Results 3,481-3,500 of 7,024 for speaker:Willie Penrose

Social and Affordable Housing (17 May 2011)

Willie Penrose: A number of questions arise in that regard. I do not object to Deputy Boyd Barrett's objective. I am somewhat constrained but I must deal with reality. In the context of NAMA, a significant number of houses do not fall within the social housing provision. This week and early next week we will engage in a process to identify suitable housing. In the case of abandoned estates or where...

Housing Advice Services (17 May 2011)

Willie Penrose: The high-level advisory group on unfinished housing developments, established in October 2010 following the publication of my Department's national housing development survey database, is identifying practical and policy solutions to address the difficulties associated with unfinished housing developments effectively and promptly. On foot of the interim analysis and findings of the advisory...

Housing Advice Services (17 May 2011)

Willie Penrose: I agree with Deputy Stanley and I have the commitment in this area. The €5 million is an initial amount and it is provided by the State to the local authorities. Most people in the House know that it is the developers and the owners of unfinished housing developments, or the receivers when they are appointed, who have the primary legal obligation to address outstanding problems associated...

Housing Advice Services (17 May 2011)

Willie Penrose: None to date. They have only been recently received and they are being assessed. I do not want to see any delay. Deputy Stanley referred to reports being prepared and then gathering dust. I do not want to see this gathering dust. I want to ensure that there is action on foot of the recommendations because, as the Deputy will be aware, it nearly took a Herculean effort to get everybody on...

Housing Advice Services (17 May 2011)

Willie Penrose: Where there are bonds attaching that are active and alive, I would be surprised if any local authority did not ensure that it would be taking all steps, including legal recourse, so that the bonds available are utilised in the context of dealing with the particular problems that have arisen, but if Deputy Catherine Murphy brings a particular case to my attention, I certainly will pursue it...

Local Authority Housing (17 May 2011)

Willie Penrose: Two of the key challenges for the housing sector at present are the oversupply of housing in certain areas, including in respect of unfinished estates, and the need sustainably to meet the increasing demand for social housing in the context of a severely restricted resource environment. In terms of unfinished housing estates, my Department established a high-level expert group in October...

Local Authority Housing (17 May 2011)

Willie Penrose: Approximately 180 category 4 unfinished housing developments have been identified and we are exploring with NAMA how many are under its control. Two issues arise - loans and property. Loans are under NAMA's control. However, properties are under NAMA's control only when parties fail to agree a plan, as we have seen happen in recent weeks. NAMA is accelerating this process and we can work...

Local Authority Housing (17 May 2011)

Willie Penrose: I have met Mr. McDonagh and the chairperson and they know my views on the social dividend. However, if one reads the legislation carefully, one will see that the first priority of NAMA is to have a commercial remit, after which the social dividend comes.

Local Authority Housing (17 May 2011)

Willie Penrose: I thought we had more time. I would like to have a discussion on these issues.

Local Authority Housing (17 May 2011)

Willie Penrose: I know what the rules are.

Local Authority Housing (17 May 2011)

Willie Penrose: I had better obey this time. I will examine the bonds issue because there is a recommendation on unfinished housing developments. Deputy Brian Stanley was concerned that this issue would be put on the long finger. I will chair the co-ordinating group charged with overseeing the implementation of the objectives set. That is how seriously the Government takes the matter. It is correct that...

Local Authority Housing (17 May 2011)

Willie Penrose: The cure could be worse than the disease. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett has raised this matter and asked me about assessment requirements which in response I have loosened. The reference made to 50,000 applicants by Deputy Brian Stanley is very generous. I can see the number being much greater because many more people will be on social housing lists. I do not see anything wrong with this...

Local Authority Housing (17 May 2011)

Willie Penrose: I will take cognisance of this because, if possible, I want social housing to be provided adjacent to schools and other services.

Local Authority Housing (17 May 2011)

Willie Penrose: I propose to take Questions Nos. 39, 40, 53 and 59 together. My Department currently supports an ambitious programme to deliver integrated physical, social and economic regeneration, ranging from large-scale urban regeneration projects like Ballymun and Limerick city to smaller estate-wide regeneration projects in Dublin city and in a number of towns around the country. This year my...

Local Authority Housing (17 May 2011)

Willie Penrose: Dublin City Council has prioritised the programme of regeneration and is making submissions to us in that regard. In regard to the public private partnerships, the market conditions are not there, except in exceptional circumstances where local authorities' land or sites would command a high value or price. They fell away in 2008. One of the problems was putting all the eggs in one basket...

Local Authority Housing (17 May 2011)

Willie Penrose: It is not the Department but Dublin City Council that brings forward proposals and prioritises. The council has set up a housing task force since the collapse of the PPPs in 2008. Phase 1 of St. Michael's Estate, consisting of 75 new units of accommodation, is under way. Demolitions are planned for this summer and the family resource centre will be moved. Funding has been agreed to...

Local Authority Housing (17 May 2011)

Willie Penrose: The good news is that Dun Laoghaire is finishing this year. It has been finalised at long last.

Local Authority Housing (17 May 2011)

Willie Penrose: The model of delivering regeneration through PPPs had merit, as evidenced by the successful regeneration of Fatima Mansions. The project was widely acclaimed as a regeneration success and was delivered at no net cost to the city council. It is also beneficial to meeting the objectives of sustainable communities, as these usually involve a mixture of private and social housing and community...

Local Authority Housing (17 May 2011)

Willie Penrose: Deputy Wallace has a head start on me on this, notwithstanding the fact that I come from a family involved in building at a very low level. Deputy Wallace indicates that it was extremely difficult for small firms to engage in PPPs. Standards were so rigid and forms were so detailed-----

Local Authority Housing (17 May 2011)

Willie Penrose: I was not aware of that. I will be here ten weeks tomorrow. It is something I may well explore, particularly in the context where proposals emerge from Dublin City Council for other areas. In the context of limited resources, there may be a new way of evaluating PPPs. I will ask that this be examined. I support the old clerk of works system, which worked extremely well. Generally, these...