Latest news with #DepartmentofHousing
Irish Examiner
8 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Department head 'unhappy' about housing charity leaving hotel it bought empty for three years
The head of the Department of Housing has acknowledged he is 'unhappy' with a situation which saw the Peter McVerry Trust purchase a Dublin hotel for €6.2m which has lain vacant for the past three years. Secretary general of the department, Graham Doyle, told the Public Accounts Committee on Thursday that the funding for the hotel had been part obtained via his department. He said it is 'working through' the options in terms of actioning the vacant building for social housing. The Georgian building in question, formerly Latchford's Hotel on Dublin's Baggot Street, was first purchased by the charity in 2022 after being placed for sale on the open market. The 20-bedroom hotel has remained vacant ever since in the aftermath of financial governance scandals which have shaken the Trust, one of the country's largest providers of homeless accommodation. Mr Doyle said the hotel had been funded by his department before the difficulties at the housing charity had emerged. He noted that the property had initially been purchased with a view to providing emergency accommodation. 'The understanding was planning was in place (for the hotel). Some planning issues arose in relation to it. I understand that the council and others are now working to look at how that property can be used for social housing at this point in time,' he said. Fianna Fáil's Paul McAuliffe said the vacancy of such a property, given the struggles of the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive to provide accommodation and that the department had funded the purchase, is 'questionable'. In response, Mr Doyle said he is 'unhappy with that'. He said, however, that the various recommendations made by the Comptroller and Auditor General on foot of the scandal – which suggested that oversight of grant funding to housing bodies be strengthened and that approval from the Department of Public Expenditure be obtained in each instance – have now been fully implemented. The Trust had caused opprobrium among the committee members in advance by declining to attend to give evidence. Mr Doyle, while declining to comment on that decision, did say that the 2023 accounts for the charity should have been published by now. The charity had said it may be in a position to give evidence at PAC once that publication has occurred. Read More
India.com
9 hours ago
- Politics
- India.com
Good news for Muslims in Karnataka as Siddaramaiah decides to increase housing quota by...
Good news for Muslims in Karnataka as Siddaramaiah decides to increase housing quota by... In a significant move aimed at enhancing social welfare, the Karnataka government has approved an increase in the housing quota for the Muslim community under various housing schemes. The reservation has been raised from the existing 10% to 15%, following a proposal passed in today's cabinet meeting. The decision will be applicable to all housing initiatives run by the state's Department of Housing in both rural and urban areas. The revised quota is expected to benefit a larger section of the Muslim population, ensuring better access to government-supported housing projects. Population ration Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, while addressing the media, said, 'This decision has been taken keeping in mind the population ratio and the underutilization of several housing projects. It is essential to fill these vacancies, and the Muslim community, given its population share, deserves increased representation in welfare housing.' He also took a swipe at the opposition, stating, 'The BJP has no agenda other than playing politics in the name of Muslims. Our government is committed to inclusive development, and this move is a step in that direction.' The Congress-led state government had earlier introduced provisions to extend reservation benefits to minority communities in government contracts as well. This latest move adds another layer of affirmative action targeting improved living conditions for minorities, particularly the Muslim community. The enhanced quota is expected to roll out soon, with guidelines being framed for its implementation.
India.com
10 hours ago
- Politics
- India.com
Karnataka Government Increases Housing Quota For Muslim Community From 10% To 15%
Reported By: Prashobh Devanahalli In a significant move aimed at enhancing social welfare, the Karnataka government has approved an increase in the housing quota for the Muslim community under various housing schemes. The reservation has been raised from the existing 10 per cent to 15 per ecnt, following a proposal passed in today's cabinet meeting. The decision will be applicable to all housing initiatives run by the state's Department of Housing in both rural and urban areas. The revised quota is expected to benefit a larger section of the Muslim population, ensuring better access to government-supported housing projects. While addressing the media, Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar said, 'This decision has been taken keeping in mind the population ratio and the underutilization of several housing projects. It is essential to fill these vacancies, and the Muslim community, given its population share, deserves increased representation in welfare housing." He also took a swipe at the opposition, stating, 'The BJP has no agenda other than playing politics in the name of Muslims. Our government is committed to inclusive development, and this move is a step in that direction.' The Congress-led state government had earlier introduced provisions to extend reservation benefits to minority communities in government contracts as well. This latest move adds another layer of affirmative action targeting improved living conditions for minorities, particularly the Muslim community. The enhanced quota is expected to roll out soon, with guidelines being framed for its implementation.
Irish Independent
12 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Investigation launched after white-tailed eagle poisoned in Kerry
The young female eagle was brought in as a chick from Norway in 2024 by the white-tailed eagle Reintroduction Programme, managed by NPWS, under the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Sadly the bird was found dead in Glencar in April of this year and toxicology reports show it was poisoned by a illegal substance. The NPWS have launched an investigation into the death of the eagle and have strongly criticised the incident. Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O'Sullivan TD also criticised the incident. The young female eagle released in Killarney National Park in 2024. Since 2020, all eagles released as part of this programme are monitored via satellite-tags. Concerns were raised in early April, as the eagle's satellite tag showed that she had remained stationary for several days. NPWS staff went to the location of the satellite tag and located the partially decomposed carcass of the eagle in a woodland. Toxicology tests have confirmed it had been poisoned with Carbofuran, an insecticide which has been banned in Ireland since 2007. It is not known how the eagle ingested this substance at this time. The NPWS said it 'deplores the deliberate killing of rare and endangered species, and takes bird of prey persecutions extremely seriously.' Deputy O'Sullivan said that the loss is 'regrettable' but will not stop efforts to introduce the bird of prey. 'Any loss in the wild not due to natural causes, is usually the result of human activity and this tragic loss is deeply regrettable.' ADVERTISEMENT 'We will continue with our efforts to introduce, nurture and protect these birds as part of The Reintroduction Programme which has been making significant progress in restoring this lost flagship species to Irish skies. The white-tailed eagle is part of Ireland's natural heritage and are important for our biodiversity, as they are a good indicator species regarding the health of our ecosystems.' Considerable efforts in recent years to reintroduce this iconic species, which was driven to extinction in the 19th and early 20th century by human persecution, have successfully contributed to the species re-establishment in Ireland. The white-tailed eagle Reintroduction Programme, which began in 2007, has so far released nearly 200 young eagles which have been supplied by the Norwegian Government. Currently, there are 13-16 breeding pairs, with 64 chicks fledged by the end of 2024. Sadly, however, a number of the eagles brought in as part of the programme have met untimely deaths. Recently, it was announced that a male eagle which held territory in Lough Derg for 17 years had been found dead, also suspected due to poisoning. The NPWS said the 'persecution by humans is the biggest threat to the reintroduction programme in Ireland." "The misuse/illegal use of poisons accounts for nearly 50% of eagle deaths where the cause of mortality was able to be determined, and at least one eagle has been shot. In terms of natural causes of death, a number of eagles have succumbed to avian flu, as well as other conditions,' they said. The NPWS have now launched an investigation and are appealing to the public for information. 'We appealing for any information the public may have in relation to the incident, or any other suspected poisoning or other unlawful killing of birds." Any information in respect of this or any suspected breaches of the Wildlife legislation should be reported to the NPWS head office or local offices or via email to wildlifeenforcement@ Wildlife crime incidents can also be reported to An Garda Síochána. The NPWS has also stressed that in the interests of public health and safety, the public should not handle dead birds.
Irish Independent
12 hours ago
- General
- Irish Independent
‘Deplorable' poisoning of White-Tailed Eagle in Kerry under investigation
The young female eagle was brought in as a chick from Norway in 2024 by the White-tailed Eagle Reintroduction Programme, managed by NPWS, under the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Sadly the bird was found dead in Glencar in April of this year and toxicology reports show it was poisoned by a illegal substance. The NPWS have launched an investigation into the death of the eagle and have strongly criticised the incident. Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O'Sullivan TD also criticised the incident. The young female eagle released in Killarney National Park in 2024. Since 2020, all eagles released as part of this programme are monitored via satellite-tags. Concerns were raised in early April, as the eagle's satellite tag showed that she had remained stationary for several days. NPWS staff went to the location of the satellite tag and located the partially decomposed carcass of the eagle in a woodland. Toxicology tests have confirmed it had been poisoned with Carbofuran, an insecticide which has been banned in Ireland since 2007. It is not known how the eagle ingested this substance at this time. The NPWS said it 'deplores the deliberate killing of rare and endangered species, and takes bird of prey persecutions extremely seriously.' Deputy O'Sullivan said that the loss is 'regrettable' but will not stop efforts to introduce the bird of prey. 'Any loss in the wild not due to natural causes, is usually the result of human activity and this tragic loss is deeply regrettable.' 'We will continue with our efforts to introduce, nurture and protect these birds as part of The Reintroduction Programme which has been making significant progress in restoring this lost flagship species to Irish skies. The White Tailed Eagle is part of Ireland's natural heritage and are important for our biodiversity, as they are a good indicator species regarding the health of our ecosystems.' Considerable efforts in recent years to reintroduce this iconic species, which was driven to extinction in the 19th and early 20th century by human persecution, have successfully contributed to the species re-establishment in Ireland. The White-tailed Eagle Reintroduction Programme, which began in 2007, has so far released nearly 200 young eagles which have been supplied by the Norwegian Government. Currently, there are 13-16 breeding pairs, with 64 chicks fledged by the end of 2024. Sadly, however, a number of the eagles brought in as part of the programme have met untimely deaths. Recently, it was announced that a male eagle which held territory in Lough Derg for 17 years had been found dead, also suspected due to poisoning. The NPWS said the 'persecution by humans is the biggest threat to the reintroduction programme in Ireland." "The misuse/illegal use of poisons accounts for nearly 50% of eagle deaths where the cause of mortality was able to be determined, and at least one eagle has been shot. In terms of natural causes of death, a number of eagles have succumbed to avian flu, as well as other conditions,' they said. The NPWS have now launched an investigation and are appealing to the public for information. 'We appealing for any information the public may have in relation to the incident, or any other suspected poisoning or other unlawful killing of birds." Any information in respect of this or any suspected breaches of the Wildlife legislation should be reported to the NPWS head office or local offices or via email to wildlifeenforcement@ Wildlife crime incidents can also be reported to An Garda Síochána. The NPWS has also stressed that in the interests of public health and safety, the public should not handle dead birds.
