Results 16,641-16,660 of 26,293 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Legislative Measures (15 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: Provision is already made in legislation that requires planning authorities to publish and make available pre-planning consultation documents relating to received planning applications. In this connection, section 247(5) of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, provides that when a pre-planning consultation meeting is held in relation to a proposed development, the planning...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Finance Agency (15 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: In respect of housing, the function of the Housing Finance Agency (HFA) is to advance loan finance to local authorities, the voluntary housing sector and Higher Education Institutions to be used by them for any purpose authorised by the Housing Acts and to borrow or raise funds for these purposes. Regarding the voluntary housing sector, the HFA can only lend to a body which has been approved...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Foreshore Issues (15 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: As indicated in my last reply, it is a matter for each individual local authority to provide a view on whether a development or proposed development was in or adjacent to the functional area. If the Deputy has a particular circumstance in mind, he should make an enquiry to the relevant local authority.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing (15 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: Part 5 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 was commenced in June 2018 to provide a new statutory basis for affordable dwelling purchase arrangements. Initial Regulations in relation to schemes of priorities were made subsequently and further Regulations are being developed regarding eligibility and other matters. Under the provisions of section 84(2)(c) of the Act, a...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authority Rates (15 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: The levying and collection of rates are legally matters for each individual local authority. Local authorities have a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes. An initial three-month waiver of rates for businesses forced to close business due to COVID-19, was announced in early May. In order to enhance the supports available for enterprise, and in...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Residential Tenancies Board (15 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 to operate a national tenancy registration system and to facilitate the resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants. The service provided by the RTB is quasi-judicial and all of their mediators, adjudicators and tribunal members have independent...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing (15 Sep 2020)

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". Under the Serviced Sites Fund, €310 million has been allocated to provide infrastructure to support the delivery of more affordable homes on local authority lands. With a...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Tree Preservation Orders (15 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: The specific information requested in relation to tree preservation orders is no longer collated by my Department. However, individual local authorities may compile information in this regard. Data on tree preservation orders which was collected for the years 1998 to 2012 is available on my Department's website at the following link: .

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rental Sector (15 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: The Property Registration Authority (PRA) deals with applications under Part III of the Landlord and Tenant (Ground Rents) (No. 2) Act 1978, whereby owners of leasehold properties can purchase their ground rent (freehold interest). Further details of this Ground Rents Purchase Scheme can be found on the PRA website (www.prai.ie). The PRA is independent in the performance of its functions.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Schemes (15 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: I 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. However, my Department is committed to...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wastewater Treatment (15 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: In July 2019, my Department launched the multi-annual Developer-Provided Water Services Infrastructure Resolution Programme 2019-2021. Bids were sought from local authorities for funding under the programme and nineteen local authorities with Developer-Provided Water Services Infrastructure in estates in their areas made applications for funding. Cork County Council included the village...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Residential Tenancies Board (15 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 to operate a national tenancy registration system and to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants. The Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2019 extended the remit of the RTB to cover student licences and tenancies in student-specific accommodation. Due to...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Private Rented Accommodation (15 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: With effect from 1 August 2020, the Residential Tenancies and Valuation Act 2020 introduces protections for those tenants who are facing rent arrears and, as a result, are at risk of losing their tenancy. If a tenant’s ability to pay rent has been impacted by Covid-19 and the tenant meets specific criteria, new procedures and protections apply. Tenants who follow these procedures...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rental Sector (15 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: The Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2020 regulates the landlord-tenant relationship in the private rented residential sector and sets out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. Section 12 of the Acts sets out a landlord's obligation relating to a tenancy including that a landlord must allow a tenant of a rented dwelling to enjoy peaceful and exclusive occupation of that...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (10 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: My role, as Minister, in relation to the planning system is primarily to provide and update the legislative and policy guidance framework. The legislative framework comprises the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, (the Act) and the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended.  With regard to policy guidance, my Department has issued a large number of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Covid-19 Pandemic (10 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: The Property Registration Authority is currently operating a high level of service. Applications for registration can be lodged as usual through the post or DX and are being processed in order of priority.  Urgent applications are being processed expeditiously upon request, on a case by case basis.  For the month of August 2020, intake was 16,818 transactions with 15,461...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Lease Agreements (10 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: It is a matter for Local authorities to provide and maintain housing in their area. They assess the housing needs for the area and build, buy and lease dwellings as appropriate to meet that need. In the case referenced, the information requested would be more appropriately addressed to Kildare County Council. While my Department provides financial support to local authorities for housing...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Lease Agreements (10 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: In 2019, 1,161 homes were delivered under the Social Housing Leasing Programme and, of those, 812 were delivered by the relevant local authority and 349 by an approved housing body. A breakdown of leasing delivery in 2019, by location and entity, is set out in Table 1 below. Leasing delivery data for 2020 is being collated at present and will be published on my Department's website...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Data (10 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department publishes comprehensive statistics on a quarterly basis on all social housing delivery activity under Rebuilding Ireland. This is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: . Acquisition information for each year of Rebuilding Ireland can be found at the following link:...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Regeneration Projects (10 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: The final date for the submission of applications under Call 2 was the 29th May.  A large number of proposals were received, with every local authority submitting at least one application for URDF support.  Because of the nature of the URDF programme the proposals are very complex, and each will require detailed assessment.  The assessment process will take place over the...