Results 41-60 of 2,386 for speaker:Michael Finneran

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (25 Jan 2011)

Michael Finneran: In the context of the broader Local Government Efficiency Review, I am giving consideration to the organisational structure that currently supports the delivery of housing services with a view to mapping out how we can get the best use of the resources available to us in the organisations charged with providing housing services. This includes a consideration of the possible rationalisation...

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (20 Jan 2011)

Michael Finneran: The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs, the provision of a premises and the making of such other provisions as it considers necessary or desirable, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under section 10 of the Fire Services Act 1981. Accordingly, the issue...

Regional Road Network (19 Jan 2011)

Michael Finneran: I am taking this important matter for the Minister for Transport, Deputy Dempsey, and thank Deputy Kehoe for raising it. The Minister for Transport appreciates the work done by the local authorities, the National Roads Authority and, particularly, the local authority front-line staff. He thanks them for the exceptional work which they undertook in sometimes appalling conditions to deal with...

Water Services (19 Jan 2011)

Michael Finneran: I thank Deputy Clune for the opportunity to outline the position in respect of the upgrading of water services infrastructure in the Cork area. An extensive range of water services projects is, with Exchequer funding support, being progressed in Cork county and city at present. Since entering Government, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has made water...

Grant Payments (19 Jan 2011)

Michael Finneran: I have been asked by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Smith, to clarify the position regarding payments to farmers in County Kerry under the rural environment protection scheme, REPS. I thank Deputy Tom Sheahan for raising this matter on the Adjournment. As the Deputy is no doubt aware, REPS is an agri-environment measure under the rural development programme 2007 to...

Water and Sewerage Schemes (19 Jan 2011)

Michael Finneran: I thank Deputy McGrath for the opportunity to clarify the position in regard to the Burncourt and Fethard regional water supply scheme water treatment plants. The contract for the scheme is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012 as a contract to commence during the period of the programme. Further network elements of the scheme are also included to advance...

Written Answers — Housing Aid for the Elderly: Housing Aid for the Elderly (19 Jan 2011)

Michael Finneran: To comprehensively assess the overall level of demand for grant assistance under the suite of Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability, my Department requested local authorities to submit details of their funding requirements for 2011, with a view to determining the allocations for this year as soon as possible after the publication of the 2011 Revised Estimates for Public...

Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (19 Jan 2011)

Michael Finneran: Minimum standards for rental accommodation are prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2008, made under section 18 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992. These Regulations were further amended by the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses)(Amendment) Regulations 2009 which expanded the definition of "a proper state of structural repair" to allow for all...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (18 Jan 2011)

Michael Finneran: My Department's involvement with voluntary and co-operative housing schemes relates primarily to the provision of funds for individual projects. The detailed administration of the schemes, and the certification that projects comply with the terms and conditions of the funding schemes, are the responsibility of the relevant local authority. It is thus a matter for each local authority to...

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (18 Jan 2011)

Michael Finneran: The National House Building Guarantee Scheme was established in January, 1978, under the aegis of the Construction Industry Federation, to provide a guarantee to purchasers of new houses against major structural defects. My Department's inspectors carried out inspections of properties covered under the guarantee scheme on an agency basis on behalf of the guarantee company. Costs associated...

Written Answers — Services for People with Disabilities: Services for People with Disabilities (18 Jan 2011)

Michael Finneran: It is a matter for individual housing authorities to assess the specific social housing needs and priorities in their areas, including those for adults with a physical or intellectual disability, and to identify a range of housing options to meet such needs. In line with the Government's housing policy statement, Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities, the development of a national housing...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (18 Jan 2011)

Michael Finneran: Existing Part V agreements continue to stand even where a loan in respect of a particular development with such an agreement attached has transferred to the National Asset Management Agency or a development is in receivership. However, the manner in which such agreements are delivered on is a matter for the relevant local authority. My Department is not aware of any specific difficulties...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (13 Jan 2011)

Michael Finneran: Under the revised suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, grants are available to assist older people and people with a disability to have necessary adaptations, repairs or improvement works carried out in order to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs and to facilitate the continued independent occupancy of their homes. Under the...

Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (13 Jan 2011)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 192 and 193 together. A Commission on the Private Rented Sector was established by my Department in July 1999 to examine the working of the landlord and tenant relationship in respect of residential tenancies in the private rented sector and to make such recommendations, including changes to the law, as the Commission considered proper in order to: · ...

Water Utilities: Motion (13 Jan 2011)

Michael Finneran: This debate has covered many areas related to the water sector. This demonstrates the complexity of delivering and maintaining such a vital public service. It is important to emphasise that recent disruptions that were very difficult for families, businesses and the farming community are not the norm. These arose from adverse and unprecedented severe weather conditions. Met Éireann has...

Water Utilities: Motion (13 Jan 2011)

Michael Finneran: The programme published in 2010 reflects the priorities for main distribution by local authorities. Over time this investment will further improve the general condition of Irish water services infrastructure. There must be a strong, strategic framework for the sector, not only to guide investment but to ensure services are delivered as effectively and efficiently as possible. The passage of...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (12 Jan 2011)

Michael Finneran: The information requested is supplied in the following tabular statement. Tabular Statement

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (12 Jan 2011)

Michael Finneran: Where any borrower, either from a local authority or from a private financial institution, is facing difficulties in meeting mortgage repayments, they should engage proactively and constructively with the lender to seek to achieve an agreed solution. The services of the Money Advice and Budgetary Service are also available to such borrowers and support is available through the Supplementary...

Written Answers — Ambulance Service: Ambulance Service (12 Jan 2011)

Michael Finneran: I confirm that correspondence in relation to this matter has been received in the Department. However, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, has no role in the provision of ambulance services in the State. Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services, including the National Ambulance Service, is a matter for the...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (12 Jan 2011)

Michael Finneran: My Department does not hold information on the number of households on a local authority's waiting list. This figure continuously fluctuates as households on the list are allocated housing and new households apply for housing support. A statutory assessment of housing need is carried out every three years by all housing authorities. The last assessment took place in 2008 and indicated...