Results 10,221-10,240 of 17,531 for speaker:Jan O'Sullivan

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Environmental Policy (17 Jul 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: I thank the Senator for raising this issue which I am taking on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan. In October 2012 the European Commission published proposals to amend the environmental impact assessment Directive. According to the Commission, the proposed new directive is aimed at strengthening existing provisions...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Foreshore Licences Applications (17 Jul 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: As indicated in the replies to Questions Nos. 489 of 22 May 2012 and 196 of 20 December 2012, this matter continues to be the subject of court proceedings and it is not appropriate for me to comment further. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Homeless Persons Data (17 Jul 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: Traditionally it has been difficult to quantify the number of homeless persons on an on-going basis; this is in part a consequence of the volatility within this cohort of housing need. However, during the course of 2013 the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS), which commenced operation in Dublin in 2011, is being extended nationally. When PASS is fully implemented nationally...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Planning Issues (17 Jul 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: As Minister, I am precluded, under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, from involvement in relation to any individual planning application or appeal with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be concerned.

Leaders' Questions (16 Jul 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: How did the Deputy know what the Taoiseach was going to say when the Deputy wrote that?

Other Questions: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (16 Jul 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: We have addressed this issue many times. I am trying to do as much as I can under the various funding mechanisms we have at our disposal. There have been reductions in the housing capital budget over recent years. We are positioning ourselves to expand the construction programme as soon as the economy improves. As I have said, I am making a strong case under the various stimulus packages...

Other Questions: Water Charges Administration (16 Jul 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: Will I read out the reply?

Other Questions: Water Charges Administration (16 Jul 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: It is more or less the same reply.

Other Questions: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (16 Jul 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: In March 2013 I announced a capital provision of €275 million for allocation to 34 city and county councils in respect of a number of measures under my Department's social housing investment programme, SHIP, for 2013. The allocations included some €65 million for the local authority housing construction and acquisitions programme, some €40 million for the voluntary and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Homelessness Strategy (16 Jul 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: I agree with Deputy Ellis that this is very challenging and that there has been an increase in the number of people presenting as homeless. That is why we have been so focused on a housing-led policy. Research has shown it is a much more effective way of ensuring people settle in a home with the necessary supports and do not, as has happened in the past, present repeatedly as homeless. We...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Homelessness Strategy (16 Jul 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: I have liaised, and will continue to liaise, with the Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald, who published a document on youth homelessness. The voluntary sector is particularly effective in the area. It has worked very hard in terms of provision but there are ongoing issues.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Local Authority Housing Issues (16 Jul 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: Yes, there is.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Local Authority Housing Issues (16 Jul 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: I must make two points in response. First, of those people on the housing waiting list, approximately 40% are in receipt of rent supplement and therefore are already getting some support from the State. Second, with regard to RAS, such schemes are the responsibility of local authorities. Consequently, if the landlord sells the house, the local authority has a responsibility to the people...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Leader Programmes Funding (16 Jul 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Leader elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, RDP, commenced in February 2009 after a delay of more than two years. This reduced the time available to allocate funding to less than five years, rather than the original seven. Following the reduction of funding available under the programme due to the increased co-funding rate from the European Commission for 2012 and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Leader Programmes Funding (16 Jul 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: First, the Department is monitoring the position carefully and, as I indicated in my initial reply, a commitment exists to examine all unallocated funding at 31 August with a view to reallocating money. Consequently, the Minister would consider it prudent financial management to ensure he does not ask them to enter into contractual arrangements that could not be honoured. The intention is...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Leader Programmes Funding (16 Jul 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: The local development companies must ensure they play their part as well. This is the reason there is ongoing communication with such companies and it is being impressed on them they must be accurate and must give the Department the correct information as to what they can allocate and spend. They have a responsibility to ensure this happens, the allocations are accurate and the expenditure...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Homelessness Strategy (16 Jul 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: My Department’s role in respect of homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility regarding the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with the housing authorities. Expenditure on homeless...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Local Authority Housing Issues (16 Jul 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Government's housing policy statement, published in June 2011, clearly identifies that the priority for Government will be to meet the most acute needs of households applying for social housing support. I am determined to ensure that the social housing programme optimises the delivery of social housing and the return for the resources invested. To achieve this, it is essential that we...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Local Authority Housing Issues (16 Jul 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: I agree with Deputy Collins that we have large housing waiting lists. Those housing waiting lists have been building up for many years, including during the Celtic tiger years when there was money around. Unfortunately, we are constrained in terms of funding. That is why we are adopting a flexible approach whereby we are delivering 5,000 units per year. Deputy Collins asked a specific...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Planning Issues (16 Jul 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: In the interest of accuracy, first, it was a review and not an inquiry and second, it was not instigated. A panel was set up but the process was not commenced by the then Minister, Mr. Gormley, nor was it commenced by Deputy Ó Cuív who took over when Mr. Gormley resigned from the then Government. A decision was made in good faith by my predecessor to carry out an internal review....