Results 1,901-1,920 of 2,386 for speaker:Michael Finneran

Written Answers — Local Authority Home Loans: Local Authority Home Loans (22 Apr 2010)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 168 together. Over 1,400 prospective purchasers have formally registered interest on the dedicated Home Choice loan website and, to date, 58 applications have been made. Of these, four have been approved, with three of these now drawn down, 35 applications have been turned down, five have been withdrawn and further information has been sought in...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (22 Apr 2010)

Michael Finneran: Meeting social housing need remains a high priority for the Government. While ensuring that we can deliver across the full range of needs, the scale and composition of the public housing programme in the years ahead will be dependent on a number of factors, including the level of available funding and the evolution of the housing market generally. I am determined to ensure that the programme...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (27 Apr 2010)

Michael Finneran: A reply has issued to the correspondent.

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

Michael Finneran: I refer to the reply to Question No. 9 of 22 April 2010. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (28 Apr 2010)

Michael Finneran: Two types of house purchase loan are available from local authorities: standard annuity loans targeted at lower income first time buyers and those under the Home Choice Loan scheme which are available to qualifying middle income first time buyers affected by the credit crunch. The terms and conditions governing the operation, including eligibility terms, of annuity mortgages and the Home...

Written Answers — Housing Aid for the Elderly: Housing Aid for the Elderly (29 Apr 2010)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 224 and 225 together. On foot of a Government Decision, taken in February 2006, to transfer the administration of the Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme (SHAE) from the Health Service Executive (HSE) to the local authority sector, a revised suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability was implemented on 1 November,...

Seanad: Communications (Retention of Data) Bill 2009: Second Stage (29 Apr 2010)

Michael Finneran: ): I am pleased to be in the Seanad to present the Communications (Retention of Data) Bill 2009. The primary purpose of the Bill is to transpose Directive 2006/24/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council into Irish law. The directive requires service providers to retain data generated or processed in connection with the provision of publicly available electronic communications or of...

Seanad: Communications (Retention of Data) Bill 2009: Second Stage (29 Apr 2010)

Michael Finneran: The Bill recognises the Revenue Commissioners' role as a criminal law enforcement agency whose role is to protect the Exchequer from fraud. Experience has shown that the lack of such access has been a hindrance in detecting certain cases of serious tax fraud and gathering the necessary evidence for the purposes of prosecution. This need is clearly justified and access to such information...

Seanad: Communications (Retention of Data) Bill 2009: Second Stage (29 Apr 2010)

Michael Finneran: -----under cover of bogus invoices, alcohol fraud using bogus documentation, cross-Border VAT fraud and other forms of serious tax evasion often include contact phone numbers which need to be traced. The identity of the subscriber must be established along with the usage of the phone if the investigation is to be progressed. I find the case for access compelling and Revenue Commissioners...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (5 May 2010)

Michael Finneran: Houses sold to first time buyers under the various affordable housing schemes at a significant discount from market value contain a clawback provision, in order to prevent short-term profit taking on the resale of the house to the detriment of the objectives of the schemes. There are no plans to abolish the clawback arrangements under the existing affordable housing schemes. However, it...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (5 May 2010)

Michael Finneran: Under section 58 of the Housing Act 1966, the management and maintenance of the local authority housing stock is a matter for individual authorities. My Department has been advised by Roscommon County Council that, in this case, a schedule of works has been prepared with a view to having them carried out as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (5 May 2010)

Michael Finneran: Under section 58 of the Housing Act 1966, the management and maintenance of the local authority housing stock is a matter for individual authorities. My Department has been advised by Roscommon County Council that the relevant works have been carried out in this case.

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (5 May 2010)

Michael Finneran: The New House Grant Scheme, which was administered by my Department, was terminated on 14 November, 2002. In accordance with the provisions of the Housing (New House Grant etc.) Regulations 1990 (Amendment) Regulations 2002 a grant could only be paid where, inter alia, a contract to purchase or to build a house was entered into on or before 14 November, 2002 and where an application had been...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (5 May 2010)

Michael Finneran: The operation of the various affordable housing schemes is a matter for individual housing authorities, and my Department does not operate any scheme of financial assistance to those purchasing such properties.

Seanad: Ministerial Pensions: Motion (5 May 2010)

Michael Finneran: I welcome the opportunity to engage in a full debate on what the Government is doing on ministerial pensions. This is an opportunity to set out the facts and make certain the public is fully aware of what has been done to reduce spending on ministerial pensions. We are all aware that the issue has caused a great deal of public controversy in recent days, which is, to an extent,...

Seanad: Inter-Country Adoptions (5 May 2010)

Michael Finneran: I welcome the opportunity to reply to the debate on this Adjournment Matter which I am taking on behalf of the Minister of State with special responsibility for children and young people, Deputy Barry Andrews. The Government's objective in regard to adoption is to provide for a regime in which the child will be at the centre of the adoption process, whether it be an inter-country or a...

Seanad: Inter-Country Adoptions (5 May 2010)

Michael Finneran: That seems to be the case in some instances. In others, as I said, there may have been a misunderstanding about documents sent. The Russian authorities have accepted that they are available.

Seanad: Library Projects (5 May 2010)

Michael Finneran: I am pleased to have an opportunity to respond to the Senator on this very important issue affecting the Rush area. Under the terms of the Government's decision on the implementation of savings in respect of public service numbers, no public service posts, however they arise, may be filled by recruitment, promotion or the payment of an allowance for the performance of duties at a higher...

Seanad: Library Projects (5 May 2010)

Michael Finneran: As Minister of State with responsibility for libraries I have a personal responsibility for this area, so it is close to my heart. I reiterate that there have been no applications for staff for Rush library. In fact, Fingal County Council has indicated it will be opening Rush library by reorganisation and redeployment of the existing complement of staff. I understand the contributing...

Seanad: Library Projects (5 May 2010)

Michael Finneran: Fingal County Council has indicated it does not require extra staff and that the main issue is the industrial relations problems in the public sector. I hope for all our sakes that these will be resolved shortly.