Results 1,581-1,600 of 2,386 for speaker:Michael Finneran

Seanad: Housing Aid for the Elderly (19 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: I thank the Senator for giving me this opportunity to discuss the operation and funding of the suite of housing adaptation grant schemes for older people and people with a disability in 2009. The new suite of grant schemes replaced the previous disabled person's and essential repairs grant schemes late in 2007. I attach great importance to these schemes which play a vital role in...

Seanad: Housing Aid for the Elderly (19 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: The Revised Estimates will be available shortly and they will determine the allocation. I provided in the original Estimates for an 8% increase.

Seanad: Housing Aid for the Elderly (19 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: It is an increase of 8% on 2008.

Seanad: Planning Issues (19 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: I thank Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill for bringing this matter to my attention. Under section 40 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, the duration of a planning permission should normally be a period of five years from the grant of permission. However, under section 41 of the Act, a planning authority or, as the case may be, An Bord Pleanála, may, having regard to the nature and extent of...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (18 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: Under new leasing arrangements housing authorities may enter into long-term leases of private dwellings to meet housing need. The lease periods entered into will be for between 10-20 years. The arrangements once entered into will apply for the full term of the lease regardless of whether the property owner decides to sell the dwelling. This will ensure that tenants will not be affected in...

Written Answers — Urban Renewal Schemes: Urban Renewal Schemes (18 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: As with all Social Housing Investment Programme projects, works and related expenditure and the resulting Exchequer funding requirements must be managed by the commissioning authority in accordance with the allocations available to them. My Department has recouped, and will continue to recoup, qualifying costs in respect of the Ballymun regeneration project in accordance with allocations and...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (18 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: As it is the responsibility of housing authorities to maintain and improve their housing stock, I have set aside €50 million of Exchequer funding under the social housing investment programme for 2009 for a comprehensive energy efficiency programme for local authority housing. This will support a first round of 'Towards Carbon Neutral' demonstration projects for new dwellings as well...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (18 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: Local authorities will be notified of their capital allocations for 2009 in respect of the Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability, following the publication of the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2009.

Written Answers — Housing Projects: Housing Projects (17 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: An application for funding under the Capital Assistance Scheme for a project at this location was received from Cork County Council by my Department in late 2004. Since then, my Department has engaged with the Council with a view to resolving certain technical and procurement issues attaching to the application. In December 2008 further information was requested from the Council and a...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (17 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: The provision of accommodation by approved voluntary and co-operative housing bodies is an integral part of my Department's overall response to delivering on social housing need. Local authorities and approved housing bodies are working in close co-operation to deliver an expanded range of social housing options and a wide range of accommodation types to meet the needs of low-income families...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (17 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: I recently announced new arrangements for the delivery of social housing whereby housing authorities may enter into long-term leases of private dwellings as a means of meeting housing need. My Department has outlined the details of these new arrangements in a circular which I have requested be sent to the Deputy. The purpose of the new arrangements is to provide a wider range of supply...

Written Answers — Housing Schemes: Housing Schemes (17 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: My Department's involvement with the voluntary and co-operative housing schemes relates primarily to the provision of funds for individual projects. The administration of the schemes, including the detailed appraisal of new applications, the management of the planning and procurement stages of projects and the certification that projects comply with the terms and conditions of the funding...

Written Answers — Housing Aid for the Elderly: Housing Aid for the Elderly (17 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: Following the cessation of the Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme from 1 August 2008, it was agreed between my Department and the Health Service Executive, that all applications on hand at that date will be processed by the Health Service Executive under the provisions of the Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme. I expect to make an allocation to the Health Service Executive...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (17 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 402 and 404 together. The Home Choice Loan scheme is available to first time buyers of new houses or self-builds, subject to a maximum loan of €285,000 or maximum LTV of 92% (whichever is the lesser). A minimum income requirement of €40,000 for single applicants and €50,000 for joint applicants applies. The low cost sites scheme is targeted at lower...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (12 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: I refer to the reply to Question No. 1038 of 27 January 2009. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (11 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 236 to 238, inclusive, together. The number of households on a local authority's waiting list continuously fluctuates as households on the list are allocated housing and new households apply for housing support. My Department does not hold information on waiting lists. However, a statutory assessment of housing need is carried out every three years by all...

Written Answers — Housing Aid for the Elderly: Housing Aid for the Elderly (11 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: Local authorities will be notified of their capital allocations for 2009 in respect of the Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes, following the publication of the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2009.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (11 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: In general, following consideration by its Board, the rates charged to local authority borrowers are normally adjusted by the Housing Finance Agency (HFA) in line with movements in European Central Bank (ECB) rates. The Agency recently notified local authorities of its decision to pass on, in full, the 0.5% decrease announced by the ECB in January. The effective rate for local authority...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (11 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: Sanction for a loan of €5.6 million in respect of land acquisition in Castleinch, Listowel was provided to Kerry County Council on 7 August 2008.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (10 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: A Remedial Works Scheme application in relation to the estate in question was received on 3 November 2008 and, following the initial evaluation of all proposals received from local authorities, my Department has informed Kildare County Council that it is favourably disposed towards the proposal and would like to have it progressed under the Remedial Works Scheme Programme for 2009. The...