Results 1,961-1,980 of 2,386 for speaker:Michael Finneran

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (30 Oct 2008)

Michael Finneran: An application for a Remedial Works Scheme at Spriggs Road was received by my Department on 15 October 2008 for consideration under the 2009 Remedial Works Programme. Under this programme local authorities are invited to apply for co-funding of remedial works schemes to commence in 2009. The closing date for receipt of applications is 31 October 2008, after which all applications will be...

Medical Aids and Appliances. (30 Oct 2008)

Michael Finneran: I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney. The Minister has identified the need to improve services to persons with cystic fibrosis in the Estimates process over recent years. Since 2006, additional revenue funding of €6.78 million has been allocated to the Health Service Executive to develop services for patients with cystic fibrosis....

Written Answers — Housing Aid for the Elderly: Housing Aid for the Elderly (29 Oct 2008)

Michael Finneran: My Department's Housing Aid for Older People Scheme, which is administered by local authorities, provides targeted support to improve conditions in the existing housing of older people. The types of works which may be grant aided under the Scheme are varied and may include the provision of insulation works. In addition, older people living in local authority housing may benefit from the...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (29 Oct 2008)

Michael Finneran: My Department gave approval to Dublin City Council to proceed with this project, in January 2008, to be funded from the authority's internal capital receipts. Accordingly, the City Council included the project under its 2008 Improvement Works Programme. I understand that the tender documentation is currently being prepared and the project will be advertised shortly.

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (29 Oct 2008)

Michael Finneran: Dublin City Council received approval from my Department to undertake planned maintenance works at the two locations in question as part of its 2007 Improvement Works Programme. While no further proposals have as yet been received, I understand that the City Council is examining options for additional works to these flat complexes.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (29 Oct 2008)

Michael Finneran: I refer to the reply to Question No. 478 of 21 October 2008. For Shared Ownership transactions commenced from 1 January 2003, the cost of purchasing an additional share or the redemption value of the outstanding share is based on its initial cost adjusted annually to compensate for differences between the rent paid on the local authority's share and the interest calculated by reference to...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (29 Oct 2008)

Michael Finneran: Local Authorities are responsible under the Housing Acts for the management and maintenance of their housing stock and the management of their estates. The requested information on evictions is not available in my Department. It is proposed to commence collection of such data on an annual basis from the end of 2008.

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (29 Oct 2008)

Michael Finneran: Demand under the housing adaptation grant schemes for older people and people with a disability has been accelerating year on year, with annual expenditure in recent years rising from €13 million in 1997 to an initial expenditure estimate of over €71 million in 2008. The launch of the revised suite of grant schemes in November 2007 and the associated publicity has led to a heightened...

Seanad: Hospital Services (29 Oct 2008)

Michael Finneran: I thank Senator Buttimer for placing this matter on the Adjournment, which I will take on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. The Health Service Executive has advised that the limb-fitting service in St. Finbarr's Hospital falls under the remit of the acute hospital service, specifically the orthopaedic services provided by St. Mary's Orthopaedic...

Seanad: Social and Affordable Housing (29 Oct 2008)

Michael Finneran: I thank the Senator for raising this issue. Following the announcement by Dublin City Council that the particular public private partnership project envisaged for O'Devaney Gardens would not proceed, my Department has engaged closely with the council to identify the next steps for residents and for the project itself. As part of this process, I have met representatives of the O'Devaney...

Seanad: Waste Disposal (29 Oct 2008)

Michael Finneran: I thank Senator Coffey for raising this issue on the Adjournment. Representatives from the waste industry met my Department on Friday, 24 October 2008 to discuss industry concerns regarding the sudden drop in international demand for recycled materials. Their principal issue of concern was the need to increase rapidly the storage capacity of existing permitted and licensed facilities. My...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (23 Oct 2008)

Michael Finneran: The European Court of Justice (ECJ) decision in question arose on foot of a referral, by the High Court, for a ruling in relation to whether certain provisions of the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) (No. 2) Regulations 2006, which sought to implement the provisions of Directive 2004/38, were consistent with the Directive. In summary, Directive 2004/38 is concerned with the...

Written Answers — Social Housing: Social Housing (23 Oct 2008)

Michael Finneran: The total Exchequer provision for housing in 2009 will be almost €1.66 billion in current and capital funding. This represents a reduction of 4% on the record provision for 2008, which, it should be noted, was an increase of 16% on the 2007 estimate. By any measure, the 2009 funding is very significant — representing an average of over €4.5m per day in 2009 — and it is a clear...

Written Answers — Housing Aid for the Elderly: Housing Aid for the Elderly (23 Oct 2008)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 37 together. Demand under the housing adaptation grant schemes for older people and people with a disability has been accelerating year on year, with annual expenditure in recent years rising from €13 million in 1997 to an initial expenditure estimate of over €71 million in 2008. The launch of the revised suite of grant schemes in November 2007 and...

Written Answers — Social Housing: Social Housing (23 Oct 2008)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 24, 32 to 34, inclusive, 41, 46 and 49 together. The final terms of the incremental purchase scheme will be determined following the enactment of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, 2008 and will be informed by some market testing in the interim. In broad terms the intention is that the scheme will be accessible for those applicants who are...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (23 Oct 2008)

Michael Finneran: The interest rate on local authority housing loans is determined by the Housing Finance Agency (HFA) by reference to mortgage rates prevailing in the financial market. The current variable interest rate to local authority borrowers, excluding mortgage protection, is 5.25%. The current fixed interest rate available on local authority loans, excluding mortgage protection, is 5.5% for a period...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (23 Oct 2008)

Michael Finneran: Housing authorities conduct their triennial housing needs assessment in accordance with Section 9 of the Housing Act 1988. Prior to any assessment being carried out my Department issues guidance to housing authorities, in the form of a circular, to ensure a consistent assessment approach. It is a matter for individual authorities, in accordance with legislation and having regard to guidance...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (23 Oct 2008)

Michael Finneran: As signalled by the Minister for Finance in Budget 2009, a new single streamlined Government Equity Scheme is to be introduced in relation to affordable housing. Under this new arrangement the purchase transaction will be largely unchanged from the affordable purchaser's perspective. However, instead of units being sold at a discounted price, with the value of the discount being subject to...

Written Answers — Housing Regeneration Schemes: Housing Regeneration Schemes (23 Oct 2008)

Michael Finneran: Within the overall funding available to my Department for the provision and improvement of social housing for 2009, funds will be provided to advance the planning of the Limerick Regeneration Scheme, to meet the costs of the Regeneration Agencies, to facilitate a number of households wishing to move in line with the overall regeneration strategy, and for related matters. The full allocation...

Written Answers — Homeless Persons: Homeless Persons (23 Oct 2008)

Michael Finneran: A new Government strategy on homelessness, The Way Home: A Strategy to Address Adult Homelessness in Ireland 2008-2013, was published in August 2008. The strategy builds on the strong progress made under previous strategies and sets out a vision to address adult homelessness over the next five years. It was developed under the aegis of a Cross Departmental Team, which comprises...