Results 3,341-3,360 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2017 Order: Motion (27 Mar 2018)

Damien English: From when the new arrangements were put in place in July up to 21 March, the board received 47 valid pre-application consultation requests, for the initial nine-week period, in respect of which 36 opinions have issued, with a further 11 due in the coming weeks. A total of four of the 36 opinions indicated that the documents submitted gave a reasonable basis on which to submit planning...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2017 Order: Motion (27 Mar 2018)

Damien English: There were two refusals and five grants, three of which were conditional. Permission for the student accommodation at Belfield was granted with conditions. Permission for the residential development on Ballyogan Road was refused. Permission for the residential development at Barna in Galway was also refused. Permission for the student accommodation on Cork Street was granted, while...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2017 Order: Motion (27 Mar 2018)

Damien English: There are 523 residential units and 3,408 student bed spaces. We set out a specific student accommodation action plan with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and the Department of Education and Skills. We wanted to drive that agenda and have purpose-built student accommodation on or close to campus which should also free housing for others. There has been a push on...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2017 Order: Motion (27 Mar 2018)

Damien English: The Deputy's second question concerned the statutory timelines. When we had a debate on this matter in the Seanad and in the Dáil, that was considered. Generally, 80% to 82% of An Bord Pleanála's cases are dealt with within the statutory timelines. It has a service level agreement with our Department to reach that target. In 2017, it was lower than that and only 65% to 66% of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2017 Order: Motion (27 Mar 2018)

Damien English: We will certainly track that and consult the board on it. I have made it clear that we have proposed this order on foot of a commitment given that if we changed the legislation to provide for fast-track developments An Bord Pleanála needed additional board members. A specific team was set aside for that, therefore, it should not influence the board's day-to-day processes. If both...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2017 Order: Motion (27 Mar 2018)

Damien English: There is a number of reasons. I do not have a breakdown of the trends, but I could ask the board about that. Naturally, the board will come back to us if there are specific changes it would recommend. Generally, this process is to make sure we have a high standard of application in the first place.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2017 Order: Motion (27 Mar 2018)

Damien English: I remember at the time the then Minister, Deputy Coveney, stressed that it would not be a surprise if those who submitted the first applications found the process difficult because it was a new process and the planning would be fast-tracked. That nine-week phase is to make sure we get good quality applications and that nobody's time is wasted. The 32 applicants would have been given...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2017 Order: Motion (27 Mar 2018)

Damien English: ------a consultation. If they want to come back, they can still apply. Only four got a straightforward response; they were told their applications were at the top level, but 19 applications have come in. Some of those 32 combined applications and they would have made changes before they formally applied. The nine-week period is to guide best practice and the submitting of the best...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2017 Order: Motion (27 Mar 2018)

Damien English: Correct.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2017 Order: Motion (27 Mar 2018)

Damien English: This is not so much about the appointees but about the complement of the board.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2017 Order: Motion (27 Mar 2018)

Damien English: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2017 Order: Motion (27 Mar 2018)

Damien English: Both of them were required by An Bord Pleanála for its strategic housing division.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2017 Order: Motion (27 Mar 2018)

Damien English: I think they are both regarded as temporary positions until 2019.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2017 Order: Motion (27 Mar 2018)

Damien English: This is not about the persons but that the number on the board will be adjusted by 2019. We can have a discussion on the need for a review, but if we consider there is no need for it, we will not be continuing with it. That commitment was made, and it was given on floor of the Houses as well. I would point out to the Deputy that there is a huge volume of applications in the pipeline. Many...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2017 Order: Motion (27 Mar 2018)

Damien English: I understand the question. Both appointments reflect the request from An Bord Pleanála for additional-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2017 Order: Motion (27 Mar 2018)

Damien English: Yes, for this reason. That is why we have both people established.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2017 Order: Motion (27 Mar 2018)

Damien English: Yes. There is a nominating process.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2017 Order: Motion (27 Mar 2018)

Damien English: There is a list of prescribed bodies, which we can give to the Senator, if she would like it-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2017 Order: Motion (27 Mar 2018)

Damien English: -----which can make nominations to the Minister when a call goes out. There are five panels and the Minister of the day will have to make sure that, generally, there are two per panel. They work off the nominations that come in. The Minister cannot pick someone out of the sky. He or she has to be nominated.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2017 Order: Motion (27 Mar 2018)

Damien English: Generally, specific skills are required. The chair of the board has specifically said that she would like the candidates for these positions to have an architectural and engineering background. The most recent appointee was Michelle Fagan, who I believe has an architectural background. There are five panels. The candidates are nominated. The Minister chooses from those and it makes the...