Results 13,221-13,240 of 26,245 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (11 Nov 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a form of social housing support for people who have a long-term housing need. The HAP scheme is legislated for under Part 4 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014. Consistent with the provisions in section 46 of the 2014 Act, once approved for HAP, the local authority will expect the HAP tenant to stay in the same property for at least two...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (11 Nov 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 98 together. The regeneration of Poolbeg West is the next important step in transforming the Docklands area, given its strategic location east of Grand Canal Dock, with close proximity to important bridge connections to Dublin Port and North Lotts. The residential potential within the available lands is for a maximum of 3,500 additional...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rental Sector (11 Nov 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: Using State support, a range of work is already ongoing to deliver Cost Rental housing.  My Department is utilising the expertise of Local Authorities, the Land Development Agency (LDA) and the Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), to deliver initial Cost Rental projects. Under Budget 2021, €35 million was allocated to the Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) scheme, designed to...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (11 Nov 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The recently published Housing for All strategy is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. Over 300,000 new homes will be built by the end of 2030, including a projected 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes.  Housing for All is supported by an investment package...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (11 Nov 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: Housing for All is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. Over 300,000 new homes will be built by the end of 2030, including a projected 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes. The Plan is backed by historic levels of investment with in excess of €20bn through the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Scéimeanna agus Tacaíochtaí Tithíochta (11 Nov 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: Seachadann an Straitéis Tithíochta do Chách tiomantas an Chláir Rialtas inacmhainneacht a chur i gcroílár an chórais tithíochta. Cuirtear maoiniú os cionn €4 billiún ar fáil gach bliain, ag léiriú an leibhéal is airde riamh d’infheistíocht Rialtais i dtógáil tithíochta sóisialta agus...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Commissions of Investigation (11 Nov 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: There are no Commissions of Investigation currently underway concerning my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (11 Nov 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Scheme is deemed to be a social housing support under the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014. As a long term housing support, an assessment of housing need must be completed in order for a household to qualify for HAP. Any household with an identified housing need is eligible for HAP. In order for housing assistance to be provided under the Act...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (11 Nov 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 Policy (11 Nov 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 276 and 292 together. The Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan, which is operated by my Department, is designed to enable creditworthy first-time buyers, who are unable to access a mortgage from a commercial lender, to obtain sustainable mortgage lending to purchase a new or second-hand property.  To support prudential lending and consistency of treatment for...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (11 Nov 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 277 and 280 together. The Housing Agency underwriters provides a central support service which assesses applications for the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan on behalf of local authorities and makes recommendations to the authorities to approve or refuse applications. The Agency has confirmed the average turnaround time for applications to be assessed...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (11 Nov 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The Housing for All Strategy delivers on the Programme for Government commitment to put affordability at the heart of the housing system. A multi-faceted approach is being implemented to deliver 54,000 affordable homes interventions between now and 2030.  This will be facilitated by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies, the Land Development Agency, as well as through a...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (11 Nov 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department regularly publishes information on the number and value of (i) local authority loan approvals and (ii) local authority loan drawdowns. Local authority approval means that an official letter of offer has been sent to a borrower (and therefore relates to a specific property and loan amount).  The Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan has been made available nationwide from local...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (11 Nov 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 281, 285 to 288, inclusive, and 290 together. Housing for All is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade, supported by an investment package of over €4b per annum.  Supporting the delivery of housing, including social and affordable housing, is a priority for the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (11 Nov 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The Housing for All strategy delivers on the Programme for Government commitment to put affordability at the heart of the housing system. Over €4 billion in funding is provided annually, representing the highest ever level of Government investment in housing.  A multi-faceted approach is being implemented to deliver 54,000 affordable home interventions between now and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (11 Nov 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: As COP 26 takes place, we have published the Climate Action Plan 2021. This plan sets a roadmap for taking decisive action to halve our emissions by 2030 and reach net zero no later than 2050, as committed to in the Programme for Government.   The actions in Housing for All, our new housing plan for Ireland have been developed to support the targets and objectives of the Climate...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Water Services (11 Nov 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department provides support to the Rural Water Sector through a Multi-annual Rural Water Programme  for capital investment and the Annual Subsidy for Group Water Schemes. The current Multi-annual Rural Water Programme 2019-2021 is providing capital funding for 621 projects across 25 local authorities. This funding is being provided through local authorities...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (11 Nov 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The Housing for All Strategy delivers on the Programme for Government commitment to put affordability at the heart of the housing system. A multi-faceted approach is being implemented to deliver 54,000 affordable homes interventions between now and 2030.  This will be facilitated by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies, the Land Development Agency, as well as through a...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) (Large-scale Residential Development) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (16 Nov 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank Senators Higgins and Black for tabling amendments Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive. I will deal with the first three together. These proposed changes are positive and they arise out of the considerations of the SHD consultative forum. In particular, the Bill proposed to increase the “other use” allowance from 15%, which was far too restrictive, to 30%, and it would encompass...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) (Large-scale Residential Development) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (16 Nov 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I agree with my colleagues. I understand the thrust of the amendments but I ask Senator Higgins how many brownfield site developments we have seen happen in any of our major cities in recent years. We are bringing forward this change because it has been deemed necessary post SHD to get rid of SHDs and get planning back to where it should be with the local authorities so the planners make...