Results 12,221-12,240 of 17,531 for speaker:Jan O'Sullivan

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (28 Feb 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: Since the Rental Accommodation Scheme began in late 2005, some 37,757 households have transferred from rent supplement into RAS or other social housing options. Of these 21,892 were housed directly under RAS. Each local authority is responsible for the effective and efficient management of the scheme within its own area, including the management of vacancies that arise. Notwithstanding...

Written Answers — Local Government Reform: Local Government Reform (28 Feb 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Programme for Government includes a commitment to a fundamental reorganisation of local government structures with the aim of bringing about stronger, more cohesive, local government with greater capacity to address challenges, maximise efficiency and promote economic and social development. Wider policy proposals will be brought to Government in the near future for an action programme...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (28 Feb 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: Work is currently underway on preparing the Social Housing Investment Programme for 2012, including projects funded under the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS). Information submitted by local authorities is still being collated and examined. I will, in the context of an examination of existing programme commitments under the CAS, give consideration to the financial scope for a call for...

Written Answers — Unfinished Housing Developments: Unfinished Housing Developments (28 Feb 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: I am chairing the National Co-ordination Committee on Unfinished Housing Developments to oversee implementation of the Report of the Advisory Group on Unfinished Housing Developments, together with the Government's response to the recommendations. The Committee includes representatives from the Irish Banking Federation, local authorities, the Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency, NAMA...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (28 Feb 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: At a broad level national planning policy is underpinned by: · the strategic planning framework of the National Spatial Strategy (NSS) 2002-2020, supplemented at regional and local level by Regional Planning Guidelines and Development Plans respectively, · an extensive suite of statutory planning guidelines, · and the legislative framework of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2011 and...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (28 Feb 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Government's policy on housing, including social housing, is clearly set out in our housing policy statement published on 16 June 2011.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (28 Feb 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: In terms of the delivery of social housing, 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. The financial parameters within which we will have to operate in the coming years rule out a return to very large capital funded construction...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (28 Feb 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Government's new housing policy statement, published in June 2011, serves as a framework for a sequence of legislative and policy initiatives in the short to medium term. Within this framework is recognition of the obvious potential, across a range of housing programmes, for the Government's objective of sourcing and providing suitable residential units for use as social housing to be...

Written Answers — Homelessness Strategy: Homelessness Strategy (28 Feb 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: The current homeless strategy, The Way Home - A Strategy to Address Adult Homelessness 2008-2013, sets out Government policy on tackling homelessness and has a number of key aims including: · preventing homelessness · eliminating the need to sleep rough · eliminating long-term occupation of emergency accommodation · providing long-term accommodation solutions · ensuring...

Written Answers — Urban Renewal Schemes: Urban Renewal Schemes (28 Feb 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: This Government remains fully committed to the regeneration of the estates and communities in our most disadvantaged areas. Despite the current adverse economic conditions and consequent Exchequer constraints, we continue to prioritise funding for regeneration within the overall social housing programme. Last year alone my Department provided €118 million for regeneration, representing...

Written Answers — County Development Plans: County Development Plans (28 Feb 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 515 and 518 together. My Department has not received communication of the nature referred to in the Question from Dublin City Council. It is a matter for individual local authorities to advance relevant development proposals for their areas as appropriate. Specific responsibility for the planning and delivery of the North and South Fringe development rests,...

Written Answers — Site Resolution Plans: Site Resolution Plans (28 Feb 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 516 and 517 together. The formulation of Site Resolution Plans (SRP) is a key tool in resolving issues in unfinished developments. Such plans enable developers to work with local authorities, financial institutions, NAMA and residents in determining how best to pursue resolution of problematic sites. The process also entails working with stakeholders in...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (28 Feb 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: Provisions governing mortgage lending by local authorities are set out under the Housing (Local Authority Loans) Regulations 2009 and associated credit policy. In assessing loan applications, local authorities take account of the household's ability to finance the loan based on their net household income. While, as a general rule, the credit policy provides that loans are not available to...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (28 Feb 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: The initial capital allocation to Sligo Borough Council in respect of the regeneration project for 2011 was €2 million. The allocation was increased to reflect the level of activity on the project and a total of €2,234,530 was recouped to the Council.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (28 Feb 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 528 and 529 together. Under my Department's Social Housing Investment Programme, local authorities are allocated capital funding each year in respect of a range of measures to improve the standard and overall quality of their social housing stock. The programme includes a retrofitting measure aimed at improving the energy efficiency of older apartments and...

Written Answers — Unfinished Housing Developments: Unfinished Housing Developments (28 Feb 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: The primary responsibility for the categorisation of unfinished housing developments rests with the relevant local authority. The National Housing Development Survey 2011 was compiled and published by my Department in October 2011 based on data, including categorisation of unfinished housing developments in their areas, submitted by local authorities in respect of their functional areas.

Written Answers — Property Management Companies: Property Management Companies (28 Feb 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: My Department has no function in relation to the operation of property management companies. The Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011, which falls under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, regulates the management and operation of such companies.

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (28 Feb 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: Under the Planning and Development Acts 2000 - 2010, all development, unless specifically exempted under the Acts or associated Regulations, requires planning permission. Any development that is carried out without planning permission, or that does not comply with the terms of a planning permission, is unauthorised development, and may be subject to enforcement action by a planning authority....

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (28 Feb 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: The primary purpose of social housing support is to ensure that persons and families who do not have sufficient resources to provide accommodation themselves to meet their needs are provided with adequate housing for their needs. Regulation 22 of Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 provides that an applicant household for long-term social housing support is ineligible for social...

Eating Disorders (28 Feb 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: I thank Deputy Mitchell O'Connor for raising this important issue and I share her concerns. I am responding on behalf of my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, who has responsibility for mental health issues. The Internet is an international and worldwide phenomenon. It has no borders and no single organisation controlling it. Therefore, efforts to combat harmful...