Results 721-740 of 2,386 for speaker:Michael Finneran

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (19 Jan 2010)

Michael Finneran: Part 3 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, which provides the legal framework for the introduction of the Incremental Purchase Scheme, has been commenced and came into effect on 1 January 2010. The Part was commenced in order to allow incremental purchase arrangements to be applied to new housing units being supplied by housing authorities. Notwithstanding this, regulations...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (17 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: The primary responsibility for the management of any waste, including costs for removal or disposal, lies with the holder of the waste; the holder of the waste is the natural or legal person in possession of the waste or the producer of the waste. The Waste Management Acts 1996 - 2008 impose a general duty of care on holders of waste. A person may not hold, transport, recover or dispose of...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (17 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: A number of economic studies carried out over the past few years, rather than a single cost-benefit analysis, provide the economic rationale for the provision of social housing through mechanisms such as the leasing and renting of privately owned accommodation. These studies include the Interim Value for Money and Policy Review of the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS), which is due to be...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (17 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: In response to my Department's call for proposals under the remedial works programme for 2009, Roscommon County Council submitted proposals for refurbishment works in respect of 11 houses in Boyle and 18 rural houses. The proposal for the project in Boyle was approved for inclusion in the new three year remedial works programme and my Department expects to make funding provision for this...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (17 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: The Government's key priorities in shaping the overall housing provision for next year have been to focus the impact of necessary adjustments on the areas in which there is scope to maintain output through more flexible approaches and where the policy context supports such approaches, and to continue to direct available capital resources substantially towards the most vulnerable and...

Written Answers — Housing Associations: Housing Associations (16 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: My Department has no function with regard to decision making by individual approved housing bodies.

Written Answers — House Prices: House Prices (15 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 308, 309 and 325 together. The renewed Programme for Government sets out a clear commitment to create and maintain a comprehensive House Price Database based on sales prices. My Department, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the Property Services Regulatory Authority, and the Central Statistics Office, as well as representatives from consumer...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (15 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: In order to facilitate the continued independent occupancy of their own homes by older people and people with a disability, and following a review of the old Disabled Persons and Essential Repairs Grant Schemes, a revised suite of Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability was implemented on 1 November 2007. The revised schemes target the available...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (15 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 311 and 339 together. I am pleased that the Government has committed a total of €240 million under the 2010 estimates for the Local Authority Estate Regeneration and Remedial Works programme, including a new Energy Efficiency/Retrofitting provision of €45m. This represents a significant increase on the 2009 provision of €190m, reflecting the importance I...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (15 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 315 and 316 together. The operation of Dublin City Council's allocation scheme is a matter for the Council itself. I understand that a review of allocation protocols and procedures has already been undertaken.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (15 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: It is open to any household to apply to a housing authority to undergo an assessment as to whether they are eligible for and in need of social housing support. The determination of an individual household's eligibility, or ineligibility, is a matter for the housing authority making the assessment. Once an authority has determined that a household is in need of support there are a range of...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (15 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 320 to 324, inclusive, together. All matters relating to the management and maintenance of social rented accommodation funded under my Department's Social Housing Investment Programme are the responsibility of the relevant Local Authority, in this case Longford Town Council. I understand that technical issues have arisen with regard to the operation of the...

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (15 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 332 and 333 together. My Department's involvement with inspections under the Homebond Structural Guarantee Scheme ended in 2004. Details of receipts in respect of these inspections for the period 2000 to 2004 and receipts in respect of applications for Certificates of Reasonable Cost under the Tax Incentive Schemes for the period 2000 to 11 December, 2009 are...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (15 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: I have requested my Department to arrange to have the provisions that will facilitate existing affordable housing purchasers to remortgage their properties included in the first available appropriate legislative vehicle.

Written Answers — Regeneration Schemes: Regeneration Schemes (15 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: My Department currently has no proposal for the project in question.

Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (10 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: Minimum standards for rental accommodation are prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2008 (as amended), made under section 18 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992. All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with these regulations. Responsibility for enforcing the regulations rests with the relevant local...

Financial Resolution No.5: General (Resumed). Debate resumed on the following motion: (10 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: There was an increase.

Seanad: Climate Change: Statements (10 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: I am pleased to be here. I have been impressed with the level of engagement of Senators on this issue, which is being debated at international level. The Seanad has given great thought and expression to the whole issue of climate change. Before I respond to the comments of various Senators, I would like to compliment the newest Member of the House, Senator Carroll, on his maiden speech....

Seanad: Climate Change: Statements (10 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: -----public transport will be improved, while at the same time supporting climate change objectives. The Government's engagement with Europe is important and I mentioned that the Minister, Deputy Gormley, is travelling to the summit. We are fully committed to meeting these challenges and the Government recognises the importance of action.

Seanad: Climate Change: Statements (10 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: A couple of minutes. It is an important issue.