Results 13,321-13,340 of 25,999 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (15 Sep 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The table below shows the number of active tenancies at the end of Q1 2021, by scheme, by local authority: Local Authority HAP RAS AHB long term leases under SHCEP Total Carlow  County Council 734 457 0 1,191 Cavan County Council 448 522 ...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Legislative Measures (15 Sep 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: My primary role in such matters is the oversight of forward planning legislation and as the competent authority for Marine Spatial Planning that incorporates and integrates marine policies developed across Government, including coastal erosion. Responsibility for coastal erosion rests with the Office of Public Works, who has functional responsibility for the operation...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Expenditure (15 Sep 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department has robust manual procedures and system controls in place, including the active reporting and monitoring of invoice due dates to keep late interest and penalty payments to a minimum.My Department consistently pays over 98% of all invoices within the due dates. The information requested is set out in the following table: - 2017 2018 2019 ...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (15 Sep 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department provides funding under the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, to assist people in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs.  The grants include the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People, which are...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (15 Sep 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme came into operation on 1 January 2016. The Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the Scheme. To be eligible, tenants must meet certain criteria, including having a minimum reckonable income of €15,000 per annum and having been in receipt of social housing support...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (15 Sep 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: Housing for All – a new Housing Plan for Ireland includes an action to examine the creation of a system of holding rental deposits, informed by international experience, by Q2 2023. Section 7 of the Residential Tenancies (No. 2) Act 2021 inserts a new section 19B into the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 which applies to tenancies created on or after 9 August 2021, to restrict the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Water Quality (9 Sep 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) is a shared service for the local authority sector. Working with State agencies, LAWPRO assists with the development and implementation of river basin management plans, which sets out the actions Ireland will take in order to improve the quality of our aquatic environment and meet the objectives of the EU Water Framework Directive. As part of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (9 Sep 2021)

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 2011, as amended. The 2011 Regulations prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority, in different bands...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (9 Sep 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: As of Q4 2020, a total of 2,039 unsold affordable units have been identified across 19 local authorities. These units are available for social housing and currently occupied by social housing tenants. These properties have provided homes for these tenants dating from 2009 when my Department issued guidance to local authorities on the use of unsold affordable properties as a...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Funding (9 Sep 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The maintenance of beaches and coastal communities is achieved by a range of programmes provided by local authorities, as well as across Government. As the Minister responsible for marine environmental policy maintaining our beaches and coast is a key priority for me. In addition to providing core local government funding, my Department funds and supports the "Clean Coasts" range of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Data (9 Sep 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: There have been a number of deaths of people who had been sleeping rough or accessing homeless services over the last number of years. Each of these deaths is a tragedy and I extend my sympathies to the families concerned.  The deaths of people availing of homeless services are a concern and are being taken very seriously.  It is important that we establish the facts concerning the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (9 Sep 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The Affordable Housing Act 2021 was signed into law by the President on 21 July 2021. On 18 August, I signed the Affordable Housing Act 2021 (Commencement) (Parts 1 and 3) Order 2021, which commenced Parts 1 and 3 of the Act from 19 August. This brought into operation the Cost Rental element of the Act. The text of the Order is available at:...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Staff (9 Sep 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department complies with all central policy and guidance, in relation to equality of opportunity in all of our employment practices.  The vast majority of external recruitment for my Department is carried out by the Public Appointments Service and any additional recruitment undertaken by my Department is done in compliance with the terms of the recruitment licence issued to us by the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (9 Sep 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The Government is committed to supporting older people to live in their own homes and communities with dignity and independence for as long as possible, as this leads to the best outcomes both for the individual and for society as a whole. The housing needs of older people are addressed specifically in seven Actions in the Government's new housing plan for the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Data (9 Sep 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department publishes a detailed monthly report on homelessness, based on data provided by housing authorities. The Report outlines details of individuals utilising State-funded emergency accommodation arrangements that are overseen by housing authorities. The Reports are available on my Department's website at the following link:  The most recently published data is in...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Data (9 Sep 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department currently publishes data on a monthly basis on the number of homeless persons accommodated in emergency accommodation funded and overseen by housing authorities.  These reports are based on data provided by housing authorities, produced through the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS). The reports are collated on a regional basis, are published on my...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (9 Sep 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme came into operation on 1 January 2016.  The Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the Scheme. To be eligible, tenants must meet certain criteria, including having a minimum reckonable income of €15,000 per annum and having been in receipt of social housing...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (9 Sep 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 321 and 322 together. The Property Registration Authority (PRA) processes adverse possession applications based on Section 49 of the Registration of Title Act 1964 and in accordance with the Land Registration Rules 2012.  Ancillary statutes informing the process are the Local Registration of Title Act 1891, Statute of Limitations 1957, Registration...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Hare Coursing (9 Sep 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The Irish hare [Lepus timidus hibernicus] is protected under the Wildlife Acts [1976 and 2000] and is also listed on Annex V of the E.U. Habitats Directive [92/43/EEC].  The species is considered to be in favourable conservation status. Hare coursing in Ireland is administered by the Irish Coursing Club (ICC) which is a body set up under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958. ...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Flexible Work Practices (9 Sep 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 324, 373 and 375 together. Departments and Offices are currently working in line with Government COVID-19 guidance, which provides for home working to continue where possible. Arrangements will be put in place in the coming weeks to allow for a gradual, staggered and physically distant return to the workplace for staff, as provided for in recently updated...