Results 9,561-9,580 of 17,531 for speaker:Jan O'Sullivan

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing Adaptation Grant Data (5 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: This time last year I signalled my intention to review the Suite of Grants for Older People and People with a Disability in order to target the grants to those in greatest need, spread the available resources as widely as possible and ensure greater fairness in their operation. The changes made are on foot of the report of the review group, established last year by my Department, to examine...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: School Curriculum (4 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: Senator Reilly is a very good example of how the study of politics can lead to an interest in politics and to being a national representative. I am in a position to answer some of the Senator's questions, but I will convey the other questions to the Minister, Deputy Quinn. I thank the Senator for raising this matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline the position with regard...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Ferry Services Provision (4 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I thank Senator Healy Eames for raising this matter. As she has said, I am speaking on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy McGinley. She will be aware that the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht is the principal Department charged with island development by supporting the improvement of infrastructure and assisting with the provision of essential services. The Department...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Ferry Services Provision (4 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: Obviously, I am not the Minister of State who is responsible for this matter.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Ferry Services Provision (4 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: There is a clear willingness and eagerness to solve this problem on everybody's part. Clearly, there is disagreement on the question of whether the service is profitable. Further discussion on that aspect of the matter is necessary. I reiterate that I will bring the concerns expressed by Senator Healy Eames to the attention of the Minister of State, Deputy McGinley. He has indicated that...

Other Questions: Planning Issues (4 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I could comment on why the legislation was changed but, obviously, I was not the person who changed it. Deputy Naughten asked me to examine the current situation. I will consider the issue in the context of forthcoming legislation.

Other Questions: Planning Issues (4 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: As I noted earlier, we will be introducing a significant piece of planning legislation in the near future. The primary intention of the legislation is to implement recommendations arising from the Mahon tribunal and to ensure the planning system is trusted. Any Member who has been on a local authority will be aware that issues relating to taking in charge of estates occupy a significant...

Other Questions: Local Authority Housing (4 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: This is an issue we have discussed already in the context of an earlier question.

Other Questions: Local Authority Housing (4 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: As outlined in the Government’s housing policy statement of 2011, the main focus in terms of housing supports provided by Government will be on meeting acute needs, with increased reliance on more flexible, revenue-based approaches based around the rental accommodation scheme, the leasing of properties and the use of private finance by approved housing bodies for the construction and...

Other Questions: Local Authority Housing (4 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: As I noted previously, we have resumed construction of local authority housing. That is an important development in terms of the Government's intentions and we intend to continue investment in this area. Officials in my Department meet regularly with directors of housing and county and city managers, but if it is necessary to hold a meeting specifically with officials from Kildare County...

Other Questions: Planning Issues (4 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: My Department is currently considering, in consultation with Irish Water, the amendments to section 180 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, which relates to the taking in charge of housing developments, that will be required in the context of the establishment of Irish Water and the transfer of water and wastewater infrastructure assets to Irish Water. My Department will also consider...

Other Questions: Planning Issues (4 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I appreciate that there is a specific issue in that regard. The legislation refers to the owners of housing units. As I said, significant planning legislation is due to come forward and I will examine it to see whether, with regard to taking estates in charge, there are areas that need to be changed. I would make the point, however, that the local authority does not have to wait to get...

Other Questions: Planning Issues (4 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: The developer can request it as well.

Other Questions: Local Authority Housing Provision (4 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: We have made an application to the European Investment Bank for €100 million, to be used for the provision of local authority apartments in major cities. However, it will probably not affect County Laois. This is the first application we have submitted, but we will keep the option in mind for other construction projects.

Other Questions: Local Authority Housing Provision (4 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: With regard to trusts, if local authorities want to set up voluntary housing bodies, we will not stop them. Also, we are moving towards regulation of the voluntary sector in order that it will be better able to raise funds. In that regard, I will meet the new regulatory authority tomorrow, but at this stage we are only implementing a voluntary regulatory code, in conjunction with the...

Other Questions: Local Authority Housing Provision (4 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: While the figures in respect of housing completions for the fourth quarter of 2013 are not yet available, I expect that some 5,000 units of accommodation were delivered across the full range of social housing measures last year. Delivery of social housing is significantly facilitated through more flexible funding models such as the rental accommodation scheme and leasing, but the Government...

Other Questions: Local Authority Housing Provision (4 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: I have no ideological argument with Deputy Stanley. That is why we are commencing-----

Other Questions: Local Authority Housing Provision (4 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: Deputy Hogan is not stopping me from building houses either. Unfortunately, what stopped us from building houses over the last number of years was the Celtic tiger boom and bust during which, despite the fact that a very large number of private houses were built, the local authority house building programme was not enormous. Later it was seriously constrained by the agreement with the...

Other Questions: Local Authority Housing (4 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: Some of the issue relates to rent supplement and rent caps. My colleague, the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton, reviewed the rent caps recently but there is a constant pressure in that particular area. The transfer of long-term rent supplement, which came under the Department of Social Protection, to the local authorities, which comes under the Department of the Environment,...

Other Questions: Local Authority Housing (4 Feb 2014)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Government’s 2011 housing policy statement clearly outlines that the priority for Government will be to meet the most acute needs of households applying for social housing support. I am addressing that priority in the context of the resources available to me. In July 2012, I announced details of a three-year funding programme of €100 million to deliver some 800 new units...