Results 15,761-15,780 of 26,245 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing (3 Dec 2020)

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: Social and Affordable Housing (3 Dec 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: Oversight and management of housing waiting lists is a matter for the relevant local authority in accordance with the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, and associated regulations. Specifically, section 63(3) of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that, subject to law, a local authority is independent in the performance of its functions. Section 22 of the Housing...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Data Protection (3 Dec 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department has not been the subject of any investigation by the Data Protection Commission during the period in question.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Building Regulations (3 Dec 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: The Programme for Government sets out a number of commitments in respect of the important policy area of building defects and provides for an examination of defective housing, having regard to the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing report, "Safe as Houses". In this regard, my Department is actively engaging with key stakeholders and I have had several meetings with...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Environmental Regulations (2 Dec 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: The European Union (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations, SI No. 605 of 2017, as amended, sets out the requirements for farmers in the current Nitrates Action Programme (NAP). This includes measures that must be undertaken by farmers at various grassland stocking rates. In partnership with the Minister For Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Home Loan Scheme (2 Dec 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: The Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan scheme remains open for business. All local authorities are receiving and processing RIHL applications and are incorporating increased flexibility to accommodate applicants during the COVID 19 Pandemic. As is the case with any lender, local authorities must lend mortgages on a prudent basis, taking into account the most recent income and employment data...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (1 Dec 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 268, 280, 290 and 299 together. I have indicated in a circular letter dated 23rdNovember 2020 to all local authorities, An Bord Pleanála and the Office of the Planning Regulator, that my preferred approach is to restrict commercial co-living development, through an update of the Sustainable Urban Housing: Design Standards for New Apartments, Guidelines...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Referendum Campaigns (1 Dec 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 270 to 272, inclusive, together. As I outlined to the House on the 6thOctober last, the commitments in relation to Constitutional reform in the Programme for Government provide for the holding of a referendum on housing. My Department has begun the initial work on scoping the complex issues involved and will in due course make recommendations on how we might...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Approved Housing Bodies (1 Dec 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) are making and continue to make important contribution to social housing delivery. My Department and local authorities administer a number of funding programmes to assist AHBs with the cost of building, buying and leasing new social houses, including turnkeys. All funding is conditional on the properties being made available to households on local authority...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing (1 Dec 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: The 1,400 affordable units referred to in the Question relate to the 10 projects that were granted approval in principle under the first Serviced Sites Fund (SSF) call. There have been two SSF Calls for Applications to date and details of all SSF projects that received approval in principle under these calls, and the number of more affordable homes whose delivery will be supported by SSF...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Homeless Persons Data (1 Dec 2020)

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: . Under the Housing Act 1988 it is a matter for each local...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Disabilities Data (1 Dec 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 276 and 277 together. People with disabilities may apply to local authorities for any of the housing supports available, including Housing Assistance Payment (HAP). The information sought in relation to the number of persons with disabilities that are in receipt of HAP, and the number of HAP units that have been assessed for accessibility is not held by my...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Approved Housing Bodies (1 Dec 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: The Programme for Government 'Our Shared Future' commits the Government to the development of a new Cost Rental housing sector in Ireland, in which the rents charged will only cover the costs of delivering, managing, and maintaining the homes. Work is underway to deliver Cost Rental housing, with State support, through a number of delivery pathways, utilising the expertise of Local...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Public Procurement Contracts (1 Dec 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: The Oscar Traynor Road residential project had reached a very advanced stage with the selection of a preferred bidder. The projected encompassed 853 homes with a mix of tenures. A key part of the Public Procurement process was the transfer of the City Council land to the preferred bidder to allow it to progress to finance the project, obtain planning permission and construct the development....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Building Regulations (1 Dec 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the very stressful circumstances which owners and residents face when their homes are affected by construction defects. In general, building defects are matters for resolution between the contracting parties involved, the homeowner, the builder, the developer and/or their respective insurers, structural guarantee or warranty scheme. Under the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Homeless Accommodation (1 Dec 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 282 and 283 together. The National Quality Standards Framework (NQSF) for homeless services is in place nationally for local authority and NGO delivered services. The Framework has been developed to ensure a consistent approach in how local authorities and service providers respond to the needs of those experiencing homelessness and to improve the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Tenant Purchase Scheme (1 Dec 2020)

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. Guidance was provided to local authorities in November 2015 regarding the operation of the Scheme. Under the 2016 Scheme, maisonettes and duplex units provided in blocks...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Homeless Accommodation (1 Dec 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at the local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Homeless Accommodation (1 Dec 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 288 and 308 together. My Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and associated services for homeless...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Adaptation Grant (1 Dec 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: Local authorities are responsible for the detailed administration of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, including the assessment, approval and payment of grants to applicants under the various measures. I understand that local authorities confirm that approved works have been completed before a grant is paid to an applicant. The responsibility...