Results 1,901-1,920 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (8 Nov 2006)

Noel Ahern: At end June 2006, 601 units of voluntary housing accommodation were completed with a further 2131 in progress. This compares with 548 units completed with a further 2016 in progress for the same period in 2005. The voluntary and co-operative housing sector has an important contribution to make in the provision of social housing. By working in close partnership with local authorities, it...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (8 Nov 2006)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 337 together. There is no provision at present in the voluntary housing schemes for the purchase of individual houses by tenants. However, it was provided under Housing Policy Framework — Building Sustainable Communities that consideration would be given in consultation with the voluntary and co-operative sector, to pilot a tenant purchase scheme for...

Written Answers — : (8 Nov 2006)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 43, 67 and 72 together. The Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) is designed to cater for the accommodation needs of persons in receipt of rent supplement who have a long-term housing need. It is a collaborative project between my Department, local authorities, the Department of Social and Family Affairs and the Health Service Executive. RAS operates in all...

Written Answers — Housing Policy: Housing Policy (8 Nov 2006)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 48, 49, 60 and 103 together. I have noted the recent launch of the MakeRoom campaign by Focus Ireland, the Simon Communities of Ireland, the Society of St Vincent de Paul and Threshold. The stated aim of the MakeRoom campaign is to end homelessness by 2010 and in this context indicates this to mean "nobody will sleep rough; nobody will stay in emergency...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (8 Nov 2006)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 77 together. Information to end June 2006 on activity, including under Part V, in each local authority area is on my Department's website at www.environ.ie. Information is also published in my Department's Housing Statistics Bulletins, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library. Total house completions on a county/city council basis up to...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (8 Nov 2006)

Noel Ahern: My Department is currently preparing proposals for the legislation required to give effect to the commitment in the Housing Policy Framework: Building Sustainable Communities to introduce a new tenant purchase scheme that will allow for the sale of local authority apartments to tenants under certain conditions. We are working to progress this draft legislation as quickly as possible.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (8 Nov 2006)

Noel Ahern: I refer to the reply to Question No. 317 of 4 October 2006. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (8 Nov 2006)

Noel Ahern: I refer to the reply to Question No. 151 of 4 October 2006. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (8 Nov 2006)

Noel Ahern: I refer to the reply to Question No. 150 of 4 October 2006. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Traveller Accommodation: Traveller Accommodation (8 Nov 2006)

Noel Ahern: During the course of the first local authority Traveller accommodation programmes adopted in accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 and covering the period from 2000 to 2004, there was a significant improvement in the accommodation position of Travellers. During that time an additional 828 families were accommodated in standard local authority accommodation. In the...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (8 Nov 2006)

Noel Ahern: There are some fourteen local authority housing schemes which are under examination in my Department either at pre-tender stage or awaiting tender approval involving a total of over 500 dwellings. It is the case that in some instances further information is awaited from the local authority concerned before a final decision is made on a proposal. It is my Department's intention to convey...

Written Answers — Urban Renewal Schemes: Urban Renewal Schemes (8 Nov 2006)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 95 and 113 together. Last December, the Government launched the Housing Policy Framework: Building Sustainable Communities. An important component of this policy framework is the commitment to improve the quality of social housing and particularly, run-down local authority estates by accelerating the rejuvenation of social housing stock. Almost €1 billion...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (8 Nov 2006)

Noel Ahern: I do not accept that delivery under Part V of the Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2006 is low. Part V applies only to applications for planning permission for multiple housing developments on land zoned for residential use, or a mixture of residential and other uses. Accordingly, not all housing developments are subject to Part V. It does not apply to planning permissions granted...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (8 Nov 2006)

Noel Ahern: Local authorities undertake inspections of private rental accommodation for a number of purposes including the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS). Under RAS local authorities are providing good quality accommodation for recipients of rent supplement assessed as having long term housing need. In assessing potential RAS properties, local authority costs are allowed as a charge against the...

Written Answers — Housing Policy: Housing Policy (8 Nov 2006)

Noel Ahern: There were 66,470 dwellings completed in the first 9 months of 2006, of which 14,200 were apartments. This represented an increase in completions of 22% on the same period last year. Estimates prepared for this Department by DKM Economic Consultants, suggest that housing output will be about 90,000 units in both 2006 and 2007. Their estimate is for an easing of housing supply to 75,000 in...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (8 Nov 2006)

Noel Ahern: I was pleased to launch the report, to which the Deputy refers, last week. The campaign was brought about through a unique alliance of groups and agencies working on the frontline on drugs issues in the area in question and funded by my Department through the Local Drugs Task Force. The main function of the campaign was to gather information about drug dealing and to ensure that the...

Written Answers — Homeless Persons: Homeless Persons (8 Nov 2006)

Noel Ahern: Local authorities and the Health Service Executive are responsible for meeting the accommodation and health care needs of homeless persons. The Government's Integrated and Preventative Strategies on Homelessness provide the framework within which the agencies fulfil these responsibilities. Significant progress has been made in the Dublin area over the last number of years in providing for and...

Written Answers — Housing Policy: Housing Policy (8 Nov 2006)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 327 and 352 together. Local authorities are responsible for meeting the accommodation needs of homeless persons. It is a matter for individual authorities to determine the level and category of accommodation and related supports to be provided, having regard to the need for such services in their areas. My Department recoups to local authorities 90% of their...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (8 Nov 2006)

Noel Ahern: When I agreed action plans for social and affordable housing with local authorities in 2004, I also made provision for a mid-term review to be undertaken in 2006. The review, which commenced earlier this year, focuses on examining how targets have been met in the first two years of the plan and on incorporating any adjustments for the remaining years of the plan, in light of outcomes...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (8 Nov 2006)

Noel Ahern: The available information sought is on the Department's website, www.environ.ie. In addition, a fact sheet on Part V has recently been prepared by my Department and copies of it have been placed in the Oireachtas Library. Part V is gathering momentum and I am satisfied that it is operating as was intended. It is envisaged that over 8,000 social and affordable units will be delivered in the...