Results 19,261-19,280 of 21,040 for speaker:Alan Kelly

Water Services (Exempt Charges) Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: I missed Deputy Cowen earlier.

Water Services (Exempt Charges) Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: I thank the Deputy.

Other Questions: Departmental Funding (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: I made the decision which I felt was necessary, having spoken to the organisations, which the Deputy knows well, having spoken about them many times himself. I felt it was necessary to ensure the funding continued and, hence, I made that decision. There was obviously a situation where many of these organisations became quite dependent on the funding that was in place. We need to ensure we...

Other Questions: Departmental Funding (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: As someone who worked with these organisations and knows them quite well, I believe the Deputy's language is unacceptable. There is no targeting of these organisations. What we are trying to do is facilitate organisations, including trying to facilitate more organisations in other ways. We are also trying to ensure there is a consistency of approach, that there are clear communications...

Other Questions: Retail Sector (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: In my previous occupation before entering politics I was an e-business manager. There are a number of grants available for retailers in that space. It is an area that has been quite successful, but it probably could be developed even further. With regard to the Deputy's commentary on the need for local authorities to ramp up their activities rather than seeing businesses as a cash cow, I...

Other Questions: Departmental Funding (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: I thank the Deputy for his good wishes. I know they are sincerely felt. The funding scheme to support national organisations in the community and voluntary sector aims to provide multi-annual funding to national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services. Applications for a new round of funding, which commenced on 1 July 2014 , were subject to an appraisal...

Other Questions: Retail Sector (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: I thank the Deputy for his good wishes and his question on town centres throughout the State. The downturn in economic activity associated with the recession has resulted in a significant number of shop closures and vacant units in town and city centres across the country. We all see this in every county. My county, Tipperary, and that of Minister of State Deputy Coffey, Waterford, are not...

Other Questions: Retail Sector (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: In answering the question, I must dismiss the Deputy’s point on economic recovery, but that is for another day. The impact is being seen in more areas around the country. The issue raised is a real one, however, and of course I accept that. The Deputy raised the issue of rates and suggested how a change to the rates system could help. We are examining various options in regard to...

Other Questions: Planning Issues (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: As I said, all of this must be discussed by the Government prior to publication. By and large, I do not disagree with much of what the Deputy had to say. In terms of the process and the outcome of the Government's decision, a lot has yet to happen. The Deputy is correct that a balanced approach is needed. We must ensure those building the units and houses are interested and will deliver....

Other Questions: Planning Issues (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: To be fair, there is little in the Deputy's contribution with which I would take issue. All of the issues he raises will be dealt with. I favour mixed developments. We need mixed developments to prevent ghettoisation, as described by the Deputy. We must ensure future developments are sustainable and mixed. To add to what the Deputy said, we must also ensure construction of units we...

Other Questions: Planning Issues (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: The Part V review, carried out by the housing agency at my Department’s request, has been completed and will be submitted to Government in the coming weeks - obviously, it has to go through there first. It is anticipated that any legislative changes required on foot of the review, subject to Government approval, will be incorporated into the general scheme of a new planning Bill, to...

Other Questions: Unfinished Housing Developments (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: I raised this issue in the House previously. In fairness, a protocol for addressing such matters is necessary. There may be a question of language and interpretation from the local authorities' point of view. A protocol is being developed. The issue needs to be and is being addressed.

Other Questions: Unfinished Housing Developments (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: I thank the Deputy for what is a very good question. Section 180 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provides, in respect of the estates which have been completed to the satisfaction of the planning authority in accordance with the planning permission, that the planning authority must, if requested to do so by the developer or by the majority of the owners of the houses involved,...

Other Questions: Unfinished Housing Developments (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: It has begun. It is in process and is being looked at. Data has been gathered in respect of local authorities. Discussions with the County and City Managers Association and the various planning departments in local authorities have taken place. A range of issues must be addressed. Certain issues in one part of the country or one local authority are not necessarily the same as those...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: I concur with what the Deputy stated in his initial contribution about previous strategies. Previous Administrations effectively stopped building social housing. That was wrong. This matter must and will be addressed. We are going to recommence building social housing and will provide a significant number of units. I have been challenged - for the remainder of the Government's term of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: The right mix will be arrived at in the context of the provision of social housing into the future. The construction of houses will be a component in this regard. The strategy for social housing will be announced in the coming weeks. A major factor in this regard will be the contribution local authorities will make in providing houses. I have spent the past few months working with the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Leader Programmes Administration (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: The Deputy has asked a number of questions. It is Government policy that where it can be agreed locally the local community development committees will be the lead local action groups for their respective areas. We are in constant conversation with Irish Local Development Network, ILDN, and we will be talking to them again tomorrow. I have worked with these groups over a lengthy period and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Leader Programmes Administration (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: It is of a similar size and it has specific issues of its own but it will have one LAG. In reply to the Deputy's question about the islands and the Irish language, it will be ensured that the submissions will reflect the islands' specific requirements and the need to ensure that the Irish language is covered. These matters will be dealt with as part of the submissions. If there is a need...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Leader Programmes Administration (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: There will not be a LAG for the islands.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: I thank the Deputy for his question which deals with a very important matter. I am well aware of the issues in Tipperary. The statutory summary of social housing assessments in 2013 showed 89,872 households on local authority waiting lists as at 7 May 2013, representing a decrease of 9% on the previous summary of 2011. It is the most up-to-date figure available on waiting list numbers...