Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 241: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the funds and grants available from his Department or agencies responsible thereto to support initiatives to combat anti-social behaviour; and the details of such funding, including the amounts expended in 2004 and the amount available in 2005. [4386/05]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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A number of measures have been put in place to ensure that local authorities have the capacity to fulfil their responsibilities under the Housing Acts for the management and maintenance of their housing stock. These measures include the enactment of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1997 and the recently enacted Residential Tenancies Act 2004.

The housing unit, which is funded by my Department and local authorities, has produced guidance and organised training courses for local authority staff to help them deal with anti-social behaviour. My Department contributed €270,000 in 2004 towards the running costs of the unit. It has also put in place a housing management initiatives scheme which includes funding for programmes to improve estate management, tenant liaison and training initiatives. Grants amounting to €704,000 were paid by my Department in 2004.

Details of funding arrangements for 2005 have not yet been finalised but it is my objective to consolidate the progress made to date.