Results 1,041-1,060 of 2,386 for speaker:Michael Finneran

Written Answers — Library Projects: Library Projects (6 Oct 2009)

Michael Finneran: My Department provides funding towards the capital costs of approved new libraries and the refurbishment of existing libraries along with funding for mobile libraries and delivery vans. The 2009-2010 Capital Programme amounting to €8.5 million in 2009 included assistance of €300,000 for 2009 in regard to refurbishment of Ballymote Library. Day to day operations, including staffing levels,...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (6 Oct 2009)

Michael Finneran: I refer to the reply to Question No. 351 of 3rd February 2009. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (24 Sep 2009)

Michael Finneran: Since 2003, my Department has recouped almost €7 million under Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988 to local authorities in respect of 90% of revenue expenditure incurred by the organisation concerned on homeless accommodation and related services. A further 10% has been provided by the local authorities concerned. It is a matter for each local authority, in the first instance, to ensure...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (24 Sep 2009)

Michael Finneran: Proposals under the Social Housing leasing Initiative have been received from, Dublin and Waterford City Councils, Templemore Town Council, Sligo Borough Council, and Cork, Donegal, Fingal, Leitrim, Limerick, Laois, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Sligo, South Dublin, Wexford and Westmeath County Councils. In addition to the above, a number of other authorities have been in contact with my...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (24 Sep 2009)

Michael Finneran: My Department gave approval to Kilkenny Borough Council on 13 November, 2008 to seek tenders for the final phase of works on this project. The approval to go to tender was for 31 new build units, one community centre and remedial works to 16 dwellings. The works are to be carried out as a single contract. The tender report was received from Kilkenny Borough Council on 21 September, 2009...

Written Answers — Urban Renewal Schemes: Urban Renewal Schemes (24 Sep 2009)

Michael Finneran: The Government has demonstrated strong commitment to the Ballymun Regeneration Project with almost €630 million in Exchequer funding devoted to the project to date. While an allocation of €45 million 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 €52.4 million in respect of...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (24 Sep 2009)

Michael Finneran: A commencement order will be made shortly under the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, the first in a series bringing the various provisions of the Act into operation. However, a considerable amount of preparatory work is required before the necessary commencement order can be made for Part 4, relating to tenant purchase of apartments. This work, which is being undertaken by my...

Seanad: Water Pollution (23 Sep 2009)

Michael Finneran: I thank the Senator for giving me the opportunity to clarify the position regarding the recent issues with water quality in Bantry. As Senators will be aware, the operation and maintenance of water supply infrastructure is the responsibility of the local authority concerned, in this instance Cork County Council. Under the drinking water regulations, local authorities are obliged to ensure...

Seanad: Water Pollution (23 Sep 2009)

Michael Finneran: With the permission of the House, I propose to leave a copy of the reply for Senator Walsh.

Urban Renewal Schemes. (23 Sep 2009)

Michael Finneran: I thank the Deputies for raising this item as it affords me an opportunity once again to confirm the Government's commitment to the regeneration of the most disadvantaged areas of Limerick city, to the communities living there, and to the ongoing viability of the city as a gateway for the mid-west. I also acknowledge the involvement of the Minister for Defence, Deputy Willie O'Dea, who met...

Urban Renewal Schemes. (23 Sep 2009)

Michael Finneran: It is €1.5 million.

Urban Renewal Schemes. (23 Sep 2009)

Michael Finneran: There will be money for 2010.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (22 Sep 2009)

Michael Finneran: Under the shared ownership scheme houses are acquired by a local authority and leased to the shared owner, who purchases at least 40% of the value of the house and rents the remaining equity from the local authority. The shared owner must purchase full ownership outright within 30 years. For transactions commenced on or after 1 January 2003, the annual rent is calculated at 4.3% of the...

Written Answers — Homeless Persons: Homeless Persons (22 Sep 2009)

Michael Finneran: I am conscious of the need to ensure effective coordination of capital and revenue funding streams for homeless services and this matter is addressed in the Government Strategy on homelessness, The Way Home, and the associated Implementation Plan. The issue of improved co-ordination at local level is a matter, in the first instance, for consideration by the management group of the relevant...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (22 Sep 2009)

Michael Finneran: The Housing Adaptation Grant Scheme for People with a Disability is administered by the local authorities and all matters relating to compliance with the terms and conditions of the scheme, the processing and approval of applications and the payment of grants to individual applicants are the responsibility of the relevant local authority.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (22 Sep 2009)

Michael Finneran: In accordance with the objectives set out in the Policy Framework for the Regeneration of Local Authority Estates, my Department advised Sligo Borough Council in 2007 that their allocation would be increased by €3m in 2008 to provide for the development of recreational facilities at Cleveragh. This was contingent on the projects in question fitting in with framework objectives and the...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (17 Sep 2009)

Michael Finneran: Allocations totalling €79.562 million for 2009 were notified to local authorities on 7 May 2009 under the Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant Scheme and the old Disabled Persons and Essential Repairs Grant Schemes. The 2009 allocation to Kildare County Council amounts to €1,870,000 compared to an initial allocation of...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (17 Sep 2009)

Michael Finneran: A pilot scheme involving the refurbishment of 10 dwellings has been undertaken at this estate by Westmeath County Council. A further phase of works involving the demolition of 12 units has now been completed. The local authority is currently considering options to facilitate the refurbishment of the estate and is engaging with the existing social and private tenants in this regard. Any...

Local Government (Charges) Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Second Stage (9 Jul 2009)

Michael Finneran: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to open the debate in the Dáil on the Local Government (Charges) Bill 2009. The purpose of the Bill is to give effect to the Government's budgetary decision to introduce an annual charge on non-principal private residences. The Bill sets the charge at €200 and liability for it will fall, in the main, on owners of rental,...

Local Government (Charges) Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Second Stage (9 Jul 2009)

Michael Finneran: The charge does not apply to anyone paying commercial rates anyway.