Results 15,001-15,020 of 26,293 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rental Sector (25 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 introduced the Rent Predictability Measure to moderate rent increases in those parts of the country where rents are highest and rising fastest. 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 and prohibiting any...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (25 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The Housing Adaptation Grant for Older People and People with a Disability scheme is underpinned by secondary legislation. The provisions of Regulation 7 of the Housing (Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability), Regulations 2007 set out the types of mobility aids that the grant can be used for, including accessible showers, access ramps, grab rails, stair lifts and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: State Bodies (25 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department published the terms of reference (attached) for Senior Counsel Remy Farrells "Report into the management of conflicts of interest and relevant disclosures by the Deputy Chairperson of An Bord Pleanála in relation to certain Decisions of that Board and related matters" on 12 May 2022. While the purpose of the report is to provide an opinion from Senior Counsel on...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (25 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The Local Authority Home Loan is a Government backed mortgage scheme for those on modest or low incomes who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial banks to purchase or build a home. It has been available nationwide from local authorities since 4 January 2022 for first-time buyers and fresh start applicants. The loan can be used both for new and second-hand properties, or to...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Hare Coursing (26 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The relevant data is collected by coursing season rather than full calendar year. To this end the following information, as supplied by the Irish Coursing Club, covers the coursing seasons 2017/2018 to 2021/2022: Sept 2017 to Feb 2018 Sept 2018 to Feb 2019 Sept 2019 to Feb 2020 Sept 2020 to  Feb 2021 Sept 2021 to Feb 2022 ...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (26 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The right of local authorities to set and collect rents on their dwellings is laid down in section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. The making or amending of differential rent schemes and the calculation of the rent payable is an executive function and is subject to broad principles set out by my Department, including that rent levels should be based on income and reflect tenants’...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (26 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 234, 235 and 236 together. The initiation, design, planning, development and management of housing projects is a matter for local authorities in exercise of their statutory functions as Housing Authorities. In March, 2021 my Department introduced a revised social housing application form, in consultation with the local authority sector, to include an...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (26 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, natural light, fire safety and the safety of gas, oil and electrical installations. All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with these regulations. Responsibility for...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (26 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Addressing the current housing shortage requires short, medium and long-term action to stimulate housing supply. The Croí Cónaithe (Cities) Scheme is one measure within Housing for All that will help to kick-start apartment developments that might not otherwise be developed. On December 10th last, the Housing Agency held a stakeholder engagement workshop to gain feedback on the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Financial Services (26 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The Local Authority Home Loan (LAHL) is a Government backed mortgage for those on modest or low incomes who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial banks to purchase or build a home. It has been available nationwide from local authorities since 4 January 2022 for first-buyers and fresh start applicants. The loan can be used both for new and second-hand properties, or to self-build. It...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (26 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 242 and 243 together. My Department does not have responsibility for electricity supply and does not hold information in relation to water along the lines set out in the question. Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local...

Seanad: Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Building Control (Amendment) Bill 2022 : Committee Stage (31 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: No, but for just for the information of Senators, I am considering what other provisions might be introduced by way of amendment to the Bill on Report Stage. They will cover the areas to better provide for procedures and requirements to be followed in the case of tenancy terminations and for an enhanced role for the Residential Tenancies Board, RTB, in this regard. Second, I am considering...

Seanad: Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Building Control (Amendment) Bill 2022 : Committee Stage (31 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I will address amendments Nos. 5 and 15, 16, 17 and 19, tabled by the Government, and amendment No. 18, tabled by Senators Moynihan, Hoey, Sherlock and Wall. I welcome the amendment proposed to this section regarding the appointment of board members. Similar amendments were put forward while the Bill was progressing through the Dáil. At that stage, the Minister of State, Deputy Peter...

Seanad: Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Building Control (Amendment) Bill 2022 : Committee Stage (31 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The Senator might let me respond after she has spoken.

Seanad: Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Building Control (Amendment) Bill 2022 : Committee Stage (31 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Senator together with Senators Craughwell and Boyhan for tabling this amendment. I also thank the sector for its engagement on this important legislation to put the regulation of the providers of building works and building control on a statutory footing, which is what we need. I do not envisage this will be an extra layer of regulation and I will explain why. I will not be...

Seanad: Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Building Control (Amendment) Bill 2022 : Committee Stage (31 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: These are technical amendments to correct previously incorrect references. Amendment No. 47 is in response to concerns raised during Committee Stage in the Dáil in regard to section 63. There was a concern that the would prohibit the building control authorities from taking a prosecution against a builder who may have sanctions imposed on him or her under the Act. While this was not...

Seanad: Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Building Control (Amendment) Bill 2022 : Committee Stage (31 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank Senators Moynihan and Warfield for their amendments, neither of which I will be accepting. I just want to explain why. Amendment No. 8 would seek to disqualify a trade union from being appointed as the registration body. Amendment No. 10 would seek to provide that the National Building Control and Market Surveillance Office, NBCO, will be appointed the registration body. The...

Seanad: Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Building Control (Amendment) Bill 2022 : Committee Stage (31 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank Senator Warfield for the amendment, although I must oppose it. Section 9 allows the Minister to appoint a person to carry out periodic inspections, reviews and audits in relation to the performance of the registration body and also to furnish a report. The person, in this instance, is likely to be a professional body or professional auditing body and, therefore, it is not...

Seanad: Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Building Control (Amendment) Bill 2022 : Committee Stage (31 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: These amendments relate to section 21 and are to ensure that inspectors shall be independent in the performance of their functions. The Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, already indicated on Report Stage in the Dáil that he would bring forward such an amendment in response to amendments tabled on Committee and Report Stages. In relation to amendment No. 13, the Zalewski decision...

Seanad: Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Building Control (Amendment) Bill 2022 : Committee Stage (31 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I will now address amendments Nos. 20 to 23, inclusive, as tabled by the Government, and amendment No. 24, tabled by Senators Moynihan, Hoey, Sherlock and Wall. I welcome the amendments on this section regarding the appointment of the appeals committee. Similar amendments were tabled when the Bill was progressing through the Dáil. At that stage, the Minister of State, Deputy Peter...