Results 1,361-1,380 of 2,386 for speaker:Michael Finneran

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (26 May 2009)

Michael Finneran: It is a matter for individual housing authorities to plan the composition of their housing programmes having regard to the specific social housing priorities in their areas and to the Exchequer funding allocated to them, based on the housing needs identified in their 2008 statutory assessment. The allocation of a dwelling to a household is also a matter for each individual local authority in...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (26 May 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 who are 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.

Written Answers — Traveller Accommodation: Traveller Accommodation (26 May 2009)

Michael Finneran: My Department recently approved the proposal by Fingal County Council to construct 10 new Traveller group houses at Ardla, Skerries. The approved all-in budget cost is €2,188,937, giving a unit cost per house of €218,893. I understand the Council intend to award the contract to the successful tenderer very shortly with a view to commencing construction as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Housing Aid for the Elderly: Housing Aid for the Elderly (26 May 2009)

Michael Finneran: Allocations totalling €79.562 million for 2009 were notified to local authorities in respect of the Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability and the old Disabled Persons and Essential Repairs Grant Schemes on 7 May 2009. These allocations represent an increase of 11.4% on the initial allocations for 2008. The 2009 allocation to Wicklow County Council...

Written Answers — Housing Aid for the Elderly: Housing Aid for the Elderly (26 May 2009)

Michael Finneran: Allocations totalling €79.562 million for 2009 were notified to local authorities under the Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability and the old Disabled Persons and Essential Repairs Grant Schemes on 7 May 2009. These allocations represent an 11.4% increase on the initial allocations for 2008. At this stage, I do not envisage making further...

Written Answers — Capital Assistance Scheme: Capital Assistance Scheme (26 May 2009)

Michael Finneran: Funding of €878,472 was approved for this project under my Department's Capital Assistance Scheme. To date, €853,385 has been paid to Kilkenny County Council, which is responsible for the administration of the scheme in its area. An application from the Council for supplementary funding of €21,528 is under consideration in my Department and a decision will be made as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (26 May 2009)

Michael Finneran: Local authority borrowers have benefited from very significant easing of mortgage costs in recent months. The effective rate for local authority borrowers from 1 June 2009 will be 2.25% - a cumulative rate decrease since October 2008 of 3%. To date there is no evidence to suggest that wider economic circumstances are creating problems specifically for local authority borrowers in meeting...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (21 May 2009)

Michael Finneran: Following the failure to reach agreement with the developer at St. Michael's Estate, O'Devaney Gardens, and Dominick Street in summer 2008, Dublin City Council has examined its options for the regeneration of these sites. A report by a multidisciplinary Special Housing Taskforce, established to develop plans for the regeneration of these estates, was presented to the Council in December...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (21 May 2009)

Michael Finneran: Legislative provision to facilitate arrangements under which a local authority could agree to its clawback charge ranking in second place behind a new or topped-up mortgage charge, thereby facilitating persons in affordable housing wishing to re-mortgage with a private lender, is included in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008 which is currently before the Oireachtas and is...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (20 May 2009)

Michael Finneran: At a meeting I held with a deputation from New Ross Town Council on 1 April 2009, which the Deputy also attended, the options of refurbishment or demolition and rebuild at the housing estate concerned were discussed, with the latter being my Department's preferred option. New Ross Town Council undertook to consider the matter further and I understand that the Council, at a meeting on 28...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (20 May 2009)

Michael Finneran: Legislative provision to facilitate arrangements under which a local authority could agree to its clawback charge ranking in second place behind a new or topped-up mortgage charge, thereby facilitating persons in affordable housing, including existing homeowners, wishing to re-mortgage with a private lender, is included in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008 which is currently...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (19 May 2009)

Michael Finneran: Over 1,400 prospective purchasers have formally registered interest on the dedicated Home Choice website (www.homechoiceloan.ie) and these have been contacted to advise that applications are now being accepted. A total of 26 full applications have been made to the four local authorities operating the scheme on a regional basis. To date, no loans have been drawn down under the scheme. Details...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (19 May 2009)

Michael Finneran: Legislative provision to facilitate arrangements under which a local authority could agree to its claw back charge ranking in second place behind a new or topped-up mortgage charge, thereby facilitating persons in affordable housing wishing to re-mortgage with a private lender, is included in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008 which is currently before the Oireachtas and is...

Written Answers — House Prices: House Prices (19 May 2009)

Michael Finneran: My Department collates and publishes a wide range of housing statistics that inform the preparation and evaluation of housing policy, and anonymised data on house prices and lending activity are included within that range. The full range of data compiled can be viewed on my Department's website, www.environ.ie. My Department's index of new and second-hand house prices is collated on the...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (19 May 2009)

Michael Finneran: Local authorities have recently been advised of their housing programme allocations for 2009. Based on these allocations, it will be a matter for housing authorities to finalise their plans for the composition, management and delivery of their programmes, including purchases, taking into account existing commitments, identifying priority projects and proposals and providing a time line for...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (13 May 2009)

Michael Finneran: I refer to the reply to Question No. 53 of 8 April 2009. In general, following consideration by the Board of the Housing Finance Agency (HFA) the rates charged to local authority borrowers are normally adjusted by the Board, in line with movements in European Central Bank (ECB) rates. However, given that the correlation between ECB rates and interbank rates (i.e. the rates at which the...

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (13 May 2009)

Michael Finneran: The provision of a fire service, including equipment, is a statutory function of the individual fire authorities. The Department supports the authorities through the setting of general policy and the provision of capital funding including the recoupment (within the overall funding available) of costs incurred by the authorities in relation to the purchase of fire appliances. Proposals are...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (13 May 2009)

Michael Finneran: There is no funding application in respect of this project with my Department at present.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (12 May 2009)

Michael Finneran: The Department of Social and Family Affairs has recently amended the legislation with regard to assessment for rent supplement, and will be setting out further detailed provisions in Regulations to be made shortly. Once these Regulations are made, my Department will finalise guidance currently being developed for local authorities in the matter.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (12 May 2009)

Michael Finneran: To date, 9 authorities have received approval in principle to enter into advanced negotiations in respect of some 324 new units. These authorities are: Dublin City Council; Leitrim, Laois, Limerick, Meath, Sligo, South Dublin and Wexford County Councils; and Sligo Borough Council. In addition, a number of other authorities have indicated their intent to submit proposals for the leasing...