Results 6,941-6,960 of 25,844 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Water Services (24 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I can confirm that I plan to publish the framework for the new Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme in the coming weeks. Local authorities, including Mayo County Council, will then be invited to submit applications for funding for priority projects in their areas.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (24 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Housing for All delivers on the Programme for Government commitment to step up housing supply and put affordability at the heart of the housing system and my Department has introduced a number of initiatives to support the delivery of affordable homes for purchase by first time buyers. The Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme (LAAPS) was introduced to assist first-time buyers...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (24 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, the implementation of a planned maintenance programme and carrying out of responsive repairs, are matters for each individual local authority under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. Local authorities and elected members have a very important role to play in this regard by...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rental Sector (19 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 47,600 new build social homes and 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing in the period 2022-2026. Our clear focus is to increase the stock of social housing through new build projects delivered by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs). For 2023, the Government has agreed that there will be increased provision for...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (19 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Pathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock. In July 2022 the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was launched to support bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use. From 1 May 2023, a grant of up to a maximum of €50,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Burial Grounds (19 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: A series of ancient human remains were excavated from Omey island in 1992-93 as part of a rescue excavation. The rescue excavation was commissioned because burials were being washed away by continuing coastal erosion and the entire site with all those buried there at risk of being lost to the sea. Scientific dating of the burials indicates that these remains date to between the 7th and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Fire Stations (19 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003. My Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Sites (19 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The vast majority of known archaeological monuments in County Meath are subject to legal protection by reason of being included in the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) as established under section 12 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994. Accordingly, it is illegal to carry out work at or in relation to them without giving the Minister two months’ notice of the proposed...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (19 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: In July 2022 the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was launched to support bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use. From 1 May 2023, a grant of up to a maximum of €50,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent, including the conversion of a...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (18 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: NewERA provide financial and business advisory services with respect to the LDA to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in an ongoing capacity. Under the terms of reference agreed with NewERA and the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, NewERA provide advice to the Ministers and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Energy Conservation (18 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: In 2021 a new holistic approach was applied to the Energy Efficient Retrofit Programme (EERP), designed around the Programme for Government's commitment led by the Department for the Environment, Climate and Communications that calls for the 'retrofit' of 500,000 homes to a B2 (BER)/Cost Optimal Equivalent standard by 2030, of which, approximately 36,500 are expected to be local authority...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Legal Cases (18 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (18 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Programme for Government provides for a package of social housing reforms, including a social housing passport to allow households move from one local authority waiting list to another. An initial scoping exercise was carried out which identified a range of practical and administrative issues, including those related to the maintenance of seniority on housing waiting lists, local...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (18 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The making or amending of differential rent schemes are matters for individual local authorities within broad principles set out by my Department. Accordingly, rent schemes are generally based on a percentage of household income and reflect tenants’ ability to pay. Local authority rent schemes also contain hardship clauses which can be used to support households experiencing financial...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (18 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Report, entitled 'A Review Into Certain Planning Matters in Respect of Donegal County Council', by Mr. Rory Mulcahy S.C., received by my Department in June, 2017, remains under consideration. This matter is extremely complex and requires very careful consideration. My Department is engaging with various stakeholders on this matter, namely the Attorney Generals Office and the Office of the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (18 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Local Authority Home Loan is a scheme established by my Department which can assist the purchase of second-hand homes by individuals who have previously owned a residential property, in certain circumstances where the second-time buyers qualify under the Fresh Start Principle. The Local Authority Home Loan is a Government-backed mortgage for creditworthy applicants who cannot get...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (18 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The legislation governing the clawback on previous affordable housing schemes is Section 99 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, or Section 9 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2002, depending on the home in question. Both pieces of legislation set the same clawback rule: where the property is resold within 20 years, the homeowner must pay a clawback amount equal to a...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (18 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: In July 2022 the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was launched to support bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use. From 1 May 2023, a grant of up to a maximum of €50,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent, including the conversion of a...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (18 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 54,000 affordable homes by 2030, to be facilitated by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), the Land Development Agency (LDA) and through a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks. With 2022 representing the first full year of affordable housing delivery under the schemes introduced in the Affordable Housing...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Properties (18 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: In July 2022 the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was launched to support bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use. From 1 May 2023, a grant of up to a maximum of €50,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent, including the conversion of a...