Results 1,261-1,280 of 2,180 for speaker:John Cummins

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Tenant In Situ Process: Discussion (21 Mar 2023)

John Cummins: This really needs to be looked at. All of the local authorities have indicated that they want it to be re-examined. I would like it to happen as well.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Tenant In Situ Process: Discussion (21 Mar 2023)

John Cummins: To whom is the Deputy directing his question?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Tenant In Situ Process: Discussion (21 Mar 2023)

John Cummins: That is a very fair assessment of things. Will Mr. O'Reilly, subsequent to today's meeting, send the committee a breakdown of those that have been completed and those that are in process? It would be useful.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Tenant In Situ Process: Discussion (21 Mar 2023)

John Cummins: Senator Fitzpatrick is ceding her time to Deputy Gould.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Tenant In Situ Process: Discussion (21 Mar 2023)

John Cummins: If the Deputy could confine it to questions, that would be great.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Tenant In Situ Process: Discussion (21 Mar 2023)

John Cummins: We can clarify that in a moment.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Tenant In Situ Process: Discussion (21 Mar 2023)

John Cummins: She may clarify it herself but that is not quite what she said.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Tenant In Situ Process: Discussion (21 Mar 2023)

John Cummins: I thank the witnesses from the CCMA and from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. We have had a constructive meeting. Obviously, this is a topic that is of the utmost importance at the moment. I am sure the witnesses will revert back to the committee with whatever information is outstanding.

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report Stage (Resumed) (28 Mar 2023)

John Cummins: Amendment No. 21 is an admission that amendment No. 20 is an exceptionally blunt suggestion being made in relation to a period of two years. It is a fact that many works, particularly in the archaeological and heritage space, require painstaking work undertaken by people with much experience. If the State or whomever is undertaking significant works, what will a review achieve? Say a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing for All: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (18 Apr 2023)

John Cummins: I will start with the vacants. In response to Senator Boyhan, Ms Timmons mentioned the vacant property refurbishment grant and the expansion of same. When will the revised criteria be available?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing for All: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (18 Apr 2023)

John Cummins: It is to be in place for 1 May. Is the intention that the guidance will be available before that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing for All: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (18 Apr 2023)

John Cummins: In terms of the revised figures, Ms Timmons is not able to share them with us at the moment.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing for All: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (18 Apr 2023)

John Cummins: The revised grant amounts of €30,000 and €50,000.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing for All: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (18 Apr 2023)

John Cummins: I understand. The point I will make in that respect, which Ms Timmons might take it away, is that it would be very important that the revised grant amounts that are available are applied to existing projects that are already in the pipeline. The issue would be that if they are not and a project has not commenced, we will see people withdrawing from the approvals they already have and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing for All: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (18 Apr 2023)

John Cummins: Okay. I will move from the vacants on to the cost-rental homes. We have touched on some of the viability issues. In terms of activating the build-to-rent scheme, there are a significant portion of permissions in place at the moment on which the market is not delivering and does not have any intention of delivering. I have said over many months that there is huge potential there to be able...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing for All: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (18 Apr 2023)

John Cummins: Is there a case to be made that if local authorities, particularly in urban and city areas, have schemes on which they have gone out to tender and the tenders have come back much higher than anticipated, and the only way they can get those numbers to work is if the figure of what was €75,000 is increased to €100,000 or €125,000, the Department will actively look at that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing for All: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (18 Apr 2023)

John Cummins: Okay.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing for All: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (18 Apr 2023)

John Cummins: I am referring to a specific scheme in which I have seen the modelling and it simply does not work on the €75,000. It will probably work on the €100,000 and it will deliver 22 two-bed homes in Waterford city for rent, which is something that is just not in the rental space in Waterford city at the moment. I take it that Ms Timmons will take that observation away. If I...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing for All: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (18 Apr 2023)

John Cummins: -----awaiting something from the Department. I would appreciate if Ms Timmons could clarify what that may be.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing for All: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (18 Apr 2023)

John Cummins: I will pick up where Deputy Cian O'Callaghan has left off. The single-stage process is not being used because all the risk is on the local authorities. If they say a project is going to deliver, for example, 50 units and put in a cost for those 50 units that turns out to be less than the actual cost, they are on the hook for the difference between their initial estimate and the final cost...