Results 14,921-14,940 of 20,884 for speaker:Alan Kelly

Social Housing: Motion [Private Members] (26 Jan 2016)

Alan Kelly: In 2015, we increased Exchequer funding for social housing by more than a quarter over the previous year's level to €800 million. As a result of our new, focused approach last year, we achieved a marked fall in the number of vacant social houses to as low as 1% in Dublin city and some 2,700 units were completed. We introduced legislation giving local authorities enhanced powers to...

Social Housing: Motion [Private Members] (26 Jan 2016)

Alan Kelly: It was certainly far weaker than what the Government delivered in December.

Social Housing: Motion [Private Members] (26 Jan 2016)

Alan Kelly: Our approach to tackling homelessness has been handled in a holistic manner with a focus on prevention wherever possible. In 2015, our policies were designed to increase local authority flexibility, test innovative new approaches and provide strategic support to front-line staff in delivering services. I have increased funding for homeless services to €70 million for 2016. This will...

Social Housing: Motion [Private Members] (26 Jan 2016)

Alan Kelly: I move amendment No. 2:To delete all words after “Dáil Éireann” and substitute the following:"recognises the high priority which the Government has afforded to increasing housing supply, through its Construction 2020 Strategy and its Social Housing Strategy 2020; acknowledges the demand for social housing as demonstrated by the approximately 90,000 households on the...

Social Housing: Motion [Private Members] (26 Jan 2016)

Alan Kelly: These results are the most up-to-date and reliable figures currently available. The 2013 figure is, of course, subject to ongoing fluctuation due to households being allocated housing and new households applying for housing support. The claim that the 2013 figures have since increased to a figure of 130,000 on the basis of information obtained from current local authority files is flawed....

Social Housing: Motion [Private Members] (26 Jan 2016)

Alan Kelly: I did not sign an order.

Social Housing: Motion [Private Members] (26 Jan 2016)

Alan Kelly: Misleading?

Seanad: Local Government Review: Statements (26 Jan 2016)

Alan Kelly: Hopefully, the Cathaoirleach will not be saying that to me in a few months.

Seanad: Local Government Review: Statements (26 Jan 2016)

Alan Kelly: I thank the House for inviting me to discuss this important topic. I thank everyone in the House, including Senators from Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, the Labour Party and Sinn Féin, for the cross-party support for this motion. It is admirable and should be acknowledged. This provides me, as the Minister responsible for local government, with an important opportunity to update the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Quality (26 Jan 2016)

Alan Kelly: The Moy estuary is monitored as part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) national Water Framework Directive monitoring programme. Under this programme the EPA assesses general physico-chemical parameters (nutrients, oxygen, temperature, salinity) and biological quality elements (phytoplankton, macroalgae and angiosperms). In addition, Inland Fisheries Ireland assesses fish...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Conservation Grant Data (26 Jan 2016)

Alan Kelly: The Water Conservation Grant is a key element of the Government's drive to promote conservation and more sustainable use of water services in the home. On the basis of the administration of the 2015 grant scheme, a figure of €110 million has been provided for the 2016 grant scheme in the 2016 Revised Estimates for Public Services.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Tenant Purchase Scheme Administration (26 Jan 2016)

Alan Kelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 463 and 468 together. The new incremental tenant purchase scheme for existing local authority houses came into operation on 1 January 2016 in accordance with the provisions of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 and the Housing (Sale of Local Authority Houses) Regulations 2015. In November 2015 local authorities were circulated with details of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Staff Recruitment (26 Jan 2016)

Alan Kelly: As announced in Budget 2015, the moratorium on recruitment has been lifted throughout the Local Authority sector. Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he or she is responsible. Overall staffing levels are agreed through a...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Maintenance (26 Jan 2016)

Alan Kelly: I will announce 2016 funding allocations to local authorities shortly in respect of the continuing programme of insulation retrofitting for social housing. Funding of some €8 2 million has been provided from 2013 to 2015 to support the authorities in improving the energy performance of older local authority housing stock, resulting in improved energy efficiency and comfort levels, and...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Provision (26 Jan 2016)

Alan Kelly: My Department does not provide funding to local authorities in respect of the routine turnaround of social housing stock; this would be a matter for each local authority as part of their normal responsibilities for maintaining their social housing properties. In 2014 my Department introduced a new, target-driven programme to support local authorities to return vacant properties to productive...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Septic Tank Grants (26 Jan 2016)

Alan Kelly: The Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2013, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas library, brought into operation a grants scheme to assist with the cost of remediation of septic tanks and domestic waste water treatment systems which are deemed, following inspection under the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Inspection Plan, to...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Septic Tank Grants (26 Jan 2016)

Alan Kelly: The Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2013, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas library, brought into operation a grants scheme to assist with the cost of remediation of septic tanks and domestic waste water treatment systems which are deemed, following inspection under the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Inspection Plan, to...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Data (26 Jan 2016)

Alan Kelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 473 and 474 together. As noted in the Programme for Government Annual Report 2016, over 13,000 units were delivered across all social housing programmes in 2015, representing an 86% increase on the 7,000 units delivered in 2014. While this represents very tangible progress, in order to deal comprehensively with the housing list, further ambitious targets will...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Public Service Reform Plan Measures (26 Jan 2016)

Alan Kelly: The Programme for Government 2011to 2016 included various reforms to increase efficiency and effectiveness in the public sector. Public Service Agreements have been the primary vehicles used to implement these reforms. Consultative forums and other resolution mechanisms are an inherent and integral feature in the delivery of any reform programme. Where the need has arisen, resolution...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Charges Administration (26 Jan 2016)

Alan Kelly: A new water charging regime of annual capped charges was announced by the Government on 19 November 2014. The charges structure was revised with a view to making it simpler and fairer, providing more clarity and certainty to households. The capped annual charge is €160 for single adult households and €260 for all other households until the end of 2018. All households now...