Results 7,721-7,740 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Private Rented Accommodation. (22 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The fact of the matter is that, in 2004, there were 25,000 registrations. Since the setting up of the PRTB, 210,000 registrations took place. Figures for 2007 will show a 40% increase and that there has been an increase from 13,000 to almost 14,000. On the houses that are not up to standard, I refer the Deputy to a report issued by the Centre for Housing Research last year. Of all the...

Private Rented Accommodation. (22 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I have taken action to ensure that local authorities do get involved in this.

Private Rented Accommodation. (22 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy obviously forgot that I mentioned to him on the last occasion that I am giving money to local authorities on the basis of performance on inspection.

Private Rented Accommodation. (22 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: If they want to get money out of the rental accommodation scheme, they will have to carry out inspections. That is the way forward as far as I am concerned.

Private Rented Accommodation. (22 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: It will ensure that local authorities do carry them out.

Private Rented Accommodation. (22 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The important thing is that the Deputy understands the system. He obviously does not.

Private Rented Accommodation. (22 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The fact is that if one refers to PRTB registrations alone, one will find that they increased by 44% between 2005 and 2006, and by 40% between 2006 and 2007. I have ensured that local authorities that carry out inspections are being rewarded. Those that are not——

Private Rented Accommodation. (22 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: ——are not getting funding to carry out the inspections. On Deputy Ó Snodaigh's question——

Private Rented Accommodation. (22 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: ——on rent supplement, I indicated that I will contact the HSE on this matter. I have indicated that——

Private Rented Accommodation. (22 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: ——any supplement given is given to a property that meets the required standard.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (17 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Affordable housing is currently made available at substantially below the market price for comparable housing. Direct subsidies by my Department to local authorities, the provision of land by the State and local authorities at below market value, and the capacity, through Part V of the Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2006, to acquire land at "existing use" value all contribute to...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (17 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: Work is continuing on addressing legal issues relating to the sale of local authority apartments to tenants in the context of drafting the Social Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which is scheduled to be published by the end of the current parliamentary session.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (17 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: An application for funding under the Capital Assistance Scheme has been received from Limerick City Council in respect of 15 units of accommodation, costing an estimated €3.6m. My Department sought clarification from the Council on a number of issues relating to the project and a reply is awaited. When this is to hand, the application will be further considered and the Council will be...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (17 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 627 and 645 together. Current practice requires that if a private lender agrees to provide re-mortgage finance in respect of a house purchased under the Government's affordable housing schemes, it would be on the basis that their mortgage charge would rank below the clawback charge where such a charge exists. This is consistent with the time sensitive nature...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (17 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The normal practice is for housing authorities to submit project applications, including site location details, to my Department for funding under the Social Housing Investment Programme. My Department has not received any proposals regarding the specified location.

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (17 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The local authority has since submitted further information in support of their application for funding. My Department is currently awaiting a Valuer's Report on the project. On submission of the report, my Department will be in a position to make a decision on the provision of funding.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (17 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department recently met with all local authorities to discuss allocations for social housing for the 2008 — 2010 period and I anticipate being in a position to issue capital allocations for 2008 shortly. Question No. 645 answered with Question No. 627.

Written Answers — Housing Aid for the Elderly: Housing Aid for the Elderly (17 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department operates a number of targeted options to assist vulnerable groups, such as lower income households and older persons, to secure necessary improvement works to their homes. These include the local authority house improvement loan scheme, a Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, a Mobility Aids Housing Grant Scheme and a Scheme of Housing Aid for Older People. ...

Written Answers — Voluntary Housing Schemes: Voluntary Housing Schemes (17 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: A Grant of €2,248,446 was approved for this project in 2003, of which some €2,136,064 has been paid to Limerick County Council. An application for additional funding was received from the Council on 1 February 2008. This is being examined and the Council will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Strategy on Homelessness: Strategy on Homelessness (17 Apr 2008)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Homeless Agency, established in 2001 as part of the Government's Integrated Strategy on Homelessness, is a partnership structure, bringing together the voluntary and statutory agencies involved in planning, funding and delivering services to people who are homeless. The Agency is responsible for the overall management and co-ordination of homeless services in the Dublin area and for the...