Results 2,321-2,340 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

Written Answers — Rental Accommodation Scheme: Rental Accommodation Scheme (29 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: The key objectives of the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) are to eliminate dependence on SWA rent supplement scheme by persons assessed as needing housing assistance on a long term basis; enhance the response of local authorities in meeting long-term housing need; provide an additional source of good quality accommodation for eligible persons and potentially provide more effective...

Written Answers — Drug Treatment Services: Drug Treatment Services (28 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 184 to 186, inclusive, together. The issues raised by the Deputy are matters for my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney.

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (28 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: Floor Area Compliance Certificates are issued where a house meets conditions and standards specified by my Department and, in particular, that the construction of the house is in compliance with the requirements of the building regulations. These conditions are set out in the FACC explanatory memorandum HA1. I understand, that in this particular case, certificates have issued in respect of...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (28 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: The Housing (Disabled Persons and Essential Repairs Grant) Regulations 2001, which came into effect on 19 December 2001, govern the operation of the disabled persons and essential repairs grant schemes. The administration of the disabled persons grant scheme is delegated to local authorities within the framework laid down in these regulations, which as far as is practicable, is designed to...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (28 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: I wrote to the Deputy on 22 June 2006 setting out the information requested.

Seanad: Housing (Stage Payments) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (28 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: There are voluntary codes all over the place in all industries, for God's sake.

Seanad: Housing (Stage Payments) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (28 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: There is no legislation for the practice in Dublin and the system works. There is no legislation for the Senator's constituency and it works.

Seanad: Housing (Stage Payments) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (28 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: Exactly. The Senator is making my point.

Seanad: Housing (Stage Payments) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (28 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: To which year's statistics does the Senator refer?

Seanad: Housing (Stage Payments) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (28 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: There is broad consensus in the Oireachtas that stage payments should not be a normal feature in the purchase of houses in residential estates. As has been noted, the Government indicated in June 2004 that this was its preferred position and undertook to work with the stakeholders involved towards a resolution of the issues. Substantial progress can now be reported and I believe it would be...

Seanad: Housing (Stage Payments) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (28 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: It should be under legislation pertaining to contracts.

Seanad: Housing (Stage Payments) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (28 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: It should be under the legislation already before the House or the forthcoming legislation regarding a national property services regulatory authority. While Senator O'Toole has stated that this could not be done last week, this is not the advice available to me. It could have been done. However, with regard to the other taskforce which was established, that legislation will be brought...

Seanad: Housing (Stage Payments) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (28 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: This is my basic position in this regard.

Seanad: Housing (Stage Payments) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (28 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: The Department has been trying to achieve the desired goal by agreement with the stakeholders. If a legislative approach were to be adopted, it would not be as a housing Bill, but under a Bill dealing with contracts, which would come under the aegis of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The Government is concerned to ensure that house purchasers are not disadvantaged by any...

Seanad: Housing (Stage Payments) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (28 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: —— in certain circumstances.

Seanad: Housing (Stage Payments) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (28 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: How much time do I have?

Seanad: Housing (Stage Payments) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (28 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: While it is generally accepted that stage payments may be warranted in the case of one-off housing, I do not consider that this is likely to be the case in the context of speculatively built estate housing. Stage payments typically refer to the practice of requiring the purchaser in a new housing development to make payments to the builder at a number of set intervals or stages in line with...

Seanad: Housing (Stage Payments) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (28 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: They will have another chance to discuss it on Committee Stage, whenever that is. I heard what Senator O'Toole stated but that conflicts with my information and understanding. I also understand further legislation to establish the new national property services regulatory authority will provide another opportunity to provide for matters recommended by the Law Reform Commission which are not...

Seanad: Housing (Stage Payments) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (28 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: I have never been there.

Seanad: Housing (Stage Payments) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (28 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: We are not embarrassed by it. Where does the Labour Party go? Is it Druids Glen?