Results 2,161-2,180 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern
- Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (4 Oct 2006)
Noel Ahern: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 203 and 212 together. Under Part V of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2006 planning authorities are required, in developing their housing strategies, to ensure that policies and objectives are in place that will counteract undue social segregation in housing developments between people of different social backgrounds. Furthermore, local authorities...
- Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (4 Oct 2006)
Noel Ahern: The most recent assessment of need for social housing, undertaken by local authorities in March 2005, indicated that there were 43,684 households on local authority waiting lists compared with 48,413 in March 2002 â a decrease of almost 10%. The number of local authority house completions/acquisitions for the first 6 months of 2006 stands at 1,786, while the number of units in progress at...
- Written Answers — Housing Policy: Housing Policy (4 Oct 2006)
Noel Ahern: I refer to the reply to questions 1514, 1515, 1516, and 1551 of 27 September 2006. The Law Reform Commission is currently examining legal aspects generally regarding the management of multi-unit structures and its consultation paper is expected shortly. A final report will then be prepared following the consultation period and its recommendations will be considered by the Departments...
- Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (4 Oct 2006)
Noel Ahern: I am satisfied at this early stage that the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) is meeting the objectives set for it by Government in July 2004. RAS has progressed from piloting to full local authority mobilisation. RAS is being constantly monitored and its use should be continued as part of the range of local authority responses to meeting long-term housing needs. RAS uses a range of...
- Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (4 Oct 2006)
Noel Ahern: I am very much aware of the importance of the efficient operation of the Disabled Persons and Essential Repairs Grant schemes in assisting with the provision of appropriate accommodation for disabled and elderly persons in the community. The administration of the Disabled Persons Grant scheme is delegated to local authorities within the framework laid down in statutory regulations in order...
- Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (4 Oct 2006)
Noel Ahern: The Government's commitment to a strong local authority housing construction/acquisition programme is reflected in the record allocation of â¬942 million provided to local authorities under the programme for 2006. This should allow for the completion of over 5,000 housing units in the year. I have urged them to accelerate progress on the implementation of their programmes in order to...
- Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (4 Oct 2006)
Noel Ahern: My Department had allocated â¬65 million for the funding of Disabled Persons and Essential Repairs Grant schemes in private houses in 2006. It is expected that a further â¬7 million will be spent this year on works of adaptation to make local authority rented houses more suitable for a disabled member of the household, bringing the total expenditure in the area to â¬72 million. I am...
- Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (4 Oct 2006)
Noel Ahern: Kildare County Council have been allocated â¬39 million in capital funding for their local authority housing construction / acquisition programme in 2006. My Department has not received an application from the County Council for additional funding. However, any such application will be considered taking account of the overall provision under the local authority housing...
- House Prices. (4 Oct 2006)
Noel Ahern: Prevailing house price differentials mean the environment is generally favourable for people who wish to trade down to smaller homes. Ultimately, this is not merely a financial matter, but rather a question of personal choice, depending on a household's circumstances and on connections to wider family and community. Our strategy has and will continue to be to increase housing supply to meet...
- House Prices. (4 Oct 2006)
Noel Ahern: I know the theory of what the Deputy has said. He did not mention it but he is probably trying to introduce a reduced rate of stamp duty. One can make a theoretical argument for the point the Deputy has made. These things can be done by the carrot and the stick. Some countries might do it by the stick by imposing rates or a property charge on elderly people which would force them out of...
- House Prices. (4 Oct 2006)
Noel Ahern: I am not dismissing the Deputy's idea. I know the idea and have often talked about it. It is done under the financial contribution schemes where, certainly in the city, people are selling their houses back to local authorities at prices ranging up to â¬450,000. The scheme exists at that level. Depending on one's age one makes a financial contribution. Currently the scheme does not exist...
- House Prices. (4 Oct 2006)
Noel Ahern: One would need to tread carefully because the whole market is finely balanced. If it was too successful, one could solve one group's problems but create a shortage in another area.
- Social and Affordable Housing. (4 Oct 2006)
Noel Ahern: Up to end June 2006, 1,837 affordable homes were acquired under Part V, while 2,373 dwellings were under construction and 3,012 were proposed on foot of agreements with developers. In addition to the number of affordable housing units acquired under Part V, the end-June figures also indicate that 950 social units were acquired, with 1,428 under construction and 1,097 proposed. Some 51 land...
- Social and Affordable Housing. (4 Oct 2006)
Noel Ahern: The changes being made and those that will come from the legislation will have a fundamental effect.
- Social and Affordable Housing. (4 Oct 2006)
Noel Ahern: The figures I gave demonstrate that almost 3,000 units have been delivered.
- Social and Affordable Housing. (4 Oct 2006)
Noel Ahern: Right, 2,787.
- Social and Affordable Housing. (4 Oct 2006)
Noel Ahern: Over 3,800 are under construction and agreement has been reached for 4,000 more. I consider these figures fundamental. I am blue in the face saying that, as we all know, Part V applies to new planning permissions, not to unzoned landââ
- Social and Affordable Housing. (4 Oct 2006)
Noel Ahern: The figures are adding up and will continue to do so. In the future Part V will be seen as a significant means of providing social and affordable housing. There is no doubt that it takes time to deliver the dividend, but it is coming. The figures indicate that and each quarter they are on an upward graph. Part V is and will be a fundamental delivery mechanism for social and affordable...
- Social and Affordable Housing. (4 Oct 2006)
Noel Ahern: The Deputy fully understands the rules relating to Part V, but he continues to try to misleadââ
- Social and Affordable Housing. (4 Oct 2006)
Noel Ahern: ââby selectively quoting figures. We know Part V does not apply to existing planning permissions, to unzoned land, one-off housing or schemes of under five units. However, Part V will be a significant contributorââ