Results 11,521-11,540 of 17,531 for speaker:Jan O'Sullivan

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Mortgages (19 Sep 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: One of the conditions applying to the availability of local authority mortgages is that the applicant be a first time buyer. Provisions regarding the application of stamp duty and the definition of a first time buyer for the purposes of stamp duty are set out in the Stamp Duties Acts, which fall within the remit of the Minister for Finance.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Tenant Purchase Scheme Applications (19 Sep 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: Arrangements for the winding down of the 1995 Tenant Purchase Scheme were communicated to local authorities on 6 June 2012 in Housing Circular 23/2012 - Termination of the 1995 Tenant Purchase scheme. Under the arrangements local authorities may accept applications to purchase under this scheme up until 31 December 2012. Separate provisions are in place under Part 3 of the Housing...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Mortgage Arrears Report Implementation (19 Sep 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 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. The...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Drugs Task Forces Funding (19 Sep 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: The projects concerned operated as mainstreamed drugs projects under my Department’s Housing programme. Following significant reductions in the funding available to support these projects in 2012 my Department, exceptionally, provided pro rata funding to support the projects until end June 2012 only. Following a consultation process, South Dublin County Council identified interim...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Compulsory Purchase Orders (19 Sep 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: The legislation governing compulsory land acquisition by local authorities provides for the payment of compensation for lands acquired by them on the authorisation of a duly confirmed CPO. The amount of compensation payable by local authorities for land acquired by them is solely a matter for negotiation between the landowner and the local authority concerned. In the event of dispute, either...

Other Questions: Local Government Fund (18 Sep 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: The budget is in December.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Private Rented Accommodation Provision (18 Sep 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: There are significant powers so local authorities can take action with regard to both the improvement and prohibition notices. There are fines stipulated, with a maximum fine of €5,000 and €400 for each day of a continuing offence. It is probably the case that many local authorities do not take that kind of action but the powers exist. The Private Residential Tenancies Board,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Private Rented Accommodation Provision (18 Sep 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: I would be very happy to take on board any suggestions that could strengthen the rights of tenants. There are certain actions that local authorities can take, although I am not sure if there are interventions in every case. We will consider any suggestions coming from any side of the House when we debate the legislation in the near future.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Private Rented Accommodation Provision (18 Sep 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: Minimum standards for rental accommodation are prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2008, made under section 18 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992. These regulations were further amended by the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) (Amendment) Regulations 2009, which expanded the definition of "a proper state of structural repair" to allow for...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Derelict Sites (18 Sep 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: Under the Derelict Sites Act 1990, local authorities are required to take all reasonable steps, including the exercise of appropriate statutory powers, to ensure that any land within their functional area does not become or continue to be a derelict site. To this end, they have been given substantial powers under the Act in relation to any such sites, including powers to require specified...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: NAMA Social Housing Provision (18 Sep 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 51, 63 and 1115 together. Over the past 12 months both Minister Hogan and I have met with NAMA to discuss the provision of properties for social housing. Since the announcement in December 2011 that NAMA would commit to providing units for social housing by the end of 2012, a Steering Group comprising my Department, the Housing Agency and NAMA have been...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: An Bord Pleanála Remit (18 Sep 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: Under section 126 of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2012, it is a statutory objective of An Bord Pleanála to determine appeals and certain other matters within 18 weeks. The statutory objective was met in 81% of cases in 2011 compared to 64% in 2010 and 26% in 2009. This objective also applies to strategic infrastructure applications. Where the Board does not consider it...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Waiting Lists (18 Sep 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 79 together. I am determined to ensure that the social housing programme is framed in a manner which optimises the delivery of social housing and the return for the resources invested. To achieve this it is essential that we tailor the use of available Exchequer supports to prevailing conditions and explore the full range of solutions to address...

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

Jan O'Sullivan: In advancing loans for house purchase by lower income borrowers it is of critical importance that local authorities make such funding available on the basis of sound lending criteria. My Department and individual local authorities have a responsibility to ensure that mortgage lending is prudentially based and that the capacity of a borrower to fully service a loan over the full term is...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Foreshore Licences (18 Sep 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 85 together. The proposal by Providence Resources has been the subject of a public consultation process and referral to prescribed bodies. All submissions received from the public and prescribed bodies, together with the applicant’s responses, have been published on the Department’s website. The proposal has been the subject of an...

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

Jan O'Sullivan: With levels of capital funding for social housing reduced by just over 75% since 2008, the financial parameters within which Ireland is operating, and will be operating over the coming years, rule out a return to very large capital-funded construction programmes by local authorities. Accordingly, delivery of social housing will be primarily facilitated by more flexible funding models, with...

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

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 is framed in a manner which optimises the delivery of social housing and the return for the resources invested. To...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Traveller Accommodation (18 Sep 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: In accordance with the provisions of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act, 1998, statutory responsibility for the provision of Traveller accommodation rests with the relevant housing authority. My Department’s role is to ensure that there is an adequate legislative and financial system in place to assist the authorities in providing such accommodation. My Department’s...

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

Jan O'Sullivan: Under section 58 of the Housing Act 1966, the management and maintenance of the local authority housing stock, including the compilation and funding of ongoing maintenance programmes and pre-letting repairs, is the responsibility of the relevant housing authority. Housing maintenance works are funded directly by local authorities from their own resources, including from rental income and...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Homelessness Strategy (18 Sep 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: I welcome the CSO's special Census report, Homeless Persons in Ireland as a further analysis of the homelessness problem. One of the biggest difficulties faced both here and internationally is the definition and categorisation of households who for one reason or another find themselves without a home for long or short periods of time. The CSO figure, published on 6 September 2012, of 3,808...