Results 3,801-3,820 of 4,674 for speaker:Dessie Ellis

Household Charge (28 Jun 2012)

Dessie Ellis: I apologise.

Local Authority Housing (28 Jun 2012)

Dessie Ellis: It is disappointing that since last April people who are on RAS have been removed from the housing lists. Many of these housing placements are not permanent housing, but contracts with the local authorities. Some of them can be for up to four years. I recently encountered a person whose landlord indicated that he wished to sell the house. The person was only a year into the four year...

Local Authority Housing (28 Jun 2012)

Dessie Ellis: It is only since April that this has happened.

Local Authority Housing (28 Jun 2012)

Dessie Ellis: The message does not appear to be getting across. It would be a good idea to remind the local authorities of that provision. With regard to rent supplement, people can be six, seven or eight years on rent supplement or RAS. There must be a cut-off point at some stage so they can avail of local authority and social housing. It is not right. Originally, it was said that this would not last...

Local Authority Housing (28 Jun 2012)

Dessie Ellis: I do not know whether Nos. 24 and 49 could be included with this question but the issue is very similar.

Local Authority Housing (28 Jun 2012)

Dessie Ellis: In terms of maintenance by local authorities, a huge problem is developing with regard to the number of voids left in areas. The Minister of State said that local authorities raise their own funds for the maintenance and the delivery of voids but Dublin City Council now has a huge build up of voids. The problem in my area is getting serious in terms of the number of houses being boarded up...

Local Authority Housing (28 Jun 2012)

Dessie Ellis: I heard it, yes.

Local Authority Housing (28 Jun 2012)

Dessie Ellis: Yes, €15,000.

Local Authority Housing (28 Jun 2012)

Dessie Ellis: One of the reasons the problem is increasing massively is the number of houses being returned to the local authority whether from people who have run into problems with their mortgages or in terms of shared ownership from other places, and getting them back into play is proving very difficult. I am aware there are grants for the local authorities but the problem is we are in a crisis, they...

Local Authority Housing (28 Jun 2012)

Dessie Ellis: I thank the Minister for that reply. I am inclined to agree with her about the time on the list issue because we have seen the mess that happened in Dublin City Council, particularly with single males or single females being left on the housing list almost indefinitely, and people with smaller families being subjected to the points system. I know cases can be prioritised, be it on medical...

Local Authority Housing (28 Jun 2012)

Dessie Ellis: There is too much emphasis being placed on the voluntary housing sector now, rather than on delivery of social housing by the local authorities. The way we are going, we are building large conglomerates in terms of the voluntary housing groups and they will end up with huge portfolios. I disagree with that approach. Social housing should be dealt with by the local authorities. We should...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (28 Jun 2012)

Dessie Ellis: Question 40: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to put in place an emergency fund to support local authorities which have vacant units and large housing waiting lists but are unable to fund refurbishment or maintenance work required for retenanting. [31208/12]

Written Answers — Rental Accommodation Scheme: Rental Accommodation Scheme (28 Jun 2012)

Dessie Ellis: Question 38: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that under the rental accommodation scheme landlords can decide to sell property which is part of the tenancy agreement; and the measures he plans to put in place to protect tenants and ensure more secure housing conditions. [31218/12]

Unfinished Housing Developments (28 Jun 2012)

Dessie Ellis: I would like to acknowledge that many of the ghost estates were a major problem and the Minister of State has secured their boundaries and the areas around them. This was very important as a result of the tragedy that we had. There were also other incidents. Having the site resolution plans is a very important step, but it is not enough at the moment. These plans need to be completed as a...

Unfinished Housing Developments (28 Jun 2012)

Dessie Ellis: I agree that the report of the advisory group is very important and we need to see that. Up to 2,000 NAMA properties were supposed to come on stream before Christmas, but we ended up with around 800 that were suitable for housing, for different reasons. I hope the other properties can be made available at some stage. That commitment was given before Christmas and there is a huge social...

Local Government Reform (28 Jun 2012)

Dessie Ellis: As the Minister is aware, Sinn Féin supports radical local government reform and seeks maximum power and decision-making to devolve to local authorities. This means that local government should have increased powers over planning, waste management, housing policy, education and roads while retaining its powers over supply of water. We also support having directly elected mayors in towns...

Local Government Reform (28 Jun 2012)

Dessie Ellis: One of the areas of concern for me is the loss of functions in local authorities. That is an important issue. I will wait to see what are the Minister's plans in that area. There are plans for the Road Safety Authority to take over the issuing of driving licences, there are other issues of monitoring and there are questions over Irish Water and what will be taken out of the hands of local...

Written Answers — Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Bill: Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Bill (27 Jun 2012)

Dessie Ellis: Question 55: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent and content of the consultation process that was undertaken with victims of residential abuse in advance of the drafting of the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Bill, 2012. [30979/12]

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Status: Disadvantaged Status (27 Jun 2012)

Dessie Ellis: Question 56: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the next assessment of DEIS schools will be implemented; and the criteria to be applied when examining the effectiveness of DEIS schools. [30978/12]

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (27 Jun 2012)

Dessie Ellis: Question 158: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has received a request from the Garda Inspector in Finglas, Dublin, for CCTV on the Cardiffbridge Road and Wellmount Road junction. [31230/12]