Results 10,101-10,120 of 17,531 for speaker:Jan O'Sullivan

Mortgage Restructuring Arrangement Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) [Private Members] (2 Oct 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: For clarification, they are not included in the figures.

Freedom of Information Bill 2013: Second Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: That is hardly fair. It does a lot more than that.

Freedom of Information Bill 2013: Second Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Deputy's party did a lot of damage to it when it was in government.

Topical Issue Debate: Road Projects Issues (2 Oct 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: I just said the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, has indicated he would be willing to consider helping. He has made the point that there would have to be a contribution from Northern Ireland, helping to make up some of the shortfall, however. My understanding is a proposal needs to be put by the two local authorities to the two governments. I realise funding needs to be drawn down as quickly as...

Topical Issue Debate: Road Projects Issues (2 Oct 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: It is not anybody's fault that the tenders came in at a much higher level than was expected. If a proposal can be put together quickly, the Minister has indicated that he is willing to consider it.

Topical Issue Debate: Road Projects Issues (2 Oct 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: I thank Deputy Kirk for the opportunity to address this issue. Unfortunately, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar, is unable to be here as he is in London at a number of tourism promotional events but this is a project the Minister is well aware of and has engaged with significantly over the past year. As I am sure all Members of this House will now be well...

Topical Issue Debate: Road Projects Issues (2 Oct 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: I was in Carlingford over the summer and it is indeed a beautiful part of the country. I also know that this project is important to this Government and the Government of Northern Ireland. Deputies from all parties in County Louth have been strongly promoting the project for some time. It was Louth County Council, together with its Northern Ireland partners, East Border Region and Newry...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Planning Issues (2 Oct 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: There is no legislation in Ireland regulating the height of trees and hedges. However, there is a civil remedy, of nuisance, available in respect of the branches or roots of a neighbour’s trees encroaching on one's property. Complaints relating to such matters are normally addressed, where necessary, under civil law between the parties concerned.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Mortgage Arrears Proposals (2 Oct 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: While I cannot comment on individual cases, I am acutely conscious of the difficulties many households are facing in terms of mortgage arrears. Where any borrower, either from a local authority or from a private financial institution, is facing difficulties in meeting mortgage repayments, proactive and constructive engagement with the lender to seek to achieve an agreed solution is the...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Wind Energy Guidelines (1 Oct 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: I thank the Senator for raising this matter. The development of renewables, including wind energy, is at the heart of this Government's energy policy. The availability of indigenous, sustainable power is a valuable national asset and is vital for achieving energy security, emissions reductions and economic renewal through job creation. The construction of wind farms is subject to the...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Wind Energy Guidelines (1 Oct 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: One of the reasons we consider legislation is not appropriate is that the technology and scientific knowledge is changing so quickly. The reason the guidelines need to be reviewed is because technology has changed. Masts are higher and a lot of elements of the technology have changed. There are variations in noise levels and their effects, depending on the turbines in place. With...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (1 Oct 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: I was not talking about the pupils, teachers or parents but about people in political life who know very well the political realities whereby a deal agreed by the former Government with the troika is one to which we must adhere, at least until the end of this year, with regard to how much we cut from public expenditure. Unfortunately, we have to do that whether we like it or not. There is a...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (1 Oct 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: On behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn, who unfortunately cannot be present, I thank Senator Cullinane for giving me the opportunity to outline to this House the position regarding staffing in primary schools. The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to schools are published annually on the Department's website. The key factor for determining...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Shared Ownership Scheme (1 Oct 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 455 and 483 together. 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 Act. That review is available on my Department's website and the period for public submissions closed on 27...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing Adaptation Grants Funding (1 Oct 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 456 and 475 together. On 22 February 2013 I announced capital allocations to local authorities under the suite of Grants for Older People and People with a Disability amounting to €42.750 million. Through active management of my Department’s overall housing budget for 2013, I allocated further funding across all local authorities on 19 July...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Private Rented Accommodation Standards (1 Oct 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: Minimum standards for rental accommodation are prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2008, made under section 18 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992. These Regulations were further amended by the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) (Amendment) Regulations 2009. All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Issues (1 Oct 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: My Department understand s the family in this case are tenants of Kerry County Council and that the Council is liaising with them with the objective of sourcing an alternative property to meet their particular accommodation needs. This year my Department is providing €400,000 to Kerry County Council for the construction of single instance dwellings for families on the housing...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Traveller Accommodation (1 Oct 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 471 and 472 together. In accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller accommodation programmes, designed to meet the accommodation needs of Travellers, rests with individual housing...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Eligibility (1 Oct 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: As part of the programme for social housing reform I am keeping the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 under review. I expect as part of this process to issue revised Regulations and further guidance to housing authorities on this area. These will be informed by, amongst other things, areas highlighted for revision as a result of the summary of assessments 2013, the results of which I...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Planning Issues (1 Oct 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: In accordance with section 179 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulation 2001, as amended, local authorities are required to obtain the approval of the elected members for carrying out certain works in their administrative areas, including the construction of houses. A consultation process is required to be undertaken prior to...