Results 10,361-10,380 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: National Asset Management Agency (12 May 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: So NAMA offers the houses to the local authorities and they are saying they have too many.

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: National Asset Management Agency (12 May 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: That is not acceptable. I appreciate Mr. McDonagh cannot comment on that matter. Could they not be used as affordable homes or starter homes? How in the name of God can local authorities turn down houses for families? That is what they are doing.

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Dublin Homeless Network, Limerick and Clare Homeless Alliance, Cork Social Housing Forum (12 May 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: I was very impressed by what the witnesses said. The Government policy is to have, I think, 75,000 families or individuals helped through housing assistance payments and so on by 2020. That is a huge challenge and, from what the witnesses have said, it is not being met in any respect. It is probably more an issue for the Government than for this committee. One answer might be to...

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Master of the High Court (10 May 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: Mr. Honohan's points are very thought-provoking and worth examining in full. I live in a predominantly rural constituency in County Louth, although we have two large towns, Drogheda and Dundalk. There are very few vacant properties in the county. In fact, the biggest problem is that people cannot get a place anywhere, no matter what they are willing to pay. All of the properties are...

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Master of the High Court (10 May 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: No, not at all.

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Master of the High Court (10 May 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: Yes. The former Minister, Jim Tully, was a famous case-----

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Master of the High Court (10 May 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: Yes.

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Master of the High Court (10 May 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: I think the big problem with Ballymun, which has been mentioned by Mr. Honohan, was that it was entirely inappropriate for families and particularly for children to be living in high-rise accommodation with no proper recreational areas. Is the import of what Mr. Honohan is saying that there is no constitutional barrier preventing the Government and the Oireachtas from deciding to fast-track...

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Professor P. J. Drudy, Trinity College Dublin (10 May 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: Professor Drudy is a different case.

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Mercy Law Resource Centre (10 May 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: I was at the launch last week and was very impressed. I think a constitutional right would be effective in an extreme case. For example, Travellers are to be evicted from a so-called illegal site in Dundalk today. It would provide grounds for a legal appeal or place new or extra obligations on local authorities to ensure that if and when it comes to that stage, they must have exhausted all...

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Minister for Finance (5 May 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Minister for the frankness of his views. His opening comments were welcome and my questions take them on board. Many first-time buyers find it impossible to get into the market. One of the reasons is that they cannot come up with the 10% deposit. At the same time, there is much land in infill sites owned by local authorities and banks of land owned by State organisations. Is...

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Construction Industry Federation (3 May 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: I welcome the Construction Industry Federation, CIF, representatives. We all - society, politicians and the CIF - have a great deal of ground to make up. It brings to mind two houses side by side in the recent election. One was bought for €750,000 while the next door neighbour in the exact same house paid half that. There has been huge speculation and indeed the good name of the...

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers (3 May 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: Does the IPAV engage with the room-for-rent scheme, whereby a person living alone has a room to let? It is not done under a lease or a legal agreement in the usual sense of the word but the person can get up to €12,000 per annum tax free and the rent the tenant pays is written off against his or her tax.

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers (3 May 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: Is it the IPAV’s experience that many do not actually know about it? I know it is usually an individual but even couples whose families have flown the nest have significant room available that they could rent out in this manner. There could be more of this, which would be part of the solution.

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers (3 May 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: One of the problems is matching the applicant with the house. That is where the agents might be able to play a useful role.

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers (3 May 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: The space is there. If the right client is found on both sides it can work to everybody’s benefit. It could have a significant impact, particularly on single people. It could be a useful option. We do not push it enough. That refers to all of us. It is a collective issue.

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Irish Council for Social Housing (28 Apr 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: I apologise for being late. I am impressed with what I have heard so far and I like what Dr. McManus is saying. Dr. McManus spoke about housing for older people and pointed out that as people age they need more supports. I do not know he is aware of the Great Northern Haven in County Louth which is a fantastic centre. I suggest to the Chairman that we might visit it. The centre has about...

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Irish Council for Social Housing (28 Apr 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: Unless one is involved in this sector, one probably does not know about it. How can we encourage more people or start-ups to become involved in what Ms Gallagher is talking about? What needs to be added to the mix?

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Irish Council for Social Housing (28 Apr 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: To make a difference.

Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Irish Council for Social Housing (28 Apr 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: And not in competition.