Results 81-100 of 2,386 for speaker:Michael Finneran

Written Answers — Strategy on Homelessness: Strategy on Homelessness (15 Dec 2010)

Michael Finneran: I refer to the reply to Question No. 242 of 30 November 2010 which sets out the position on meeting the target for tackling long term homelessness. The costs associated with The Way Home 2008-2013 were €27,135.95.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (15 Dec 2010)

Michael Finneran: Local authority rents are set in accordance with a rent scheme adopted by each local council. The making and amending of these rent schemes are an integral part of a housing authority's housing management functions, subject to broad principles laid down by my Department in Circular letter HRT 3/2002 of 6 March 2002. Housing authorities set out in their rent schemes the income that they will...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (14 Dec 2010)

Michael Finneran: My Department collates and publishes a wide range of housing statistics that inform the preparation and evaluation of housing policy. The full range of data compiled can be viewed on my Department's website, www.environ.ie , where data on First Time Lettings by local authorities (up to 2006) and on Casual Vacancies (to 2009) are displayed.

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (14 Dec 2010)

Michael Finneran: Under the Limerick Regeneration Programme there is a commitment to provide replacement housing for those individuals and households where the properties they currently occupy are scheduled for demolition in the short to medium term or where the individual or household has expressed a wish to move elsewhere within the regeneration areas, or where the acquisition of the property by Limerick...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (9 Dec 2010)

Michael Finneran: Social Welfare legislation provides the Health Service Executive (HSE) with the authority to refuse, suspend or terminate payment of a rent supplement in the case of a person who has been required to deliver up possession of a dwelling provided by a housing authority or an approved body where the reasons for that requirement include anti-social behaviour or the interests of good estate...

Written Answers — Local Authority Expenditure: Local Authority Expenditure (8 Dec 2010)

Michael Finneran: My Department has, over the past number of years, overseen a significant exchequer investment in the improvement of heating systems and energy efficiency of the existing stock of local authority dwellings. Although central heating has been provided in all new local authority dwellings as a matter of course since 1994, there were an estimated 36,000 dwellings constructed prior to this date...

Financial Resolution No. 34: General (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)

Michael Finneran: I am glad of the opportunity to comment and make some input into this debate. I am here to discuss the significantly reduced provisions for the Department for 2011. As the Minister, Deputy Gormley, has already outlined, the Department faces a combined cut across both capital and current spending of €595 million, equivalent to a 27% reduction on our 2010 provision. As the largest programme...

Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (7 Dec 2010)

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. All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with these regulations. Responsibility for enforcing the regulations rests with the relevant local authority,...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (7 Dec 2010)

Michael Finneran: Under my Department's Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS), funding of up to 100% of the approved cost is available for the provision of housing to meet the accommodation needs for persons with specific categories of need, including older people, persons with an intellectual, physical or mental health disability, homeless persons, victims of domestic violence etc. All of the €145 million CAS...

Local Government (Mayor and Regional Authority of Dublin) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (2 Dec 2010)

Michael Finneran: I thank all the Deputies who spoke during this debate for their contributions. It is important that a measure like this, which is about strengthening the democratic process, should have the fullest possible consideration by elected representatives. A hallmark of this legislation has been the fact that it has been the subject of a very open and extensive process of consultation, particularly...

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (2 Dec 2010)

Michael Finneran: As set out in The National Recovery Plan 2011 – 2014 our current economic circumstances mean that public expenditure has had to be substantially reduced across Departments, agencies and programmes. As a result there are now competing demands for very scarce resources from a range of genuine interests, and difficult decisions have to be taken. The priority in these circumstances is to...

Written Answers — Homelessness Strategy: Homelessness Strategy (2 Dec 2010)

Michael Finneran: I propose take Questions Nos. 137 and 138 together. I refer to reply of Question No. 242 of 30 November 2010 which sets out the position on meeting the Government's targets for tackling homelessness. The Counted In survey, which is a special purpose count of people using homeless services carried out in Dublin every three years since 1999 through the Homeless Agency, supported by my...

Written Answers — Local Authority Services: Local Authority Services (2 Dec 2010)

Michael Finneran: This is primarily a matter for my colleague the Minister for Transport. In that context my understanding of the position is as follows. The agreed priority for local authorities during periods of severe cold is to keep the full national road network and other key strategic routes and public transport routes open for traffic. These roads carry an estimated 60% of total traffic and about 80%...

Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (2 Dec 2010)

Michael Finneran: Under the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS), households pay a contribution towards their rent to the local authority. The level of contribution is determined by the local authority by reference to each authority's Differential Rent Scheme, and will vary from authority to authority. Over time this contribution will vary to take into account changes in the income and family circumstances of the...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (1 Dec 2010)

Michael Finneran: My Department has, over the past number of years, overseen a significant exchequer investment in the improvement of heating systems and energy efficiency of the existing stock of local authority dwellings. Although central heating has been provided in all new local authority dwellings as a matter of course since 1994, there were an estimated 36,000 dwellings constructed prior to this date...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (1 Dec 2010)

Michael Finneran: A proposal to lease 25 houses in Carrigaline, Co. Cork was received from Cork County Council by my Department on the 19 November 2010. The proposal is currently under consideration in my Department in accordance with the terms and conditions of the initiative.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (30 Nov 2010)

Michael Finneran: Cosgrave Park, Moyross, is one of the estates included under the Limerick Regeneration Programme. Limerick City Council, in partnership with the Limerick Regeneration Agencies, is currently preparing a comprehensive plan for upgrading this estate. This will include a wide ranging upgrade of existing local authority stock, improvements to the public spaces and some strategic demolitions and...

Written Answers — Homelessness Strategy: Homelessness Strategy (30 Nov 2010)

Michael Finneran: My Department's role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Action to address homelessness is a matter for the housing authorities and the HSE, which, respectively, have statutory responsibility for providing accommodation and health...

Written Answers — Severe Weather Events: Severe Weather Events (25 Nov 2010)

Michael Finneran: In keeping with international best practice, Ireland follows a generic approach to emergency management, which is set out in A Framework for Major Emergency Management. This was approved by Government in May 2006 and details the processes and procedures for managing and co-ordinating preparedness for, and response to, severe weather emergencies. Each principal response agency (An Garda...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (25 Nov 2010)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 192 together. When I introduced the Incremental Purchase Scheme, applying to certain new local authority housing stock, on 14 June 2010 I indicated my intention to bring forward legislation in 2011 to underpin a similar scheme for the sale of existing local authority houses to tenants. This scheme will replace the current tenant purchase scheme...