Results 1,361-1,380 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (24 Apr 2007)

Noel Ahern: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the Charities Bill 2007 was published on 12th April last.

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (24 Apr 2007)

Noel Ahern: In principle, I would welcome the use of moneys seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) for drug prevention and drug treatment programmes. Indeed, my officials have explored this idea previously. However, the critical issue is the level of overall funding made available for the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy and in that regard I am fully satisfied with the amount of €50m...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (24 Apr 2007)

Noel Ahern: I acknowledge the value of community policing and support the development of appropriate Community Policing Fora, in line with Action 11 of the National Drugs Strategy. To date, three Community Policing Fora have been established in the Finglas, Blanchardstown and North Inner City (Dublin) Local Drugs Task Force areas. Meanwhile, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, Joint Policing Committees...

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (24 Apr 2007)

Noel Ahern: The Community Development Programme provides multi-annual core funding to some 180 locally based voluntary and community groups (Community Development Projects) involved in anti-poverty and social inclusion initiatives. In addition, the Programme provides significant funding to a range of support groups under contract to my Department to provide support for these Projects. The decision to...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (24 Apr 2007)

Noel Ahern: Over 400 Local Drugs Task Force projects, including those under the Emerging Needs Fund, received interim funding from my Department in 2006. Of these, in the region of 200 projects dealt with the issues of treatment and rehabilitation and these will be continue to be funded in 2007. Across the ten Regional Drug Task Force areas, 42 treatment and rehabilitation projects were initiated in...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (24 Apr 2007)

Noel Ahern: The bulk of expenditure on drugs initiatives allocated to community groups through my Department is channelled annually to on-going projects through the Local Drugs Task Forces, the Regional Drugs Task Forces and the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund (YPFSF). Local and Regional Drugs Task Force projects normally originate at Task Force level and are submitted to the National Drugs...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (24 Apr 2007)

Noel Ahern: Up-to-date and comprehensive data on the misuse of drugs will start to become available in the autumn with the publication of the first results from the second all-island Drug Prevalence Survey, the fieldwork for which is now nearing completion. Furthermore, with respect to heroin misuse in particular, another national study is being commissioned by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (24 Apr 2007)

Noel Ahern: Eligibility for the affordable housing schemes is determined on the basis that applicants are in need of housing and cannot afford to purchase a house on the open market. In the case of the shared ownership and 1999 affordable housing schemes, applicants must satisfy an income test. Under this income test single applicants are eligible for these schemes where their income in the previous...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (24 Apr 2007)

Noel Ahern: It is understood from Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council that the Part 8 process for a twenty eight social and affordable housing development at the site in question was completed in November 2006. My Department is not aware of any irregularities in relation to the Part 8 planning process in this instance.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (24 Apr 2007)

Noel Ahern: In December 2006 my Department wrote to Longford County Council seeking further information in respect of the proposed works to the estate in question. Subsequently, my Department met with the Council as part of the Housing Action Plan process for 2007. My Department will give detailed consideration to this proposal when the further information sought has been supplied.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 Apr 2007)

Noel Ahern: An application for a grant was recently received. My Department will arrange for an inspection of the property as soon as possible with a view to determining eligibility for a grant.

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (24 Apr 2007)

Noel Ahern: The need for local authorities to respond to issues of multi-culturalism and migration is fully acknowledged. The major local authorities have already been arranging for the translation of relevant information and other material into different languages. Some of this work is supported with funding from my Department's Housing Management Initiative Grant Scheme. Housing policy has been...

Written Answers — Anti-Social Behaviour: Anti-Social Behaviour (24 Apr 2007)

Noel Ahern: Local authorities are responsible under the Housing Acts for the management and maintenance of their housing stock and the management of their estates, including taking appropriate measures in relation to anti social behaviour. Under the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1997 local authorities have powers to deal with anti-social behaviour which is defined to include either or both of...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (24 Apr 2007)

Noel Ahern: Section 98 of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2006 provides that local authorities must allocate affordable housing in accordance with a scheme to be determined by the elected members. The legislation sets out those matters that must be included in any scheme and which the local authority have to consider when prioritising eligible persons for the allocation of affordable housing....

Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (24 Apr 2007)

Noel Ahern: Section 78(j) of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 provides that a landlord may refer a dispute of this nature to the Private Residential Tenancies Board once the tenancy in question is registered with the Board. The Board may be contacted at Canal House, Canal Road, Ranelagh, Dublin 6 (Phone 01 8882960) and further information on their dispute resolution services is available on their...

Written Answers — Urban Renewal Schemes: Urban Renewal Schemes (24 Apr 2007)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1023 and 1024 together. Last October, Mr. John Fitzgerald, former Dublin City Manager, was appointed by Government to lead an initiative to address social exclusion, crime and disorder in Moyross and other parts of Limerick City. Mr. Fitzgerald recently completed his report and the Government have agreed to implement its recommendations. Work is underway in...

Written Answers — Housing Management Companies: Housing Management Companies (24 Apr 2007)

Noel Ahern: I refer to the reply to Question No. 1824 of 31 January 2007. I understand that the consultation period for the Office of Director of Corporate Enforcement's paper has since been extended to 30 April 2007, which is also in line with the Law Reform Commission's consultation period. The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform has convened the inter-departmental committee to consider...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (24 Apr 2007)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1027 and 1028 together. The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, which chairs the National Steering Committee on Violence against Women, has overall responsibility for issues relating to violence against women. Capital funding is available through my Department's Capital Assistance Scheme to voluntary housing bodies providing accommodation to meet...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (24 Apr 2007)

Noel Ahern: Under Part V of the Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2006, each planning authority is required to prepare a housing strategy to ensure that the authority's Development Plan, into which the strategy is incorporated, makes adequate provision for the housing requirements of the existing and future population of the area. The housing strategy also provides the basis for determining the...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (24 Apr 2007)

Noel Ahern: Part V of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-06 applies to all planning permissions for developments on land zoned for residential use or a mixture of residential and other uses where the developments are of 5 or more units or on land of 0.1 hectares or more. It does not apply to developments by voluntary housing bodies or to conversions of buildings where at least 50% of the external...