Results 2,501-2,520 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

Water and Sewerage Schemes. (23 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: If incorrect submissions come in, they are sent back. Things must be in order. Perhaps we can find out why a project on an earlier programme is still on the next one and whether the delay was on the part of the Department or the county council. They are all included on the programme. The money is in place. The increased authority to proceed with the smaller schemes once initial approval has...

Written Answers — Dormant Accounts Fund: Dormant Accounts Fund (23 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: Following Government approval, I announced details on 4 January 2006 concerning the allocation of €24 million from the Dormant Accounts Fund in 2006 for the purpose of supporting programmes and types of projects tackling economic and social disadvantage. Details of the funding measures announced are available on the website of my Department at www.pobail.ie. The roll-out of these measures...

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (23 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: The position is that the Community Development Programme generally provides core funding to projects covering the cost of two full-time staff equivalents, which is the situation pertaining to the project in question. The project is aware that my Department is prepared to consider alternative staffing configurations providing the staffing maximum is not exceeded.

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (23 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: An application from the group in question was received by my Department under the 2005 Programme of Grants for Locally-Based Community and Voluntary Organisations. The application was assessed and deemed ineligible, as the group is not a qualifying group as set out in the conditions of the scheme. A request for a review of this application was received by my Department in January last....

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (23 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: My Department recently approved the invitation of tenders for this project, which will be carried out under the capital funding schemes for voluntary and co-operative housing projects. Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council, who are responsible for the detailed administration of the scheme in their area, have been notified accordingly.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (23 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: CE marking provides, in principle, a right to place a product on the market. However, for use in particular building works, such as social housing, the technical information and certified values accompanying the CE marking must be assessed for compliance with requirements pertaining to those works. CE marking does not, of itself, confer any guarantee of acceptability of a product for a...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (23 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: The revision of the current Social Housing Design Guidelines, which will update best practice in housing design reflecting changes in the Building Regulations and Planning Guidelines, is being finalised. I expect that the draft revised guidelines will be issued shortly for consultation with a view to publication by the end of 2006.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (23 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 532 and 534 together. The time taken from the receipt of an application until approval of funding under voluntary housing schemes is influenced by a range of factors, and can vary appreciably. However, it is the policy of my Department to process fully documented proposals from local authorities for these schemes within an eight week period; in many instances...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (23 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 533 and 535 together. It is the policy of my Department to consider fully documented proposals from local authorities for social housing schemes within a six week period. However, in many instances decisions are made on schemes in a shorter period. It is also the case that some schemes, due to their complexity and size, would take longer to consider as...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (23 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: My Department's Social Housing Design Guidelines indicates that natural gas central heating is the preferred option in social housing schemes, where it is available. However, there are situations where electric heating has been provided in social housing schemes for the elderly for reasons of practical preference and convenience.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (23 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: My Department's Social Housing Design Guidelines indicates that natural gas central heating is the preferred option in voluntary housing capital assistance schemes where it is available. However, there are situations were electric heating has been provided in voluntary housing schemes for the elderly for reasons of practical preference and convenience.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (23 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: In accordance with guidelines issued by my Department in 2003 two categories of non-EU nationals have a right to apply and be assessed for local authority housing: those who have been granted refugee status and those who have been granted leave to remain in the State. Persons residing in Ireland on the basis of having a work permit are not entitled to apply for local authority housing. A work...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (23 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: Capital funding from my Department is made available for environmental improvements to local authority dwellings only in circumstances where more extensive works are being undertaken under the Remedial Works Scheme. In all other circumstances, responsibility for financing environmental works lies with the local authority; including in situations where environmental works are being carried out...

Written Answers — Rural Housing: Rural Housing (23 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: My Department has published guidelines for planning authorities on sustainable rural housing which encourage planning authorities to opt for a housing needs-based approach to assessment of rural housing proposals in areas where development pressure for new houses in rural areas is high. A housing needs-based planning policy approach should establish a positive presumption in favour of housing...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (23 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: Certain clarifications were sought by my Department from Offaly County Council regarding the design of this project, which was submitted under the Capital Assistance Scheme. The documentation requested has now been received and the application is being further examined by my Department. The Council will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible.

Drug Abuse: Motion. (23 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: It is vital we recognise that the drugs problem is a volatile and changing one and that our policies need to be flexible to meet that change. It is also important to recognise that the progress made in the last few years has come about through a process of co-operation and partnership. We must focus on the fact that working together in a united way is far more beneficial than utilising a...

Drug Abuse: Motion. (23 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: The main thrust of the evaluations will be to analyse in a systematic manner what is being achieved by the projects and to report on the lessons which can be learnt as a result of them. I hope the results of the evaluation process will aid the formulation of effective actions aimed at tackling cocaine misuse. If any or all of the projects prove to be effective, consideration will be given to...

Drug Abuse: Motion. (23 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: The Government has demonstrated its commitment to tackling the drugs problem.

Drug Abuse: Motion. (23 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: This commitment is made clear by the Government's financial investment in the area, through the Vote of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. The allocation for drugs initiatives was just under €27 million in 2004, but it was increased by 18% to just over €31 million in 2005. This year's Revised Estimates Volume provides €43 million in this area, which represents an...

Drug Abuse: Motion. (23 May 2006)

Noel Ahern: No one suggests that the problem has gone away.