Results 321-340 of 10,683 for speaker:Ivana Bacik

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Ivana Bacik: I move amendment No. 42: In page 18, subsection (7), line 7, after "of" to insert "annual". This amendment appears somewhat similar but is much more forward-looking. It provides, again, for an amendment to subsection (7) that the Minister would make regulations on the carrying out of annual social housing assessments. The purpose is to ensure there is a more regularly updated review of...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Ivana Bacik: I should have said the two amendments are being discussed together because amendment No. 44 would delete paragraph (d), which refers to the frequency of reviewing and updating assessments. This is a particular issue because the review and updating of assessments is carried out only every three years. That does not take into account changing circumstances. We are all seeing how rapidly the...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Ivana Bacik: While I hear what the Minister says, it is important to be a little more specific about how regularly updates and reviews take place. Paragraph (d) refers to frequency of reviewing and updating assessments but it gives no commitment to more regular updating. The tri-annual system is not efficient enough and does not take into account changing circumstances. I would like the Minister to...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Ivana Bacik: I move amendment No. 43: In page 18, subsection (7), between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following: "(c) the maximum period in which an applicant for social housing or housing support shall stay in accommodation designated as emergency;". Again, this seeks to amend subsection (7) by inserting a new provision specifying that the Minister, in his regulations, would specify the maximum period...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Ivana Bacik: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Ivana Bacik: I thank the Minister of State for his full response. However, I am concerned to hear him say that he would prefer to see the laudable goals outlined in The Way Home, the homelessness strategy, which I welcome, as policy rather than legislative objectives. That may undermine significantly whether these goals are achievable because if they are not given legislative backing, they will remain...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Ivana Bacik: As Senator Norris said, six months is too long a time for any parent of young children or any individual to be left in such emergency accommodation. I will consider what the Minister of State said because I do not want to dismiss it out of hand, but I am concerned he said these important goals such as limiting the time people spend in emergency accommodation would be policy aspirations...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Ivana Bacik: I am obliged to the Minister of State. In that circumstance, I will not press the amendment but I reserve the right to do so on Report Stage.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Ivana Bacik: I move amendment No. 44: In page 18, subsection (7), line 16, to delete paragraph (d). I indicated I would not press this amendment also and I reserve the right to do so on Report Stage.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Ivana Bacik: I am somewhat confused because I thought we had not yet moved on to discuss the existing section 34. I thought we were still debating amendments to the existing section 33.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Ivana Bacik: I thought we were debating amendments Nos. 68 and 71 together.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Ivana Bacik: Amendment No. 72 is listed under the heading for section 34, but its aim is to insert a new section 34, as I understand it, which is closer to the existing section 33. We have not yet reached the point of discussing anti-social behaviour as dealt with in the existing section 34 of the Bill. We have not yet moved to the existing section 34, which is important to point out at this stage.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Ivana Bacik: Yes, they are related amendments but they relate to the provisions of section 33 as it currently stands. Amendment No. 72 aims to insert a new section 34 but has nothing to do with anti-social behaviour. I wish to make that clear because I have tabled amendments to the existing section 34 dealing with anti-social behaviour but I do not propose to address those in speaking on amendment No....

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Ivana Bacik: I support this amendment because it provides for an extra level of discretion for housing authorities. I stress that it does not, in any way, prevent housing authorities from exercising powers to impose sanctions on households that are in arrears or breaching tenancy conditions. It provides for an extra level of discretion in exceptional circumstances, as the amendment proposes, and those...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Ivana Bacik: I move amendment No. 74: In page 34, subsection (2), after line 46, to insert the following: "(a) the promotion of good estate management,". These amendments together provide for a reordering of the existing provisions in section 34, which is headed "Anti-social behaviour strategy". We all accept that housing authorities must have clear procedures and strategies for dealing with anti-social...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Ivana Bacik: I will not press it at this stage but I reserve the right to raise it again on Report Stage.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Ivana Bacik: I move amendment No. 75: In page 35, subsection (2), between lines 1 and 2, to insert the following: "(b) initiatives for the prevention and reduction of anti-social behaviour, including but not limited to family intervention and mediation services,". This amendment expands on the existing proposals in the Bill for the prevention and reduction of anti-social behaviour by inserting the words...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Ivana Bacik: I am glad to hear the Minister of State emphasising the role of the HSE and the need for inter-agency co-operation on this issue. That is exactly what I am trying to achieve in a different way. I am attempting to spell out the need for inter-agency co-operation and HSE intervention in the form of family supports and mediation services. It is really just to give a specific expression to...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Ivana Bacik: I am grateful to the Minister of State for indicating he will provide guidelines in the area. It is a pity not to specify in more detail what initiatives can be taken by housing authorities. I will not press the amendment at this stage.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Ivana Bacik: I move amendment No. 79: In page 35, between lines 23 and 24, to insert the following: "(d) formal detail of how the housing authority plans to implement and resource its anti-social behaviour strategy; (e) relevant rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords; (f) protocols and procedures for responding to anti-social behaviour; (g) protocols and procedures ensuring fair and due...