Results 14,321-14,340 of 26,293 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (8 Mar 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability facilitates older people and people with a disability to remain living independently in their own homes. Voted capital funding of €65 million is available in 2022 which is an increase of €5 million on the 2021 provision of €60 million, continuing the year on year...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Hare Coursing (8 Mar 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Following the investigation by my officials, Loughrea Coursing Club were found to be in breach of a number of conditions of the Section 34 licence to capture live hares. The licence for the Loughrea Coursing Club was immediately suspended for the rest of the coursing season, which has now ended. Any sanctions to be taken against that Club will be considered as part of any new licence application.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Staff (8 Mar 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: There were 1,460 (1,410.10 FTE) staff serving in my Department at the end of January 2022. These staff serve across 131 individual grades (75 generic grades), and range from the traditional civil service administrative grades to a mix of Professional & Technical and Industrial grades. The grades are listed below in within their respective grade...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (8 Mar 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 245 and 246 together. The Local Authority Home Loan has only been available nationwide from local authorities since 4 January 2022. Prior to that, the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan was the mortgage available from local authorities. As of 4 January 2022, no new Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan applications will be accepted, although applications/approvals already in...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Water Supply (8 Mar 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: 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 scope, prioritisation and progression of individual projects is a matter for Irish Water, and is approved through its own internal governance structures. However, in general Irish Water is delivering a good service...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Water Quality (8 Mar 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 249 to 251, 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 level, including investment in wastewater treatment plants and returning wastewater safely to the environment in an efficient and sustainable manner. My Department...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (8 Mar 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The Government’s “Housing for All, a new Housing Plan for Ireland”, launched in September  2022, sets out four pathways to a sustainable housing system. A key objective is that everyone in the State should have access to a home to purchase or rent at an affordable price, built to a high standard and in the right place, offering a high quality of life.  ...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Defective Building Materials (8 Mar 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The Programme for Government sets out a number of commitments in respect of the important policy area addressing building defects. It commits to an examination of defects in housing, having regard to the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing’s report, "Safe as Houses ?". Housing for All, the Government’s national plan on housing to 2030, reiterates this...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (8 Mar 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The information requested is not available in my Department. 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). In line with the Regulations, applicant...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (8 Mar 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The Programme for Government commits to ensuring that Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) levels are adequate to support vulnerable households, while we increase the supply of social housing. Maximum rent limits for HAP were set for each housing authority area in 2016, in conjunction with the Department of Social Protection (DSP). In reviewing the rent limits, my Department worked closely...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (8 Mar 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The Affordable Housing Act 2021, the provisions of which I commenced in August and September 2021, laid the foundation for the introduction of two new affordable purchase schemes: the first to be delivered via Local Authorities and the Land Development Agency, and the second a national 'First Home' shared equity scheme supporting purchases in the private market.  Part 2 of the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (8 Mar 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The Housing for All Strategy delivers on the Programme for Government commitment to step up housing supply and put affordability at the heart of the housing system, with an ambitious target of 300,000 homes over the next decade for social, affordable and cost rental, private rental and private ownership housing. 54,000 affordable home interventions will be delivered between now and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rental Sector (8 Mar 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The Residential Tenancies (No. 2) Act 2021 introduced measures in July 2021 to extend the operation of Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) until the end of 2024. The designation of all existing RPZs has also been extended until 31 December 2024. The Act provides that rent reviews outside of RPZs can, until 2025, occur no more frequently than bi-annually. This provides rent certainty for tenants...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Property Registration (8 Mar 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: In relation to any specific cases with the Property Registration Authority (PRA), arrangements have been put in place to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas.  Further information in relation to the specific case referred to may be obtained by contacting the dedicated e-mail address in respect of the PRA at reps@prai.ie. It should be noted...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Protected Disclosures (8 Mar 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I refer to the reply to Question No. 67 of 25 March 2021 which sets out the position in this matter for the years 2017 to 2020. Seven protected disclosures were received in the period 2019-2020, as follows: Year  Number of Protected Disclosures 2019 4 2020 3 The annual report for 2021 will be published on...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Septic Tanks (9 Mar 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department’s Rural Water Programme makes provision for grant assistance to householders in carrying out remediation, repair or upgrading works to, or replacement of, a domestic waste water treatment systems (septic tanks) where these are located in areas specifically prioritised for environmental protection or where identified as requiring action under a national...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Funding (9 Mar 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Details of organisations that my Department has supported with financial assistance from 1 January 2020 to date are set out in the attached table. Approved Housing Bodies are not included in this reply on the basis that they have been granted approved status, under S. 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992, to assist Local Authorities in the provision of housing.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (9 Mar 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The Affordable Housing Act 2021, the provisions of which I commenced in August and September 2021, laid the foundation for the introduction of two new affordable purchase schemes: the first to be delivered via Local Authorities and the Land Development Agency, and the second a national 'First Home' shared equity scheme supporting purchases in the private market. Part 2 of the Affordable...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (9 Mar 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The Housing for All Strategy delivers on the Programme for Government commitment to step up housing supply and put affordability at the heart of the housing system, with an ambitious target of 300,000 homes over the next decade for social, affordable and cost rental, private rental and private ownership housing. 54,000 affordable home interventions will be delivered between now and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Water Services (9 Mar 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Since 1 January 2014 Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of the planning, delivery and operation of water and wastewater services at national, regional and local levels. The Board of Ervia is charged with ensuring that Irish Water operates in accordance with its statutory functions and the Code of Governance for State Bodies. However, Irish Water is subject to range of...