Results 8,601-8,620 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (22 Feb 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 379 and 380 together. Waterford County Council has submitted a proposal to my Department for the provision of a new fire station at Portlaw, County Waterford. This proposal is under consideration in my Department in the context of the 2006 fire services capital programme, which has not yet been finalised, having regard to the overall availability of resources...

Airport Development Projects. (21 Feb 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I did not, the Deputy should not misquote me. I said there might have been a proviso.

Water and Sewerage Schemes. (21 Feb 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I will inform him of the facts of this case. He is aware of how important the availability of a good quality water supply is for the development of all areas, including those of Pallaskenry and Kildimo. I am glad to say that my Department continues to promote investment in modern water services infrastructure to support social and economic...

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (16 Feb 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 285 and 286 together. The tender process for the new fire station at Westport has not been completed. Question No. 557 of 9 February 2006, as finally notified to my Department by the Dáil questions office, related only to the proposed Achill fire station and was answered on that basis.

Rent Supplement: Motion (Resumed). (15 Feb 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: Last night the House was treated to a lesson in playschool statistics and economics from the Fine Gael and Labour parties. It is not our intention on this side of the House to insult children at play. Instead, we would like to be instructive. For those Deputies who missed the Opposition parties' double act, let me recap on some of the best and most humorous contributions to the debate. It...

Rent Supplement: Motion (Resumed). (15 Feb 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: If these are not houses, what are they — buses?

Rent Supplement: Motion (Resumed). (15 Feb 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Opposition also stated that waiting lists grow and grow.

Rent Supplement: Motion (Resumed). (15 Feb 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: They might grow under Labour-Fine Gael Governments but not under this Government. Despite major population increases and an even greater growth in the number of households, the total number of households on local authority waiting lists declined by almost 10% between 2002 and 2005.

Rent Supplement: Motion (Resumed). (15 Feb 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: This was achieved by boosting supply to meet unprecedented demand. We heard speakers state that lining landlords' pockets should not be the aim of the rent supplement scheme, a point on which all Deputies will agree. How would the Labour Party ensure this does not occur? It would abolish the rent caps in place under the scheme to ensure landlords cannot charge unreasonable rents for private...

Rent Supplement: Motion (Resumed). (15 Feb 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: Does the Labour Party really believe the removal of caps would lead to lower rents? It asks why we do not build or buy sufficient local authority houses to accommodate households in receipt of rent supplement, using the money saved in rents. Last year, rent supplement supported the housing needs of approximately 58,000 households, at a cost to the Exchequer of roughly €400 million. The...

Rent Supplement: Motion (Resumed). (15 Feb 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Labour Party motion smacks of desperation and tired point-scoring but fails to score any points.

Rent Supplement: Motion (Resumed). (15 Feb 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: What about the substantive issues raised in the debate? Much was made last night of the slower than anticipated roll-out of the rental accommodation scheme and the difficulties facing households in the private rented sector in receipt of rent supplement.

Rent Supplement: Motion (Resumed). (15 Feb 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am doing well. My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Noel Ahern, and I did not interrupt Opposition speakers. It is understandable that Deputies opposite feel the need to interrupt because my remarks are obviously hurting. The Government introduced the rental accommodation scheme due to the difficulties faced by households which are reliant on rent supplement but have long-term...

Rent Supplement: Motion (Resumed). (15 Feb 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: The problems faced by tenants, for example, the poor quality of much existing rented housing, the shortage of suitable accommodation for single person households, overcrowding or tenancies not being registered are the reason it has taken longer than anticipated to roll out the scheme. The basic facts are that the Government is taking action to eliminate dependence on the social welfare...

Rent Supplement: Motion (Resumed). (15 Feb 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: In addition, the Government is taking action to improve standards in the private rented sector through the use of only good quality accommodation for rent allowance scheme tenants; to improve tenant choice and provide greater long-term housing security; to address the needs of the homeless; and to support tenancy sustainment programmes to help persons make the transition to independent...

Rent Supplement: Motion (Resumed). (15 Feb 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: This objective was largely completed by the end of last year.

Rent Supplement: Motion (Resumed). (15 Feb 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: The rental accommodation scheme is a response of substance and, as with any such intervention, a lead-in time is necessary to put in place systems to manage and drive the process. I am happy with the progress made to date. The collaborative approach of all the agencies involved will ensure the scheme is successful and meet its targets in the coming years.

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (14 Feb 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 161 together. Under the Planning and Development Act 2000, planning authorities may include in their development plans objectives regulating, restricting or controlling development in areas at risk of flooding. Where development is proposed in an area at risk of flooding, it is a matter for each planning authority to evaluate such risk, on the basis of...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (14 Feb 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 125, 164 and 171 together. Ireland signed the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters on 25 June 1998. Progress towards ratification of the convention is closely aligned with work at EU level. To date, the European Union has adopted two directives as part of the...

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (9 Feb 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department has recently sanctioned a proposal from Mayo County Council to accept a tender for the construction of a combined fire station and coast guard centre at Achill Sound, County Mayo. I understand that a formal contract has not yet been entered into between Mayo County Council and the preferred bidder and it would not therefore be appropriate to identify the prospective contractor...