Results 7,941-7,960 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (4 Dec 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 582 and 584 together. It is expected that about 250 housing units will be provided specifically through arrangements with private and voluntary sector landlords under the Rental Accommodation Scheme by the end of 2007. Information on the construction of social housing is published in my Department's Housing Statistics Bulletins, copies of which are...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (4 Dec 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: Information on affordable housing activity up to end June 2007 in each local authority area is available on my Department's website at www.environ.ie. Information is also published in my Department's Housing Statistics Bulletins, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library and on the above-mentioned website.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (4 Dec 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department is examining the feasibility of introducing a set of arrangements under which a local authority would agree to its clawback charge ranking in second place behind a new or topped-up mortgage charge to facilitate re-mortgaging. In the case of shared ownership transactions, the arrangements will ensure that the clawback will not kick-in when a purchaser simply wishes to buy out...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (29 Nov 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 169 and 179 together. Under the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS), households pay a contribution towards their rent to the local authority. This contribution is determined by the housing authority by reference to each authority's Differential Rent Scheme. The level of contribution will vary from authority to authority and over time to reflect changes in the...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (29 Nov 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: The detailed information sought in the Question in relation to the numbers of vacant dwellings on the dates concerned is not held in my Department. The third report from the Local Government Management Services Board on Local Authority Service Indicators, copies of which are in the Oireachtas Library, details the performance of local authorities in 2006 in relation to a wide range of...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (29 Nov 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 180 to 182, inclusive, together. The variable interest rate charged by a local authority on the mortgage element of a shared ownership transaction is determined by the Housing Finance Agency by reference to prevailing rates in the financial market. The current variable rate is 5%. In addition, a mortgage protection charge of 0.598% is applied to all local...

Written Answers — Remedial Works Scheme: Remedial Works Scheme (28 Nov 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 278 and 282 together. Last year my Department approved a provisional budget of €3,553,982 for refurbishment works in Carbery Park/Townspark. The scope of works was subsequently reduced by the local authority and on 2 July 2007 a tender recommendation was received from Athy Town Council for the revised works. On 18 July 2007, my Department issued approval...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (28 Nov 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: Mortgage finance for affordable housing has traditionally been provided by local authorities through funding by Housing Finance Agency borrowings and this continues to be the case. However, in recent times my Department has facilitated a number of the main financial institutions in also introducing mortgage finance for persons wishing to access affordable housing. It is, therefore, not...

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Motion (28 Nov 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: He is very polite.

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (27 Nov 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 624 and 666 together. As early as possible in 2008 I intend to provide county and city councils with an indication of the general level of Exchequer funding that will be available over the next three years for the main housing investment programmes. County Councils will be expected to co-ordinate the planning for the various housing programmes for their...

Written Answers — Grant Schemes: Grant Schemes (27 Nov 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department's involvement in the disabled persons and essential repair grant schemes relates primarily to the recoupment to local authorities of 75% of their expenditure on the payment of individual grants. Details of the recoupments to local authorities so far in 2007 are set out in the table below. Information on local authority activity under both of these schemes this year will be...

Written Answers — Voluntary Housing Scheme: Voluntary Housing Scheme (27 Nov 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: The provision of accommodation by approved voluntary and co-operative housing bodies is an integral part of my Department's overall response to delivering on social housing need. Under the Voluntary Housing Capital Assistance Scheme, funding of up to 100% of the approved cost is available for the provision of permanent accommodation for persons with special housing needs, including those with...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (27 Nov 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: Under the new Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, eligibility for grant aid is determined on the basis of gross household income, i.e. the property owner's annual gross income, together with that of his/her spouse, if applicable, in the previous tax year, or in the case of private rented accommodation, the tenant's annual gross income, together with that of his/her spouse,...

Written Answers — Mortgage Subsidies: Mortgage Subsidies (27 Nov 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: The current income bands and subsidies under the rent and mortgage subsidy schemes are set out in Circular Letters HPS 10/05 and 1/06 and associated regulations, and apply to all transactions completed on or after 1 January 2006. The previous income bands and subsidies apply to transactions completed before this date.

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (27 Nov 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: Under the Housing Management Initiative, local authorities were given direct control, from 1 January 2007, over their internal capital receipts from the sale of local authority dwellings, which are to be used primarily for their improvement works programmes. While my Department approves the overall programmes, it is the responsibility of local authorities to prioritise and advance individual...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (27 Nov 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 664 and 672 together. It is not possible to provide an overall cost figure for the construction of 12,000 social housing units in 2008 as this would depend on a range of factors including the distribution of units across the country, the number of different types of units and the state of the housing market. The average unit cost for the construction of a 3...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (27 Nov 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: The assessment of housing need, including verification of the relevant circumstances of applicants, is a matter for the local authority concerned. As standard procedure, local authorities seek information on applicants' accommodation history and have powers under Section 15 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1997 to seek information from a range of relevant bodies in relation to...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (27 Nov 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: The matters referred to and other related issues are under review and I hope to be in a position to announce the outcome of that review shortly.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (27 Nov 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: The revised housing adaptation grant schemes to assist older people and people with a disability became operational on 1 November 2007. Under the new Housing Aid for Older People Scheme, grant assistance may be made available for the installation and upgrading of heating systems and related insulation works. The maximum grant available under the scheme is €10,500 and may cover 100% of the...

Confidence in Minister for Health and Children: Motion (27 Nov 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: Will Deputy Burton give the Minister a chance?