Results 9,121-9,140 of 25,880 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Defective Building Materials (24 Jan 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The purpose of the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 is to implement and give legislative underpinning to a series of measures to improve and enhance the current grant scheme, as agreed by Government on 30 November 2021. The administrative areas of the following counties have been designated by the Act for the purposes of the enhanced grant...

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

Darragh O'Brien: The Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Members of Local Authorities) Act 2022 was signed into law by President Michael D. Higgins on 21 December 2022. The Act amends the Maternity Protection Act 1994 to make available maternity leave entitlements to local authority elected members. It also amends the Local Government Act 2001, first, to provide that a casual vacancy...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Grant Payments (24 Jan 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department has no funding stream that supports geological ground surveys. However, the project in question may be eligible to apply to the Heritage Council’s Community Heritage Grants Scheme, details of which may be found on www.heritagecouncil.ie. Should further information on this scheme be required, arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Defective Building Materials (24 Jan 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Programme for Government sets out a number of commitments in respect of the important policy area of addressing building defects. These include a commitment to examine defects in housing, having regard to the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing’s report Safe as Houses?. Housing for All, the Government’s national plan on housing to 2030, reiterates...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Business Supports (24 Jan 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 (19 Jan 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Housing for All, is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes by 2030. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn in funding through the...

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

Darragh O'Brien: Housing for All is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct...

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

Darragh O'Brien: Government recently agreed to increase the baseline income thresholds by €5,000 for all local authorities with effect from 1 January 2023. The thresholds increased to €40,000, €35,000 and €30,000 for bands 1, 2 and 3 respectively, with an estimated 16,000 additional households potentially eligible for social housing support as a result. While local authorities...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Foreshore Issues (19 Jan 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has approved the granting of a State Property Lease, pursuant to the State Property Act 1954 (as amended), to Callinafercy Rowing Club for a term of 35 years. The Chief State Solicitors Office (CSSO) have received documentation in relation to an outstanding issue and are actively working towards finalising the content and terms of the lease...

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

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 231 and 232 together. I refer to the reply to Question No. 512 of 18 January 2023, which set out the position in this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Properties (19 Jan 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. Many areas of cities, towns and villages of all sizes face the blight of vacant properties, which, if brought back into use, could add real vibrancy and provide new accommodation in those areas. The Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund is a key initiative which underpins...

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

Darragh O'Brien: The Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) is a scheme which funds the building of public infrastructure by local authorities. Its objective is to provide public off-site infrastructure to relieve critical infrastructure blockages to housing delivery. This enables the accelerated delivery of housing on key development sites in Dublin and in urban areas of high demand. LIHAF was...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Regeneration Projects (19 Jan 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Overall responsibility for roads policy and funding for the implementation of transport strategies is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Transport. Kildare County Council as the Roads Authority, is responsible for the management of the road network in its jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the above the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) is providing part-funding for...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Traffic Management (19 Jan 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: As set out in the reply to Question No 255 of 01 December 2022 and Question No 298 of 15 November 2022, the Naas Inner Relief Road project was cancelled by Kildare County Council following the rejection of the Part 8 planning application for the road by the elected members of the council in mid-2019. As the infrastructure was not proceeding, the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: International Protection (19 Jan 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The European Union (Planning and Development) (Displaced Persons from Ukraine Temporary Protection) Regulations 2022 were introduced in response to the emerging Ukrainian crisis. The Regulations give effect to Council Directive No 2001/55 EC and Council Implementing Decision EU 2022/382 of 04 March 2022 (European Council Decision) to provide immediate protection in EU countries for persons...

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

Darragh O'Brien: Planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála, as appropriate, may grant planning permission for a development, which involves rock breaking [drilling. blasting or splitting], on lands such as a quarry. A person is not entitled solely by reasons of a planning permission to carry out development. Where blasting is required, the issuing of a permit for the use of explosives in the extractive...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: International Protection (19 Jan 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The European Union (Planning and Development) (Displaced Persons from Ukraine Temporary Protection) Regulations 2022 were introduced in response to the emerging Ukrainian crisis. The Regulations give effect to Council Directive No 2001/55 EC and Council Implementing Decision EU 2022/382 of 04 March 2022 (European Council Decision) to provide immediate protection in EU countries for persons...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Jan 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: As the Deputy will be aware, the new revised and updated scheme the Government introduced through legislation passed last year is the basis for how we move forward on 100% redress for families affected by defective concrete blocks. We are doing that. We have been engaging with the local authorities on the draft regulations and we will receive feedback from them. I expect to meet with the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Jan 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Today is a very significant day. We committed in the programme for Government of the three parties that we would grasp this nettle and that we would deal with the issue of defects in apartments and duplexes. A significant Government decision was taken today to provide 100% redress. Costs already incurred will be covered by the scheme. It is important to say that those who have contracted...

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

Darragh O'Brien: I understand the practice of requesting court documentation from social housing applicants regarding the proof of access arrangements was discontinued by Cork City Council in late 2022 following consultation with the Court Service. The general practice is for a copy of a separation or divorce agreement for both applicants to accompany a social housing application. If there is no such...