Results 9,661-9,680 of 25,999 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

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: Animal Culls (16 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 to 49, inclusive, together. I am aware of some delays in my Department this year in processing deer hunting licence applications and I am aware that many deer hunters have not received their licences yet this year.    The delays arise as a result of the ongoing Covid-19 public health emergency and the effects this has had on...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Constitutional Amendments (16 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: The Programme for Government provides that the Government will refer the issue of the environment, including water, and its place in the Constitution, to a relevant Joint Oireachtas Committee for consideration.  I and my Department look forward to engaging with the relevant Committee when work proceeds on this issue. 

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Monuments (16 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 54 together. Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, gives primary responsibility to local authorities to identify and protect the architectural heritage by including particular structures on the Record of Protected Structures (RPS). Inclusion on the RPS places a duty of care on the owners and occupiers of protected structures...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Disability Support Services (16 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 56 together. My Department provides funding every year for the Disabled Persons Grant (DPG) scheme and the Housing Adaptations Grant for Older People and People with a Disability scheme. While both schemes are administered directly by the local authorities they operate independently with separate funding streams,  the main...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Fire Safety (16 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of fire authorities under the Fire Services Act, 1981.  My Department supports fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Weather Events (16 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: Met Éireann is the National Meteorological Service of Ireland and one of its most important roles is to issue weather forecasts and warnings for Ireland. The Public Weather Service provided by Met Éireann prioritises the protection of life and ensuring citizen safety. The service also supports the activities of the citizen and other agencies to mitigate damage to property and reduce...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Disability Support Services (16 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department provides funding under the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, to assist people in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs.  The grants include the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People, which are...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Fire Service (16 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of fire authorities under the Fire Services Act, 1981.  My Department supports fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (16 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive (2011/92/EU), as amended by Directive 2014/52/EU, and the UN Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (the Espoo Convention) both set out the obligations of Member States/Parties to assess the environmental impact of certain activities or proposed development at an early stage of planning. They also lay down...

Ban on Rent Increases Bill 2020: Second Stage [Private Members] (17 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: I am indeed. I will have nine minutes and they will each have three. I will look into the matter Deputy Ó Broin mentioned. Where I was today in Adamstown, I saw fantastic work that has taken place and continues to take place. This is also the case in other parts of south Dublin like Killinarden where the Deputy's own party opposed 100 social homes and 300 affordable homes as part of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Air Quality (17 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: I understand that the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 sets out the main provisions in relation to the safety health and welfare of people at work. This legislation is under the remit of my colleague the Minister of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and is overseen by the Health and Safety Authority. In addition, the Department of Health has a role in...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Monuments (17 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: I assume the Deputy is referring to an archaeological survey undertaken in 2017 on behalf of Wexford County Council to further assess the findings of a previous survey and to determine the presence or otherwise of additional archaeological features associated with the Vinegar Hill battlefield site. The survey was licenced by my Department under the National Monuments Acts. The survey...