Results 12,321-12,340 of 27,055 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Housing Schemes (5 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: In answer to the previous parliamentary question, the Minister of State, Deputy Burke, discussed the Croí Cónaithe towns and villages fund. We have to tackle the scourge of vacancy and dereliction and we are going to do so. That fund will come out very soon. As regards Mayo in particular, in June 2021 a scheme was submitted for 25 homes in Westport under the previous fund, namely,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Housing Policy (5 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: This is a mechanism that we want to see work. The Deputy referred to the tenants in situ scheme in Dublin City Council, which it effectively ran itself. It has not been precluded from operating that scheme. We need to balance what we are doing to make sure those waiting for a long time on the list will not be waiting even longer. This is a preventive measure. I want to see it work. I...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Planning Issues (5 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I am aware of the allegations that have been made. I understand they are denied by the board members specifically. It is important that we say that. I have appointed a senior counsel, Mr. Remy Farrell, to provide a report to inform my consideration of the matter. Any allegations of this nature, be they related to individuals or the process, must be taken very seriously. We have done so...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Planning Issues (5 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I assure the Deputy that they will be. He will see that very shortly, or in a matter of days, when we publish them. The work is now being concluded. It is important that the public have confidence in the board. We all have a responsibility to ensure this is the case. The Government has made significant changes to the planning process by reinstating a two-stage process that starts in the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Planning Issues (5 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: There are a number of reviews happening. I wish to refer also to the Attorney General's review of the planning code and a revised system for board appointments. That is really important. This is the most extensive review of the planning system, and we are working through it. I see that the Chairman of the joint committee, Deputy Matthews, is present. The committee will be involved....

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Planning Issues (5 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: All of that will be considered. The OPR review will be carried out as well. The OPR review is being conducted by Mr. Niall Cussen. We must not proceed in a piecemeal fashion but in a consolidated manner.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Planning Issues (5 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I need to let the senior counsel, Mr. Remy Farrell, start and conclude his work. That has not started yet. We do not know what the outcome will be, so I will not say anything further about what will happen with the report in the future; suffice it to say that the Government takes the situation very seriously. That is why it acted proactively. I welcome the Deputy's remarks in support of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Planning Issues (5 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I will take note of what the Deputy has said. We will come back to him in due course.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Housing Policy (5 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Deputy for his question. It is an important one. A priority for me as Minister is to continue tackling the serious problem that is homelessness. The continuing increase in the numbers, which I flagged a number of months ago and which was to be expected, is of serious concern to me as I know it is to the Deputy. The Government, local authorities and others are making every...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Housing Policy (5 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Deputy. To conclude my initial response, I also want to refer to mortgage to rent, which is a very important mechanism for preventing homelessness. Last year, I made some significant changes which came into effect from 14 February of this year. Last year, 678 borrowers availed of the mortgage to rent scheme. We are targeting 1,000 this year and in each year onwards and I think...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Ukraine War (5 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Russia’s illegal and immoral war on Ukraine has forced more than 5.5 million Ukrainian civilians to flee their homes and seek refuge in EU and other neighbouring States. It is anticipated 10 million may ultimately leave Ukraine, with more than 100,000 of these possibly arriving in Ireland. This will present the State with a challenge of unprecedented immediacy and magnitude, requiring...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (5 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Having regard to the manifest and grave risk to human life and public health posed by the spread of Covid-19 and in order to mitigate, where practicable, the effect of the spread of that disease, the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020 provided for a temporary moratorium on tenancy terminations, other than in exceptional and limited cases during the emergency period...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rental Sector (5 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I am very much aware of the issue that Deputy Ó Laoghaire has raised. The Ballincollig-Carrigaline Local Electoral Area (LEA) was designated a Rent Pressure Zone (RPZ) on 27 January 2017 under section 24 of the Residential Tenancies Acts (2004-2021). New Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts were signed into law on 31 January 2019 for Cork City and County (which...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (5 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Applications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations. The Regulations prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority, in different bands according to the area...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Emergency Accommodation (5 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) is responsible for meeting the immediate and short-term accommodation needs of persons arriving in Ireland from the conflict in Ukraine. Meanwhile, my Department is focusing on the medium and long-term accommodation challenges and is leading cross-government efforts through a Housing Taskforce established by...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (5 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The Programme for Government commits to ensuring that Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) levels are adequate to support vulnerable households, while we increase the supply of social housing. 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 closely with...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (5 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Households wishing to obtain social housing support from a local authority or an approved housing body (AHB) must first apply to the relevant local authority for a social housing assessment. Where the household is deemed qualified for support, it is placed on the housing authority’s waiting list and offers of suitable accommodation are made in accordance with the authority’s...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (5 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 75, 77, 78 and 81 together. Housing for All – A New Housing Plan for Ireland was published in September 2021 and, as part of a broad suite of social housing reforms, committed to reviewing income eligibility for social housing. The review, which examined, inter alia, the efficiency of the current banding model and income limits applicable to local...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Regeneration Projects (5 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The detailed advancement of housing and other works under the Cork North West Quarter Regeneration (CNWQR) programme is a matter, in the first instance, for Cork City Council. The Cork City Northwest Regeneration Masterplan & Implementation Report was published in 2011. The strategy outlined a departure from previous policy, with a proposal to carry out wholesale demolition of the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Emergency Accommodation (5 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) is responsible for meeting the immediate and short-term accommodation needs of persons arriving in Ireland from the conflict in Ukraine. Meanwhile, my Department is focusing on the medium and long-term accommodation challenges and is leading cross-government efforts through a Housing Taskforce established by...