Results 14,201-14,220 of 27,055 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defective Building Materials (28 Sep 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: As the Deputy stated, it took time to get the group up and running and the terms of reference agreed. It was important that we got agreement from all involved as to the terms of reference, to move it forward and to put it on an independent footing. It is fair to say that it took some time to get the terms of reference agreed. Again, I did not want to pressure people into having terms of...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defective Building Materials (28 Sep 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I understand that point being made by the Deputy. The Construction Defects Alliance did make a pre-budget submission which I received. It has also gone to the Department of Finance for consideration. Regardless of any measures in this future budget, which has not been decided, we want to help these homeowners. We want to put a process in place that will be sustainable into the future....

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rental Sector (28 Sep 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I was very clear at the time as to why I was bringing these measures through more quickly than I intended originally, that is, to deal with the 4% issue. On 8 July, I stated clearly in the House that, effectively, I would monitor it and keep it under review. I do not intend to delay on this issue. This was the fifth rent measure we brought forward within the 12-month period. I want to...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rental Sector (28 Sep 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I flagged this issue on 8 July, as did others, including Deputy Cian O'Callaghan. I raised this at the time that we were bringing forward measures quickly to deal with a particular issue. I flagged that I would be bringing forward a more comprehensive tenancy Bill in the autumn and we are going to do that. Let us not lose sight of the fact that the change the Government made by linking...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rental Sector (28 Sep 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 introduced a targeted rent increase restriction of 4% per annum. The Deputy will recall that we brought forward some of the subsequent changes in legislation more quickly than we would have liked in order to deal with the roll-over of outstanding increases into an 8% rise. The Residential Tenancies (No. 2) Act 2021...

Housing for All: Statements (28 Sep 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I have been there.

Housing for All: Statements (28 Sep 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: If Sinn Féin stops objecting to housing, I will go with the Deputy.

Housing for All: Statements (28 Sep 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I was not. Deputy O'Callaghan is very sensitive.

Housing for All: Statements (28 Sep 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The Deputy should have a bit of respect.

Housing for All: Statements (28 Sep 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: That is not true.

Housing for All: Statements (28 Sep 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I am thankful for the opportunity to speak to the House today about Housing for All. This Government and I are keenly aware of the housing challenges facing people right across this island. We know that the impact of the housing crisis is felt in every family right across our country. It ranges from hard-pressed tenants stuck in a rent trap and wondering if they will ever own their own...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (28 Sep 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: In March of this year my Department’s Secretary General and other senior officials met with each of the Galway local authority Chief Executives. On 31 May and 2 June and, most recently again, on 13 and 14 September, I met with the Chief Executives of all local authorities including both Galway City and County Councils, where a range of issues relating to the Housing for All plan were...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (28 Sep 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department operates the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan, which is targeted at first time buyers who wish to own their own home, have access to an adequate deposit and have the capacity to repay a mortgage, but who are unable to access a mortgage sufficient for them to purchase their first home. The loan enables credit worthy first time buyers to access sustainable mortgage lending to...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (28 Sep 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: In 2021, there is a provision for 800 social housing acquisitions by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies. This provision is targeted towards securing specific types of units, including properties for homeless households, one-bedroom properties, housing for individuals with a disability and for households with other priority needs. It is a matter for individual local authorities to...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Construction Industry (28 Sep 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: Housing for All sets out a pathway to economic, societal and environmental sustainability in the delivery of housing. Reducing construction costs is critical to increasing supply. Recent analysis by industry indicates that construction build costs account for approximately 47% of total apartment development costs. Prices for a large number of construction materials have increased...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (28 Sep 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: In March of this year my Department’s Secretary General and other senior officials met with each of the Galway local authority Chief Executives. On 31 May and 2 June and, most recently again, on 13 and 14 September, I met with the Chief Executives of all local authorities including both Galway City and County Councils, where a range of issues relating to the Housing for All plan were...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (28 Sep 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: An analysis of expenditure on housing supports was carried out by the Irish Government Economic & Evaluation Service (IGEES) within the Department of Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform in 2017. This analysis concluded that cost levels within each of the schemes funded under the Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme, which includes long term leasing, were generally below...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (28 Sep 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan is designed to enable credit worthy first time buyers to access sustainable mortgage lending to purchase new or second-hand properties in a suitable price range, or to self build. It does not include undertaking renovation projects and there are no plans to change this requirement at present.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Domestic Violence (28 Sep 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: Responsibility for the development and provision of services to support victims of domestic violence rests with my colleague the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and I understand that the delivery of these services is managed by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. In terms of social housing services, in 2017, my Department issued policy and procedural...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (28 Sep 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: Details on social housing delivery for each local authority, across a range of delivery mechanisms, are included in social housing statistics published by my Department. This data is available to the end of Quarter 2 2021 and is available on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provis ion/ A...