Results 61-80 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

Seanad: Report on Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion. - Local Authority Funding: Motion. (10 Dec 2003)

Noel Ahern: I stayed silent while the Senator was speaking but he can heckle if he wants. He said that we squander money and spoke about providing for the less well-off. In 2002 the money spent on housing was not squandered because it provided housing for those very people. Contrary to what the Opposition would say, the funding of local government has undergone a transformation in recent years. The...

Seanad: Report on Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion. - Local Authority Funding: Motion. (10 Dec 2003)

Noel Ahern: Inflation is now below 3% and we are giving an increase of 14% next year, a total of 85% since 1997.

Seanad: Report on Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion. - Local Authority Funding: Motion. (10 Dec 2003)

Noel Ahern: While spending for Dublin has increased by 11% and by 14% in most other areas, County Longford received an increase of 16.5% yesterday and, since 1997, the increase in funding adds up to 165%, far more than the average. Other counties have also done well.

Seanad: Report on Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion. - Local Authority Funding: Motion. (10 Dec 2003)

Noel Ahern: I realise local authorities have additional expenses this year but these huge increases, five times the rate of inflation, will pay for benchmarking and leave plenty more for efficient running of services and new projects. All in all, this represents an excellent outcome for the local government sector. The result of the new funding system is that local authorities are operating on a sound...

Seanad: Report on Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion. - Local Authority Funding: Motion. (10 Dec 2003)

Noel Ahern: I do not agree.

Seanad: Report on Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion. - Local Authority Funding: Motion. (10 Dec 2003)

Noel Ahern: I do not agree that house prices will rise. Levies have existed for the last 30 years and it is important that these extra costs—

Seanad: Report on Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion. - Local Authority Funding: Motion. (10 Dec 2003)

Noel Ahern: —are absorbed by the developers and a little bit of competition between developers and house builders would do no harm whatsoever. In other countries, such as England, one pays development costs for schools as well as for the playground or local amenity. The key to defeating house price inflation is supply, and the development contribution system is crucial to providing the necessary...

Seanad: Report on Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion. - Local Authority Funding: Motion. (10 Dec 2003)

Noel Ahern: Senator Brady mentioned the international index of new dwelling units built per 1,000 head of population. We stand at 15 new units per 1,000. That is way ahead of any other European state. The corresponding figure for the UK is three, for Sweden is one and for Portugal is nine. No other country is at double figures. Our rate of building of new houses is extraordinary. In ten years we have...

Seanad: Report on Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion. - Local Authority Funding: Motion. (10 Dec 2003)

Noel Ahern: We do. We have two strategies on it. Four years ago—

Seanad: Report on Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion. - Local Authority Funding: Motion. (10 Dec 2003)

Noel Ahern: Four years ago we were spending about €12 million a year on homelessness. This year we have spent €50 million.

Seanad: Report on Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion. - Local Authority Funding: Motion. (10 Dec 2003)

Noel Ahern: Much of that rests on definition. About 130 people sleep rough on the streets occasionally, by their own definition. They are not all out there every night. Many sleep rough for a few nights and then in hostels for a few nights. The definition of homelessness has changed in recent years and more people are on the list now than would previously have qualified. It is not just about putting a...

Seanad: Report on Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion. - Local Authority Funding: Motion. (10 Dec 2003)

Noel Ahern: Years ago they were in psychiatric hospitals, now they are out in the community and the question is whether we are providing the services for them at all stages. We need integrated service packages of housing, care and support. There are enough emergency beds for anyone who wants one. The problem is moving these people on to transitional or half-way housing. Many will need care and different...

Seanad: Report on Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion. - Local Authority Funding: Motion. (10 Dec 2003)

Noel Ahern: We have a strategy, part of which is to look at the causes of homelessness, for example, people coming out of prison, long-stay psychiatric hospitals or any other institution.

Seanad: Report on Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion. - Local Authority Funding: Motion. (10 Dec 2003)

Noel Ahern: I have mentioned the rent allowance which is in the remit of the Minister for Social and Family Affairs. It was obvious that some move had to be made on that. Rent allowance money this year has increased by €76 million.

Seanad: Report on Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion. - Local Authority Funding: Motion. (10 Dec 2003)

Noel Ahern: That level of rent allowance is unsustainable. We all know that many or most of the people on rent allowance need the accommodation. The guidelines or rules under which the Minister's system is brought in will look after those people who are in need. Those who are homeless or are in danger of becoming homeless will be protected.

Seanad: Report on Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion. - Local Authority Funding: Motion. (10 Dec 2003)

Noel Ahern: The six month rule will not apply in all cases, if people are genuine and have a real need. It is extraordinary—

Seanad: Report on Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion. - Local Authority Funding: Motion. (10 Dec 2003)

Noel Ahern: Rents in the private sector have gone down in the past year yet rent allowance payments have gone up to €76 million. A year or two ago landlords did not want health board cheques but now they will take them because there are vacant units. It was obvious that a disproportionate number of people received rent allowance in the past year and it was necessary to take some measure to clip the...

Seanad: Report on Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion. - Local Authority Funding: Motion. (10 Dec 2003)

Noel Ahern: These are making very good progress, as is the new scheme under Sustaining Progress. All are making a significant impact. The housing provision for next year announced in the recent Estimates has gone up by 5.5%, which is one of the biggest increases. The overall housing package will be €1.88 billion next year and that will allow for 5,000 starts under the main local authority programme,...

Seanad: Report on Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion. - Local Authority Funding: Motion. (10 Dec 2003)

Noel Ahern: Some 30% of people on the waiting list are single while another 32% are lone parents with one child. Therefore, some 62% of those on the waiting list are either single or lone parents with one child. Just under 20% of families on the waiting list in Fingal and south Dublin local authority areas are non-nationals who have been given asylum status or the right to stay here. Those families were...

Seanad: Report on Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion. - Local Authority Funding: Motion. (10 Dec 2003)

Noel Ahern: Matters have changed greatly. Did that person get an offer of a house in the meantime? I know of people who have been on the waiting list for 20 years. They hope to build a house in the field across the road from the mother of one or other partner, but they are not in immediate need of accommodation. I talked to county managers and obtained details concerning such families and have been told...