Results 14,701-14,720 of 20,798 for speaker:Alan Kelly

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing Assistance Payments Eligibility (6 Apr 2016)

Alan Kelly: The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme is being introduced incrementally on a pilot basis to local authority areas. Since HAP commenced in September 2014, some 8,000 households have been supported by the scheme and HAP is now available to all qualified households in 19 local authority areas. HAP provides for the transfer of responsibility for long-term recipients of rent supplement...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Boundaries Review (6 Apr 2016)

Alan Kelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 735 and 786 together. The chairpersons of the committees which are reviewing the boundaries at Athlone, Carlow, Drogheda and Waterford have indicated that further work is required in order to complete the reviews, including work arising from the large volume of submissions received on foot of public consultations. My Department is in communication with...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Maintenance (6 Apr 2016)

Alan Kelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 737 to 739, inclusive, together. The management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including the implementation of planned maintenance programmes and carrying out of responsive repairs and pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, is a matter for each individual local authority under section 58 of the Housing Act, 1966 and are not directly...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing Policy (6 Apr 2016)

Alan Kelly: A shortage of supply is at the heart of the challenges in housing and the construction sector is currently not building enough residential units to meet demand in a country with a growing population and economy. Where the estimated requirement is 25,000 new units per annum the construction sector is currently delivering around half that. The supply issue is putting upward pressure on rents...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Severe Weather Events Expenditure (6 Apr 2016)

Alan Kelly: My Department is making €18m additional funding available to local authorities to support them in meeting the costs associated with the flood response and clean-up activities arising from the severe storms that took place since December 2015. This funding is being provided to local authorities in acknowledgement of the exceptional nature of the work undertaken in protecting homes and...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Election Management System (6 Apr 2016)

Alan Kelly: The primary role of my Department in electoral matters is to provide an appropriate policy and legislative framework for a modern and efficient electoral system. Within that framework, local returning officers are responsible for all matters in connection with the actual conduct of elections and referendums, including the selection, appointment and training of polling station and count staff...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Library Projects (6 Apr 2016)

Alan Kelly: The provision of premises and facilities in the public library service is generally a matter for each local authority in its capacity as a library authority. Notwithstanding this, my Department recently announced a new Libraries Capital Investment Programme for the period 2016-2021. Some €22m will be available to local authorities under the programme as a contribution towards the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Tourism Promotion (6 Apr 2016)

Alan Kelly: My Department works closely with Sligo County Council in relation to the Council’s overall staffing requirements. However, under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001 , it is the Chief Executive of the Council who is responsible for staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority. My Department has not received a sanction...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (6 Apr 2016)

Alan Kelly: The advancement of the two social housing construction projects in Co. Sligo which I approved in 2015, including the dates they will start on site, is a matter for Sligo County Council which is managing both projects. My Department has made funding provision for these and other social housing proposals by Sligo County Council and I am very keen to see them advanced to tendering and site...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Funding (6 Apr 2016)

Alan Kelly: I assume that the Question refers to General Purpose Grants from the Local Government Fund. General Purpose Grants were a contribution from my Department towards meeting the cost to local authorities of providing a reasonable level of services to their customers. The amount paid to local authorities from the Local Government Fund for General Purpose Grants in 2014 recognised the removal of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (6 Apr 2016)

Alan Kelly: Information on the ‘Average Re-letting Time’ for social housing is set out on the website of the National Oversight and Audit Commission. The most recent published information covering all local authorities is in respect of 2014 and is available at the following link: . Information in respect of 2013 is at the following link: .

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Mortgage to Rent Scheme Data (6 Apr 2016)

Alan Kelly: The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes Funding (6 Apr 2016)

Alan Kelly: Kerry County Council has included the Group Water Scheme in question in its application to my Department for funding under the new Rural Water Multi-Annual Funding Programme for the period 2016 to 2018 . My Department is currently considering local authorities' bids for funding and allocations to authorities for funding under the new programme will be provided shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (6 Apr 2016)

Alan Kelly: My Department has received no proposal for funding from Tipperary County Council In relation to the property referred to. As the provision of social housing services is a matter for each local authority, in its capacity as the housing authority for its area, the authorities identify their areas’ social housing needs and respond as required. This includes delegated sanction from my...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (6 Apr 2016)

Alan Kelly: The advancement of this social housing project is a matter for Kerry County Council following on from the approval -in-principle my Department has given it. I am keen to see this and all other social housing projects advanced as soon as possible and in that regard, I am pleased to note that the Council sought and received pre-tender approval from my Department earlier this year. I expect a...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Planning Issues (6 Apr 2016)

Alan Kelly: There are no specific planning guidelines in respect of solar farms and I have no proposals to bring forward such guidelines at the present time. However, the matter will be kept under review, in consultation with my colleague the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in the context of the Government’s recently published White Paper on Energy Policy entitled...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Emergency Accommodation Provision (6 Apr 2016)

Alan Kelly: I am very aware that living in emergency accommodation in hotels in the medium to long-term causes stress for family life, and is particularly inappropriate for children. Local authorities, the HSE and Tusla (the Child and Family Agency) try to practically support families in emergency accommodation as much as possible so as to minimise any detrimental effects. In addition, 25 additional...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Funding (6 Apr 2016)

Alan Kelly: I and my colleague, Minister Paudie Coffey, met with the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) on 1 December 2015 to discuss a submission setting out a proposed means by which funding could be provided to Approved Housing Bodies, by credit unions, for the development of social housing. My Department has since had a further meeting with the ILCU to address technical aspects of its proposal. ...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge sa Státseirbhís (6 Apr 2016)

Alan Kelly: Tá 719 fostaithe i mo Roinn ar bhonn coibhéiseach lánaimseartha, agus níl éinne acu i bpost atá ainmnithe le riachtanas Gaeilge. Mar chuid dá Phleanáil d’Fhórsa Saothair, rinne mo Roinn imscrúdú ar líon na bpost ina bhfuil inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge ag teastáil. Fuarthas nach bhfuil poist den chineál sin sa Roinn,...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge sa Státseirbhís (6 Apr 2016)

Alan Kelly: Tá mo Roinn tiomanta seirbhísí den scoth a sholáthar dá custaiméirí i nGaeilge nó i mBéarla agus i nGaeilge. Cuireadh an triú Scéim Ghaeilge de chuid na Roinne, arna ullmhú de réir Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003, i bhfeidhm ar 16 Meán Fómhair, 2013. Réitíonn an scéim le prionsabail na...