Results 11,141-11,160 of 25,999 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (17 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Delivery of affordable housing, in accordance with the schemes set out in the Affordable Housing Act, 2021 and the funding being made available, will be underpinned by local authorities' Housing Delivery Action Plans. Local authorities, including Cork County Council, submitted their initial Plans to me in December. Preparation of the Plans allowed each local authority to assess the level of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (17 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I refer to the reply to question No. 75 of 5 May 2022 which sets out the position in the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Defective Building Materials (12 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I brought a Memorandum to Government on an enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme on the 30 November 2021. It included an unprecedented suite of improvements to the current scheme. Government approved the enhanced scheme which it is estimated will cost approximately €2.2Bn. I aim to bring the required primary legislation to give effect to the enhanced scheme before the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Water Services (12 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. The scope, prioritisation and progression of individual projects is a matter for Irish Water, and is approved through its own internal governance structures. Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (12 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Housing plans for specific settlements are a matter for each local authority in the first instance, as the planning authority for general housing and as the housing authority for social and affordable housing in the area under their remit. As part of Housing For All and under Circular 32/2021, I requested all local authorities to develop a Housing Development Action Plan detailing their...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Reports (12 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: In December 2019 a scoping exercise on Kilmainham and Inchicore was carried out by Retired Assistant Garda Commissioner Dr Jack Nolan. This report was commissioned by my Department with respect to the broader needs of the Inchicore-Kilmainham area from a strategic social and community perspective. The final report issued to all relevant line Departments who engaged in the scoping exercise....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (12 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Housing for All (published in September 2021) provides a new housing plan for Ireland to 2030 with the overall objective that every citizen in the State should have access to good quality homes through a steady supply of housing in the right locations, with economic, social and environmental sustainability built into the system. The strategy sets out, over four pathways, a broad suite of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: State Bodies (12 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The appointment of Board members to An Bord Pleanála is governed by section 106 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), and Part 7 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended. It provides that appointments to the Board by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage are generally made from candidates nominated by panels of prescribed...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2022: Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (12 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach, na Teachtaí agus na Seanadóirí as a gcuid ama chun na moltaí tábhachtacha agus dearfacha seo a phlé inniu. I thank the Acting Chairman, the Deputies and the Senators for their time and for affording me the opportunity to present to the committee these proposed planning regulations. As the Acting...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2022: Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (12 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Come see me the next time.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2022: Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (12 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Senator for his observations and his questions. I very much appreciate his broad support for it. We have been clear with local authorities. Accessibility, particularly for those who may be physically impaired in any way is really important. To go back to the letter to the committee from back in July 2021, we have been clear that is why the licensing system is in place. It is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2022: Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (12 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the committee for its time and indulgence here today.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2022: Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (12 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Deputy for his comments. He mentioned communities, and where any of them want to install street furniture, seats, bedding or whatever else, the local authority does not need a licence. I encourage any groups to enhance their public space. Much good public realm work has been done throughout the country and there are very good plans in our towns and villages, both rural and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2022: Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (12 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Deputy for his continued support for these measures. We appreciate it. Unlicensed street furniture is an issue in places. I am aware of it. To answer his question directly, the Roads Act allows the local authorities to remove material on the public road, or indeed the pathway, that is unlicensed. That requires resources - to speak to the last point the Deputy made - to have...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2022: Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (12 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: It is a good point. I agree completely. We need to ensure this affords an opportunity for us to further advise people and publicise the fact the regime is being extended and people can apply. They can apply for new licences and extension of licences and those will be granted where appropriate. It speaks to what Deputy McAuliffe was saying earlier. It is devolved to the local authority...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2022: Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (12 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: That is something we were careful in doing. With some areas of architectural conservation, protected structures and so on planning permission will be required. It is an important point and I am glad to have the opportunity to further clarify that here. The point about the use of the partitions being mainly used by drinks firms is interesting. I have seen it right across the place. It...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2022: Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (12 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Deputy and Senator for their comments. Deputy Higgins is correct when she refers to places being used that one would never have thought would be and referenced two bars in Lucan. It helps them and also improves the experience for people. It makes them more accessible in many instances and uses space that was not used before. The Department with responsibility for enterprise...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2022: Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (12 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: If we are serious about compact urban growth, getting brownfield built again, tackling a viability issue, people being able to own apartments and families being able to live in cities, then we need to take radical measures. This will be targeted and timebound. It will be on an open call and open book basis. We are working through this with the Commission. We have opened for expressions of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2022: Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (12 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: -----that we will get an opportunity to debate this. I want people to own their own homes and to be able to live in their cities. They need-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2022: Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (12 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: -----to be helped to do that. This will be managed through the Housing Agency. Each expression of interest that comes through will be on a open book basis and assessed on its individual merits. That comes with lots of strings-----