Results 2,241-2,260 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (27 Sep 2006)

Noel Ahern: My Department sanctioned the provision of funding to Athy Town Council in March of this year for refurbishment works to houses at Carbery Park / Townspark in Athy under the Remedial Works Scheme. I understand that there are a number of outstanding issues between the Council and owners of private houses in the estate. Once these are resolved it will be a matter for the Council to enter into...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (27 Sep 2006)

Noel Ahern: Under my Department's Remedial Works Scheme, Ennis Town Council submitted a programme of refurbishment works for local authority houses at various locations, including Davitt Terrace. My Department gave approval for the first phase of these works in May of this year which includes works in Shallee Drive and Gordon Drive which is a pilot project within the wider programme. It is a matter for...

Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (27 Sep 2006)

Noel Ahern: The new partnership agreement, Towards 2016, contains a commitment that minimum private rented housing standards regulations will be updated and effectively enforced. Earlier this month I announced an Action Programme which comprehensively addresses the standards issue involving a combination of promotion, information, appropriate regulation and strategic enforcement, backed up by funding...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (27 Sep 2006)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1574 and 1576 together. The information requested in relation to the 1999 Affordable Housing Scheme and Part V for the three months ending 31 March 2006 is set out in the table. In relation to the Affordable Housing Initiative over the same period, units were sold by Fingal County Council at an average price of €156,000. 1999 AFFORDABLE HOUSING SCHEME...

Seanad: Pension Provisions. (6 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: I appreciate that this is a topic of interest and concern across the House. The Local Government (Superannuation) Act 1980 enables the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, to make superannuation schemes for employees of local authorities. However, councillors are not local authority employees and could not, therefore, be...

Seanad: Pension Provisions. (6 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: I would second that.

Seanad: Building Societies (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (6 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: I cannot accept the amendment. It is not appropriate because section 48 of the 1989 Act provides that a building society shall have at least three directors and this is in line with other credit institutions which should have at least two directors. In company law the requirement is also for a minimum of two. The Bill is intended to address a range of issues based largely on the...

Seanad: Building Societies (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (6 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: I thank Senators for their co-operation in ensuring the Bill was passed this evening. In an ideal world, we might like more time. I record my appreciation for the work done in the Department. While it may be thought of as a small Bill, tortuous work has been done behind the scenes to get agreement between the different sides.

Seanad: Hospital Services. (6 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: I will be taking the Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. The Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Dublin, incorporating the National Children's Hospital, AMNCH, was opened in June 1998. The hospital was built at a cost of approximately €180 million and has 588 beds available. It replaced outmoded and inadequate facilities...

Seanad: Hospital Services. (6 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: If the Senator's questions were on housing or drugs I might be better equipped to answer them. The reply included a guarantee to that effect in respect of the existing hospital. I believe a meeting was held last week——

Seanad: Hospital Services. (6 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: Yes. I think I saw some reference to that effect in the media. I am under the impression that assurances were given to that effect, and that any concerns people may have had about the ethos of the Mater Hospital being fully enforced were allayed. I believe the Government intends that the new children's hospital will be multidenominational or secular, whichever term the Senator may prefer. I...

Seanad: Communications Masts. (6 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: I am pleased to address the House on this important issue. I begin by emphasising that planning permission is generally required for communications masts. There is great confusion in this area, with many people mistakenly believing masts are exempt from the need to obtain planning permission. Like most security related developments, masts used for the purposes of or in connection with the...

Seanad: Communications Masts. (6 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: We will not consider why so many doctors seem to be lining up to join the party. Perhaps they believe there is better protection for them in the party in terms of their contracts. I have heard some medical experts express the view that we are at greater risk from a television than a mobile telephone mast, while others claim the latter are extremely dangerous. I accept there is concern in this...

Seanad: Communications Masts. (6 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: The planning process is a formal legal process containing a great deal of legislation. I do not think Government could, even if it so wished, direct that should be set aside. The Senator alluded to inconsistencies in how different local authorities reach decisions. This may be due to different development plans but the Government does not tend to issue instructions in this regard. Interfering...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (6 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: The group concerned was approved for a grant from dormant accounts in October 2004 for the specific purpose of providing a wheelchair accessible vehicle for use by members of the group. In this regard, the group received the full grant of €21,075 during 2005 to purchase the vehicle.

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (6 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 732 and 812 together. Under the disabled persons grant scheme, a local authority may pay a new house grant of up €12,700 towards the additional cost of providing a new dwelling specifically to meet the needs of a disabled person. The administration of the scheme, and decisions on individual applications, are the responsibility of the relevant local authority.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (6 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: My Department approved proposals in April, 2006 from Sligo County Council for the first phase of the regeneration of the estate in question involving the construction of 20 new dwellings. I understand that the Part 8 planning approval process has been completed and the Council are preparing tender documentation to seek tenders with a view to commencing construction on site by end 2006. An...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (6 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 734 and 735 together. As indicated in reply to Question No. 438 of 13 June 2006, my Department has recently met with Galway City Council to discuss their Action Plan for Social and Affordable Housing. A Review Statement is currently being finalised by Galway City Council: this will update detailed targets for numbers of social housing units to be provided by...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (6 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 743 and 769 together. The level of grant available and the issue of qualifying criteria have been considered in the context of the overall review of the disabled persons grant scheme which was recently finalised. Proposals for the future operation of the scheme are being prepared in my Department and I hope to be in a position to announce these shortly.

Written Answers — Women's Refuges: Women's Refuges (6 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 754, 755 and 794 together. Capital funding is available through my Department's Capital Assistance Scheme to approved voluntary housing bodies to provide accommodation to meet special housing needs, such as elderly, homeless or persons with disabilities and may include accommodation for victims of domestic violence. My Department's involvement with the scheme...