Results 1,101-1,120 of 2,386 for speaker:Michael Finneran

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (7 Jul 2009)

Michael Finneran: In 2007 my Department received an application from North Tipperary County Council for grant assistance under the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) in respect of the purchase and refurbishment, by Arlington Novas, of a house at 55 Mitchel Street, Thurles for the provision of accommodation for homeless persons. However, the Council subsequently advised my Department that the CAS application was...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (7 Jul 2009)

Michael Finneran: Under section 58 of the Housing Act 1966, the management and maintenance of the local authority housing stock is a matter for individual authorities. The average time taken to re-let dwellings is a Local Authority Service Indicator and reports on these Service Indicators are available on the Local Government Management Services Board website, www.lgmsb.ie, under the "publications/reports"...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (7 Jul 2009)

Michael Finneran: My Department gave approval to Fingal County Council to proceed with this project in May 2007, to be funded from the authority's internal capital receipts. Accordingly, the County Council included the project under its Improvement Works Programme for the years 2007 to 2010. I understand from the Council that a tender was accepted early this year and works have already commenced on Phase 1...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (7 Jul 2009)

Michael Finneran: The number of households on a local authority's waiting list continuously fluctuates as households on the list are allocated housing and new households apply for housing support. My Department does not hold information in relation to the numbers currently on waiting lists in local authorities. A statutory assessment of housing need is carried out every three years by all housing authorities...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (7 Jul 2009)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 504 to 510, inclusive, and 512 together. My Department's involvement with the voluntary and co-operative housing schemes relates primarily to the provision of funds for individual projects. The detailed administration of the schemes, and the certification that projects comply with the terms and conditions of the funding schemes, are the responsibility of the...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (7 Jul 2009)

Michael Finneran: All matters relating to the appointment of members of the governing body or board of directors or trustees of an approved housing body are the responsibility of the individual body concerned. My Department and the local authorities have no role with regard to the nomination or appointment of board members. In accordance with the terms and conditions of my Department's funding schemes, no...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (7 Jul 2009)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Question Nos. 513 and 514 together. Section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provision) Act, 1992 enables housing authorities to provide capital funding to approved housing bodies in respect of the provision of housing. A body seeking to obtain, and to retain, approved status under Section 6 of the Act must have as primary objects, the provision of accommodation for...

Written Answers — Property Transfers: Property Transfers (7 Jul 2009)

Michael Finneran: Information in relation to property transferred from religious orders to approved housing bodies under the Compensation Scheme for Residential Child Abuse is not available in my Department.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (2 Jul 2009)

Michael Finneran: Housing loans continue to be provided by local authorities for households who wish to build or purchase their own home, including affordable housing purchasers and local authority tenants who wish to purchase under the tenant purchase scheme, but cannot access finance from private institutions. To ensure effective targeting of resources to support households most in need, income limits are...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (2 Jul 2009)

Michael Finneran: The provisions contained in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008, that will facilitate persons in affordable housing wishing to re-mortgage with a private lender, will take effect on its enactment and subject to a Ministerial order commencing the relevant provisions. The commencement order will be made as soon as possible following due consideration and discussions with...

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (2 Jul 2009)

Michael Finneran: My Department does not fund residents' or tenants' associations directly. However, in line with the Government's housing policy statement, Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities, a specific fund is in place to support initiatives that build and foster the principles of sustainable communities. This fund currently provides support to housing authorities for a range of community...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (2 Jul 2009)

Michael Finneran: In response to my Department's Call for Proposals under the Remedial Works Programme for 2009, Roscommon County Council submitted proposals for refurbishment works in respect of 11 houses in Boyle and 18 rural houses. The proposal for the project in Boyle was approved for inclusion in the new three year remedial works programme and my Department is liaising closely with the Council to ensure...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (2 Jul 2009)

Michael Finneran: I refer to the reply to Question No. 512 of 9 June 2009. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Capital Funding Scheme: Capital Funding Scheme (1 Jul 2009)

Michael Finneran: An application for post-tender approval for this project, costing an estimated €1.613 million, has been received in my Department from Kilkenny County Council, which is responsible for the administration of the Capital Funding Schemes in their area. The application is being considered in light of the available funding and competing demands. Having regard to the existing high level of...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2009)

Michael Finneran: A number of amendments agreed in the Dáil can be categorised under the miscellaneous heading. Within this group there are some substantive changes, to which I will refer briefly. There was a considerable debate on subsection 25(5) during the Bill's passage through the Seanad. The intention of section 25 is to underline the seriousness of actions such as non-payment of rent or breach of...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2009)

Michael Finneran: The reassessment has resulted in a fair balance. Obviously, people must meet their responsibilities but there are hardship cases. The county manager is entitled to waive whole or part of rent arrears in certain circumstances. The housing authorities have used that entitlement on compassionate grounds in certain areas in the past and I am sure that will continue. It is provided for in law.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2009)

Michael Finneran: These amendments provide for the introduction of significant changes in the way affordable housing is made available for sale under various affordable housing schemes. They provide for a shift to the equity sharing arrangement and away from the current procedures which involve a time-limited clawback in return for a discounted house. The provisions, which were signalled in the budget of...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2009)

Michael Finneran: The number of houses the local authorities have on their books is estimated to be approximately 3,700. In some cases local authorities are finding it difficult but I am informed that they are possibly in a position to sell 1,000. To ensure this important infrastructure is available to the people who need it, that is, those on housing lists, I have issued guidelines to local authorities....

Seanad: Music Therapy (1 Jul 2009)

Michael Finneran: I am taking this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. I am pleased to have this opportunity to address the issues raised by Senator Keaveney. I emphasise the Government's steadfast commitment to people with disabilities and to the national disability strategy and its long-term goals and objectives, which we will continue to pursue in the...

Seanad: Music Therapy (1 Jul 2009)

Michael Finneran: The HSE's further submissions to the Department are still being processed. If we await them, we might have more information on the matter.