Results 941-960 of 2,386 for speaker:Michael Finneran
- Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (3 Nov 2009)
Michael Finneran: Based on information provided by local authorities to my Department, in relation to the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS), the total number of RAS offers refused since the inception of the Scheme until the end of September 2009 is 609. My Department does not collect information in relation to the specific number of households that have refused accommodation.
- Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (3 Nov 2009)
Michael Finneran: Rent supplement, as provided by the Department of Social and Family Affairs and administered by the Health Services Executive, is an income support payment made to people living in private rented accommodation who cannot provide for the cost of their accommodation. Housing authorities are responsible for meeting housing need, in particular long term housing need, through the provision of...
- Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (3 Nov 2009)
Michael Finneran: Under the current operation of the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS), households who are accommodated under the scheme are entitled to remain on the housing waiting list and my Department has issued guidance on this matter to local authorities. However, it is matter for each authority, under its Scheme of Letting Priorities, to determine a household's priority for housing and an authority...
- Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (3 Nov 2009)
Michael Finneran: Work on the development of the National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability is well advanced and I envisage publication in the first quarter of 2010.
- Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (3 Nov 2009)
Michael Finneran: Laois County Council has submitted a detailed design and cost plan seeking approval to proceed to tender stage for a new fire station at Rathdowney. My Department is examining the proposal which will be considered for inclusion in the 2010 Fire Services Capital programme having regard to competing demands of fire authorities and the resources to be made available for the 2010 programme.
- Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (3 Nov 2009)
Michael Finneran: The Fire Services Act 1981 provides that it is the duty of every person having control over premises to take all reasonable measures to guard against the outbreak of fire on the premises and to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the safety of persons on the premises in the event of an outbreak of fire. The Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2008, with effect from 1...
- Written Answers — Traveller Accommodation: Traveller Accommodation (3 Nov 2009)
Michael Finneran: The information requested is published in the annual reports of the National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee (NTACC), copies of which are available in the Oireachtas library and on my Department's website at www.environ.ie
- Written Answers — Traveller Accommodation: Traveller Accommodation (3 Nov 2009)
Michael Finneran: The position regarding transient halting sites in the greater Dublin area is outlined in the Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) of the relevant local authorities, which are available from those authorities. In accordance with the provisions of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation,...
- Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (3 Nov 2009)
Michael Finneran: The total cost to the State of the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) was â¬53.03 million in 2008 and â¬59.11 million in 2009 (up to end September). The average rental cost per household in 2008 was â¬4,284, while the corresponding figure in 2009 (up to end of September) was â¬3,933. As the household cost data relate to the average cost per annum, it should be noted that this does not...
- Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (3 Nov 2009)
Michael Finneran: The Government continues to demonstrate strong commitment to the Ballymun Regeneration Project with almost â¬630m in Exchequer funding devoted to the project to date. While an allocation of â¬45m was provided in 2009, it has been possible, on foot of significant progress made on the project and the reallocation of funds between programmes, to recoup some â¬52.4m in respect of Ballymun...
- Seanad: Gaming Regulations (3 Nov 2009)
Michael Finneran: I am grateful, as is the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform who regrets he cannot be here in person, for the opportunity to outline to Senators the position in respect of fixed odds betting terminals, commonly known as FOBTs. Senators may well be aware of the Minister's opposition to such machines from statements he has made in the other House on many occasions. The Minister has...
- Seanad: Gaming Regulations (3 Nov 2009)
Michael Finneran: I will ask that the Minister or his office would correspond with the Senator to indicate whether an extension of the deadline of 30 September has been allowed or is being considered.
- Seanad: Killarney Jarveys (3 Nov 2009)
Michael Finneran: As the Senator is aware, the national parks and wildlife service of my Department is trying to resolve the issue of horse dung in Killarney National Park by requiring that jaunting cars must be equipped with dung-catching devices when entering the park. The horse dung on the roads in the park is unsightly and smelly, is at odds with the national park ethos, conflicts with the beautiful...
- Seanad: Killarney Jarveys (3 Nov 2009)
Michael Finneran: It was not the Department that initiated a High Court action. The opportunity for consultation exists and I have no doubt the NPWS is open to discussion. It is appropriate that consultation and discussion take place during the quiet tourism period to see if this matter can be resolved in time for the new season. The decision on the device has been taken.
- Seanad: Killarney Jarveys (3 Nov 2009)
Michael Finneran: The consultation concerns the fact that the devices must be put on the horses or vehicles by the jarveys. I will ask the Department to consult with Senator Coghlan but the decision has been made and these devices must be worn.
- Seanad: National Drugs Strategy (3 Nov 2009)
Michael Finneran: I thank the Senator for raising this as it affords me an opportunity to confirm once again the Government's commitment to working with the voluntary and co-operative housing sector to meet the housing needs of the disadvantaged and vulnerable in our society, particularly in the current challenging economic climate. I begin by reflecting on the successful relationship to date between my...
- Seanad: National Drugs Strategy (3 Nov 2009)
Michael Finneran: My commitment to the homeless in particular is well known. It was the only area in the Department where there was an increase in the 2009 budget, of 5%. That was well-recognised by groups and by The Way Home. The homeless strategy is being implemented by the Department in consultation with local authorities. Senator Buttimer is probably aware that recently I extended the opportunity of...
- Seanad: National Drugs Strategy (3 Nov 2009)
Michael Finneran: I am very conscious of the needs of the homeless and disadvantaged in society and my housing programme gives priority to them. With regard to the particular question on the drugs strategy, I suggest that the Senator places a further question with the House for the relevant Minister; I do not have that information available to me in this evening's response nor was it asked for in the question...
- Seanad: National Drugs Strategy (3 Nov 2009)
Michael Finneran: The question tabled was on proposals for the payment of grants to Fellowship House. There was no further question and therefore I do not have any answer.
- Written Answers — Urban Renewal Schemes: Urban Renewal Schemes (21 Oct 2009)
Michael Finneran: I refer to the reply to Question No. 496 of 20 October 2009. My Department is fully committed to the Limerick regeneration project, which has been underway since mid 2007. Accordingly, it is not specifically mentioned in the renewed programme for Government. This contains wider commitments on housing policy, which can be integrated into the Limerick regeneration process, where appropriate,...