Results 1,641-1,660 of 2,386 for speaker:Michael Finneran

Ministerial Responsibilities. (5 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: I acted as fast as possible when the matter came to my attention. I did not delay on it. I moved immediately but the Dáil was not in session when the matter was brought to my attention on 22 December 2008. The House had risen. I had the legislation available on the first sitting day of the new session and I ensured the audit was carried out in the meantime. I moved as fast as I could.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (4 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: The various affordable housing schemes are designed to assist lower income households who find themselves priced out of the market. The schemes allow individuals to purchase a property at a significantly lower cost than market value. Generally speaking, the schemes are for the benefit of first time buyers. Additionally, a mortgage subsidy or, as appropriate, a rental subsidy under the Shared...

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (4 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: The Deputy supported the long-term lease of houses.

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (4 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: The Deputy was here before me.

Written Answers — Housing Aid for the Elderly: Housing Aid for the Elderly (3 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: The Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability are funded by 80% recoupment available from my Department together with 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority. Local authorities will be notified of their combined capital allocations for the operation of the Schemes in 2009, following the publication of the Revised Estimates for Public...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (3 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: The regeneration of Croke Villas and Dominick Street are two of a number of projects included in Dublin City Council's Housing Regeneration Programme. It is a matter for Dublin City Council to finalise the approach to progressing these projects and, subject to the outcome, to submit proposals to the Department for project approval and funding from within the annual housing allocation made...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (3 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: I very recently approved funding under my Department's Capital Assistance Scheme for this project. Limerick County Council is responsible for the administration of the scheme and it is a matter for the Council to deal with any payment claims from the housing body in question.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (3 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 allows for information held by the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) to be shared with the Revenue Commissioners on a case by case request basis. The Public Accounts Committee, in its report Taxation of Rental Income Receipts published on 4 September 2008, recommended that the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 should be amended to enable the Revenue...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (3 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: In June 2008 my Department issued approval to Dublin City Council to proceed to detailed design stage for a social housing project at the site referred to. My Department is currently awaiting Dublin City Council's detailed proposal for this project.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (3 Feb 2009)

Michael Finneran: Details of activity on social and affordable housing programmes in County Meath for the years 2004 to 2007 and for the first two quarters of 2008 are set out in my Department's Housing Statistics Bulletins, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas library and on my Department's website at www.environ.ie. Data for quarters three and four of 2008 are currently being compiled, and will be...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (29 Jan 2009)

Michael Finneran: It is a matter for each local authority to administer house purchase loans having regard to housing needs, local market conditions and individual circumstances. In approving a shared ownership transaction, local authorities must consider, inter alia, the ability of applicants to make the necessary mortgage and rent payments and satisfy themselves that the borrower's income is sufficient to...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (29 Jan 2009)

Michael Finneran: Local authorities have powers under the Housing Act 1966 to acquire dwellings for social housing purposes and are encouraged to exercise these powers as befits their social housing programmes and the particular housing needs in their areas. Their acquisition of dwellings through purchase, second hand purchase, infill turnkey developments and Part V arrangements is a very important component...

The Economy: Statements (Resumed) (29 Jan 2009)

Michael Finneran: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Andrews, for sharing time with me. The Government is on the right path to steer this country successfully through the national and international financial crisis. I have previously outlined to the House the Government's intentions in the various strands of the housing programme. I would like to focus today on the new proposal I announced recently on the...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (28 Jan 2009)

Michael Finneran: The redevelopment of the Charlemont Street flat complex is one of a number of projects included in Dublin City Council's Housing Regeneration Programme and is currently the subject of procurement under a competitive dialogue process. It is up to Dublin City Council to finalise this process and, subject to the outcome, submit a proposal to the Department for project approval and funding from...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (28 Jan 2009)

Michael Finneran: An application to construct a house at Parkmore, Baltinglass was received in my Department from Wicklow County Council on 11 December, 2006. My Department's housing inspectorate examined the proposal and was of the opinion that it would offer better value for money and better use of the available land if the Council were to build a number of houses on the land rather than a single house. The...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (28 Jan 2009)

Michael Finneran: Housing related projects in Counties Carlow and Wicklow for which applications for funding have been received are listed in the following tables. The most complete and up to date statement of Carlow and Wicklow County Councils' water services infrastructural requirements is set out in the Assessment of Needs produced by the Councils in response to my Department's request to all local...

Child Protection: Motion (Resumed) (28 Jan 2009)

Michael Finneran: As one who represents the constituency where the national focus has centred, I can say we are all deeply troubled by the severe maltreatment, sexual violation, emotional devastation and extreme neglect which have surfaced in this case. There is no doubt that on whatever side of the House we sit, the health and well-being of our children is something about which each of us cares deeply. The...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second and Subsequent Stages (28 Jan 2009)

Michael Finneran: I listened with great interest to what Members had to say and I appreciate the high quality of their contributions. I again acknowledge the positive way in which this legislation has been considered. I reiterate that what is involved here is a simple procedural error — a technical flaw — which casts no reflection on the quality of the tenancies tribunal convened during the period in...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second and Subsequent Stages (28 Jan 2009)

Michael Finneran: I thank Members for their co-operation in the passage of this emergency legislation. The co-operation of the Opposition is appreciated. I apologise for not being able to take the Bill last night but I have explained the reasons. Again, I acknowledge the co-operation of the House in this matter.

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second and Subsequent Stages (28 Jan 2009)

Michael Finneran: Before outlining the precise circumstances which have given rise to the need for this legislation, I will clarify an issue raised in the course of yesterday's Dáil debate on the Bill which delayed its arrival in the Seanad yesterday evening. A question was raised concerning the period that would remain in the term of membership of the Private Residential Tenancies Board's dispute resolution...