Results 661-680 of 2,386 for speaker:Michael Finneran

Written Answers — Construction Industry Review: Construction Industry Review (3 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: It is important to note that many of the recommendations made in the report by the National Consumer Agency (NCA) relate to areas outside my remit. These include, for example, recommendations on the introduction of legislative amendments to the period for the statute of limitations, or the provision of information to the consumer by the home construction industry. Similarly, recommendations...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (3 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 339 to 341, inclusive, together. The annual allocations to local authorities under the suite of Grants for Older People and People with a Disability are calculated on foot of detailed discussion between my Department and the local authorities and on the basis of the projected level of demand for grants, taking account of the level of applications on hand that...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (3 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: It is anticipated that the leasing initiative and the Rental Accommodation Scheme programme will deliver between 4,000 and 4,500 units in 2010, accounting for 50% of the total social housing output expected this year. My Department has not specified a limit on the number of housing units that can be leased for social housing purposes. A circular and guidance note to housing authorities...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (3 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: There is no specific relocation grant scheme in place in my Department for households affected by flooding and there are no plans to introduce such a grant. While it is a matter for any household in private owner occupation or in the private rental sector to have in place the necessary insurance arrangements to deal with natural disasters such as flooding, the Government is providing very...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (2 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: The project in question, which is at an early stage of development, is part of my Department's Remedial Works Programme 2009-2011. The project proposal was received in late 2008 and, following an evaluation process, approval in principle issued from my Department in February 2009. Following a meeting between my Department and Kildare County Council on 18 November 2009, the Council agreed to...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (2 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: My Department will shortly meet with Dublin City Council as part of the Annual Housing Action Plan process at which time this proposal, which was submitted in December 2009, can be considered in the context of the Council's priorities for funding from within its 2010 social housing investment allocation.

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (2 Feb 2010)

Michael Finneran: The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of premises is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under section 10 of the Fire Services Act 1981. My Department's role is one of supporting and assisting local authorities in delivering fire services...

Severe Weather Emergencies: Motion (Resumed) (27 Jan 2010)

Michael Finneran: I feel aggrieved to have stopped that fine representative from west Cork in full flow. I compliment him. He made some positive suggestions which many others did not. This debate has been timely following the severe weather which we experienced recently. Like other contributors, I wish to record the Government's appreciation of all the people who responded to the ice and snow conditions and...

Severe Weather Emergencies: Motion (Resumed) (27 Jan 2010)

Michael Finneran: A Private Members' motion in the Seanad addressed that.

Severe Weather Emergencies: Motion (Resumed) (27 Jan 2010)

Michael Finneran: The Deputy should read the record.

Severe Weather Emergencies: Motion (Resumed) (27 Jan 2010)

Michael Finneran: The Deputy should not hold his breath in that regard.

Severe Weather Emergencies: Motion (Resumed) (27 Jan 2010)

Michael Finneran: An application has been made to the European Union in respect of this matter.

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (27 Jan 2010)

Michael Finneran: The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of premises is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under section 10 of the Fire Services Act 1981. My Department's role is one of supporting and assisting local authorities in delivering fire services...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (27 Jan 2010)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 285 and 286 together. Since 2000, very significant levels of investment have been made available under the Social Housing Investment Programme. Since then, over €11.5 billion has been provided for the construction or acquisition of units by local authorities and approved housing bodies. Information is not available on the breakdown of expenditure between...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (27 Jan 2010)

Michael Finneran: I refer to the reply to Question No. 949 of 3 November 2009. Any person occupying a house under the shared ownership scheme can sell their house at any time provided they have bought out the local authority's share and have acquired full ownership of the dwelling.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (27 Jan 2010)

Michael Finneran: The number of households on a local authority's waiting list continuously fluctuates as households on the list are allocated housing and new households apply for housing support. My Department does not hold information on waiting lists. A statutory assessment of housing need is carried out every three years by all housing authorities in accordance with the terms of the Housing Act 1988....

Written Answers — Housing Forum: Housing Forum (26 Jan 2010)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 484 to 486, inclusive, together. The Housing Forum, as reconstituted under Towards 2016 in December 2006, has met on six occasions and I am arranging to have the minutes of those meetings, already adopted by the members, placed in the Oireachtas Library. The Forum provides an opportunity for its members to contribute constructively to ongoing housing policy...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (26 Jan 2010)

Michael Finneran: Part 4 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, which provides for a scheme for the sale of local authority apartments to tenants, based on the principles of the incremental purchase model, has not yet been commenced as detailed Regulations are required to give full effect to the scheme. My Department will be working to finalise these Regulations as soon as possible after the...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (26 Jan 2010)

Michael Finneran: Work is continuing in my Department on the review of the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004 to 2009 with a view to preparing legislative proposals that will streamline and simplify the Act and reduce delays. I will be aiming to have the General Scheme of the Bill prepared by Autumn 2010, with publication dependent on the time required thereafter for drafting by the Office of the Parliamentary...

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (26 Jan 2010)

Michael Finneran: I refer to the reply to Question No. 465 of 7 July, 2009. The position is unchanged.