Results 15,221-15,240 of 20,817 for speaker:Alan Kelly

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Yield (18 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: I understand that the question relates to revenue from motor tax for the current year. Vehicles registered prior to 1 July 2008 are taxed on the basis of engine capacity. Gross motor tax receipts (including arrears payments) from vehicles taxed on engine capacity for each licensing authority for the period from 1 January to 31 October 2015 are set out below. It should be noted that Dublin...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Mortgage Arrears Rate (18 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: My Department publishes a wide range of housing statistics, including the number and value of local authority mortgages with a breakdown of those in arrears. The statistics are available on my Department’s website at:by clicking “Mortgage Data/Arrears in Local Authorities” under the Housing Loans contents. The data illustrate a gradual stabilisation and improvement in...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Mortgage to Rent Scheme Data (18 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: The AHB (private) Mortgage to Rent Scheme is now established as an important part of the mortgage arrears resolution process. Since the Scheme began in June 2012 a total of 3,120 cases were considered to the end of October 2015. 119 cases have been approved and a further 634 cases are being actively progressed. In addition, in 49 cases, agreement could not be reached on the sale and 20...

Housing and Homelessness: Motion [Private Members] (17 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: There are thousands more people working.

Housing and Homelessness: Motion [Private Members] (17 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: That is rubbish. Go back and look at the research and analysis done a year ago.

Housing and Homelessness: Motion [Private Members] (17 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: I am glad to have had the opportunity again to address the House on these issues, which are so important. The issues of housing and homelessness are absolutely the top priority in my Department and ones we face head-on. This country is dealing with the legacy of a property bubble that contributed to an economic crisis, which in turn led to massively reduced budgets for key social services,...

Housing and Homelessness: Motion [Private Members] (17 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: They never did it. The homelessness debate is complex and there are major issues in many aspects of housing policy, both public and private. It will probably surprise many of the Deputies opposite to hear that more than 1,000 social units will be purchased or built directly by local authorities this year. It will also probably surprise them to hear that approximately 3,000 new leasing...

Housing and Homelessness: Motion [Private Members] (17 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: Nothing.

Housing and Homelessness: Motion [Private Members] (17 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: While the supply of housing is taking time, progress is being made by the Government, local authorities and approved housing bodies, AHB, sector. I met a gentleman today by the name of Patrick Kinsella. The Government, through the Peter McVerry Trust, acquired units that allowed him to get the keys to his new home, which is a five minute walk from where I am standing. He had spent more...

Housing and Homelessness: Motion [Private Members] (17 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: I move amendment No. 1:To delete all words after “Dáil Éireann” and substitute the following:acknowledges that the construction sector and the housing market were profoundly affected by the economic downturn, consequently creating a significant shortfall in both market and social housing supply; welcomes the economic recovery and increase in job creation underway for...

Housing and Homelessness: Motion [Private Members] (17 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: Deputy Coppinger need not worry as I know what she said.

Housing and Homelessness: Motion [Private Members] (17 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: I thank the Deputies for proposing this motion. I welcome the fact that Members have raised the issue of housing and homelessness once again, ensuring this important topic can be discussed tonight. Homelessness and housing are top of my and the Government’s agenda. Every day I am working with my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Coffey, to deliver real and tangible solutions...

Housing and Homelessness: Motion [Private Members] (17 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: I would like to take this opportunity to put on the record of the House the excellent work of the NGO sector in meeting the challenges on a day-to-day basis at the front line of homelessness service delivery. The full truth of the homelessness situation is that there are many stories of desperation. There are also stories, however, of inspiration, of hope, of people and families rising...

Housing and Homelessness: Motion [Private Members] (17 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: -----so it can politically benefit and validate its flawed theory that there is no hope for people, that communities are not capable of rising above poverty or that people cannot rise out of homelessness. The AAA Members are wrong and I saw it again just today.

Housing and Homelessness: Motion [Private Members] (17 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: Just like it did with the property tax, just like SYRIZA, just like it did on water charges, the AAA walks away from causes it leads when the going gets tough. I am delighted Deputy Paul Murphy saw sense to pay his property tax.

Housing and Homelessness: Motion [Private Members] (17 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: I noted, with great humour, that Deputy Paul Murphy had to have a meeting with his AAA colleagues to get permission to pay his property tax. I remember when this Dáil started in 2011, there was a supposed new dawn with the United Left Alliance.

Housing and Homelessness: Motion [Private Members] (17 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: When politics is the art of the possible, the AAA hides behind ideological theory rather than deal with inconvenient facts. Constructive opposition and debate is welcome. There is an onus on those who criticise to propose something workable, however. It does not take a legal qualification to see where these proposals will fall foul of the Constitution. How exactly is it going to help...

Housing and Homelessness: Motion [Private Members] (17 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: Of course, the AAA has no real interest in helping homelessness, only revelling in misery. I have not seen any budgetary proposal to increase the spending on homeless services for people in dire need. The Government, however, has increased spending on homelessness by approximately 40% in recent years.

Housing and Homelessness: Motion [Private Members] (17 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: All told, this Government will provide over 6,000 new social housing units this year between building, buying, refurbishing and leasing, with another 4,000 people being newly accommodated through the HAP, housing assistance payment, scheme. When one is in government, one has to deal in solutions. Members opposite criticise. We analyse, prioritise and solve. People benefit from our...

Housing and Homelessness: Motion [Private Members] (17 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: The Government has rightly prioritised the recovery of the economy and increasing employment. The economy is now the fastest growing in Europe, with growth of 5.2% GDP seen in 2014 set to be outdone this year by growth of over 6%. This fast growth, taken together with unemployment now being below 9% for the first time since 2008, is a phenomenal achievement, and one of which I and my party...