Results 2,821-2,840 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

Written Answers — House Prices: House Prices (8 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 91 together. I am aware that the Permanent TSB-ESRI index of house prices showed an overall average figure of €281,197 in January 2006, with an average first-time buyer figure €30,000 lower. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on the Permanent TSB index, which is based on its own lending data. The very large increase in housing output that...

Written Answers — Homeless Persons. : Homeless Persons. (8 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 54, 77 and 110 together. The Independent Review of the Implementation of Homeless Strategies, which I published recently and copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library, examined the implementation of the Government's integrated and preventative homeless strategies and concluded that the two strategies should be amalgamated and revised. The review...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (8 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: The voluntary and co-operative housing sector has an important contribution to make in the provision of social housing. By working in close partnership with local authorities, it plays a significant role in supplementing their efforts in providing social housing in areas where particular housing needs have been identified. It is supported by my Department through two separate funding schemes,...

Written Answers — Anti-Social Behaviour: Anti-Social Behaviour (8 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform announced proposals late last year for the introduction of anti-social behaviour orders that will give the Garda additional powers to combat anti-social behaviour generally. As regards public housing estates, local authorities and approved housing bodies have extensive powers under the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1997 to deal with...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (8 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: An objective and comprehensive assessment of a person's or family's need is an essential first step in establishing a modern system of housing supports. The document Housing Policy Framework Building Sustainable Communities contains a commitment to develop new means of assessing housing need. Further details on the new arrangements will be announced later in the year.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (8 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 99 together. The preparation of the National Development Plan 2007-13, NDP, is co-ordinated by the Department of Finance. A high-level steering group, chaired by that Department and comprising senior officials of other relevant Departments, has been established to oversee drafting. The housing material of the NDP will be drafted by my Department and,...

Written Answers — Housing Statistics: Housing Statistics (8 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: Details of dwellings by number of rooms is available from the Central Statistics Office as part of the housing volume of the census of population, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library. My Department publishes data on the number of new dwellings completed by type of dwelling and the latest data indicate that apartments made up 22.4% of the 80,957 houses built in 2005, 53% of...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (8 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: Provisional figures supplied by local authorities to my Department indicate that some 1,370 social and affordable housing units had been acquired under Part V in 2005.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (8 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: Information on the number of houses constructed and acquired by local authorities to the end of September 2005 is available on my Department's website at www.environ.ie. Similar information for the full year 2005 will be published in due course in my Department's annual bulletin of housing statistics and on the Department's website. A breakdown of dwellings constructed or acquired by local...

Departmental Guidelines. (8 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: A wide range of policies and measures has been put in place to ensure that the unprecedented rate of housing development in Ireland is planned for in a manner that supports the creation of sustainable communities within a high quality environment. Guidelines for planning authorities on residential density were published in 1999. These included a specific objective of reducing urban sprawl and...

Departmental Guidelines. (8 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: There are a number of different aspects. The guidelines and the size of spaces have changed over the years. When we started building apartments 15 or 20 years ago, we were probably glad to see some derelict sites being built on. However, the guideline figures and space requirements have changed and continue to change. There are the 1995 guidelines and 1999 social and affordable housing...

Departmental Guidelines. (8 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: I note the Deputy's concerns. We are carrying out a study in advance of updating the guidelines which we expect to be completed reasonably soon. It will examine Irish and UK experience on space standards. Consultations will take place with the various stakeholders. Inspections of some recent projects will also take place. Recommendations will be produced for guidelines on one, two and...

Departmental Guidelines. (8 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: ——the owners. In some cases the owners have been a bit lax and have not taken control——

Departmental Guidelines. (8 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: ——and not been involved to the extent they should.

Departmental Guidelines. (8 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: In other cases developers have——

Departmental Guidelines. (8 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: Yes, in some cases management companies have been set up by developers who have used different devices to deny proper control and management to the home owners.

Departmental Guidelines. (8 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: We are examining those cases. We await the Law Reform Commission report before progressing the issue further.

Departmental Guidelines. (8 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: We cannot speed up the Law Reform Commission.

Departmental Guidelines. (8 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: Sometimes it is necessary to wait and see what problems will emerge. We are now aware of them. Evidence is being documented and it appears that some changes will be necessary but we are waiting for the report before we publish them.

Written Answers — Security of the Elderly: Security of the Elderly (7 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: The community support scheme for older people encourages and assists the community's support for older people by means of a community-based grant scheme to improve the security of its older members. The scheme is open to people aged 65 and over who have a genuine need for assistance within its provisions and is administered by community and voluntary organisations throughout the country, on...