Results 2,441-2,460 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

House Prices. (13 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: I am not the Minister for Finance and will let him decide on that.

House Prices. (13 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: Yes, but stamp duty is a matter for the Minister for Finance. It has been adjusted before and I am sure it will be adjusted again. Let us be consistent. The last time it was adjusted, the Opposition accused us of putting up prices. Which way does it want it? There are many houses available for under €317,500.

House Prices. (13 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: There is a tendency to get carried away with the average house price. There are many affordable new houses, even in Dublin, under €200,000. Plenty of second-hand houses are priced well under €300,000. I accept the figure is under pressure but the first-time buyer is still a major player in the housing market.

Social Infrastructure. (7 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: I emphasise to the Deputy that direct responsibility for the planning and delivery of the north fringe development rests with the local authorities involved, that is, Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council. The achievement of sustainable communities is a key objective of the Government's housing policy. A wide range of policies and measures has been put in place to ensure that housing...

Social Infrastructure. (7 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: Perhaps it was, I do not know.

Social Infrastructure. (7 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: The membership includes Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council senior officials, residents' groups and representatives from other statutory bodies such as the HSE, the Department of Education and Science, the Garda Síochána, Dublin Bus and Iarnród Éireann. The objectives of the forum include the provision of regular bus services, the construction and operation of a new train...

Social Infrastructure. (7 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: Things can be made to happen without necessarily having legislative power. I hear what the Deputy is saying, but I do not know whether his view is formally conveyed from members of the forum. They seem to be happy enough and if they are not, they should say so. However, I hear what the Deputy is saying about special and strategic development zones and putting the measure on a statutory basis....

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (7 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: The group referred to in the Deputy's question will receive core funding of €189,700 in 2006 as a specialist support agency through the Community Development Programme. This funding covers salaries and basic running costs.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (7 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 398 and 413 together. I refer to the reply to Question No. 631 of 30 May 2006. The position is unchanged. A Certificate of Reasonable Cost cannot issue in this case, as contrary to a condition of the scheme, the floor area exceeds the maximum limit of 125 square metres. An appeal, together with supporting documentation, may be made to my Department and the...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (7 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: Eligibility for the affordable housing schemes is open to persons in need of housing and whose income in the previous tax year satisfies an income test. The administration of the schemes is a matter for individual local authorities and they must assess each application on its merits having regard, inter alia, to the ability of applicants to manage their repayments. They must satisfy...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (7 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: On 28 November 2005, my Department wrote to each local authority (Circular Letter HPSS 7/2005) reminding them that Article 2(2)(b) of the Housing (Sale of Houses) Regulations, 1995 provides that, where the site of a dwelling has been provided to a housing authority for a nominal sum the sale price should be reduced accordingly for the tenant purchaser. Authorities were requested to review the...

Written Answers — Housing Policy: Housing Policy (7 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: Part V is an important and growing supply mechanism for increasing our stock of social and affordable homes. The manner in which local authorities avail of Part V arrangements for the provision of such housing is determined by them based on the social and affordable housing needs identified in their housing strategies. Where units are being transferred, the method of calculating their cost to...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (7 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: The new house grant scheme was terminated in 2003 to concentrate housing programmes on areas of greatest impact and social need. It is not proposed to reintroduce the grant. However, through overall increases in supply, and increasing output under various affordable housing initiatives, the Government are seeking to improve access to home ownership for first time buyers. These targeted...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (7 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: Following the outcome of the review of the implementation of the disabled persons and essential repairs grant schemes, proposals for the future operation of the schemes are being prepared in my Department. I hope to be in a position to announce these shortly.

Seanad: Housing Policy: Motion. (7 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: I welcome the opportunity to outline the Government's approach to housing and to point out progress and achievements in this important area. The Government's strong record on housing is proven and stands in contrast to some of the superficial and unfounded comments made this evening and enshrined in the motion. House price increases reflect, primarily, intensified demand for housing resulting...

Seanad: Housing Policy: Motion. (7 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: Yes. It is very significant, yet people just quote a figure from one of the four schemes, and there is no need to do that. Senator Bannon spoke about prices. The 200 or so houses we got as part of the Harcourt Square land swap — I do not know if they are all sold yet — were selling just a few weeks ago at prices of €142,000 for two-bedroom homes and €172,000 for three-bedroom homes....

Seanad: Housing Policy: Motion. (7 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: I do not know if the Labour Party will be able to sort out Fine Gael. I wish it luck, because historically, the interests of the Labour Party and of Fianna Fáil are much closer.

Seanad: Housing Policy: Motion. (7 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: Even with regard to Part V, for example, I remember——

Seanad: Housing Policy: Motion. (7 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: I do not know why the Labour Party sends in nice guys like Senator Coghlan to argue about this.

Seanad: Housing Policy: Motion. (7 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: It is hard to listen to some of what Senator Ryan says.