Results 2,941-2,960 of 8,073 for speaker:Peter Burke

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Wind Energy Generation (11 Nov 2021)

Peter Burke: I thank Deputy Nolan for her supplementary question. In the first instance, I would love to give an exact date, but unfortunately I cannot because I do not have one. The Deputy referred to public consultation. There were 500 submissions in the round of public consultation to bring about the draft guidelines. Some are very technical in respect of noise and they are being assessed on a...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Wind Energy Generation (11 Nov 2021)

Peter Burke: I am absolutely aware of the urgency. The position was the same when I entered the Department. I have brought a sense of urgency to this matter also but, unfortunately, it is beyond our control. I say that genuinely because, in addition to there being another Department involved, there is the difficulty that we may require another strategic environmental assessment given the technicality...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Planning Issues (11 Nov 2021)

Peter Burke: As I clearly outlined, there was a review in 2016. The recommendations on foot of that review are now being examined as to their implementation subsequent to that. My Department has an oversight agreement with An Bord Pleanála where vital issues and concerns are raised on an ongoing basis. The Office of the Planning Regulator, OPR, has statutory functions to conduct reviews in this...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Planning Issues (11 Nov 2021)

Peter Burke: I just made clear that we are actively doing that, through the oversight agreement in the first instance, and the other two mechanisms I outlined. Some 27,000 planning permissions are granted in this State per annum, 10% of which go to appeal. The process is working as prescribed. There are instances, such as those the Deputy has outlined, of concern and we are actively engaging on those...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Derelict Sites (11 Nov 2021)

Peter Burke: The Derelict Sites Act 1990 confers significant powers on local authorities to tackle the problem of dereliction in our towns and cities. The application of the derelict sites levy is only one of those powers which also include requiring owners or occupiers to take appropriate measures on derelict sites and acquiring derelict sites by agreement or compulsorily. It is a matter for the local...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Derelict Sites (11 Nov 2021)

Peter Burke: It is definitely not for the want of support form central Government to local authorities. That can be proved with evidence. If one is to critically evaluate the network, one should look at Waterford. Almost 55% of Waterford's repair and leasing scheme has been utilised. That is delivering properties on the ground. I was there to see it first-hand. One should look at how compulsory...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Planning Issues (11 Nov 2021)

Peter Burke: I thank the Deputy for his question. I wish to explain from the outset that under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, I am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in respect of any particular case in which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála may be concerned. Sections 50, 50A and 50B of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Properties (11 Nov 2021)

Peter Burke: Addressing vacancy and maximising the use of existing housing stock is a primary concern of this Government, as demonstrated by one of the four pathways dedicated solely to this priority area in the new Housing for All strategy. The most recent figures available from Census 2016 indicate that there were 183,000 vacant homes nationwide, a 20% reduction on figures reported in Census 2011...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Proposed Legislation (11 Nov 2021)

Peter Burke: The General Scheme of the Housing and Planning and Development Bill 2019 now referred to as the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill in the Legislative Programme Autumn Session 2021, was published in late 2019. The General Scheme was the subject of a public consultation process which ended in January 2020. The General Scheme sets out an initial outline of proposed revisions to the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (11 Nov 2021)

Peter Burke: The Land Development Agency (LDA) was established on an interim basis in September 2018, by way of an Establishment Order made under the Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) Act 1971. The Land Development Agency Act was recently signed in law and, on commencement, the LDA will be established as a commercial State agency. There is ongoing engagement between the LDA and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (11 Nov 2021)

Peter Burke: Since 2018, my Department has provided funding to each local authority of €50,000 per annum to support the work of a Vacant Homes Office including a Vacant Homes Officer. All local authorities have such officers in place, but the data indicates that the majority of these are currently on a part-time basis.  In the context of Housing for All, a range of actions are...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Traveller Accommodation (11 Nov 2021)

Peter Burke: In accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, the role of my Department is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist housing authorities in providing accommodation for Travellers, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding. The total funding recouped to local authorities for expenditure on the provision...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Properties (11 Nov 2021)

Peter Burke: I propose to take Questions Nos. 41, 61 and 82 together. This Government has recently published Housing for All which outlines in detail our ambitious plan to deliver a sustainable housing system for Ireland. Core to this plan are four pathways, one of which relates to addressing vacancy and the efficient use of housing stock. I have been clear that at a time of such housing need, it is...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Sites (11 Nov 2021)

Peter Burke: Under the vacant site levy provisions in the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015, planning authorities were empowered to apply a vacant site levy of 3% of the market valuation of relevant properties which were listed on local authority vacant site registers in 2018, which relevant owners were liable to pay in January 2019. The rate of the levy increased to 7% for sites listed on local...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (11 Nov 2021)

Peter Burke: My Department continues to engage with representatives of the local government sector and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on the financial challenges facing local authorities as a direct consequence of the pandemic, both in terms of additional costs incurred as part of the local government response and declines in local authority income streams, including the loss of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (11 Nov 2021)

Peter Burke: I am determined to ensure that housing policy must address the needs of all those who experience social exclusion in our society.  To this end, my Department is working to put in place the structures at local and national level to underpin this policy. The Government continues to support the Traveller and Roma Strategy, and in that context, in accordance with the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (11 Nov 2021)

Peter Burke: The Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Rural Housing 2005, were issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 and require planning authorities to frame the planning policies in their development plans in a balanced and measured way that ensures the housing needs of rural communities are met, while avoiding excessive urban-generated housing.  The...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Maritime Jurisdiction (11 Nov 2021)

Peter Burke: The Maritime Area Planning (MAP) Bill sets out proposed procedures for forward planning and project level assessments of specific proposals under the Planning and Development Act.  The National Parks and Wildlife Ser vice is now under the remit of  my Department and engagement between officials has been ongoing...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (11 Nov 2021)

Peter Burke: The Government is determined to ensure that housing policy addresses the needs of those who experience exclusion in our society, including those with disabilities. The National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability 2016-2021, which is a joint Strategy with the Department of Health provides that people with disabilities, including those in the community, and those in...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (11 Nov 2021)

Peter Burke: The current National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability  (NHSPWD) 2011-2021 is a joint strategy with the Department of Health. A first consultation phase for the development a new joint Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Department of Health Strategy to 2027 for the housing of people with disabilities was launched earlier this...