Results 2,301-2,320 of 2,386 for speaker:Michael Finneran

Written Answers — Housing Aid for the Elderly: Housing Aid for the Elderly (20 May 2008)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 568 and 587 together. The most recent information received from Clare County Council and North Tipperary County Council regarding activity under the Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability, is set out below. Scheme Clare County Council North Tipperary County Council Apps. Received Apps. Approved Grants Paid Apps....

Written Answers — Strategy on Homelessness: Strategy on Homelessness (20 May 2008)

Michael Finneran: The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Strategy on Homelessness: Strategy on Homelessness (20 May 2008)

Michael Finneran: The provision of accommodation by approved voluntary and co-operative housing bodies is an integral part of the Department's overall response to delivering on housing need for older people. Under the Capital Assistance Scheme, funding of up to 100% of the approved cost is available for the provision of permanent accommodation for groups with special housing needs, including the elderly,...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (20 May 2008)

Michael Finneran: A statutory assessment of housing need is carried out triennially by housing authorities. The most recent of these took place in 2005 with previous assessments undertaken in 2002, 1999 and 1996. The results of the 2005 assessment indicated that there were 43,684 households on local authority housing waiting lists. Data in relation to these assessments for each housing authority are...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (20 May 2008)

Michael Finneran: Under section 58 of the Housing Act 1966, housing authorities are responsible for the management and maintenance of dwellings, of which they are the owner, provided under the Act. Regulations under the section allow that the tenant may, with the consent of the authority, exchange the tenancy of his/her house for the tenancy of another house provided by a housing authority. The...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (20 May 2008)

Michael Finneran: The provision of accommodation by approved voluntary and co-operative housing bodies is an integral part of my Department's overall response to delivering on social housing need. Local authorities and approved housing bodies are working in close co-operation to deliver an expanded range of social housing options and a wide range of accommodation types to meet the needs of low-income families...

Written Answers — Housing Aid for the Elderly: Housing Aid for the Elderly (20 May 2008)

Michael Finneran: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 568, 588 and 589 together. The Housing Aid for Older People Scheme is administered by local authorities and is part of a revised framework of grant aid, introduced in November 2007, to assist older people and people with a disability with their accommodation needs. The Scheme, which amalgamates the provisions of the old Essential Repairs Grant Scheme and...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (15 May 2008)

Michael Finneran: Funding for the Social Housing Investment Programme (SHIP) is allocated on the basis of local authority areas. The recently announced capital allocations for 2008 are provided for the supply of local authority housing and for a range of improvement works. The allocations for Cork County Council, and Mallow, Fermoy, Youghal, Cobh and Midleton Town Councils are detailed in the table below....

Seanad: Mental Health Services (14 May 2008)

Michael Finneran: I thank the Cathaoirleach and Senator Ivor Callely for their kind words on my elevation to the position of Minister of State. I take this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney. I thank the Senator for raising this matter as it provides me with an opportunity to outline to the Seanad the plans for the re-development of the...

Seanad: Special Educational Needs (14 May 2008)

Michael Finneran: I acknowledge the words of congratulation from the Senator, for which I thank her. I will be responding to this Adjournment matter on behalf of the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney. I am pleased to take this opportunity to address the important issues raised by the Senator. Young people with disabilities leaving school have access to a range of training, employment and...

Seanad: Special Educational Needs (14 May 2008)

Michael Finneran: I assure the Senator and the House that I will convey her views to the Minister and outline the concerns she has expressed following my contribution.

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes (14 May 2008)

Michael Finneran: I thank the Senator for his words of congratulation. They are appreciated. The Waterford towns and villages scheme is approved for funding under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 at an estimated cost of more than €48 million. The scheme entails the construction of new or upgraded wastewater treatment and collection systems in Ardmore, Ballyduff-Kilmeaden,...

Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) (Confirmation of Orders) Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Order for Report Stage. (14 May 2008)

Michael Finneran: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now."

Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) (Confirmation of Orders) Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages. (14 May 2008)

Michael Finneran: I move: "That the Bill do now pass." This is a short Bill to address matters concerning bodies established under the Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) Act 1971. Following the advice of the Attorney General in regard to the Health (Corporate Bodies) Act 1961 and the subsequent passing of the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2007, the Attorney General advised that the possible...

Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) (Confirmation of Orders) Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages. (14 May 2008)

Michael Finneran: I thank Deputy Hogan for his kind remarks. Like me, Deputy Hogan has come through the local authority system. We both have an interest in the issue of local authority housing be it affordable or otherwise. I look forward to interacting with Deputy Hogan and all Members of the House on the provision of housing, an important issue for many people. Indeed, the purchase of a home is an...

Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) (Confirmation of Orders) Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages. (14 May 2008)

Michael Finneran: I thank the Deputy for his questions. The basis for this Bill is the advice of the Attorney General. It is pre-emptive to stave off what happened in health. I always hope the House is the premier place where information is available to Members. This is my reading of the situation and I hope it will be the case. I cannot give exact answers to all of the Deputy's questions on my first full...

Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) (Confirmation of Orders) Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages. (14 May 2008)

Michael Finneran: I thank the Deputy for his contribution and for his best wishes. Limerick Northside Regeneration Agency and Limerick Southside Regeneration Agency are jointly funded by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. In 2007, they were allocated a sum of €1.13 million which was made available to the agencies for initial costs of establishment, salaries and works in the...

Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) (Confirmation of Orders) Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages. (14 May 2008)

Michael Finneran: Yes, indeed. The Government is committed to it. It is a novel scheme in some ways and I know all Deputies, public representatives, community groups and gardaí from the area have shown their support for it. We all hope it will be a success.

Finance Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stages (6 Mar 2008)

Michael Finneran: I welcome the amendment. I compliment the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance on his innovative proposal regarding the further provision of hospice or palliative care. The banner headlines achieved by Deputy Burton have been somewhat subdued today given that representatives of the hospice movement have now endorsed the proposal. All those with whom I have consulted welcome it very much. I...

Finance Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stages (6 Mar 2008)

Michael Finneran: The Deputy has had his say.