Results 121-140 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (3 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: The letting of local authority housing is a matter for the relevant local authority in accordance with its scheme of letting priorities which is drawn up and adopted at local level. It is understood that local authorities do not accept applications for housing from applicants living outside the State. To qualify for housing here in Ireland applicants must be prepared to take up residence in...

Written Answers — Voluntary Housing Scheme: Voluntary Housing Scheme (3 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: The following table sets out the names of the approved housing bodies which have been assisted under the terms of my Department's voluntary housing capital assistance scheme, as amended in November 2001, in providing accommodation in which units of accommodation have been made available to returning elderly emigrants. Table Aghamore Voluntary Housing Association Aras Mhuire Housing...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (3 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: Guidelines issued by my Department to local authorities on the preparation of their schemes of letting priorities indicate that, inter alia, a scheme should normally contain a provision to enable a local authority to cater for transfers by tenants to and from other local authorities on conditions mutually agreed between the local authorities. My Department has no role in transfers by tenants...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (3 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: An application for further supplementary funding under the capital assistance scheme for this project was received on 6 January 2004. Wicklow County Council, which is responsible for administering the scheme in its area, has been requested to provide necessary additional details. On receipt of all the required information, the local authority will be advised of the outcome.

Written Answers — Local Government Act: Local Government Act (3 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: The results of the statutory assessment of local authority housing need, which was undertaken by local authorities in March 2002, indicated that a total of 48,413 households were in need of housing. Detailed information on the results of the 2002 assessment was published in my Department's September 2002 quarterly edition of the Housing Statistics Bulletin, copies of which are available in...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (3 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 512 and 513 together. Information on activity under the affordable housing schemes for each local authority is published in my Department's Housing Statistics Bulletins, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (3 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 514, 516 and 517 together. It is a matter for each local authority to administer house purchase loans in its area, having regard, as appropriate, to the housing needs and circumstances of their area. The income limit for eligibility for the shared ownership scheme and other house purchase loans is €32,000 for a single income household, with a pro rata...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (3 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: The Government affords a high priority to housing issues as evidenced by the range of policies and measures employed by my Department and other public agencies involved to ensure that the broad spectrum of housing needs is appropriately met. We have placed a strong emphasis on increasing housing supply to meet demand, particularly for first-time buyers, against a background of unprecedented...

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (3 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: The scheme of grants for locally-based community and voluntary organisations provides once-off grants which benefit voluntary and community groups who focus on tackling poverty and disadvantage and enhancing community development. Under the scheme, funding is available for: training, education or research initiatives aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of local communities and voluntary...

Written Answers — Dormant Accounts Fund: Dormant Accounts Fund (3 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: The Dormant Accounts Fund Disbursements Board published its first disbursement plan on 7 November 2003. The plan sets out the board's priorities and provides for the distribution of funds to assist programmes or projects targeting three broad categories of persons — those affected by economic and social disadvantage, those affected by educational disadvantage and persons with a disability....

Seanad: Proposed Stadium at Lansdowne Road: Statements. (5 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: That is not true.

Seanad: Proposed Stadium at Lansdowne Road: Statements. (5 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: It is not true.

Seanad: Proposed Stadium at Lansdowne Road: Statements. (5 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: Listening to the debate, it is clear everybody is pleased with the decision. Decisions were made previously in respect of Abbotstown and elsewhere for which there was general welcome but things started to unravel. I sincerely hope the support shown for the Lansdowne Road proposal will hold and that people will not try to find objectors to work against us into the future.

Seanad: Proposed Stadium at Lansdowne Road: Statements. (5 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: The original decision on Abbotstown was visionary. If it had only been built, people would have seen it was the right decision. It is regrettable that other people could not share the vision of those who proposed it. In politics we often talk about the need for visionary ideas, of which this was one.

Seanad: Proposed Stadium at Lansdowne Road: Statements. (5 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: I do not know whether Senator Terry was driven by Dublin 15 pressures.

Seanad: Proposed Stadium at Lansdowne Road: Statements. (5 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: Not at all. It would have been a marvellous stadium and it would have been the right thing to do.

Seanad: Proposed Stadium at Lansdowne Road: Statements. (5 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: Ireland and Dublin are unique compared to other European countries which have populations several times greater than that in Ireland. In Ireland there can be 60,000 or 70,000 in attendance at Gaelic, soccer and rugby matches. I am not sure if Germany or France have three sports at which there would be a similar level of attendance. At domestic and international level, there is a huge interest...

Seanad: Proposed Stadium at Lansdowne Road: Statements. (5 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: A clear decision has been made on the matter. I totally reject the suggestions made about Eircom Park and other places. The Government came forward with a proposal five years ago, for which there was huge welcome. Since 1997, we have had for the first time a Minister with responsibility for sport. I agree about the lack of facilities at local level. Until 1997, sport was dealt with by a minor...

Seanad: Proposed Stadium at Lansdowne Road: Statements. (5 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: I hope that what seems to be agreement in the House on Lansdowne Road holds up, that we manage to get this through the planning process and begin redeveloping the stadium quickly, and that it is completed by the target date of 2008. I hope also that we learn from the experience of the past couple of years because on different matters — I do not want to wander into the port tunnel or...

Seanad: Proposed Stadium at Lansdowne Road: Statements. (5 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: ——but we often talk about our lack of vision and our slowness in getting major infrastructure jobs completed. However, when decisions are made we should be behind them and get them carried out.