Results 2,241-2,260 of 2,386 for speaker:Michael Finneran

Written Answers — Regeneration Schemes: Regeneration Schemes (17 Jun 2008)

Michael Finneran: My Department has reviewed the submission from Dublin City Council and issued approval in principle in February 2007 for its inclusion in the City Council's PPP Regeneration Programme. In order to progress the project, however, my Department has indicated that, in line with Capital Appraisal Guidelines, a full cost-benefit analysis of the regeneration options presented be undertaken by the...

Written Answers — Housing Policy: Housing Policy (17 Jun 2008)

Michael Finneran: The Government's housing policy statement, Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities, and the National Development Plan 2007-2013 (NDP) reflect the strong commitment to expand social and affordable housing provision contained in the social partnership agreement Towards 2016. The NDP provides the resources — some €18 billion in total — which will support increased output from social and...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (17 Jun 2008)

Michael Finneran: Information on affordable housing activity up to the end of 2007 in each local authority area is available on my Department's website at www.environ.ie. Information is also published in my Department's Housing Statistics Bulletins, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library.

Written Answers — Traveller Accommodation: Traveller Accommodation (17 Jun 2008)

Michael Finneran: My Department provided capital funding in excess of €172 million to local authorities in respect of their Traveller Accommodation Programmes over the five year period, 2003 to 2007. Details of the amount recouped to each local authority are set out in the table below. Current funding of over €29 million was also provided to local authorities over the same period to meet the cost of...

Written Answers — Estate Management: Estate Management (17 Jun 2008)

Michael Finneran: My Department has no function in relation to the running of property management companies. These companies, comprising of the owners of dwellings, are generally constituted under the Companies Acts and are required to operate in compliance with company law, which comes within the area of responsibility of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Determination of management charges...

Water Pollution. (5 Jun 2008)

Michael Finneran: I take this matter, which was discussed on several previous occasions, on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy John Gormley. The difficulties being experienced by homeowners whose homes have been affected by the use of pyrite in certain developments in and around County Dublin are fully recognised. However, the resolution of problems...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (5 Jun 2008)

Michael Finneran: The Building Regulations apply standards for the construction of all new buildings, including social and affordable housing. In addition, units acquired for social housing under Part V agreements are expected to comply with Departmental guidance set out in Quality Housing for Sustainable Communities. In concluding Part V agreements housing authorities may seek certain modifications to house...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (5 Jun 2008)

Michael Finneran: Delivery of units under Part V of the Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2006 is necessarily subject to a number of variables. These include the volume of housing development for which planning permission is granted, the finalisation of individual agreements between local authorities and developers, the timing of commencement and phasing of individual developments, and the general level...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (5 Jun 2008)

Michael Finneran: The revised suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for older people and people with a disability introduced in November 2007 provide a more targeted and integrated response to the housing needs of older people and people with a disability, while ensuring that those households in greatest need benefit from the available funding. Under the new schemes eligibility for grant aid is determined on the...

Private Transport Operators. (5 Jun 2008)

Michael Finneran: I thank the Deputy for proposing this Adjournment matter, which I take on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Deputy Dempsey. The Road Transport Act 1932, as amended, provides the statutory basis for regulating the provision of public bus services by private bus operators. In accordance with the legislation, private bus operators apply to the Department of Transport for...

Private Transport Operators. (5 Jun 2008)

Michael Finneran: I will bring that matter to the attention of the Minister.

Private Transport Operators. (5 Jun 2008)

Michael Finneran: The Department understands from the licence holder that the service has been introduced and the frequency shall be increased in the coming months. On 16 July 2007, the Department was made aware that the operator concerned had commenced the operation of an unlicensed bus passenger service between Dalkey and Dublin Airport. The Department immediately contacted the company and advised that...

Water Pollution. (5 Jun 2008)

Michael Finneran: I thank Deputy Tuffy for raising this on the Adjournment. I am pleased to be able to update the House regarding developments in this case. Separate investigations into this incident, which involved five group water scheme supplies, serving about 1,700 households in Cavan and Monaghan, have been carried out by the respective county councils and by the Health Service Executive. The reports...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (4 Jun 2008)

Michael Finneran: On 8 February 2008, my Department issued approval to Meath County Council to proceed with the works in question. The Council has indicated that the contract for the project will begin in July 2008 and is due to be completed by the end of 2009. The approved budget for the project is €5,462,702 of which €2.5m has been allocated this year, with the remaining costs to be met from the 2009...

Written Answers — Public Private Partnerships: Public Private Partnerships (4 Jun 2008)

Michael Finneran: I refer to the reply to Question No. 88 of 27 May 2008. As previously indicated, the City Council remains committed to the regeneration of these areas, and my Department will continue to engage with the Council as it endeavours to move the process forward as quickly as possible.

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (4 Jun 2008)

Michael Finneran: The correspondence appears to relate to the Department's low cost sites scheme and difficulties obtaining mortgage finance from banking institutions. The low cost sites scheme is subject to phased claw-back arrangements designed to prevent short term profiteering by owners of subsidised sites. My Department is aware of an issue which has arisen whereby some applicants who have bought sites...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (4 Jun 2008)

Michael Finneran: The current income bands and subsidies under the mortgage subsidy scheme are set out under the Housing (Mortgage Subsidy) Regulations 2005 and in associated Circular Letters HPS 10/05 and 1/06, and apply to all transactions completed on or after 1 January 2006. The previous income bands and subsidies apply to transactions completed before this date. The matters referred to are under review...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (4 Jun 2008)

Michael Finneran: In 2007 North Tipperary County Council received an allocation of €1.5m to undertake remedial works on its rural cottages, preliminary works for a number of other schemes across the county, and its central heating programme. This year's allocation of €3.8m is a significant increase on the 2007 allocation and represents my Department's ongoing commitment to the support of the Council's...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (4 Jun 2008)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 411, 418 and 419 together. The combined capital allocations notified to South Tipperary County Council, Offaly County Council and Laois County Council for the payment of the Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability, in 2008, are as follows: Local Authority 2008 Allocation â'¬ South Tipperary County Council 1,343,550...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (4 Jun 2008)

Michael Finneran: My Department met with Dublin City Council on 30 May 2008 and it was agreed that this project could proceed to the planning/design phase.