Results 3,141-3,160 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

Written Answers — Homeless Persons: Homeless Persons (29 Nov 2005)

Noel Ahern: I strongly disagree with the assessment referred to in the question. The amount and variety of accommodation available for homeless persons has increased significantly since the introduction of Homelessness: An Integrated Strategy in 2000. This has been accompanied by initiatives in the areas of outreach and resettlement and the provision of a wide range of services to address the needs of...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (29 Nov 2005)

Noel Ahern: Local authorities are required to make a scheme of letting priorities to determine the order of priority to be afforded to applicants in the lettings of dwellings provided by the authority. The order of priority of different categories of persons in such schemes and the basis on which applicants are assessed are matters primarily for decision by the local authority. In the context of its...

Written Answers — Affordable Housing: Affordable Housing (29 Nov 2005)

Noel Ahern: The estimate mentioned in the question, while referred to in the NESC report, does not arise from the NESC but from a team of researchers assembled by four non-governmental organisations to study the first round of housing strategies prepared by local authorities. This study, entitled an analysis of housing strategies and homeless action plans, 2002, estimated that approximately one-third of...

Written Answers — Housing Policy: Housing Policy (29 Nov 2005)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 62 and 79 together. I welcome all contributions to the debate on how the provision of services to homeless persons might be improved. The independent review of the homelessness strategies, commissioned by my Department, has evaluated the implementation of the strategies and their associated action plans. The outcome of this review, together with publications...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (29 Nov 2005)

Noel Ahern: My Department actively promotes the conservation of fuel and energy through Part L of the national building regulations and the related technical guidance document L. Progressively higher thermal performance and insulation standards introduced under Part L since 1992 have significantly reduced the energy required, from all sources, to heat space and water in buildings. For example, it is...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (29 Nov 2005)

Noel Ahern: Single persons who are unable to provide housing for themselves from their own resources are entitled to apply for social housing which is provided by either a local authority or a voluntary housing body. While it is a matter for individual local authorities to decide on the allocation of houses to single persons and other categories on their waiting lists in accordance with their schemes of...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (29 Nov 2005)

Noel Ahern: My Department recoups to local authorities 90% of their expenditure on the provision of accommodation-related services for homeless persons, including those in move-on accommodation. In 2004, recoupment was made in respect of 586 move-on units. In addition, accommodation was accessed for formerly homelessness persons by means of social housing units provided directly by local authorities or...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (29 Nov 2005)

Noel Ahern: The Government's consideration of this matter will be informed by the outcome of the statutory housing needs assessment being finalised at present and the work by the housing forum in reviewing the effectiveness of the existing social and affordable housing schemes in the context of the Sustaining Progress agreement. The Government has put in place a number of new arrangements to facilitate...

Written Answers — Homelessness Strategy: Homelessness Strategy (29 Nov 2005)

Noel Ahern: The independent review of the implementation of the integrated and preventative homelessness strategies and their associated action plans has been completed. Preparations are under way at present for the publication of the report and the Government's response to it.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (29 Nov 2005)

Noel Ahern: I refer to the reply to Question No. 4 of today.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (29 Nov 2005)

Noel Ahern: A number of legislative measures have been put in place to ensure that local authorities have the capacity to fulfil their responsibilities under the Housing Acts for the management and maintenance of their housing stock. These measures are kept under continuous review in my Department. The tenancy agreement, which is the legal basis of the relationship between the local authority and its...

Written Answers — Private Rented Sector: Private Rented Sector (29 Nov 2005)

Noel Ahern: Under the rental accommodation scheme, RAS, announced by the Government in July 2004, local authorities will, over a four-year period, progressively assume responsibility for accommodating supplementary welfare allowance, SWA, rent supplement recipients of 18 months or more continuous duration with a long-term housing need. The RAS is a collaborative project between my Department, local...

Written Answers — Security of the Elderly: Security of the Elderly (29 Nov 2005)

Noel Ahern: The purpose of the scheme of community support for older people is to encourage and assist 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 under this scheme and is administered by community and voluntary organisations throughout...

Written Answers — Services for People with Disabilities: Services for People with Disabilities (29 Nov 2005)

Noel Ahern: My Department has not received an application for funding from the group in question. However the programme of grants for locally-based community and voluntary organisations is funded by my Department and supports the activities of local voluntary and community groups, addressing disadvantage in their community. The programme consists of two schemes, one of which makes funds available for the...

Written Answers — Security of the Elderly: Security of the Elderly (29 Nov 2005)

Noel Ahern: The application for funding from Cahir Community Alert under the scheme of community support for older people is being processed by my Department. I expect that the group will be notified of the outcome of its application in the coming weeks.

Written Answers — Sustainable Development Strategy: Sustainable Development Strategy (29 Nov 2005)

Noel Ahern: Financial incentives such as direct grants for the construction of environmentally friendly houses are not available from my Department. However, my Department, in conjunction with other Departments and agencies, supports and promotes a number of measures to achieve more environmentally friendly houses. As regards energy efficiency, many effective measures to improve energy efficiency in...

Written Answers — Homeless Persons: Homeless Persons (29 Nov 2005)

Noel Ahern: Since the introduction of the Government's homeless strategies, there have been significant developments in the provision of a wide range of additional accommodation and services for homeless persons. Since the introduction of the integrated strategy in 2000 some 1,000 extra emergency beds have been provided in the Dublin area alone. Rough sleepers have been enabled to access emergency...

Written Answers — Traveller Accommodation: Traveller Accommodation (29 Nov 2005)

Noel Ahern: The provision of accommodation for Travellers is a matter for local authorities. My Department's role is to ensure that there is an adequate legislative and financial system in place to assist the local authorities in providing such accommodation. In that context there are frequent and ongoing contacts between my Department's officials and local authorities in relation to all aspects of their...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (29 Nov 2005)

Noel Ahern: The letting of local authority housing is a matter for the relevant local authority in accordance with its scheme of letting priorities which is prepared and adopted at local level. It is understood that local authorities have generally accepted applications for housing from applicants who have taken up residence in Ireland, usually within the functional area of the local authority from which...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (29 Nov 2005)

Noel Ahern: A request from a group of residents, including the person in question, for a meeting with the Minister to discuss certain housing matters, is being considered in my Department and a response will issue as soon as possible.