Results 11,081-11,100 of 17,531 for speaker:Jan O'Sullivan

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Land Ownership (16 Jan 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: My Department is continuing to engage with the Chief State Solicitor’s Office to clarify the position in relation to ownership of the lands in question. It will not be possible to provide advice to the council on the next steps in the matter until this process is satisfactorily concluded.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Planning Issues (16 Jan 2013)

Jan O'Sullivan: The processing of individual planning applications is a matter for individual planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála in the case of developments that fall to be dealt with under the strategic consent process. I have no function in relation to the specific matter in question. However, in relation to wind energy development generally, the Wind Energy Development Guidelines, which...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Foreshore Licences (20 Dec 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: My Department is taking legal advice on the issues arising in this case. In the circumstances it is not appropriate for me to comment further at this time.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Mortgage to Rent Scheme (20 Dec 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: On foot of the recommendations of the Keane Report on mortgage arrears, the Government launched a mortgage to rent scheme on a pilot basis in February 2012. This scheme was extended nationally in June 2012, targeting those low income families whose mortgage situation is unsustainable and where there is little or no prospect of a significant change in circumstances in the foreseeable future....

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Property Taxation (20 Dec 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012 is currently before the Oireachtas and is a matter for the Minister for Finance. Until such time as the Bill is enacted I cannot comment on the implications, if any, the legislation may have for the Private Resid ential Tenancies Board.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Foreshore Licences (20 Dec 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: I refer to the reply to Question No. 489 of 22 May 2012. As this matter continues to be the subject of court proceedings, it is not appropriate for me to comment further.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing Adaptation Grants (20 Dec 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes are funded by 80% recoupment available from my Department together with a 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority. It is a matter for each local authority to decide on the specific level of funding to be directed to each of the various grant measures, and to manage the operation of the schemes in their areas from within their...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Alternative Energy Projects (20 Dec 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: On 13 December I received a request for a meeting from the organisation referred to in the question. I intend to meet with this organisation in the New Year.

Topical Issue Debate: Homeless Persons (19 Dec 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: I thank Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan for raising this issue. I have just come from Blessington Street, in her own constituency, where the Simon Community was opening a homeless facility for 12 people with support. I agree with her that good work is certainly being done by a number of voluntary housing associations. It is never acceptable to have people sleeping on the streets. At this time...

Topical Issue Debate: Homeless Persons (19 Dec 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: I thank Deputy O'Sullivan and fully agree with her that we need to talk regularly to those who provide such services. I again pay tribute to the Capuchins, the Simon Community, Focus Ireland and all the other voluntary bodies that do tremendous work in this area. We must ensure that we are all working together in partnership to deliver the best possible result for those who need these...

Topical Issue Debate: Carer's Allowance Eligibility (19 Dec 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: I agree with Deputy Nash that there appears to be quite a bit of flexibility with regard to the various elements the officers take into account and in my original contribution I referred to the fact a person can be regarded as being habitually resident immediately on his or her return. I will certainly convey to the Minister, Deputy Burton, the issues Deputy Nash has raised. If there is a...

Topical Issue Debate: Carer's Allowance Eligibility (19 Dec 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: I thank Deputy Nash for raising this issue which, as he noted, affects a relatively small number of people but is very important. I am taking it on behalf of the Minister for Social Protection who is in the Seanad. The Department of Social Protection is committed to delivering the best possible service to its customers and continuously strives to achieve the highest standard of customer...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: National Drugs Strategy Budget (19 Dec 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: The projects in question no longer operate as mainstreamed drugs projects under my Department ’s Housing programme. However, I understand that my colleague, the Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy, announced on 11 December 2012 that funding of €50,000 has been allocated to the Tallaght Local Drugs Task Force to support the projects in question...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Provision (18 Dec 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: My Department recently approved funding of €178,000 for the provision, by Cork County Council, of a house for the family in question . The Department recommended construction of a 3 bedroomed dwelling, in line with current housing specifications and standards, as the supporting documentation provided by the Council did not provide a justification for a larger dwelling. On the basis...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Household Charge Exemptions (18 Dec 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 423 and 445 together. As part of the process of preparing the National Housing Development Survey 2011, published by my Department in October 2011, local authorities provided details of all unfinished housing developments in their areas. Unfinished housing developments were divided into four categories as follows: category one, where the development is still...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: National Asset Management Agency (18 Dec 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: The properties identified by NAMA for consideration for social housing purposes are part of the security for loans that NAMA has acquired. In the majority of cases properties remain in the ownership of the original borrowers. The remaining properties are controlled by receivers appointed by NAMA. Once a demand has been identified by the relevant local authority NAMA makes contact with the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Eligibility (18 Dec 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: Maintenance received from an ex-spouse or partner is considered as income in line with the terms of the Household Means Policy, issued in March 2011 under Regulation 17 of the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011. This Policy sets out the manner in which housing authorities will assess the means of applicant households for the purpose of determining the household’s ability to...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Unfinished Housing Developments (18 Dec 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: My Department approved funding in February 2010 for a programme of works including the refurbishment of some tenanted dwellings, the demolition of a number of existing units and the provision of a small number of new units at Ballylynch, Carrick-on-Suir. My Department understands that a receiver was appointed to the construction company carrying out the works in April 2012. The local...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Provision (18 Dec 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: Under Section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 , the making and amendment of an allocation scheme is a reserved function for each housing authority and does not require Ministerial approval. The Social Housing Allocation Regulations 2011, which came into effect on 1 May 2011 , specifically provide that a housing authority may specify in its allocation scheme that the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Provision (18 Dec 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: Local Authorities are directly responsible for addressing housing need within their administrative areas and do so using a range of supply options including permanent social housing, long-term leased units, units leased under the Rental Accommodation Scheme and voluntary and co-operative housing units. It is a matter for each authority, in this case Kilkenny County Council, to take...