Results 4,361-4,380 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

Housing Provisions: Motion. (25 May 2004)

Noel Ahern: That we can do.

Housing Provisions: Motion. (25 May 2004)

Noel Ahern: That is not always the solution to everything. Deputy Broughan and I were members of another forum and he will understand that when such a change is made we can suddenly start to cater for the needs of a slightly higher income group.

Housing Provisions: Motion. (25 May 2004)

Noel Ahern: The shared ownership and the affordable housing schemes are in place——

Housing Provisions: Motion. (25 May 2004)

Noel Ahern: Will the Deputy keep quiet?

Housing Provisions: Motion. (25 May 2004)

Noel Ahern: ——to cater for the housing needs of people in a particular income bracket.

Housing Provisions: Motion. (25 May 2004)

Noel Ahern: If we increase the limit to too high a figure or too suddenly, we will end up catering for the housing needs of a different income bracket.

Housing Provisions: Motion. (25 May 2004)

Noel Ahern: I agree that the time has come for us to examine it.

Housing Provisions: Motion. (25 May 2004)

Noel Ahern: This matter is being given serious consideration. If I had moved on it in recent weeks, the Deputy would say that was an election ploy. One cannot win in this bloody country.

Housing Provisions: Motion. (25 May 2004)

Noel Ahern: I assure the Deputies that I am giving this serious consideration.

Housing Provisions: Motion. (25 May 2004)

Noel Ahern: If the Deputy did not ballyrag me, I might announce something tomorrow.

Housing Provisions: Motion. (25 May 2004)

Noel Ahern: I assure the Deputy that I am seriously considering this matter. In this regard, I have asked local authorities to put in place five year action plans covering the full range of their housing programmes. These plans, to be agreed with my Department, will ensure that a fully strategic approach is taken by local authorities and will ensure that they avail of the certainty provided by...

Housing Provisions: Motion. (25 May 2004)

Noel Ahern: Last year more than 1,500 families——

Housing Provisions: Motion. (25 May 2004)

Noel Ahern: ——moved into those homes. The provision of these houses in different local authority areas throughout the country are meeting a real need.

Housing Provisions: Motion. (25 May 2004)

Noel Ahern: What is wrong with that?

Housing Provisions: Motion. (25 May 2004)

Noel Ahern: In some cases local authorities are having a draw to assign the houses. That indicates that people are taking up these houses and consider them good value.

Housing Provisions: Motion. (25 May 2004)

Noel Ahern: Last year some 1,500 units were built. I urge Deputies who have contacts in local authorities or who are friendly with councillors to push for the development of these housing sites. Many Members here made a good deal of noise but the local authority areas from which they come are pathetic in that they are not doing anything to provide social or affordable housing.

Housing Provisions: Motion. (25 May 2004)

Noel Ahern: I ask the Deputy to assist in this regard because his local authority area, to put it mildly is not one of the best. The Deputy might do something to assist us in that direction.

Housing Provisions: Motion. (25 May 2004)

Noel Ahern: I anticipate that the numbers of such purchasers benefiting from affordable housing will further increase this year as more affordable housing comes on stream as a result of agreements under Part V of the Planning and Development Act. The new affordable housing initiative introduced under the national partnership agreement, Sustaining Progress, is also being progressed as a priority. The...

Housing Provisions: Motion. (25 May 2004)

Noel Ahern: There are 166 affordable homes under construction on that site.

Housing Provisions: Motion. (25 May 2004)

Noel Ahern: Significant progress has been made on the development of a delivery model for the houses and the eligibility criteria for the potential house purchasers. It takes time to plan and deliver housing on a site.