Results 1,361-1,380 of 4,773 for speaker:Paudie Coffey

Other Questions: Building Regulations (16 Jul 2015)

Paudie Coffey: It is not the Minister or I who are saying this. We have utilised expertise in the Housing Agency, which has carried out a deep analysis of the cost of delivering on housing units. We have addressed other areas that have added to cost. We debated some of those in the House last week during the debate on the Urban Regeneration and Housing Bill. Overheads like development contributions...

Other Questions: Pyrite Remediation Programme (16 Jul 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The budget is being provided for, and priority is being accorded to, those who are most affected, namely those in category two. However, I am conscious of many of the issues that arise. I have met many of the householders who have concerns. They do not know whether they have pyrite in their houses. Core testing is the only way this can be decided upon. I appreciate that it is costly but...

Other Questions: Housing Assistance Payments (16 Jul 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The figures speak for themselves, especially in regard to Donegal. In the seven weeks since the HAP has been rolled out, and it is only the second wave of HAP local authorities of which Donegal is one, over 40 households have been accommodated. That, in itself, proves it is working quite well in Donegal. We have ambitious targets for the HAP. With the Department of Social Protection,...

Other Questions: Housing Assistance Payments (16 Jul 2015)

Paudie Coffey: As the Deputy will be aware, the Department of Social Protection has issued instructions to its local staff to use discretion as required. In the overall sense, we have ambitious targets for the HAP around the country and we are rolling it out to a number of local authorities. The second wave has just been announced and Donegal is one of six local authorities in that second wave. These are...

Other Questions: Pyrite Remediation Programme (16 Jul 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I note Deputy Clare Daly and many other colleagues, from all parties and none, are actively engaged in assisting homeowners with the pyrite remediation scheme. I have been briefed on it. I visited a number of sites where remediation is getting underway and it is progressing at a rapid rate. I expect to be reporting considerable progress over the coming months. The pyrite remediation...

Other Questions: Pyrite Remediation Programme (16 Jul 2015)

Paudie Coffey: Deputy Clare Daly acknowledges the progress that is being made. It is not before time. I am committed to ensuring we give it full focus and priority over the coming months. As I said, I expect substantial progress to be made now as more homes are remediated. The Deputy is correct in saying that some issues are coming to light when the mediation crews are moving onto site where they are...

Other Questions: Housing Assistance Payments (16 Jul 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I thank the Deputy for his question. The housing assistance payment has been rolled out to all categories of household in 13 local authority areas, including County Donegal. There are now over 2,600 households nationally in receipt of the payment. The payment has been operational in the administrative area of Donegal County Council since 25 May. In the seven weeks since it has been...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Housing Assistance Payments (16 Jul 2015)

Paudie Coffey: This is a matter we keep under continual review and in respect of which we engage closely with the Department of Social Protection and HAP pilot local authorities. South Dublin County Council reported that the successful implementation of the scheme was being hampered due to the shortage of available accommodation for eligible households within the rent limits which apply. We recognised...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Housing Assistance Payments (16 Jul 2015)

Paudie Coffey: We recognise that there are pressures, particularly in Dublin and the conurbation around it, in terms of all of the housing issues. HAP is one solution to address the housing demand that is there. With regard to rent limits, I have outlined that where the case is made and there is a real need, as in South Dublin County Council's functional area, we have applied the flexibility and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Housing Assistance Payments (16 Jul 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The implementation of the housing assistance payment is a key Government priority and a major pillar of the Social Housing Strategy 2020. The HAP scheme removes a barrier to employment, by allowing recipients to remain in the scheme if they gain full-time employment, it improves regulation of the rented accommodation being supported and it provides certainty for landlords as regards their...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Property Tax Exemptions (16 Jul 2015)

Paudie Coffey: Section 10A of the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012(as amended) provides for a temporary exemption of at least three consecutive years from the charge to Local Property Tax (LPT) for residential properties that have been certified as having “significant pyritic damage”. To avail of the exemption, the require that a liable person be in a position to demonstrate 'significant...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Provision (16 Jul 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The Social Housing Strategy 2020, published in November 2014, sets out clear, measurable actions and targets to increase the supply of social housing, reform delivery arrangements and meet the housing needs of all households on the housing list.  The Strategy will support an additional 35,000 new units to be delivered by local authorities and approved housing bodies through a combination...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing Assistance Payments Implementation (16 Jul 2015)

Paudie Coffey: Further to the enactment of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 on 28 July 2014, the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) has been rolled out to all categories of households in 13 local authority areas on a pilot basis. Dublin City Council is also implementing a HAP pilot for homeless households in the Dublin region on behalf of the 4 Dublin local authorities. There are now over 2,...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Property Tax Exemptions (16 Jul 2015)

Paudie Coffey: In general, building defects are matters for resolution between the relevant contracting parties, i.e. the homeowner, the builder, the materials supplier and/or their respective insurers and I firmly believe that the parties responsible for poor workmanship and/or the supply of defective materials should face up to their responsibilities and take appropriate actions to provide remedies for...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations (16 Jul 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The review of the following the first twelve months of their operation is now well advanced. The impact of the regulations on the cost of single dwellings (including self builds) forms an important element of this review. Some 170 submissions were received during the public consultation process which concluded on 15 May 2015. A report prepared by my Department following its review of the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Private Rented Accommodation Costs and Controls (16 Jul 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The most recent data from the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) for Q1 2015 show that on an annual basis, nationally, rents were 6.9% higher than in Q1 2014. Rents for houses were 6.5% higher, while apartment rents were 7.8% higher than in the same quarter of 2014. These annual rates of increase were driven mainly by the Dublin market. Overall, in the 12 months to the end of Q1...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Private Rented Accommodation Costs and Controls (16 Jul 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I refer to the reply to Question No. 33 on today's Order Paper which sets out the position in this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Traveller Accommodation (16 Jul 2015)

Paudie Coffey: In accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller accommodation programmes in their areas. My Department's role is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Traveller Accommodation (16 Jul 2015)

Paudie Coffey: In accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller accommodation programmes in their areas. My Department's role is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations (16 Jul 2015)

Paudie Coffey: In general, building defects are matters for resolution between the relevant contracting parties, i.e. the homeowner, the builder, the materials supplier and/or their respective insurers and I firmly believe that the parties responsible for poor workmanship and/or the supply of defective materials should face up to their responsibilities and take appropriate actions to provide remedies for...