Results 3,121-3,140 of 7,024 for speaker:Willie Penrose

Written Answers — Voluntary Sector Funding: Voluntary Sector Funding (11 Oct 2011)

Willie Penrose: My Department provides financial assistance towards the administrative and general expenses of a number of voluntary bodies, including Threshold, which provide information, research, advice or advocacy in the area of housing. Allocations to individual bodies in 2012 will be considered in the context of the funding available and the number and value of the applications received.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (11 Oct 2011)

Willie Penrose: It is intended to include such provision in the proposed Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill 2011. Drafting of this bill was approved by Government on 26 July 2011.

Written Answers — Housing Associations: Housing Associations (11 Oct 2011)

Willie Penrose: My Department's Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) provides funding to approved housing bodies of up to 100% of the approved costs of accommodation for people with specific categories of housing need, including older persons. My Department's involvement with the CAS relates primarily to the provision of funds for individual projects. The detailed administration of the schemes, the...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (11 Oct 2011)

Willie Penrose: On 23 June 2011, the Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency sought applications for the provision of a Sligo Regeneration Community Liaison Service. My Department understands that five applications were received and, following assessment and interview, the successful applicant was appointed with effect from 1 September 2011. The liaison service is being provided on a per diem basis....

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (6 Oct 2011)

Willie Penrose: With levels of capital funding for social housing reduced by some 66.23% since 2008, the financial parameters within which we are operating, and will be operating over the coming years, rule out a return to very large capital-funded construction programmes by local authorities. Accordingly, delivery of social housing will be primarily facilitated by more flexible funding models, with the...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (6 Oct 2011)

Willie Penrose: In general, decisions made by public bodies, including housing authorities, can be referred to the Office of the Ombudsman. In relation to tenancies under the Rental Accommodation Scheme, all such tenancies are residential tenancy agreements governed by the Residential Tenancies Act 2004. Where disputes arise between the landlord and the tenant each has recourse to refer the matter to the...

Motor Tax Collection (6 Oct 2011)

Willie Penrose: I thank Deputy Maloney, who certainly holds these views strongly. As the Deputy has outlined, a pay-as-you-go system would have some potential benefits. However, the Deputy also will recognise there are many actual and potential down sides. There is a danger of significant economic dislocation and loss of competitiveness and there also would be a clear winners and losers on foot of the...

Social and Affordable Housing (6 Oct 2011)

Willie Penrose: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. The Government is acutely conscious of the difficulties many households are facing in terms of mortgage arrears. Against this background, its Economic Management Council, prior to the summer recess, requested an interdepartmental group to consider further necessary actions to alleviate the increasing problem of mortgage over-indebtedness...

Social and Affordable Housing (6 Oct 2011)

Willie Penrose: I certainly agree with that last point. There is only a circle of losers when that happens. I am not disputing what the Deputy has said, as he has the experience locally. The review group will be reporting in the next couple of weeks. It will be brought to Cabinet fairly soon, and will be published, so I am hopeful that will take place in the next couple of weeks. I note the Deputy's...

Motor Tax Collection (6 Oct 2011)

Willie Penrose: I thank Deputy Maloney for raising this issue, which I know is important to him. As he is aware, the general scheme of a motor tax Bill is currently being prepared in the Department, but this does not include plans to abolish the current system of motor tax in favour of one that places additional taxation on motor fuel. The change in policy suggested would have significant implications...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (5 Oct 2011)

Willie Penrose: I intent to commence sections 74 and 75 of the Planning and Development Act 2010 by the end of October 2011.

Written Answers — Unfinished Housing Developments: Unfinished Housing Developments (5 Oct 2011)

Willie Penrose: The table below sets out details of the funding sought by Monaghan County Council for public safety measures to be undertaken on Category 4 developments and funding which has been approved by my Department. Development Location Funding Sought Funding Approved Forest Walk Monaghan Town €3,405 €3,405 Chapel Court Carrickroe €5,700 €5,700 Wylies Hill Ballybay €211,715 €10,567

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (5 Oct 2011)

Willie Penrose: My Department granted approval of a loan of €4.7 million to Dublin City Council under the Capital Loan and Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) for the provision of 21 units of accommodation at the location in question. I understand that the developer is in receivership and that it is not possible to say when the issues surrounding this may be resolved. CLSS is currently being wound down and any claims...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (5 Oct 2011)

Willie Penrose: My Department issued approval to Dublin City Council in September 2009 for the acquisition of 112 social units and associated ancillary facilities, including community and day care facilities at the location in question, in the sum of €34.5 million. It is understood that a number of legal issues have arisen in connection with the planning of the development and construction has yet to...

Written Answers — Strategy on Homelessness: Strategy on Homelessness (5 Oct 2011)

Willie Penrose: My Department has not received a copy of the Dublin Simon Community report but is aware that Dublin Simon has publicly stated that on average 40 people are sleeping rough in Dublin city each night, representing a 26% increase. This figure would not in fact represent an increase on the last rough sleeper count which took place on Census night in April 2011 and which found that 60 people were...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (4 Oct 2011)

Willie Penrose: My Department has been liaising with the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service to review the guidance to local authorities on these issues. The revised guidance will be issued as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Strategy on Homelessness: Strategy on Homelessness (4 Oct 2011)

Willie Penrose: Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with the housing authorities and implementation of the homelessness strategy at local and regional level is being carried out through the framework of statutory homelessness action plans adopted by housing authorities. Dublin City Council (DCC) is the lead authority for the...

Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (4 Oct 2011)

Willie Penrose: The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 regulates the tenant-landlord relationship in the private rented residential sector. The Act sets out the obligations of tenants and landlords in the sector and the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) is the independent statutory body charged with the administration of the Act and the enforcement of those obligations, as necessary. While action to...

Written Answers — Unfinished Housing Developments: Unfinished Housing Developments (4 Oct 2011)

Willie Penrose: I have established and am chairing the National Co-ordination Committee on Unfinished Housing Developments to oversee implementation of the Report of the Advisory Group on Unfinished Housing Developments, together with the Government's response to the recommendations. The Irish Banking Federation is among the key stakeholders participating on the Committee which also includes representatives...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (4 Oct 2011)

Willie Penrose: €90m has been provided in Exchequer funding for projects under the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) in 2011. This funding has been made available to housing authorities to meet existing commitments under the scheme and to facilitate Approved Housing Bodies wishing to avail of the Capital Advance Leasing Facility. €15m has been set aside for this latter purpose in 2011. The CAS will...