Results 9,481-9,500 of 17,531 for speaker:Jan O'Sullivan

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Regeneration Projects Status (26 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: My Department currently supports an ambitious programme of regeneration projects which seek to address the causes of disadvantage in communities and large social housing estates through a holistic programme of physical, social and economic regeneration. Some €70 million is being provided in 2014 to support a range of regeneration programmes at a number of locations throughout the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing Adaptation Grant Applications (26 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: Last month, some changes to the terms and conditions of the schemes were notified to local authorities. These changes were made on foot of the recommendations of a review group, established in 2013 by my Department, to examine the terms and conditions governing the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability . Membership of the group included the County...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing Adaptation Grant Funding (26 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I recently announced capital allocations to local authorities amounting to €38.4 million under the suite of Grants for Older People and People with a Disability. I have increased the level of funding available for the grant schemes by 12% in 2014 . Every local authority has increased funding for grants compared to the allocations for 2013. Meath County Council’s overall...

Topical Issue Debate: Wind Energy Generation (25 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Deputy raised as a Topical Issue the very general issue of set-back distances. He has now specifically raised an issue in Westmeath. While I will answer the general point, I wish to point out that the directive is a draft directive and not a final directive. As there is an ongoing process with the local authority, I will not comment further on that specific issue at this point. I...

Topical Issue Debate: Wind Energy Generation (25 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: The current guidelines remain in existence. The draft guidelines I have proposed are from the Deputy's perspective an improvement. Existing guidelines call for a 500 m set-back, but it is not mandatory. I am proposing that it would be mandatory. They also provide for an improvement with regard to noise and the eradication of shadow flicker. These draft guidelines would improve the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Unfinished Housing Developments (25 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 447 and 487 together. The administration of issues relating to unfinished housing developments is a matter for the individual local authority involved. Each local authority has appointed an Unfinished Housing Development co-ordinator; contact details can be found at: . “Resolving Unfinished Housing Developments: Annual Progress Report on Actions to...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Planning Issues (25 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: Section 9 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, provides discretionary powers in the first instance to certain planning authorities, with the agreement of one or more planning authorities which are adjoining county councils, to make a single development plan. This is a reserved function of the elected members concerned. While I have no plans currently to use my powers under...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing Issues (25 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: My Department is working closely with Limerick City Council and the Office for Regeneration in progressing proposals for the remediation of homes affected by the recent flooding. My Department has been advised by the City Council that a total of 12 6 houses, of which 103 were occupied properties , were affected to varying degrees by the flooding. While a number of these properties were...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Regeneration Projects Status (25 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Limerick Regeneration Framework Implementation Plan (LRFIP) was drawn up having regard to the existing flood risk for St Mary's Park and King's Island as well as past instances of flooding in Limerick City and King’s Island. The Plan promotes a precautionary approach with regard to the provision of replacement housing and the refurbishment of those houses scheduled for retention...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing (25 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 464, 465 and 485 together. Under my Department’s Social Housing Investment Programme for 2014, some €30 million is being provided for improving the energy performance of older local authority housing stock. The funding is part of a three year investment programme to improve energy efficiency and comfort levels in 25,000 local authority homes....

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Wind Turbines (25 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I wrote to the County Manager, Westmeath County Council on 15 February 2014 giving notice that I am considering issuing a direction pursuant to Section 31 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) in relation to the provisions on minimum setback distances for wind turbines and certain other issues incorporated in the Westmeath County Development Plan 2014-2020 as adopted by the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Shared Ownership Scheme (25 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Government’s 2011 Housing Policy Statement announced the standing down of all affordable housing schemes, including the shared ownership scheme, in the context of a full review of Part V of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2013. Details regarding the review are available on my Department’s website The period for public submissions has closed and submissions from a...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing Issues (25 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 469, 470 and 479 to 483, inclusive, together. The 60 apartments owned by Tuath Housing Association at Gallery Quay were constructed as part of a private development of 300 apartments and commercial units at Gallery Quay over the period 2005 to 2006. In accordance with Part V of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, up to 20% of the dwellings were made...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (25 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: It is already a condition of the social housing leasing scheme that in order for properties to be accepted onto the scheme they must be in compliance with all relevant planning and building regulations. In addition, properties must meet standards set out for rented properties in Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2009. Local authorities are tasked with ensuring that properties...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Area Plans (25 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: Under sections 18, 19 and 20 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, the making, amending or revoking of a local area plan is a reserved function of the elected members of the planning authority. Furthermore, under section 19 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, a planning authority must commence a review of a local area plan 6 years after the making of the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing Adaptation Grant Applications (25 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: Under the terms of the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, which is administered by the local authorities, grants are available to assist households to have necessary repairs or improvement works carried out in order to facilitate the continued independent occupancy of their homes. Three separate schemes are available, the Housing Adaptation Grant...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Voluntary Housing Sector (25 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: Th e-tender report for the proposal by Cluid Housing Association to remediate and complete the units at the Emerald housing project, as submitted to Dublin City Council, is under active consideration in my Department at present with a view to an early decision.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme Issues (25 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: In May 2013 my Department approved a budget of €392 ,077 in respect of pyrite testing and associated investigative works at houses in Carton Terrace and Owensilla . Based on the outcome of these tests, it will be a matter for Dublin City Council to put forward appropriate remediation proposals to deal with any pyrite-related problems affec ting houses at these locations.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (25 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: in terms of housing construction, over 1,800 new replacement homes have been provided for residents of the original flat blocks. The final housing scheme commissioned by Ballymun Regeneration Limited, at Coultry 6, is now substantially completed. A decision on the tender report for the Emerald project, which involves up to 20 housing units, will be made shortly. While the programme of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Regeneration Projects Status (25 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: Planning permission for the redevelopment of the privately owned Ballymun Shopping Centre and the adjoining lands owned by Dublin City Council was granted in September 2009. The proposed redevelopment of the area did not proceed at that time due to the prevailing economic conditions. However, the provision of commercial, retail and other services in Ballymun, and at this prominent site in...