Results 15,361-15,380 of 26,293 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (28 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: As you will be aware, the site at St Ita’s, Portrane, is very extensive and accommodates many protected structures and attractive buildings in an extensive demesne type landscape. I understand that a feasibility study of this site was completed jointly by Fingal County Council and the HSE in November 2013, to determine the optimal future sustainable use of this complex and to consider...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (28 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department published the terms of reference (attached) for the 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 on the 12th of May 2022. In accordance with the terms of reference, Remy Farrell, Senior Counsel, was requested to provide a report to...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Data (28 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Data in relation to new dwelling completions is published by the CSO on a quarterly basis and can be accessed via the following link: www.cso.ie/en/statistics/construction/newdwellingcompletions / 5,669 new homes were added to the national housing stock in Q1 2022. This represents a 44.5% increase from 3,923 completions in Q1 2021 (when there were COVID-19 restrictions in place) and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (28 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 288 and 300 together. The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme plays a vital role in housing eligible families and individuals. At the end of 2021, over 100,000 HAP tenancies had been set up since the scheme commenced, of which there were more than 61,900 households actively in receipt of HAP support. Of these, 463 were in Cavan and 566 were in Monaghan....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Water Quality (28 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Primary responsibility for the management and monitoring of identified bathing waters is assigned to local authorities as specified in Regulation 7 of the Bathing Water Quality Regulations 2008.   The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the environmental regulator who ensure that the local authorities carry out their functions under Bathing Water Regulations.  As part of their...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Bodies (28 Jun 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 level. Irish Water as a single national water services authority takes a strategic, nationwide approach to asset planning and investment. The scope, prioritisation and progression of individual projects is a matter for Irish Water,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Bodies (28 Jun 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 in accordance with Section 7 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013. Staffing matters, including training, are a matter for Irish Water and as Minister I have no role in relation to their ongoing training plans. Irish Water...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (28 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Part 4 of the Affordable Housing Act 2021 provides for the establishment of the ‘First Home’ affordable purchase shared equity scheme to support purchases in the private market. The Scheme aims to support c. 8,000 households in acquiring new homes in the private market in the years 2022 to 2026. First Home will help applicants to afford new homes in the private market...

Remediation of Dwellings Damaged By the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill 2022: Second Stage (30 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." The defective concrete block disaster has haunted lives in Donegal, Mayo and beyond for too long. People who built and bought family homes to make a life in saw their dreams crumble around them. Instead of a shelter from the storms of life, their homes became prisons. With no help available, they turned to the State for support. When...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rental Sector (29 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 41 together. The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2021, to operate a national tenancy registration system and to facilitate the resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants.   This matter is an operational one for the RTB and my...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Homeless Accommodation (29 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 56 to 60, inclusive, together. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless accommodation and related services rests with individual local authorities.  My Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of local...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (29 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Housing for All provides a new housing plan for Ireland to 2030 with the overall objective that every citizen in the State should have access to good quality homes through a steady supply of housing in the right locations, with economic, social and environmental sustainability built into the system. The strategy sets out, over four pathways, a broad suite of measures to achieve its policy...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (29 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 49 together. I refer to the reply to Question No. 6 of 23 June 2022 which sets out the position in the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (29 Jun 2022)

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, as amended, and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations. A household shall be ineligible for social housing support if it has alternative accommodation it could...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Hare Coursing (29 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department has received an application from the Irish Coursing Club for licences to capture and tag hares for the forthcoming 2022/23 hare coursing season. This is being considered at present, and a decision will be made on the application in due course. Following initial concerns about the potential impact of RHD2 on the Irish hare after the disease was first reported in the wild...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (29 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I refer to the reply to Question No. 59 of 23 June 2022, which sets out the position in relation to this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Building Regulations (29 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The Construction Products Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 (CPR) sets out rules for the marketing of construction products in the EU, from 1 July 2013. While the CPR came into force and has direct legal application across the entire European Union, each Member State is responsible for regulating for its own market surveillance activities in accordance with the specific requirements of the CPR and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Charitable and Voluntary Organisations (30 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: None of the state boards under the aegis of my Department currently are, or have been registered as a charity.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Defective Building Materials (30 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Following on from the Government decision of the 30 November 2021 in respect of the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme, the Government approved the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill 2022 on 21 June and I intend to progress the legislation before the end of term in order to ensure that we can have the scheme ready for...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Defective Building Materials (30 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 147 and 148 together. Following on from the Government decision of the 30 November 2021 in respect of the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme, the Government approved the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill 2022 on 21 June and I intend to progress the legislation before the end of term in...