Results 14,641-14,660 of 26,245 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rental Sector (5 May 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Deputy. While the Government's objective is to focus strongly on local authority-led build activity, long-term leasing is an important option available to authorities to supplement delivery and secure high-quality social housing on a long-term basis. Lease payments are paid to the property owner based on a discounted market rent, with the level of discount reflecting the...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rental Sector (5 May 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The Deputy is probably referring to the Herbert Hill development. That was the first enhanced leasing project approved by the Department. Following the approval, a standard review took place on all application procedures. As a result of the review, it was decided that an additional requirement for approval under the scheme would be that a local authority would, in addition to any red book...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rental Sector (5 May 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: To answer the Deputy's first question, I am not aware of any other issues with regard to valuations and independent assessments. If the Deputy is aware of any, I ask him to bring it to my attention. We have made abundantly clear to local authorities what the procedure is. We have had instances where properties have lain vacant for a long number of months, which is not something I support....

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: House Prices (5 May 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I appreciate the opportunity to address this matter. I met virtually with the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland and its representatives went through the report with me. It is a very informative and good piece of work, which the SCSI did with my senior officials. We have taken that work on and are continuing some collaborative work with the organisation. The reports, Real Cost of New...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Social and Affordable Housing (5 May 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Deputy for his question. As he will know, the Government's stated objective is to focus strongly on new build activity and, in particular, local authority-led new build activity. The latter will comprise 9,500 of the target of 12,750 set down for this year. The new ambition under the programme for Government is to deliver 50,000 new social houses primarily through new build....

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Social and Affordable Housing (5 May 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: It is a fair question. It is timely in the sense that tomorrow evening the House will take Second Stage of the Planning and Development (Amendment) (Repeal of Part V Leasing) Bill 2021 brought forward by Deputy Cian O'Callaghan. I have indicated that the Government will support that Bill moving to Committee Stage. To be frank, Part V leasing has been up to now a very small part of overall...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Social and Affordable Housing (5 May 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: It is being assessed and evaluated. I want to review it. As the Deputy will know, we have just over 20,000 tenants in leased properties. The cost of that to the Exchequer is €250 million per annum. They are secure homes for people right now and we have to ensure that continues to be supported through the social housing current expenditure programme, SHCEP. There is a distinct...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Social and Affordable Housing (5 May 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: We will come back to it. It is being reviewed.

Private Rental Sector: Motion [Private Members] (5 May 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after “Dáil Éireann” and substitute the following: “notes that: — the Government is fully committed to tackling high rents and ensuring an increase in the supply of affordable high quality rental accommodation through continued significant capital investment, including Cost Rental and other means and in a...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Properties (5 May 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: Dublin City Council (DCC) has advised my Department that here have been a number of delays in the delivery of 58 social housing apartments at Prospect Hill since the original developer went into receivership in 2012. Earlier this year DCC signed a settlement agreement in relation to the remedial works and other issues regarding the overall development. Following delays due to property...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (5 May 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I refer to my recent letter to the Deputy in this matter which issued further to a query he raised with An Taoiseach in this House regarding the protection of potential burial sites associated with mother and baby homes in the context of county development plans. It had been requested that local authorities ensure that such possible burial sites are identified and taken into account in the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (5 May 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: Social housing construction projects, as with all publicly funded construction projects, must be competitively tendered, in accordance with the public procurement guidelines, to ensure transparency as well as value for money for the taxpayer. The Office of Government Procurement under the aegis of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is responsible for implementing national policy...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes (5 May 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department builds its strategic water policy and infrastructure delivery programmes around the National Planning Framework 2018-2040 and the National Development Plan 2018-2027. Investment is primarily delivered through Irish Water while my Department operates the Rural Water Programme directly. The Programme for Government supports the uptake of Irish Water's Small Towns and Villages...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rent Controls (5 May 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The Planning and Development and Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2016 introduced the Rent Predictability Measure to moderate rent increases in those parts of the country where rents are highest and rising fastest, resulting in great difficulty for households finding affordable accommodation. In these areas, called Rent Pressure Zones (RPZ), rents can only increase by a maximum of 4% per...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (5 May 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 54, 69 and 79 together. Increasing the supply of public, social and affordable homes is priority for my Department. The Programme for Government includes a commitment to deliver 50,000 new social homes with a focus on new build homes. In January, the enhanced Level 5 restrictions introduced by Government involved most residential construction being...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Irish Water (5 May 2021)

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. Irish Water takes a strategic, nationwide approach to asset planning and investment, and meeting customer requirements. The prioritisation and progression of individual projects and programmes is a matter for determination by...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (5 May 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: This Government is absolutely committed to ensuring that affordable, quality housing solutions are available to everyone in Irish society and this is reflected in the Programme for Government "Our Shared Future". I am currently progressing two affordable purchase schemes. The first of these entails the delivery of affordable homes by local authorities. To support this, under the Serviced...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Real Estate Investment Trusts (5 May 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I have serious concerns of instances, recently reported, where investors are inappropriately purchasing entire completed houses estates, preventing their sale to families and first time buyers. Institutional Investors, including REITS, are regulated by the Department of Finance. The issue of sale and of purchase of land or housing are matters for the Minister for Justice. I am working...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing (5 May 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: To support the delivery of the homes that will be made available by local authorities for purchase, €310 million was made available under the Serviced Sites Fund (SSF). This fund sub-vents the cost of facilitating infrastructure and a maximum SSF funding amount of €50,000 is available per affordable home. On this basis, at least 6,200 more affordable homes, to buy or rent, can...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing (5 May 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The upkeep, refurbishment and regeneration of social housing, including flat complexes, is a matter, in the first instance, for the local authority. Following on from reviews of the conditions of their older flat complexes and based on the need to modernise, bring the living conditions up to acceptable levels and as part of their climate action plans, Dublin City Council (DCC) is...