Results 3,861-3,880 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (22 Mar 2005)

Noel Ahern: The available information on the number of units completed in each local authority area under voluntary housing schemes is published in the Department's quarterly and annual housing statistics bulletins, copies of which, including that for September 2004, are available in the Oireachtas Library. Figures for the rest of 2004 are being compiled and will be published in due course.

Written Answers — Prisoner Releases: Prisoner Releases (22 Mar 2005)

Noel Ahern: The interdepartmental team on homelessness, chaired by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, promotes and oversees the implementation of the Government's homeless strategies, which have identified adult offenders as a specific group at risk of homelessness. While prisoners leaving custody have access to the full range of accommodation available to persons seeking...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (22 Mar 2005)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 673 and 674 together. As an integral part of their housing management functions, local authorities are responsible for the administration of their differential rents schemes. They have full discretion in doing so, in accordance with the devolved powers given to them in circular HRT 6/86 as restated and updated by circular HRT 3/2002. From time to time,...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (22 Mar 2005)

Noel Ahern: In January, queries were raised at an information seminar for local authority housing personnel on the arrangements for the upcoming housing needs assessment about persons applying for local authority housing who are tenants of houses provided by voluntary housing associations. In response to such queries, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government indicated that such...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (22 Mar 2005)

Noel Ahern: The information sought is not available in the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (10 Mar 2005)

Noel Ahern: No application has been received from the group concerned under schemes operated by my Department. However, in response to a letter received by me from the group, my officials have been in contact with the group explaining the schemes operated by my Department, including the limits of funding available under the schemes.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (10 Mar 2005)

Noel Ahern: The re-letting of vacant local authority houses is a matter for individual local authorities and my Department has no function in the matter. Information on the location of individual local authority vacant houses in the Mayo local authority areas is not available in my Department. According to the revised housing action plan for the period 2004 to 2008 recently received in my Department from...

Written Answers — Voluntary Sector Organisations: Voluntary Sector Organisations (9 Mar 2005)

Noel Ahern: I have dealt with this issue comprehensively already in the House. I refer the Deputy in particular to my reply to Question No. 4 and related questions on 22 February 2005. The views expressed by the person in question do not change my view that there is in existence a well developed structure providing supports to the sector. I do not accept the person's dismissal of the value or capability...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (9 Mar 2005)

Noel Ahern: An application for funding under the voluntary housing capital assistance scheme has been received from Leitrim County Council, which is responsible for the detailed administration of the scheme in its area. The application is under examination and the council will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible.

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (9 Mar 2005)

Noel Ahern: I accept the finishing of housing estates is an important issue, particularly in the greater Dublin area. It often depends on the constituency a Member represents. Powers are in place to deny, with the approval of the courts, planning permission to developers who fail in this regard. Deputy Gilmore wants this process to be speeded up. Careful consideration must be given to some of the...

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (9 Mar 2005)

Noel Ahern: I do not know if the Deputy is. I would like to see the Deputy's definition of "fudging". I understand the Bill's basis and I believe it has merit. We look forward to teasing it out more on Committee Stage.

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (9 Mar 2005)

Noel Ahern: Sour grapes. The Deputy is never happy.

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (9 Mar 2005)

Noel Ahern: It is about affordability, not price.

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (9 Mar 2005)

Noel Ahern: Why not?

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (9 Mar 2005)

Noel Ahern: It was 77,000.

Written Answers — Voluntary Activity: Voluntary Activity (8 Mar 2005)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 305 and 308 together. I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 176 of 2 March 2005. As indicated in that reply, it is intended that the group concerned will receive approximately €146,000 in support from my Department in 2005. At a recent meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, I...

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (8 Mar 2005)

Noel Ahern: I refer the Deputy to the reply to Question No. 128 on 21 October 2003. Each year my Department provides education and training grants to community development projects. Some 185 community development projects are based in disadvantaged areas across the country. These projects run a range of courses, including IT training, geared towards enhancing the computer and Internet access skills of...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (8 Mar 2005)

Noel Ahern: As the Deputy is aware, my Department has overall responsibility for co-ordinating the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008. It also has responsibility for the work of the 14 local drugs task forces, LDTFs, the ten regional drugs task forces and the young people's facilities and services fund. The role of the LDTFs is to prepare local action plans, which include a range of...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (3 Mar 2005)

Noel Ahern: It is a matter for local authorities to decide on the level of funding to be provided for the disabled persons 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 expenditure...

Written Answers — Traveller Accommodation: Traveller Accommodation (3 Mar 2005)

Noel Ahern: I refer to the reply to Question No. 1339 of 26 January 2005. The position is unchanged.