Results 1,621-1,640 of 2,386 for speaker:Michael Finneran

Written Answers — Housing Regulations: Housing Regulations (5 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 221 together. The Housing (Home Choice Loan) Regulations 2008, which provide for the introduction of the Home Choice Loan scheme came into effect on 1 January 2009. The scheme is now fully operational. Over 1,200 prospective purchasers had formally registered interest on the dedicated Home Choice website (www.homechoiceloan.ie) in advance of the...

Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (5 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: My Department has no function in the operational matters of the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB), which is an independent statutory body established under the terms of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004. The board's performance is, however, now benefiting from the increase in its permanent staff complement from 26 to 40 approved by my Department last year. The PRTB may be...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (5 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: It is a feature of the operation of the affordable housing schemes that individual authorities ordinarily have a certain quantum of completed affordable homes on hands at any given time, principally comprising units either being prepared for, or in the course of, sale. However, the information available from local authorities would suggest that the strong level of affordable housing delivery...

Written Answers — Housing Aid for the Elderly: Housing Aid for the Elderly (5 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: In line with my objective of prioritising the needs of the most vulnerable households, the financial provision secured for housing in 2009 will allow for the level of funding allocated towards housing supports for older people and people with a disability this year to be increased by 8% over the initial estimate for 2008. This provision will enable local authorities to continue effectively...

Written Answers — Housing Needs Assessments: Housing Needs Assessments (5 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: The Housing (Miscellaneous) Provisions Bill 2008, published in July 2008, provides for a new housing needs assessment process, replacing section 9 of the Housing Act 1988, which currently governs the assessment of need. The new provisions give the Minister power to require housing authorities to carry out housing needs assessments periodically. Following the enactment of the Bill and the...

Written Answers — Energy Ratings: Energy Ratings (5 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: The Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB), an independent statutory body established under the terms of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, has no function with regard to the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2008 or the European Communities (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations 2006-2008. The Board's principal functions include the resolution of disputes between...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (5 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 223, 229 and 231 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. A statutory assessment of housing need is carried out every three years by all housing authorities...

Written Answers — Urban Renewal Schemes: Urban Renewal Schemes (5 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: My Department continues to provide strong support for the regeneration project across Limerick City, through ongoing liaison with the Limerick Northside and Southside Regeneration Agencies and with the local authorities in the area. In 2008 alone, some €16 million was provided under the national regeneration programme and the Department's sustainable communities fund to support the...

Social and Affordable Housing. (5 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: Under the social housing investment programme, local authorities have traditionally met social housing needs mainly through the construction of housing in local authority estates. In recent years, the supply channels have been expanded to include an increased number of acquisitions, in particular under Part V agreements, and through arrangements with private landlords under the rental...

Social and Affordable Housing. (5 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: The moneys available to local authorities and the voluntary groups in 2009 for housing programmes is close to €1 billion. The sum for the leasing programme amounts to €20 million. The home choice loan is provided through the local authority system. The equity loan will be dealt with under the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008 that will be before the Dáil in a couple of...

Social and Affordable Housing. (5 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: It will not be possible to purchase a house under the scheme as it is a leasing scheme. It will not be any different from taking a local authority house because the landlord will be the local authority or the voluntary body. There is a great similarity and the differential rent will apply. One will not be entitled to purchase. However, as the Deputy will be aware, the Housing...

Social and Affordable Housing. (5 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: That would be entirely a matter for the local authorities involved. They will have to get suitable properties in the location corresponding to the people on their lists, and they will also have to conform to Government guidelines on sustainable communities, namely, a mix of social and private housing. In some ways that may present an even better opportunity for a mix of housing.

Social and Affordable Housing. (5 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: No, it applies to first-time lets.

Ministerial Responsibilities. (5 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 58 together. Under the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) (No.2) Order 2008, the powers delegated to me in my capacity as a Minister of State include the powers conferred on the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government by the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, other than sections 153, 154, 155...

Ministerial Responsibilities. (5 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: The matter was brought to the Department's attention in December 2008.

Ministerial Responsibilities. (5 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: By the PRTB. It was brought to my attention on 22 December 2008.

Ministerial Responsibilities. (5 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: It was brought to the Department's attention and then it was brought to my attention on 22 December 2008. I acted with haste and I dealt with the matter on the first sitting day of the new session in January and we regularised the position. A full audit was carried out and it was established that there were no other illegal appointments. When the issue regarding the DRC appointments was...

Ministerial Responsibilities. (5 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: I am not aware of any. No cases have been brought to my attention.

Ministerial Responsibilities. (5 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: I did not state the audit identified the problem. The audit identified there were no further problems.

Ministerial Responsibilities. (5 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: The matter was brought to the Department's attention in mid-December and it was brought to my attention on 22 December. In the interim, the Department sought an audit, the results of which were made available in January, and there were no further problems.