Results 15,241-15,260 of 20,884 for speaker:Alan Kelly

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Review of Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 34 - Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (24 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: I understand.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Review of Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 34 - Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (24 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: I understand the issues involved. Based on advice we have taken, there are constitutional issues in finding out if there is someone who has a claim on it. We have to obey the Constitution, although I accept the Deputy's point.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Review of Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 34 - Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (24 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: Of course.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Review of Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 34 - Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (24 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: Essentially, it will have to be streamlined. The Deputy's point is well made.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Review of Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 34 - Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (24 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: I outlined a load of changes we had made in engaging with local authorities to shorten and streamline the process involved by getting rid of red tape, allowing approvals and devolving responsibility for the allocation of funding, etc. As part of the process, we will have a look at this issue also.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Review of Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 34 - Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (24 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: We will provide the committee with documentation on choice-based lettings and refusals, including the reasons they are being refused and the numbers involved.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Review of Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 34 - Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (24 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: Obviously, we do not have access to NAMA's information, but the vast bulk of what it has available is occupied. Earlier I indicated what NAMA had delivered. We can get a breakdown of where it has delivered it, if the Deputy so requires it, but, as I said, I do not have access to NAMA's information. However, I understand the vast majority of what it has available it is now occupied.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing Assistance Payments (24 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: The implementation of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme is a key Government priority and a major pillar of the Social Housing Strategy 2020. There are currently more than 5,100 households in receipt of HAP and the scheme has been rolled out to all categories of household in 18 local authority areas. The maximum rent limits for different household classes that apply in each local...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Library Services Provision (24 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 527 and 544 together. A draft Libraries Capital Investment Programme is being developed by my Department for investment in library infrastructure over the period 2016-2021. The proposed library at Edgeworthstown has been identified by Longford County Council as a priority investment and, accordingly, will be considered in that context.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Quality (24 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: The Water Services Act 2007 provides that the owner of a premises is responsible for the maintenance and renewal of the internal water distribution system to ensure that water intended for human consumption meets required quality standards. Responsibility for replacing lead pipes or fittings within the property boundaries, including within the house itself, therefore rests with the homeowner....

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Functions (24 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: My Department will issue a request to local authorities at the first suitable opportunity to remove signage relating to public infrastructure provided by them that sets out information that is no longer necessary or is out of date and whose display is no longer required by the funding body concerned.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations Compliance (24 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: The arrangements for the acquisition of social housing units at the Johnston Court development in Sligo is a matter for the County Council. I understand that the Council has been working to complete this deal, alongside the approved housing body that will manage the units, and their legal representatives are in contact with those of the developer with a view to resolution of outstanding...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: An Bord Pleanála Review (24 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 535 and 557 together. In July 2015, I announced details of an organisational review of An Bord Pleaná la (the Board) to be undertaken by an external independent review group who, having regard to its terms of reference, have been mandated to prepare a report to me and make recommendations to support theBoard in its operations, with a view to ensuring...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Wastewater Treatment (24 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: My Department commissioned a representative sample of local authorities in a pilot project to identify the extent of problems arising from developer-provided water services infrastructure nationally, a range of possible solutions and the potential costs involved. Based on investigations carried out in the functional areas of the local authorities participating in the pilot project, the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Provision (24 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: I have recently received a submission from the Irish League of Credit Unions which contains a proposal setting out a means by which funding could be provided to Approved Housing Bodies by credit unions for the development of social housing. I welcome the willingness of credit unions to actively seek a role in financing the delivery of social housing. The submission is comprehensive and...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Special Protection Areas Designation (24 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: I understand that the Question refers to a Dublin City Council project at Dollymount, comprising a cycleway proposal as well as flood alleviation works to address anticipated higher tides and sea levels, which was originally approved by An Bord Pleanála in 2011 under section 226 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, relating to foreshore developments. The environmental...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Emergency Accommodation Provision (24 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: Under a Ministerial Direction, which applies until 31 January 2016, key local authorities are required to prioritise homeless and other vulnerable households in the allocation of tenancies under their control. The four Dublin local authorities have been directed to allocate 50% of all available dwellings to such households, while the local authorities in counties Cork, Galway, Limerick and...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Collection (24 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: At 31 October 2015, 2,576,900 vehicles were taxed and 97,141 vehicles were declared off the road. Details of the number of vehicles untaxed at that date are not available.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Land Acquisition (24 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: The Land Aggregation Scheme was introduced in 2010 as part of revised arrangements for the funding of land for social housing purposes. The primary purpose of the Scheme was to assist in the gradual unwinding of loans taken out by housing authorities to purchase land for the social and affordable housing investment programme. Applications to the value of some €163 million in loans...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Electoral Commission Establishment (24 Nov 2015)

Alan Kelly: In January 2015, I published a consultation paper on the establishment of an Electoral Commission and invited the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht to undertake a public consultation process on that paper and report back to me.  The Committee completed its consultations at the end of July 2015 and, I understand, is currently considering its report and...