Results 2,381-2,400 of 4,674 for speaker:Dessie Ellis

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (11 Jun 2014)

Dessie Ellis: That is what I mean.

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (11 Jun 2014)

Dessie Ellis: The amendments are poles apart.

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (11 Jun 2014)

Dessie Ellis: On a point of order, I do not understand the logic. Amendments Nos. 16 and 17 are specifically about local authorities. They do not refer to voluntary housing bodies.

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (11 Jun 2014)

Dessie Ellis: I see no reason for amendments Nos. 16 and 17 not to be accepted. I do not accept what the Minister of State has said, that this is already provided for in legislation. We all know that any income that comes in to a local authority is taken into account when it comes to local government funding. Often this money is put on the central books and we end up with less money for local government...

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (11 Jun 2014)

Dessie Ellis: I will speak to amendment No. 17, which relates to section 23. I have always believed that if we sell local authority housing to tenants, the purchase money should be ring-fenced for housing. We should not deplete our housing stock. There should be a means of ring-fencing the money for that and for the maintenance of existing local authority housing stock. The money should be targeted on...

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (11 Jun 2014)

Dessie Ellis: The housing budget has been cut by more than €1 billion since 2008. Even in the past few years, there have been cutbacks. While a stimulus package was announced, the budget was reduced by €60 million this year. The Minister of State has announced measures that will ameliorate this to some extent. She is addressing a number of voids across the country and trying to sort them...

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (11 Jun 2014)

Dessie Ellis: I move amendment No. 15:In page 35, between lines 7 and 8, to insert the following: “Reallocation of repossessed dwellings 21.The local authority on successful repossession of a dwelling will as far as is practicable ensure that:(a) any refurbishment works required will be tendered for within 1 month of repossession date, (b) in the case where only minor refurbishment work is...

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (11 Jun 2014)

Dessie Ellis: I support the idea of notifying the Child and Family Agency. I do not see any harm in it. We have all experienced cases in which people were excluded from certain areas, including parks. It is important that community projects, social workers and outreach workers be kept informed in this regard. There are existing rules for informing the relevant authorities. What is being proposed will...

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (11 Jun 2014)

Dessie Ellis: I move amendment No. 8:In page 16, between lines 30 and 31, to insert the following: “(12) Where the grounds for a possession application are anti-social behaviour, and in the opinion of the local authority a successful application may increase the chances of a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality of the dwelling to which the tenancy agreement relates in...

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (11 Jun 2014)

Dessie Ellis: I support Deputy Thomas P. Broughan in this instance, although even a 21 day period would be a little short. A period of one month would be fairer. Ten working days to react is very short.

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report Stage (11 Jun 2014)

Dessie Ellis: I agree with some of the previous speakers. The ability to write off debt varies in local authorities. That is an important area because some people simply cannot afford to pay. Local authorities have added to the problem by allowing arrears to build up. If an authority has allowed arrears to build up, should it not be punished in some way or does the tenant have to pick up on the fact...

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report Stage (11 Jun 2014)

Dessie Ellis: I support Deputy Thomas P. Broughan's amendment. We all know that different local authorities have different codes on rent arrears. In many cases, the codes depend on the individuals working in their rent sections. Often, people who are added to the list suddenly find themselves facing significant arrears because it is discovered they should have been paying more. We need to address these...

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report Stage (11 Jun 2014)

Dessie Ellis: I move amendment No. 2:In page 7, between lines 30 and 31, to insert the following: "Tenants right to advocacy 7. A tenant in all dealings with a local authority can request the presence of an authorised advocate. This request cannot be refused by the local authority and local authorities should as far as practicable engage constructively with the authorised advocate if requested by the...

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report Stage (11 Jun 2014)

Dessie Ellis: I wish to press my amendment because I do not accept what the Minister of State has said. As has been outlined by Members here, there are serious issues involved. Deputy Coppinger made reference to non-Irish nationals but the issues are not confined to that cohort of the population. Issues such as eviction and anti-social behaviour are very serious. In many cases, people could be facing...

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report Stage (11 Jun 2014)

Dessie Ellis: 11 o’clock My amendment suggests this should be at the tenant's request. Some tenants understand what they are being told, but I have come across people who cannot even read or write. They go in to their local authorities and just sit and listen, but do not know what is going on. Practice is different across the local authorities and that is my concern. Nothing is defined. A...

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report Stage (11 Jun 2014)

Dessie Ellis: I move amendment No. 1:In page 6, between lines 2 and 3, to insert the following:“ “authorised advocate” means an elected public representative, social worker, medical or legal professional or a representative of a tenants or housing rights body recognised by the local authority;”.I have tabled these amendments on the basis that many tenants who go to local...

Death and Burial of Children in Mother and Baby Homes: Motion [Private Members] (10 Jun 2014)

Dessie Ellis: I welcome the news today that a commission of investigation is to be established into the monstrous discovery in Tuam. I welcome that this has been done with a pace not seen in previous cases where the State might have felt the need to close ranks and protect itself. Many lessons have been learned over recent years, especially during this Government's term, that action has to be taken and...

Order of Business (5 Jun 2014)

Dessie Ellis: There are serious concerns in regard to Moore Street and its environs. The protection and preservation of the entire historic area is of national importance. As we approach the 2016 celebrations, hanging over us are plans to bulldoze this area. The monuments Bill needs to be brought forward and we need a debate and action to stop our heritage being vandalised. When will this happen? We...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (4 Jun 2014)

Dessie Ellis: The amendments must be tabled for Report Stage before Friday. That is a tight schedule for many members.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (4 Jun 2014)

Dessie Ellis: At the time the RAS was introduced, a commitment was given that people would be housed and the lease would roll over, or they would get a local authority house. It seems that commitment was never lived up to. What has happened is that many who availed of accommodation under RAS have ended up homeless, which is absolutely scandalous. They are left sitting in no-man's-land. I understand...