John Gormley

Mr. Gormley: Does the Minister share my concern that we do not appear to have a written plan?  Even though we are informed that the plans are being revised, we have been briefed on this side of the House by the Department of Health and Children, the HSE and others to that effect.  Are there sufficient anti-virals for members of the Defence Forces, who will be on the frontline?  What powers will members of the defence forces have in the event of the worst case scenario, a ‘flu pandemic when the disease becomes transmissible from human to human?  Will they have real powers to stop crowds from gathering and making the pandemic worse and does he foresee any constitutional difficulties in that?  I understand the Health Act 1947 gives the Defence Forces certain powers. (more…)

59. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress he has made in providing 10,000 new homes under the Sustaining Progress agreement. [27589/04]
 
   Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. N. Ahern): Substantial progress continues to be made on the affordable housing initiative under the Sustaining Progress agreement.  Part V affordable units are also an important contribution to the initiative.  More than 50 projects on State and local authority lands are planned at this stage which, together with some 2,100 affordable Part V units, will deliver a total of approximately 8,900 units under the initiative. (more…)

150. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the further reports on the matter he has received since the decision of Údarás na Gaeltachta to abandon the tender for sale of its 13-house complex at Eanach Mheain, Chontae na Gallimh. [11814/04]
 
   Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Éamon Ó Cuív): Section 8 of the Údarás na Gaeltachta Act 1979 sets out the functions of Údarás and specifies at subsection 8(7)  “For the purposes of this section, an tÚdarás shall have power to acquire, receive on transfer, hold, sell, mortgage, lease, let or otherwise dispose of land, buildings, markets, premises or plant and to erect, alter or maintain buildings, markets, premises or plant.”
  The responsibility for the disposal of Údarás property, therefore, is a matter for the board of Údarás na Gaeltachta, in accordance with relevant State and EU guidelines and directives, which include the public procurement guidelines (1994) and the code of practice for the governance of State bodies (2001).
  I have no function in regard to individual cases.  However, I understand from Údarás na Gaeltachta that the board has set aside its earlier proposals of sale in regard to “Tithe Saoire Eanach Mheáin” following advice from senior counsel on rules pertaining to State aid.  My responsibility as Minister is to ensure that the relevant guidelines and directives are adhered to and that best practice prevails.  My officials liaise with the Údarás executive on an ongoing basis in this regard.  In this case, and on foot of reports which have been received from Údarás, my officials are examining, within the framework of corporate governance arrangements, the processes and procedure which applied.

 383. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his Department will consider pursuing a policy of buying churches and church lands on sale; and if his Department has developed a policy to deal with the large number of churches and lands coming on the market. [10715/04]
 
   Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. N. Ahern): The acquisition of land for housing is a matter for the relevant housing authority.  My Department is aware that local authorities and voluntary housing bodies have in the past obtained land from diocesan authorities and religious orders for housing developments at no cost or at below market value.  Local authorities will continue to accept lands for housing made available on this basis with due cognisance to the best use of their resources and value for money in the provision of low cost social and affordable housing.
  Any church lands acquired and developed by private developers for residential purposes will be subject to the Part V social and affordable housing provisions.

 678. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if decisions have been made in regard to the review of the disabled persons housing grant; his views on whether this grant is the most essential tool for people with disabilities to make their home environment suitable to their needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25222/03] (more…)

186. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to extend social housing legislation to include people with disabilities, the majority of whom are excluded by the requirement to be in full employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22628/03] (more…)

 Mr. Gormley: I welcome the limited progress on tenants’ rights made in this Bill.  Where does the Government stand on this legislation?  We know that Fianna Fáil probably supports it but do the Progressive Democrats?  We saw an example this morning of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform having one position on the deal with the religious orders and the Tánaiste having a different one.  They appear to be at loggerheads.  If we are to have stability in the Government it is vital that the junior partner has a clear position on legislation.  It is clear that Deputy McDowell has a skewed idea of collective Cabinet responsibility.  His out of control ego prevents him from understanding this.  He is not a team player.  He has had more solo runs than Mick O’Connell in his heyday.  I hope we will have clarity on this issue.  It is vital. (more…)

556. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason the level of rent allowance for those in sheltered housing is considerably less than tenants in private rented accommodation; the plans she has to increase rent allowance for sheltered housing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18315/03]
 
   Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mary Coughlan): The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on behalf of my Department by the health boards, provides for the payment of a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of rent to eligible persons in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation needs.
  Rent supplements are normally calculated to ensure that a person, after the payment of rent, has an income equal to the rate of supplementary welfare allowance appropriate to his or her family circumstances, less a minimum contribution of €12 which recipients are required to pay from their own resources.
  There is a limit on the maximum amount of rent supplement payable to tenants in sheltered accommodation provided under the capital assistance scheme. Under the terms of the scheme, capital grants ranging from 90% to 95% are made available through local authorities, to approved voluntary bodies to provide accommodation for persons accepted as qualified for local authority housing.  In addition to the non-repayable capital grants, subsidies may also be paid under section 10 of the Housing Act, 1988. In these circumstances a limit is set on the maximum amount of rent supplement payable to tenants in these circumstances.
  With effect from January 2003 the maximum amount of rent supplement payable to tenants residing in this type of accommodation was increased to €45 per week for a couple and €40 for a single person. There are no plans currently to further increase the levels of supplement payable in these cases.

 525. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether more State support should be available for sheltered housing; the plans he has to introduce such assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18312/03]
 
  526. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress made to date on the introduction of a defined revenue funding scheme for sheltered accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18313/03] (more…)

 Mr. Gormley: How much did this cost to compile and does the Minister of State think it was a worthwhile exercise? 
  I note the difference between home ownership here and rented accommodation figures North and South.  Can we learn something from the experience in the North in terms of housing?  They do not seem to have the same housing crisis as we have in the South and rents seem to be more reasonable in the North. (more…)