Results 3,381-3,400 of 4,884 for speaker:Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Authority Housing Rents (15 May 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I do not know if this is getting through to the Department. When houses are next door to each other and the residents of one are paying nearly double the amount of the other, it causes aggro in an estate. People then go back to Carlow County Council and ask why they are paying so much. I ask the Minister of State to address these issues.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Authority Housing Rents (15 May 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I will wait for the review because it is important. We will pass legislation today on the Residential Tenancies Board. Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and all other parties are working together on that to help people. A smaller county such as Carlow has fallen down because our central government funding is so low, our business rates are higher, and the cap on housing is €180, which is...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Authority Housing Rents (15 May 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I thank the Minister of State. That is a great answer.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 May 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Last week I attended at our local special school, St. Laserian's in Carlow, to honour six athletes from its gymnastics team who brought home medals for their performance at the recent Special Olympics event in Leinster. These achievements could not have been made without hard work, dedication, kindness, inspiration and care. I applaud those athletes, their coaches and the support staff in...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (15 May 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I have been working with the Minister for three years and we have been to every housing committee meeting. I am glad to hear some of the Senators present saying they want change. While I know that the Bill does not deliver on everything, at least it is a start, given that there are changes that need to be made. In fairness to the Minister, he has given 100%, as has the Minister of State,...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (15 May 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: This is an important Bill and I am certainly not in a rush. We have been working on it for months. As someone who is a member of the housing committee and works with the different Departments involved, it is important we do the best we can today, strike a balance and make sure we represent everybody.

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (15 May 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: As the Senator has not attended any meeting, how does he know? I have not seen him at any meeting.

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (15 May 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I have tabled amendment No. 3, which states:In page 8, between lines 39 and 40, to insert the following:“(VI) refurbishment that meets a per square foot value investment as set by regulations published by the Minister,”. This goes back to pre-1963 housing. We have all had phone calls about this today. Could this now be inserted? It is important and I want clarification on...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (15 May 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I move amendment No. 3:In page 8, between lines 39 and 40, to insert the following:“(VI) refurbishment that meets a per square foot value investment as set by regulations published by the Minister,”.

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (15 May 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I have the same concerns as Senator Ruane. As I stated to the Minister at housing meetings, the criteria are not right. I am concerned in that regard. In my home town of Carlow, which does not meet the criteria, there are two excellent third level education colleges which require student accommodation. There is significant lack of supply of housing and the cost of rent in towns such as...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (15 May 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: The RTB is doing a good job. Recently I have found that some landlords will not take HAP tenants. This will be the main issue in the future. They do not wish to take the HAP and due to lack of supply, that will become a serious issue. For example, there is a need for student accommodation in my area. People who are in the HAP scheme and looking for houses are finding it hard. They might...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (15 May 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I agree with Senator Ruane. We do not want to be in a situation where we will have to come back here in six months' time when a fee has been introduced. Like other speakers, I deal with people who are constantly using their phones to ring the RTB. Overall, nothing should happen without any such proposal first being brought to this House. We do not want to hear in six months' time that a...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (15 May 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I move amendment No. 22:In page 17, line 13, after “tenancy” to insert “with the exception of tenancies under an approved housing body”. I was somewhat surprised by section 22(1), which I am seeking to amend because, as the Minister will be aware, my understanding is that no more local authority housing is being or will be built. The State rarely builds houses....

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (15 May 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I am addressing the Minister. As he will be aware, various housing bodies work with local authorities. If Túath, for example, has ten vacant houses, its get the names of persons on the housing list from the local authorities and they all work together. Housing bodies such as Tinteán, Clúid and Respond go to the local authority, such as Carlow County Council, which puts...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (15 May 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I understand the points made by the Minister and I am glad he explained the rationale behind the proposal. However, private builders and AHBs provide the bulk of housing in my area. I can provide the list to the Minister, which I have given to Ms Mary Hurley of his Department. I am aware that a certain number of local authority houses are being built, but that is not happening in my area....

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (15 May 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I was complimenting-----

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (15 May 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I need two seconds.

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (15 May 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I complimented the approved housing bodies, AHBs, on the great job they were doing to work with local authorities. I said it looks as if we are not building as many local authorities anymore, and we are not. In my area, we are not. That is all I said. I did not say they were not doing a good job. They are excellent. All of them are working with the local authority. I complimented them...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (15 May 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Yes.

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (15 May 2019)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: No, I will press it now.