Results 1,781-1,800 of 2,386 for speaker:Michael Finneran

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Michael Finneran: This amendment is required to refer to the correct provision in an amendment to section 6 of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 set out in Part 6 of Schedule 2.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Michael Finneran: Part 7 of Schedule 2 makes amendments to the Planning and Development Act 2000 necessitated by the provisions in the main body of the Bill. I propose this amendment to make a further consequential change to section 96(13) of the 2000 Act, as amended. Section 96(13) refers to the provision of housing for persons referred to in section 9(2) of the Housing Act 1988. Section 9 of the 1998 Act...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Michael Finneran: I propose this amendment to insert a new Part 10 in Schedule 2 of the Bill to make a number of changes to the Residential Tenancies Act 2004. The 2004 Act provides for a measure of security for tenants of private dwellings, amendment of landlord and tenant law with regard to the basic rights and obligations of each of the parties, arrangements for disputes between such parties to be resolved...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Michael Finneran: This amendment is required to update references in section 265(1) of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 to statutory provisions in the housing code that are being repealed in this Bill. The new references are to provisions in the Bill that will replace the repealed items of legislation.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Michael Finneran: These amendments are required to amend the Long Title of the Bill to reflect the inclusion of amendments to existing legislation on standards of private rental accommodation and the insertion in the Bill of amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 and the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005. The amendments to these Acts are set out in the proposed new Parts 10 and 11 of Schedule 2...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Michael Finneran: I welcome Senator Coffey's comments on the new section. There is provision in the affordable housing schemes to ensure that on any sale the local authority clawback comes into play when the mortgage is repaid.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Michael Finneran: I cannot accept this amendment. Section 33(5) sets out the arrangements for the operation of a hardship clause in the application of this section where moneys are owing to a housing authority. It provides that where a housing authority is satisfied that a household would suffer undue hardship, it can enter into an agreement with the said household for the repayment of the moneys due in...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Michael Finneran: As I said, subsection (6) of that section gives power to the Minister with regard to matters to be included in the rent scheme, including the waiving of rent in whole or in part or on a temporary basis in the case of hardship. That provision is there. The official amendment No. 72 inserts a new subsection to clarify that while rescheduling of repayments in cases of hardship will apply to...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Michael Finneran: These amendments are unnecessary. I am advised that the ordering of paragraphs in such a subsection gives no particular pre-eminence to the items covered. I therefore ask the Senator to withdraw the amendment.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Michael Finneran: The anti-social behaviour strategy sets out an important high level framework for housing authorities to plan for the prevention and reduction of anti-social behaviour in their housing stock. Section 34 specifies the principal objectives of a strategy, notably the promotion of co-operation with other persons, including the Garda, to avoid duplication of effort. It also outlines the matters...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Michael Finneran: The opportunity exists for local protocols. While I appreciate the intent, there is also a danger specifically that the flexibility and innovation required in inter-agency work might be constrained. However, I will be providing guidance in this area.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Michael Finneran: As I have indicated, the anti-social behaviour strategy provides a framework for action, co-operation between bodies, procedures for the making of complaints and initiatives for the prevention and reduction of anti-social behaviour. These principal objectives are set out in section 34(2). Subsection (3) builds on the principal objectives set out in subsection (2) by requiring housing...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Michael Finneran: While section 34 and other changes to the anti-social behaviour regime set out in the Bill provide an important context for enhanced anti-social behaviour provisions, it has not been possible to include all aspects at this stage. Discussions with the Parliamentary Counsel about strengthening the statutory supports available to housing authorities are continuing. Nonetheless, I will be in a...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Michael Finneran: It is unlikely we will be in a position to have these further provisions ready for Report Stage.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Michael Finneran: I acknowledge the intent of the amendment which seeks to ensure consultation with residents and relevant community and voluntary sector organisations in the development of an anti-social behaviour strategy. However, I am satisfied with the extent of consultation provided for and draw the Senator's attention to section 34(5)(a) which requires the housing authority to consult joint policing...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Michael Finneran: The functions of the joint policing committees are kept under review on levels and patterns of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour in their areas and the underlying contributing factors. New guidelines for the joint policing committees established in the Garda Síochána Act 2005 were launched in September 2008. They will enable the committees to establish in all the 114 local...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Michael Finneran: Section 1 requires all housing authorities to draw up and adopt an anti-social behaviour strategy within one year of the commencement of the section. The strategy would apply to those parts of the area where the authority has dwellings under the Housing Acts, in which relevant purchases, i.e. purchases from the housing authorities, were sold and sites. It is broad. Under section 2 there...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Michael Finneran: The Senator is addressing section 37.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Michael Finneran: This amendment is not necessary. Subsection (1) already provides that this Part applies to dwellings provided by an approved body. In those circumstances I ask the Senator to withdraw the amendment.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Michael Finneran: It applies to all dwellings provided by an approved body. The approved bodies are housing authorities and voluntary bodies.