Results 121-140 of 2,386 for speaker:Michael Finneran

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (18 Nov 2010)

Michael Finneran: For purposes of the shared ownership scheme, the redemption value of the outstanding local authority share, for transactions commenced from 1 January 2003, 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 the prevailing interest rates. The scheme is structured so that,...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (18 Nov 2010)

Michael Finneran: Decisions in relation to the matters in question, including criteria for prioritisation, are entirely a matter for each local authority and information on the average waiting time is not collected by my Department. Such extensions are funded from authorities Internal Capital Receipts (ICRs). In addition, having regard to the decline in the overall availability of ICRs, my Department's 2010...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (18 Nov 2010)

Michael Finneran: Mortgage finance for affordable housing has traditionally been available from the local authorities backed by Housing Finance Agency lending. This continues to be the case. However, in recent times, Bank of Ireland Mortgage Bank, the EBS, Irish Intercontinental Bank, First Active, Haven Mortgages and more recently Ulster Bank are now providing mortgage finance for affordable housing...

Written Answers — Private Residential Tenancies Board: Private Residential Tenancies Board (17 Nov 2010)

Michael Finneran: The members of the Private Residential Tenancies Board are: Orla Coyne (Chairperson) Finian Matthews Aidan Brennan Cian Ó Lionáin Gene Feighery Dr Eoin O'Sullivan Aideen Hayden Thomas J Reilly Vincent P. Martin John Tiernan The Board's published accounts are available on its website www.prtb.ie . The Board is not in receipt of Exchequer grant-in-aid and its total expenditure for the...

Written Answers — Private Residential Tenancies Board: Private Residential Tenancies Board (17 Nov 2010)

Michael Finneran: The retention or the incomplete return of tenancy deposits feature in a large portion of the disputes cases referred to the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) and statistics in this regard are available in that body's 2009 Annual Report which is available online at www.prtb.ie . In November 2009 I announced the preliminary outcomes of my review of the Residential Tenancies Act...

Written Answers — Mortgage Arrears: Mortgage Arrears (16 Nov 2010)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Question Nos. 305 and 306 together. The majority of households who purchased under the various affordable housing schemes would have done so using loan finance from a private lending institution. These are essentially private homeowners and my Department does not therefore collect data in respect of the performance of such mortgages. The Government has put in place a range...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (16 Nov 2010)

Michael Finneran: The core objectives of the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) are to reform the approach towards providing accommodation within the private rented sector for long-term dependents on rent supplement and to enhance the response of housing authorities to meeting long-term housing need. Funding for the RAS is provided by a transfer of monies from the Department of Social Protection's (DSP) Vote...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (16 Nov 2010)

Michael Finneran: Under section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, which came into operation on 14 June 2010, the making and amendment of an allocation scheme for social housing is a reserved function of the elected members of each housing authority. Section 22(11) provides that the allocation of a dwelling under an allocation scheme is an executive function of the manager of the housing...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (16 Nov 2010)

Michael Finneran: In the early part of 2009 local authorities had an estimated 3,700 unsold affordable housing units on hands. Very considerable progress has been made on both the sale of affordable housing and the deployment of unsold affordable homes for other purposes, including temporary use under the social leasing or RAS schemes. As of now, there are approximately 640 affordable units available for sale...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (16 Nov 2010)

Michael Finneran: I refer to the reply to Question Nos. 205 and 222 of 3 November 2010, which sets out the position on this matter.

Written Answers — Library Projects: Library Projects (16 Nov 2010)

Michael Finneran: In early July 2010 I announced approval of a new two year Capital Programme for Public Libraries 2010-2011, amounting to €7.3 million in 2010, which will contribute towards the development and refurbishment of a range of public libraries throughout the country. I also announced that, subject to public finances being available in 2011, a new library in Ballinasloe, Co.Galway, would receive...

Written Answers — Urban Renewal Schemes: Urban Renewal Schemes (16 Nov 2010)

Michael Finneran: My Department is awaiting information from Dublin City Council on a number of design and costing issues for the project in question. As with all Social Housing Investment Programme projects, it will be a matter for the housing authority, in this case Dublin City Council, to progress this proposal in accordance with the usual conditions, and to manage its delivery in the context of its...

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (16 Nov 2010)

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 and the provision of premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under section 10 of the Fire Services Act 1981. My Department's role is one of supporting and assisting local authorities in delivering fire services...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (11 Nov 2010)

Michael Finneran: Part 4 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 provides for tenant purchase, along incremental purchase lines, of apartments in designated existing local authority complexes. I expect to make the necessary statutory instruments early in 2011 to enable the apartment sales scheme to be brought into operation as quickly as possible thereafter.

Written Answers — Public Procurement: Public Procurement (11 Nov 2010)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 251 and 252 together. As a general guide, local authorities should always comply with the requirements set out in national and EU procurement guidelines. The Department of Finance has responsibility at central level for the preparation of procurement guidelines for public bodies. My Department's role is to ensure that such guidance is brought to the attention...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (11 Nov 2010)

Michael Finneran: In June 2009 I announced the establishment of a single housing agency - the Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency (HSCA), as a rationalization of existing Agencies in the housing sector. In May 2010 the Agency was established on an administrative basis. It is intended that HSCA will be given full legislative underpinning next year. It is not proposed that any specific housing functions...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (11 Nov 2010)

Michael Finneran: For some time now the social housing investment programme has been undergoing a significant restructuring to shift the focus increasingly towards more flexible delivery mechanisms, including through the introduction of long term leasing arrangements, with a lesser reliance on construction and acquisition. This is in line with the reform agenda clearly set out under the Government's housing...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (11 Nov 2010)

Michael Finneran: A statutory assessment of housing need is carried out every three years by all housing authorities in accordance with the terms of the Housing Act 1988 and involves local authorities assessing all households on their waiting lists, to determine whether they are/remain eligible for and in need of social housing support. The social housing reform programme, which was given legislative effect...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (11 Nov 2010)

Michael Finneran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 262 and 263 together. My Department monitors activity and expenditure across all programmes on an ongoing basis to ensure productive spend and value for money for the resources invested. In the area of housing a number of procedures are in place. The specific allocations for each authority are informed by both the level of contractual commitments for the...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (11 Nov 2010)

Michael Finneran: The voluntary and co-operative housing sector are valued partners in the delivery of social housing solutions for low-income families and persons with specific categories of housing need including older people, persons with a physical, intellectual or mental health disability, homeless persons and elderly returning emigrants. To date, over 25,000 units of accommodation have been provided...