Results 9,221-9,240 of 25,999 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Assistance Payment (14 Jul 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: Local authorities have discretion, on a case by case basis, based on the local rental market conditions, to exceed the maximum HAP rent limit by up to 20%. In the Dublin region for those households either in, or at immediate risk of, homelessness, the local authorities can exceed the limit by up to 50%. As at Q4 2019 approximately 42.7% of the total number of households supported by HAP were...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Homeless Persons Data (14 Jul 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department does not hold the specific details requested by the Deputy. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing (14 Jul 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: Details on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority area are set out in the statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA). The most recent summary, conducted in June 2019, shows that 68,693 households were assessed as qualified for and being in need of social housing support. This represents a decrease of 3,165 households or 4.4% on the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes (14 Jul 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: I understand that the question relates to drinking water treatment supplies. Ensuring provision of safe drinking water is a priority for me and for the Government. The Environmental Protection Agency’s recently published report, “Drinking Water Quality in Public Supplies 2019”, shows that our water supplies are safe. Over 99% of water samples comply with safety...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes (14 Jul 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: Craughwell, Corofin and Abbeyknockmoy are three un-sewered villages in County Galway. In February 2019 my Department announced the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme 2019-2020 (MARWP 2019-2021), the composition of this programme is based on recommendations from the Working Group established in April 2018 to conduct a review of rural water services. There is a two-strand approach to the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rental Sector (14 Jul 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: As confirmed in the Programme for Government 'Our Shared Future', this Government is committed to the introduction of Cost Rental housing in Ireland. Ireland's first Cost Rental development is currently under construction at Enniskerry Road, Stepaside, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown. The project is being undertaken by two Approved Housing Bodies, Tuath and Respond, with the assistance of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes (14 Jul 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 419 to 424, inclusive, together. 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. The Return to Work Safely Protocol sets out in very clear terms, the steps that must be taken for the protection of employees while any workplace is...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (14 Jul 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: The Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) is a flagship element of Project Ireland 2040. Under the stewardship of the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, the Fund was established to support more compact and sustainable development, through the regeneration and rejuvenation of Ireland’s five cities and other large towns, in line with the objectives of the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (14 Jul 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: I am aware of the recent Supreme Court judgment to which the Question refers, concerning the leave to apply for substitute consent system under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended and its compatibility with the EIA Directive. The judgment and its implications are currently being examined by my Department and any measures necessary to address the findings of the judgment will be...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing (14 Jul 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department provides Unit Cost Ceilings (UCCs) to each local authority as a key benchmark for the development and costing of new build social housing. The tables below outline the current of UCC values for houses and apartments across all local authority areas. HOUSES - 1 bed 2 bed (1 storey) 2 bed (2 storey) 3 bed 4 bed ...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing (14 Jul 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 428 to 430, inclusive, together. I refer to the reply to Question No. 284 of 7 July which sets out the position in this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing (14 Jul 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: Under my Department's Social Housing Investment Programme, funding is available to all local authorities to deliver additional social housing stock through the acquisition of new and previously owned houses/apartments for social housing use. Activity in this regard is largely delegated to local authorities so they can respond flexibly to all opportunities to provide new social housing. The...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing (14 Jul 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: Local authorities delivered over 550 new social homes under the Buy and Renew Scheme to date. The table below sets out details of the average cost of the Scheme, including estimated costs of refurbishment, for each local authority. Costs are shown as estimated in certain cases pending receipt of final claims from local authorities. Nationally, the average cost of the purchase element is...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Commercial Rates (14 Jul 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: In order to support the local government sector, my Department continues to keep local authority income, expenditure and cash flow generally under review and will work with all local authorities on both collective and individual issues arising. The County and City Management Association (CCMA) has estimated the loss of non-rates income for 2020 to be in the region of €91 million....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Traveller Accommodation (14 Jul 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: There are 32 recommendations in the Traveller Accommodation Expert Review Report, including proposals aimed at: - addressing research deficiencies, including how information is gathered and used; - removing any potential delays and obstacles in the planning system in terms of delivery; - increasing resources and delivery capacity; and - strengthening governance arrangements. The...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rental Accommodation Standards (14 Jul 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: Between 2005 and 2019, over €43 million was paid to local authorities to assist them in the performance of their functions under the Housing Acts, including the inspection of rented accommodation. Over 298,000 inspections were carried out during this period. The Rental Strategy recognises the need for additional resources to be provided to local authorities to aid increased inspections...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing (14 Jul 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 436 to 438, inclusive, together. The expenditure under HAP; RAS and SHCEP in 2019 and up to end June 2020 is set out in the table below. Scheme Total Expenditure 2019 Total Expenditure to End June 2020 HAP €382m €215.2m RAS €134.3m €47.2m ...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Adaptation Grant (14 Jul 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: The following table contains details of the 2019 exchequer funding drawn down by local authorities for housing adaptation grants up to 31 December 2019, and up to 30 June 2020. Each local authority provides an additional 20% own contribution. Local Authority Exchequer Drawdown to 31 December 2019 Exchequer Drawdown to 30 June 2020 Carlow ...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Energy Efficiency (14 Jul 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department has provided funding for an Energy Efficiency Retrofitting Programme for local authority homes since 2013. The Programme has two phases: Phase 1- which covers the bulk of the work undertaken to date - focuses on delivering immediate improvements such as cavity wall and attic insulation. Phase 2 targets higher cost measures, such as fabric upgrades, window and door upgrades and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rent Data (14 Jul 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department and the Economic and Social Research Institute operate a programme of collaborative research principally focused on housing economics. Under this programme, researchers from the Institute and my Department prepared a research paper exploring the short-run implications of the Covid-19 pandemic on the private rental market. The research paper is focused on rental payment...