Results 6,401-6,420 of 25,799 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Derelict Sites (28 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Section 3 of the Derelict Sites Act 1990 defines the term "derelict site" as meaning "any land which detracts, or is likely to detract, to a material degree from the amenity, character or appearance of land in the neighbourhood of the land in question because of - (a) the existence on the land in question of structures which are in a ruinous, derelict or dangerous condition, or (b) the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Elections (28 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: In order to vote a person must be eligible to vote and included on the register of electors. The Electoral Acts set out entitlements for inclusion.Non-EU citizens who are over 18 and ordinarily resident are entitled to vote in Local Elections. British Citizens are also entitled to vote in Dáil elections. EU Citizens may vote in European Parliament and Local elections. Irish citizens...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Septic Tanks (28 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: There are currently three separate Domestic Waste Water Treatment System (DWWTS) grant schemes, commonly known as Septic Tank Grants, available to householders. The purpose of the grants is to provide financial assistance to householders to repair or upgrade septic tanks. In order to avail of the grants, householders must have failed an inspection under the National Inspection Plan and be...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Septic Tanks (28 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The number of septic tank inspections required nationally is set out in the National Inspection Plan for Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems. Section 70K of the Water Services Act 2007 requires that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prepare a National Inspection Plan that includes "appropriate and specific qualitative and quantitative criteria, targets and indicators for...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Properties (28 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Addressing vacancy and making efficient use of existing housing stock is a a key priority for Government, as set out in Pathway 4 of Housing for All. In January 2022, my Department communicated with local authorities outlining that funding, made available since 2018 to support the work of a Vacant Homes Office including a Vacant Homes Officer (VHO), would be increased from €50,000 to...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Properties (28 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Addressing vacancy and making efficient use of existing housing stock is a key priority for Government, as set out in Pathway 4 of Housing for All. As part of the Vacant Homes Action Plan, a new CPO Activation Programme was launched in April. The Programme supports a proactive, planned and systematic approach by local authorities to the activation of vacant and derelict properties which...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (28 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Programme for Government commits to ensuring that the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) levels are adequate to support vulnerable households, while the supply of social housing is increased. Maximum rent limits for HAP were set for each housing authority area in 2016 in conjunction with the Department of Social Protection (DSP). In reviewing the rent limits, my Department worked...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Offshore Islands (28 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Government’s housing plan to 2030, Housing for All, supports the need to fully consider the housing needs of island communities as part of the objective to drive social sustainability and foster sustainable communities. In concert, our national planning policy in the National Planning Framework (NPF) identifies the need to have vibrant rural communities on our offshore islands and...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (23 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Deputy for her amendment and for her letter which I read, and we responded to. As she outlined, it proposes to amend section 3(2) by replacing Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage with An Coimisiún Toghcháin. It is a standard provision, as she said, and that has been inserted into constituency revision Bills going right back to 1923. It does provide a...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (23 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: If the Deputy could resist the temptation.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (23 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank Deputy Bacik. I note the intention of the amendment, which is a little more prescriptive than the other amendments. I will detail in my response the reasons I will not accept it. However, I suggest that there is a way forward with it. Deputy Bacik has outlined what she wants to do. Included in the amendment is a request that An Coimisiún Toghcháin undertake detailed...