Results 1,761-1,780 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

Written Answers — Housing Schemes: Housing Schemes (29 Nov 2006)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 261 and 262 together. In the period 2000-2005 funding was allocated under the capital funding schemes to co-operative housing bodies in respect of 419 units of accommodation. The details are set out in the following table. Year Name of Co-operative Housing Association Location No. of Units. 2000 Galway Co-op Corrach Buí, Bishop O'Donnell Road, Galway 12...

Noise Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (29 Nov 2006)

Noel Ahern: From what I heard, the debate has been useful and has provided a good basis for further debate on Committee Stage. Last night and tonight, there seems to have been a fair level of consensus that while there are rules and regulations, there is need for further movement in this regard. I accept we all get complaints about interference with quality of life and people's peace, quiet and...

Noise Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (29 Nov 2006)

Noel Ahern: There is no doubt that some people have far better hearing than others.

Noise Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (29 Nov 2006)

Noel Ahern: The new Dublin Port tunnel runs through part of my constituency. One person, who I hope is not in the Gallery, frequently came to my clinic complaining he heard something going on at night.

Noise Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (29 Nov 2006)

Noel Ahern: I constantly told him I had not received that complaint from anyone else, nor had I heard of any such work going on. Two weeks later, however, it was confirmed that such a machine was being operated that night. While the person was not nearest to it by any means, there is no doubt that on at least two or three occasions he was right. Either he is a very poor sleeper or his sense of hearing...

Written Answers — Security of the Elderly: Security of the Elderly (28 Nov 2006)

Noel Ahern: I presume the Deputy is referring to socially monitored alarms, the provision of which to older people is managed by local community and voluntary groups with the support of my Department, under the Scheme of Community Support for Older People. A maximum individual grant of €300 is provided by my Department to community groups under the Scheme in respect of the once-off installation cost of...

Written Answers — Dormant Accounts Fund: Dormant Accounts Fund (28 Nov 2006)

Noel Ahern: Among the priority measures approved by Government for assistance from dormant accounts in 2006 is one providing funding for community based supports for older people. Applications received for this funding measure are currently being processed, including one received from the organisation in question. This process is almost complete and it is anticipated that decisions will be made by...

Written Answers — Local Authority Schemes: Local Authority Schemes (28 Nov 2006)

Noel Ahern: Any person who is deemed to be homeless and who is assessed by the housing authority to have a long term housing need is eligible for RAS.

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (28 Nov 2006)

Noel Ahern: It is not proposed to introduce a national grant scheme for the installation of central heating in private houses. However, there are a number of selectively targeted schemes currently in operation under which grant-aid is available for the provision of heating systems. These schemes are outlined as follows: Essential Repairs Grant Scheme The essential repairs grant enables people in...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (28 Nov 2006)

Noel Ahern: Local authorities have extensive powers under the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1997 to deal with the problem of anti social behaviour. In fulfilment of commitments in the Housing Policy statement — Building Sustainable Communities, I am reviewing the provisions of this Act with a view to strengthening their powers. The powers of the Gardaí in dealing with this issue were...

Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (28 Nov 2006)

Noel Ahern: Significant resources have been allocated for the operation of the Private Residential Tenancy Board. An increased provision of €3.7 million is available to fund the Board's administration and services in 2006, compared with an outturn of €1.737 million in 2005. There is currently a total of 51.5 staff working in the Board. The Board has also engaged a panel of 175 mediators and...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (28 Nov 2006)

Noel Ahern: The detailed information sought in the Question is not held in my Department. Available information indicates that at 31 December 2005 there were an estimated 2,500 vacant local authority dwellings, exclusive of vacant dwellings which are subject of planned refurbishment/remedial programmes. It is not possible to determine from these general figures how many dwellings are boarded up and...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (23 Nov 2006)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 241 and 242 together. The Government is tackling the misuse of drugs in a concerted, planned and integrated way on several fronts under the National Drugs Strategy. The overall Strategy is being implemented across a range of Government Departments and agencies in conjunction with the community and voluntary sectors. Co-ordinated by my Department through...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (23 Nov 2006)

Noel Ahern: The new house grant scheme was terminated in 2003 to concentrate housing programmes on areas of greatest impact and social need. It is not proposed to reintroduce the grant. However, through overall increases in supply, and increasing output under various affordable housing initiatives, the Government are seeking to improve access to home ownership for first time buyers. These targeted...

Written Answers — Housing Market: Housing Market (23 Nov 2006)

Noel Ahern: My Department does not have definitive figures on the number of first-time buyers in the housing market or a breakdown by county. However, using data on the numbers of loans drawn down for new and second hand houses, together with data received from the financial institutions as part of the development of a more comprehensive housing price statistical system, the following estimates are...

Written Answers — Homeless Persons: Homeless Persons (23 Nov 2006)

Noel Ahern: My Department recently received a letter dated 14 November 2006 from Louth County Council which referred to concerns raised a meeting of the Louth Homelessness Forum on 3 October 2006 in relation to funding for homeless projects. My Department recoups to local authorities 90% of their approved expenditure on the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons in...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (23 Nov 2006)

Noel Ahern: The information requested is set out in the following table. Year Individual Grant Payable Annual Cost (Expenditure) â'¬ â'¬m 1997 3,809.21 39.34 1998 3,809.21 39.35 1999 3,809.21 34.73 2000 3,809.21 38.08 2001* 3,809.21 38.75 *Abolished 14th November 2001.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (23 Nov 2006)

Noel Ahern: My Department is aware of an issue which has arisen in County Roscommon in relation to difficulties by applicants who have bought sites under the low cost sites scheme from obtaining mortgages from certain financial institutions. I understand that discussions are continuing between the Council and certain financial institutions in an effort to resolve this issue. My Department is also...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (23 Nov 2006)

Noel Ahern: The Living Over The Shop tax incentive scheme, introduced in 2001, operates in accordance with the provisions of the Finance Acts of 1998 and 2001. The main aims and objectives of the scheme are to improve the standard of the existing building stock and foster a "living" urban environment within the five cities of Dublin, Cork, Waterford, Limerick and Galway. My Department's involvement with...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (23 Nov 2006)

Noel Ahern: Data on the number of house completions, including private, social and affordable, for each year from 2002 to 2005, are published in the Housing Statistics Bulletins, which are available in the Oireachtas Library and on the Department's website at www.environ.ie.