Results 14,881-14,900 of 26,245 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Update on the Programme for Government: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (20 Apr 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I am trying to answer the question. If you will not let me answer it, that is fine.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Update on the Programme for Government: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (20 Apr 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: While it might not suit Deputy Ó Broin's narrative, the reality is that the details are being finalised right now. It is the first affordable scheme in decades. It is the first affordable build since the mid-2000s. There are excellent elements in it because the Government believes in affordable housing and we are going to bring it about. The regulations and the details of the Bill...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Update on the Programme for Government: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (20 Apr 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The Deputy will appreciate we have been dealing with a pandemic and, as a Department, we have been responding to that and the urgent work that is required. I have engaged on a regular basis-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Update on the Programme for Government: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (20 Apr 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The Deputy wants to keep interrupting me and I know it is his modus operandi. To be fair, I will be coming to the committee with significant legislation that will make a difference to people, namely, the Land Development Agency Bill and the affordable housing Bill. I hope Deputy Ó Broin will be able to support some of those real solutions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Update on the Programme for Government: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (20 Apr 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I agree.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Update on the Programme for Government: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (20 Apr 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I will let the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, respond to the last point raised.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Update on the Programme for Government: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (20 Apr 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: On the SHDs-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Update on the Programme for Government: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (20 Apr 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I will comment on the SHDs because a number of colleagues have expressed interest in them. I will respond to Deputy Higgins on the other points she raised. I thank her for her support.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Update on the Programme for Government: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (20 Apr 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The programme for Government is clear. SHDs will not be extended past their expiry date. We need to look at elements of the provision of affordable social housing and educational facilities in the context of how we can make sure that they are dealt with efficiently through the planning system. SHDs will, however, cease post the expiry date and we will not be extending them further. In...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Update on the Programme for Government: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (20 Apr 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Deputy. As he rightly stated, we have discussed this very important matter before. The programme for Government provides that the Government will establish a commission on housing to examine issues such as tender standards, sustainability, quality of life and the provision of housing. We intend to establish a commission on housing this year. We will be seeking stakeholder...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Update on the Programme for Government: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (20 Apr 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Deputy for his questions. I heard Councillor Anthony Flynn regarding the Inner City Helping Homelessness report. I will read it. From the reports regarding its contents, the document has reached some concerning conclusions. I refer in particular to the fear that some members of our homeless community have in making complaints. That should not be the case. The prevalence of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Update on the Programme for Government: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (20 Apr 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: We are aware of that situation and where there are gaps we want to bridge them. We are working in that direction.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Update on the Programme for Government: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (20 Apr 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: Where there are gaps will do that, and that is it. It is important for us and it is a priority. The same standards need to be applied to private emergency accommodation and State-provided accommodation, and we must ensure that happens.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Update on the Programme for Government: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (20 Apr 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The Senator has put many valid questions so if I do not get to answer some now, I will respond to her directly. Her first question relates to the Bill I brought forward when I was in opposition that would allocate a portion of a development to first-time buyers. We are working through that as well. Like other legislation brought through, I advocated for this while I was in opposition and I...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Update on the Programme for Government: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (20 Apr 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I can come back in writing to the Senator on the other points.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Update on the Programme for Government: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (20 Apr 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Senator for his contribution and will run through them very quickly. I had the pleasure of visiting Waterford with him and seeing the work being done by Waterford City and County Council with the repair and lease scheme. It is an exemplar and we will set targets for our local authorities. It is a great way of being able to bring in unused older buildings. I visited some with...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Update on the Programme for Government: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (20 Apr 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I assure the Deputy that I am more than happy to answer any of his questions. That is no problem whatsoever. I respect everyone's mandate and position. I am more than happy to do so.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 16 - Valuation Office (Revised)
Vote 23 - Property Registration Authority (Revised)
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Revised) (20 Apr 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: We have provided a briefing on this to the committee and I will go through the high-level points of the Department's Estimate for 2021, as well as the Votes for the Valuation Office and the Property Registration Authority of Ireland, which are under the aegis of my Department. We have given some performance information and we have also given a briefing to members. Our time is limited and we...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 16 - Valuation Office (Revised)
Vote 23 - Property Registration Authority (Revised)
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Revised) (20 Apr 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I will leave housing at that and I will be happy to take any questions members have on the issue. I will speak on water services for less than a minute. We are providing more than €1.3 billion to Irish Water in 2021. We provided an additional €88 million in capital after I was appointed last year and this year, an additional €100 million has been provided. It is...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 16 - Valuation Office (Revised)
Vote 23 - Property Registration Authority (Revised)
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Revised) (20 Apr 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank Deputy McAuliffe for his questions. There is no question that the housing assistance payment is a significant cost to the State. We have to make sure we tip the balance back from providing the short-term measures that we need to provide for people. We are looking to support an additional 15,800 new households to have their housing needs met under HAP or the rental accommodation...