Results 3,661-3,680 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern
- Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (18 May 2005)
Noel Ahern: The voluntary and co-operative housing sector has an important contribution to make in the provision of social housing. By working in close partnership with local authorities, it plays a significant role in supplementing the efforts of local authorities in providing social housing in areas where particular housing needs have been identified. It is supported by my Department through two...
- Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (18 May 2005)
Noel Ahern: The most recent assessment of need for local authority housing took place at end March 2005. Local authorities have been asked to forward completed returns to my Department by 27 May and my Department will then collate these returns to present an overall national position. The results of the last assessment were published in November 2002 and I expect that my Department will be in a position...
- Written Answers — Housing Aid for the Elderly: Housing Aid for the Elderly (18 May 2005)
Noel Ahern: I refer to the reply to Question No. 497 on 19 April 2005. The position is unchanged.
- Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (18 May 2005)
Noel Ahern: The terms of the present tenant purchase scheme strike a reasonable balance between the aspirations of existing tenants to own their homes and providing a fair level of discount having regard to the overall management of the local authority housing stock. While my Department has no immediate proposals to amend the scheme, the terms of the scheme are kept under continuing review.
- Written Answers — Homeless Persons: Homeless Persons (18 May 2005)
Noel Ahern: The number of transitional and move-on accommodation units funded under section 10 of the Housing Act 1988 in various local authority areas in 2004 was 568. This does not include social housing units provided directly by local authorities or voluntary bodies or units sourced in the private sector by individuals, resettlement services, the housing access unit â operated by Threshold on...
- Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (18 May 2005)
Noel Ahern: I refer to the reply to Question No. 77 of 13 April 2005. While the contract negotiations with the preferred bidder for the Harcourt Terrace site have been advanced by Dublin City Council, they have not yet been completed. It is hoped they will be brought to a successful conclusion soon.
- Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (18 May 2005)
Noel Ahern: An application from Carrick-on-Suir Town Council for funding under the housing management initiatives grant scheme is under consideration in my Department and the council will be notified of the decision as soon as possible.
- Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (18 May 2005)
Noel Ahern: It is a matter for local authorities to decide on the level of funding to be provided for the essential repairs grant scheme in their area from within the allocation notified to them for disabled persons and essential repairs grants by my Department and to manage the operation of the schemes from within this allocation. My Department recoups to local authorities two thirds of their...
- Property Management. (18 May 2005)
Noel Ahern: Apartment complex management companies are generally constituted as companies under the Companies Acts and are required to comply with the provisions of company law, which is a matter for the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The operation of such companies under their relevant memorandum and articles of association, including the employment of any property manager or management...
- Property Management. (18 May 2005)
Noel Ahern: We should differentiate between management companies, which are companies set up by different owners in apartments, and the management agency that is brought in by a management company to do basic work around the complex. Sometimes there are problems when a development is under construction and there is a delay in finalising work. The developer may bring in a management agency to look after...
- Property Management. (18 May 2005)
Noel Ahern: We must see what the working group recommends as much of it may concern other Departments. While the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government will be involved, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform will be involved from a conveyancing viewpoint. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment will be involved from a management company view. We will see what...
- Local Authority Housing. (18 May 2005)
Noel Ahern: The Government has responded actively to increased levels of housing need by significantly expanding social and affordable housing output. In 2005, the Government allocated record levels of funding to local authorities for their social and affordable housing programmes. Total capital spending on social and affordable housing output in 2005, including non-Exchequer finance, will amount to some...
- Local Authority Housing. (18 May 2005)
Noel Ahern: The Deputy's last comment answered his earlier question. In order to have action, there must be plans. Houses cannot be built from thin air and local authorities need certainty in what they are doing over the next several years.
- Local Authority Housing. (18 May 2005)
Noel Ahern: The Government has asked local authorities to draw up action plans to bring certainty to the area. The action plans are based on local needs. There is certainty in the funding which is now being provided. With five year capital envelopes, we can tell them how much their funding will be. Last week, â¬922 million was allocated for social housing in 2005. The local authorities have been told to...
- Local Authority Housing. (18 May 2005)
Noel Ahern: We are ahead of our commitment in the national development plan. Expenditure stands 7% ahead of the commitment, with an allocation of â¬2 billion for this year. The number of units estimated to be built has not been fully reached, but on money invested, we are 7% ahead.
- Local Authority Housing. (18 May 2005)
Noel Ahern: The Department simply provides the resources to the local authority. The local authority then constructs the units. When a local authority puts this out to tender, all private developers may apply. I accept that some developers have tendered solely for public jobs. Most local authorities, including Galway City Council, would welcome if those developers traditionally in the private market...
- Local Authority Housing. (18 May 2005)
Noel Ahern: That is not so.
- Written Answers — Dormant Accounts Fund: Dormant Accounts Fund (17 May 2005)
Noel Ahern: Decisions on the disbursement of funds from dormant accounts moneys are a matter for the Dormant Accounts Fund Disbursements Board, an independent body established under the Dormant Accounts Acts. The board engaged Area Development Management Limited, ADM, to administer the initial round of funding on its behalf, which involves the allocation of â¬60 million from the fund. To date the board...
- Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (17 May 2005)
Noel Ahern: The commissioners of charitable donations and bequests for Ireland are appointed by the Government under the Charities Act 1961 with a mandate to provide services to trustees of charities and to carry out the intentions of persons making donations and bequests to charity. As the commissioners are independent in the exercise of their statutory duties, I do not comment on specific cases....
- Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (17 May 2005)
Noel Ahern: The purpose of this requirement, contained in the operating rules for Leader + and the area based rural development initiative is to indemnify the Minister and the Department against any claims or losses arising from a project. It is considered prudent that this requirement remains in place in order to protect public funds. However, I will keep this matter under review.