Results 7,041-7,060 of 25,844 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rental Sector (5 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Minister for Social Protection is responsible for various schemes to assist people with insufficient incomes to meet their needs and the Minister for Finance is responsible for taxation. A landlord may be allowed to claim Mortgage Interest Relief against rental income from residential accommodation. The interest must be from a mortgage that is used to purchase, improve or repair a...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: International Agreements (5 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention) requires Parties to prevent, control and reduce transboundary impact, use transboundary waters in a reasonable and equitable way and ensure their sustainable management. While Ireland intends to ratify the Convention, there is no agreed timetable to do so at this time....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (5 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Modern methods of construction (MMC) is a key way of helping to address Ireland’s housing needs, be they urban or rural. Modular and timber are key components within the range of MMC categories. MMC has the potential to increase productivity and efficiency, improve delivery, and reduce cost and waste in construction. Coordination of activities to promote MMC adoption is being led under...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (4 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Both the Programme for Government and Housing for All commit to strengthening the Mortgage to Rent (MTR) scheme and ensuring that it is helping those who need it. Building on the significant amendments already made to the scheme in 2017, the 2021 Review, published on 24 January 2022, examined the impact of these changes and what further changes would benefit those in need of the scheme. While...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Fire Stations (4 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 130 and 141 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Waterways Issues (4 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 132 together. Waterways Ireland is proposing to update the Shannon Bye-laws and Canal Bye-laws which are more than 30 years old. The needs of users have changed, environmental landscape and health and safety considerations have developed significantly and the waterways themselves have been transformed over these decades. There is an open public...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Waterways Issues (4 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Waterways Ireland is proposing to update the Shannon Bye-laws and Canal Bye-laws which are more than 30 years old and no longer fit for purpose. The needs of users have changed, environmental landscape and health and safety considerations have developed significantly and the waterways themselves have been transformed over the past thirty years. The purpose of updating the Bye-laws is to make...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Solar Energy Guidelines (4 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: In 2021 a new holistic approach was applied to the programme, 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/Cost Optimal Equivalent (BER) standard by 2030, of which, approximately 36,500 are expected to be local authority owned homes, with grant funding...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Proposed Legislation (4 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: National Parks (4 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Government is committed to achieving 30% Marine Protected Area (MPA) coverage of Ireland's Maritime Area by 2030, in line with the Programme for Government, the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, and a number of International initiatives such as the UN Convention on Biological Diversity's post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. My Department has been working closely with...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (4 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Public Drinking Water Fountains have been installed by many Local Authorities in recent years. In response to the Programme for Government commitment to install drinking water fountains two pilot projects are being undertaken. These projects are being led by Uisce Éireann and the National Federation of Group Water Schemes (NFGWS) respectively. Any future funding from my Department...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (4 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 (4 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Local Authority Home Loan, which is available since 4 January 2022 is a Government-backed mortgage for first-time buyers and fresh start applicants, who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial banks to purchase or build a home. The loan can be used both for new and second-hand properties, or to self-build. As part of the eligibility criteria, applicant(s) of the Local Authority...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (4 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 occupation as...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Fire Stations (4 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: Defective Building Materials (4 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I am aware of recent views expressed by the Banking and Payments Federation of Ireland (BPFI) at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform on 27 September, 2023. The BPFI advised the committee that only homes remediated to current building regulations would be mortgageable in the future. Officials from my Department met with the BPFI on 28 September,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Environmental Policy (3 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I welcome the interest in this emerging and frontier arena in support of biodiversity. Ireland's forthcoming 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP 2023-2027) sets out Ireland’s vision for biodiversity by 2050 as follows; “Biodiversity in Ireland is valued, conserved, restored and sustainably used, maintaining ecosystem services, sustaining a healthy planet and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (3 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Since the publication of the current Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines in 2005 (which continue to have effect in addition to subsequent clarifications and national policy changes in the NPF) there have been important changes to our planning system. Most notably, obligations under European Directives and international agreements relating to the management and protection of the environment...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Public Sector Staff (3 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: A recruitment competition for Conservation Rangers was run by the Public Appointments Service in recent years and the relevant terms and conditions including payscales were advertised in the campaign booklet. The Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform determine the starting pay on promotion and appointment to the civil service for existing civil and public servants....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wind Energy Guidelines (3 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. The review is addressing a number of key aspects including noise, setback distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections. Guidance on the noise aspect, which is highly technical in nature, is currently being advanced by my Department in...