeless Persons: Homeless Persons (1 Apr 2010)

Michael Finneran: I refer to the reply to Question No. 14 of 25 February 2010 which sets out the position generally regarding the implementation of the Government's Homeless Strategy and the Implementation Plan for the Strategy. I indicated in that reply that work was proceeding to procure additional accommodation specifically for homeless households. Arising from this work, I announced, on 29 March 2010, an...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (1 Apr 2010)

Michael Finneran: My Department is aware of the concerns of consumers of housing services in current market conditions, including in regard to unfinished or partially completed residential developments. The Department is progressing work with stakeholders, including the National Building Agency and local authority representatives, to develop a fuller picture of the scale of these difficulties in terms of...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (1 Apr 2010)

Michael Finneran: The legislative provisions in relation to taking in charge of estates are contained in Section 180 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. Section 180 provides, in relation to estates which have been completed to the satisfaction of the planning authority in accordance with the permission, that the planning authority must, if requested to do so by the developer or by the majority of the...

Written Answers — Fire Safety Inspections: Fire Safety Inspections (1 Apr 2010)

Michael Finneran: Statistics forwarded by fire authorities to my Department in relation to fire prevention inspections carried out under the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003 for the 5 years 2004 to 2008 are set out in the following tables. Statistics for 2009 are awaited from fire authorities. Year 2004 Inspections under Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003 Section 13 — Planning Section 24 — Licensing...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (1 Apr 2010)

Michael Finneran: Under the terms of my Department's Housing Aid for Older People (HAOP) grant scheme, which is administered by individual local authorities, grants of up to €10,500 are available for the carrying out of necessary repairs or improvements to a house. The types of works allowable under the scheme can be varied and may include repairs to/replacement of windows and doors which, in the opinion of...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (1 Apr 2010)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 173 to 175, inclusive, together. Information in relation to the numbers of households whose needs have been met in the period 2003-2008 through the broad range of housing supports available can be found in the Annual Housing Statistics Bulletins which are available on my Department's website at www.environ.ie. Data for 2009 are currently being compiled, and...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (1 Apr 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 — Services for People with Disabilities: Services for People with Disabilities (20 Apr 2010)

Michael Finneran: Funding provided by my Department for library services takes the form of capital assistance for construction and fit out of new local authority public libraries and substantial refurbishment of existing local authority public libraries which may include facilities for persons with disabilities. Grant aid is provided as a percentage of the overall cost of the project and is dependent on the...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (20 Apr 2010)

Michael Finneran: Allocations totalling almost €100 million for 2010 were notified to local authorities on 5 March under the suite of Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability. The 2010 allocation to Cork City Council amounts to €2,707,916 compared to an initial allocation of €2,112,500 in 2009, an increase of €0.595m. My Department will review the funding position...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (20 Apr 2010)

Michael Finneran: I refer to the reply to Question No. 313 of 4 February 2010, which gives numbers of unsold affordable homes by local authority area at the beginning of February this year. The total figure of 1,158 reported at that time by the authorities excludes those homes which have been approved by the Department for deployment under the social leasing and RAS schemes. The situation changes very...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (20 Apr 2010)

Michael Finneran: It is a matter for each housing authority under the Housing Acts, 1966 to 2009, to carry out assessments of need for the purpose of allocating social housing. My Department does not collect details on the average waiting time for a housing needs assessment to be carried out.