Results 3,381-3,400 of 7,024 for speaker:Willie Penrose

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (16 Jun 2011)

Willie Penrose: Section 42 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provides that, on application, the duration of a planning permission (normally 5 years) shall be extended, subject to certain requirements being complied with, including that substantial works have been carried out before the expiration of the original permission. Section 28 of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010 amended...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (16 Jun 2011)

Willie Penrose: The project in question is part of my Department's Remedial Works Programme 2009-2011, with approval and a preliminary budget issuing to Kildare County Council in June 2010, subject to specific terms and conditions. Following an ongoing series of meetings and other communications between my Department and Kildare County Council, a submission was recently received from the Council which...

Written Answers — Traveller Accommodation: Traveller Accommodation (16 Jun 2011)

Willie Penrose: In accordance with the provisions of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act, 1998, responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller accommodation programmes, designed to meet the accommodation needs of Travellers, rests with individual housing authorities. My Department's role is to ensure...

Local Authority Housing (16 Jun 2011)

Willie Penrose: At present, local authorities are free to use their own application forms for social housing tenants seeking a transfer from their current accommodation. In some cases they may use the existing standard application form when there is a lot of new information to collect. In such cases, it should be indicated that it is a transfer rather than a new application. However, this is a matter for...

Local Authority Housing (16 Jun 2011)

Willie Penrose: This should be an informal process unless there is information missing. The local authority has comprehensive information on each of the applicants. If someone seeks a transfer, it is a formal situation. The Department does not require the use of the new standard application form for transfers. Local authorities are free to set up transfer procedures and to require the completion of...

Local Authority Housing (16 Jun 2011)

Willie Penrose: I do not see how this could be of benefit to the Department or to me. These matters are dealt with at local level.

Local Authority Housing (16 Jun 2011)

Willie Penrose: There is no one better than people at local level to implement the transfer where appropriate. The last thing I want to do is to take a dictatorial attitude to whether someone should be transferred or the background reason for it. The background reason is a matter of discussion between the applicant, possibly a local representative and the housing officer involved. In 18 years as a member...

Social and Affordable Housing (16 Jun 2011)

Willie Penrose: The operation of Part V, including the purchase of housing units for social or affordable housing purposes, is a matter for the local authority concerned. In the particular instance referred to in the question Dublin City Council informed my Department that it entered an agreement under Part V for the provision of 49 social units at Clare Village. Funding has been approved by my Department...

Social and Affordable Housing (16 Jun 2011)

Willie Penrose: As far as I am aware there is no impediment to selling the units and it is expected that sales will be closed over the summer and the units will be ready for occupation immediately thereafter. However, if Deputy Ellis has specific information I would be willing to pursue the matter with the chief executive and chairperson of NAMA. My Department and, I am sure, the local authority considers...

Urban Renewal Schemes (16 Jun 2011)

Willie Penrose: The national regeneration programme targets the country's most disadvantaged communities, particularly those defined by extreme social exclusion, unemployment and anti-social behaviour. Regeneration seeks to rebuild those damaged communities by improving not just the physical environment in which people live, but also by investing in the social and economic life of the areas. This holistic,...

Urban Renewal Schemes (16 Jun 2011)

Willie Penrose: We are somewhat constrained by EU and Irish legislation in terms of the principle of equal treatment which provides that companies may not be discriminated against on the basis of their nationality or location. Procurement legislation and guidelines provide for that in all public contracts and contracting authorities are precluded from awarding contracts solely on the basis that work should...

Written Answers — Homelessness Strategy: Homelessness Strategy (15 Jun 2011)

Willie Penrose: I refer to the reply to Question No. 35 of 17 May 2011 which outlined my intention to complete the homeless strategy review and introduce an updated strategy this autumn, including clear performance targets and associated timelines. There is a comprehensive range of measures in place to underpin the role of housing authorities and approved housing bodies towards achieving the ambitious...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (15 Jun 2011)

Willie Penrose: In response to the downturn in the housing market and the prevailing economic climate in 2008, Dublin City Council suspended its PPP programme, which included a proposal for the regeneration of St Teresa's Gardens. In the absence of PPP alternatives, and with the support of my Department, the City Council established a multi-disciplinary Special Housing Taskforce to examine all options with...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (15 Jun 2011)

Willie Penrose: It is a matter for individual housing authorities to decide on the type and size of dwellings to be allocated to applicants on their waiting lists. This policy is decided in their Allocation Schemes, the making of which is a reserved function of the housing authority. I understand, however, that some authorities make provision for an extra bedroom space when making an allocation to single...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (15 Jun 2011)

Willie Penrose: I refer to the reply to Question No. 208 of 19 April 2011, which sets out the position in relation to this matter.

Written Answers — Traveller Accommodation: Traveller Accommodation (15 Jun 2011)

Willie Penrose: The National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee (NTACC) was established, on a statutory basis, on 29 April 1999 under sections 19 and 20 of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998. The fourth NTACC was appointed on 22 April 2010 for a period of three years. The terms of reference of the Committee are to advise the Minister in relation to: · any general matter...

Written Answers — Traveller Accommodation: Traveller Accommodation (15 Jun 2011)

Willie Penrose: Local authorities have a wide and effective range of powers to deal with unauthorised Traveller encampments. The principal powers of local authorities to deal with the unauthorised placing of temporary dwellings on public property, under legislation coming within the ambit of my Department, are contained in the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act 1948 and Section 10 of the Housing...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (15 Jun 2011)

Willie Penrose: Sections of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2009 dealing with social housing support, and related Social Housing Assessment Regulations, 2011, were commenced on 1 April 2011. A new standard procedure for assessing applicants for social housing was introduced in every housing authority. One of the important provisions of the new regulations is that a household need only apply to...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (15 Jun 2011)

Willie Penrose: My Department is aware that the wording on the new application form may give rise to difficulties in some cases and I propose to amend the prescribed form to address this as soon as possible. I have advised local authorities that a consultant's report is not essential in all cases where applicants have a medical condition or disability which impacts on their housing needs. However, an...

Written Answers — Urban Renewal Schemes: Urban Renewal Schemes (15 Jun 2011)

Willie Penrose: My Department recently approved a proposal by Sligo Borough Council to refurbish up to 53 houses in the Cranmore estate. The Council estimates the cost of these works at €445,000. Expenditure incurred this year will be met from the €2 million allocation for regeneration.