Results 12,521-12,540 of 26,245 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Schemes (27 Jul 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 611 and 643 together. 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 defects in housing, having regard to the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing report, "Safe as Houses". In this context, I established a working group to...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (27 Jul 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The social housing project referred to in the question is being advanced by Galway County Council with funding support from my Department under the Social Housing Investment Programme. I understand that the Council received planning permission for the development from An Bord Pleanála on 26th April 2021. I look forward therefore, to receiving their pre-tender...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (27 Jul 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The examination of a social housing passport as a means of allowing those with a housing need assessed in one local authority to be housed in or transferred to another local authority's functional area was, as referred to by the Deputy, part of the Social Housing Strategy 2020.  A similar measure has been included in the Programme for Government as part...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (27 Jul 2021)

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. To be eligible, tenants must meet certain criteria, including having a minimum reckonable income of €15,000 per annum and having been in receipt of social housing support...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (27 Jul 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: Increased rent limits for the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and the Rent Supplement Scheme were introduced in 2016. These limits were agreed in conjunction with the Department of Social Protection (DSP).  In reviewing the rent limits, my Department worked closely with DSP and monitored data gathered from the Residential Tenancies Board and the HAP Shared Services...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (27 Jul 2021)

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: Housing Schemes (27 Jul 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2021 provide that where a tenant has been in occupation of a dwelling for a continuous period of 6 months, with no valid notice of termination having been served during that time, a 'Part 4 tenancy' is established to cover the next 5 years and 6 months. Section 34 of the Acts provides that a landlord must state a reason for the termination in any tenancy...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (27 Jul 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department operates the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan, which is targeted at first time buyers who wish to own their own home, have access to an adequate deposit and have the capacity to repay a mortgage, but who are unable to access a mortgage sufficient for them to purchase their first home. With a Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan you can borrow up to 90%of the market value of a...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (27 Jul 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: A number of measures are currently in place for individuals seeking to purchase or self-build their first home. The Help to Buy Scheme may return tax paid in the previous four years (up to a maximum amount of €30,000) to eligible first-time homeowners purchasing or self-building a new home. Further information on this support is available online at:...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wastewater Treatment (27 Jul 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department has recently engaged with the revelvant local authority in relation to some queries on the Community Waste Water Connection (formally known as group sewerage schemes) project included in the details supplied. It is now a matter for the local authority to advance the project further. My Department will continue to engage with the local authority on the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Schemes (27 Jul 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: On foot of clarification received by my Department from the Deputy, I understand that the question relates to a Town Public Realm Enhancement project in Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon.  I further understand that the project is funded under the Rural Regeneration Development Fund (RRDF), which comes within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Rural and Community...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Water Quality (27 Jul 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: Primary responsibility for the monitoring, management, protection and improvement of water quality is assigned to local authorities under the Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts and related legislation.  The Environmental Protection Agency, through its Office of Environmental Enforcement, exercises general supervision in relation to the performance of these functions by local...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (27 Jul 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I understand from clarification received that the Deputy that he is seeking information on funding drawn down by Dublin City Council (DCC) from the Regeneration programme in the 2021 vote and for years previous for the refurbishment, regeneration or replacement of flat complexes built from the 1930s to the 1960s. The 2021 Vote allocated €73million for the subhead A.15 Estate...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (27 Jul 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: To July 20th 2021, 311 properties were offered for sale to the Housing Agency including 42 properties also offered for leasing. A further 138 properties were offered for leasing or for Rental Accommodation Scheme arrangements. Of the properties offered for sale, 45 proceeded to sale, with 32 of these purchases completed to date. A further number of properties submitted to the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (27 Jul 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: Data to end Q1 2021 in relation to dwellings delivered by each local authority under the Repair and Leasing Scheme, broken down by year, is available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provis ion/#repair-and-leasing-scheme-rls. My Department is currently collecting data from local authorities regarding...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (27 Jul 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: Since the Buy and Renew Scheme was introduced, local authorities have used it to acquire and renew approximately 700 homes for social housing use.  Statistical information for delivery in 2021 is only published for Quarter 1 so far, in which 10 further Buy and Renew properties were acquired.  Statistical information for Quarter 2 of 2021 is being collected and will be published...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (27 Jul 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The Housing Agency has been provided with direct capital funding to facilitate the acquisition of suitable portfolios of vacant properties for social housing from financial institutions and investors.  An Acquisitions Fund of €70m was established with effect from 1 January 2017, with the objective of acquiring some 1,600 homes over the period to 2021, for...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (27 Jul 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: As the Deputy will be aware, Budget 2021 allocated €35m for a new Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) scheme, under which Government is making loans to Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) on favourable terms for up to 30% of the capital cost of new homes for Cost Rental. Following a Call for Proposals from AHBs in December 2020, a rigorous assessment process was undertaken by my Department and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (27 Jul 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: To date, my Department has issued two broad-based Serviced Sites Fund (SSF) calls for proposals to local authorities. Funding of almost €200 million has been approved in principle in support of 40 infrastructure projects in 14 local authority areas across 9 counties, which will assist in the delivery of almost 4,200 affordable homes for purchase or for rent. Details of 35...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (27 Jul 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The level of expenditure to end 2020, was approximately €79.888m with circa €59.916m in Exchequer funds drawn down, matched by 25% local authority funding. A further €11.399m has been expended in 2021 on the same basis.  While drawdown to date has been in-line with expectations and budget profiling, at this time it is...