Results 1,441-1,460 of 2,386 for speaker:Michael Finneran

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (29 Apr 2009)

Michael Finneran: I refer to the reply to Question No. 50 of 8 April 2009. The issue of funding for this project is being considered in the context of the allocations under the social housing investment programme for 2009 which will issue to local authorities shortly.

Written Answers — Urban Renewal Schemes: Urban Renewal Schemes (29 Apr 2009)

Michael Finneran: My Department continues to support an ambitious regeneration programme which seeks to improve the lives and conditions of individuals and families living in severe disadvantage. This exchequer funded programme includes a broad range of projects from smaller estates in regional towns, to inner city flat complexes in Dublin City. The following table presents an overview of the programme: ...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (29 Apr 2009)

Michael Finneran: Local authorities allocate social housing to eligible applicants in accordance with the terms of their Scheme of Letting Priorities adopted under section 11 of the Housing Act 1988. There are a variety of allocation systems in use and housing authorities have discretion as to the type of prioritisation system they wish to adopt. Based on a study carried out in my Department in 2005 the...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (29 Apr 2009)

Michael Finneran: Local authorities allocate social housing to eligible applicants in accordance with the terms of their Scheme of Letting Priorities adopted under section 11 of the Housing Act 1988. There are a variety of allocation systems in use and housing authorities have discretion as to the type of prioritisation system they wish to adopt. Based on a study carried out in my Department in 2005 the...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (28 Apr 2009)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 374, 375, 383 and 384 together. My Department's involvement with the new Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability relates primarily to the recoupment of a proportion of local authority expenditure on the payment of individual grants. These schemes, introduced in November 2007, are funded by 80% recoupments available from...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (28 Apr 2009)

Michael Finneran: I assume the question refers to the commitment entered into by the Government under the social partnership agreement, Towards 2016, and the National Development Plan 2007 – 2013, which was to achieve 27,000 social housing "starts" over the three year period 2007 to 2009. We have already made considerable progress towards this target in 2007 and 2008 with some 16,000 starts/acquisitions...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (28 Apr 2009)

Michael Finneran: During March, my Department held Housing Action Plan meetings with all housing authorities. The purpose of these meetings was to discuss the direction and content of authorities' proposed housing investment programmes and particularly to consider the prioritisation of projects and the reconfiguration of the Social Housing Investment Programme as a whole, so that it can be sustained and...

Written Answers — Urban Renewal Schemes: Urban Renewal Schemes (28 Apr 2009)

Michael Finneran: My Department continues to provide strong support for the regeneration project across Limerick City, through ongoing liaison with the Limerick Northside and Southside Regeneration Agencies and with the local authorities in the area. Since their establishment in June 2007 the Regeneration Agencies have delivered two regeneration vision plans, developed a strong framework for inter-agency...

Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (23 Apr 2009)

Michael Finneran: I thank the Deputies who have contributed to this debate, both last night and today. Members on all sides of the House are genuinely concerned about the impact the cancellation of the Christmas bonus payment will have on all long-term social welfare recipients, especially those persons who are unemployed and pensioners. The Government shares that concern and as the Minister, Deputy Hanafin,...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (23 Apr 2009)

Michael Finneran: While meetings take place on a regular basis between my Department and local authorities on many aspects of social and affordable housing programmes, including individual housing projects, I assume the Question refers to the biannual Housing Action Plan (HAP) meetings held between my Department and the housing departments of local authorities in 2008. The purpose of these meetings is to...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (23 Apr 2009)

Michael Finneran: During March, my Department held Housing Action Plan meetings with all housing authorities. The purpose of these meetings was to discuss the direction and content of authorities' proposed housing investment programmes and particularly to consider the prioritisation of projects and the reconfiguration of the Social Housing Investment Programme as a whole, so that it can be sustained and...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (23 Apr 2009)

Michael Finneran: My Department is committed to the improvement of the insulation and general energy efficiency of local authority houses and to that end has developed a comprehensive national programme for the "greening" of the social housing stock. This programme includes a range of energy efficiency initiatives for which some €50 million has been set aside in 2009. The range of energy efficiency...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (23 Apr 2009)

Michael Finneran: I assume that the Question refers to the new Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability. Allocations to individual local authorities under these schemes will be announced following the publication of the Revised Estimates of Public Expenditure 2009.

Written Answers — Homeless Services: Homeless Services (9 Apr 2009)

Michael Finneran: My Department is responsible for funding accommodation and related costs of adult homeless services and the Health Services Executive is responsible for funding care related costs. Definitive allocations have not yet been issued by my Department for 2009. Housing authorities have been advised, however, of the need to prioritise front line services in the deployment of resources and of the...

Written Answers — Anti-Social Behaviour: Anti-Social Behaviour (9 Apr 2009)

Michael Finneran: The Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1997 sets out the powers available to housing authorities and, where appropriate, approved housing bodies to deal with anti-social behaviour in their housing stock. The exercise of these powers in individual cases is a matter for the relevant authority or housing body to decide. Under Section 34 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (9 Apr 2009)

Michael Finneran: Work is continuing on a number of substantive amendments to the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008 which I hope to table at Committee Stage in the Dail. These include provisions in relation to the tenant purchase of apartments; amendments to provide a statutory basis for the making of homelessness action plans; and provisions for a new affordable homes purchase scheme. I am also...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (9 Apr 2009)

Michael Finneran: Information from local authorities indicates that the number of affordable units on hands nationally is now in the region of 3,700 units. Many of these are already in process of sale or will be sold in the coming months. In light of analysis by the Affordable Homes Partnership and engagement with local authorities, a circular has now issued to authorities setting out guidance in relation...

Written Answers — Housing Statistics: Housing Statistics (9 Apr 2009)

Michael Finneran: My Department collates and publishes a wide range of housing statistics that inform the preparation and evaluation of housing policy. Among the areas of activity covered are statistics on: · the delivery of various social and affordable housing supports · housing construction activity · inspections in the private rented sector · house prices and lending activity My Department collates...

Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed). (9 Apr 2009)

Michael Finneran: As was made clear by the Minister for Finance on Tuesday and in the weeks leading up to the budget, the decisions taken by the Government on measures to help restore balance to the public finances have been extremely difficult. They are necessary and have not been undertaken lightly. It is fair to say that they are among the most difficult economic decisions any Irish Government has faced...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (8 Apr 2009)

Michael Finneran: My Department's commitment to supporting the voluntary and co-operative housing sector as part of our overall approach to meeting housing need remains strong and I welcome the valuable contribution made by the sector in recent years in helping to meet the ambitious targets for social housing set out under Towards 2016. Under the social housing investment programme (SHIP) local authorities...