Results 16,041-16,060 of 26,293 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

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

Darragh O'Brien: Action 18.5 of Housing for All aims to legislate to increase the borrowing capacity of the Housing Finance Agency (HFA), with a review in two years, to support the Local Government sector in land acquisition and delivery of social and affordable homes. The HFA plays a leading role in the financing of Local Authorities. Approved Housing Bodies (AHB) and the education sector to deliver housing...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Water Services (25 Oct 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: A Framework for the future of Water Services was identified on 24 June 2022 following a comprehensive process of engagement with unions under the aegis of the Workplace Relations Commission. The Framework enables Irish Water to work in conjunction with local authorities and current water services staff to complete the integration of public water services into its own organisational...

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

Darragh O'Brien: The day-to-day operation of the social housing system, including the oversight and practical management of the lists of qualified households awaiting accommodation, is a matter solely for each local authority. Section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended, set down a standard procedure for assessing applicants...

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

Darragh O'Brien: The policy intent of developing a new Cost Rental sector in Ireland is to assist those on moderate incomes who are facing affordability pressures in the private rental market and may not qualify for social housing supports. The main eligibility condition for leasing a Cost Rental dwelling is that a household’s annual income, less income tax, PRSI, USC and superannuation contributions,...

Residential Tenancies (Deferment of Termination Dates of Certain Tenancies Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Oct 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle and the Deputies for their contributions. At the outset I also want to thank all of the Deputies for their support for this very important legislation which needs to come in expeditiously and urgently. That is the reason for the truncated nature of the Committee and Remaining Stages, which the Members understand. I need to get this legislation into the...

Residential Tenancies (Deferment of Termination Dates of Certain Tenancies Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Oct 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Okay. While I am dealing with the amendment specifically, I will also deal with some of the points that have been raised. I will certainly look at a local authority circular, as raised by Deputy Ó Broin. I know, and the Deputy has acknowledged, that it is a different time and is a different measure we are taking. I am already engaged, however, with our local authorities on how social...

Residential Tenancies (Deferment of Termination Dates of Certain Tenancies Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Oct 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Does the Deputy get trolled?

Residential Tenancies (Deferment of Termination Dates of Certain Tenancies Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Oct 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Subject to being passed in the Dáil and Seanad, the legislation will take effect from 1 November and will apply to notices to quit issued from that date onwards. That is very clear in what we are doing. It is because of the potential for challenge that we crafted this Bill really carefully with the advice of the Attorney General and his office as to what would stand up to such a...

Residential Tenancies (Deferment of Termination Dates of Certain Tenancies Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Oct 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Well, the Deputy asked me again.

Residential Tenancies (Deferment of Termination Dates of Certain Tenancies Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Oct 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I have given the Deputy the answer already. Whether he likes it or not, we have to balance the rights and protections of the tenant and the rights of the property owner. This is a very significant short-term intervention to provide needed protections. I believe the balance has been struck correctly so that the legislation cannot be successfully challenged. This is not a silver bullet....

Residential Tenancies (Deferment of Termination Dates of Certain Tenancies Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Oct 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: What kind of house is the Deputy referring to?

Residential Tenancies (Deferment of Termination Dates of Certain Tenancies Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Oct 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I did not say that. I said in this legislation there is no provision to extend it.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Water Quality (26 Oct 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 94 together. A copy of the correspondence referenced has been received by my Department and a response will issue in due course. The table below sets out detail of open cases where the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) have issued judgments against the State in areas that fall within the responsibility of my Department. CJEU...

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

Darragh O'Brien: The Local Authority Home Loan 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-time buyers and fresh start applicants. The loan can be used both for new and second-hand properties, or to self-build. ...

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

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 88 together. I refer to the reply to Question No. 304 of 25 October 2022 which sets out the position in the matter.

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

Darragh O'Brien: My Departments Multi-annual Rural Water Programme, through Exchequer funding, delivers improvements to private domestic water and waste water services in areas of rural Ireland where there are no public (Irish Water) water/waste water services. During the 2016-2018 funding cycle, Kerry County Council were allocated funding of €1,957,550 and €739,824 was paid to the Council by my...

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

Darragh O'Brien: Kerry County Council has been allocated funding of €53,550 under my Department’s Multi-annual Rural Water Programme for the Community Water Connection referred to in the details supplied. It is now a matter for the local authority working with the community to arrange completion of the project. I understand that the local authority have completed the process of planning the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Marine Protected Areas (26 Oct 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: In Ireland, we currently have an array of sites that have been designated for the conservation of species and habitats listed under the EU Birds and Habitats Directives and the Wildlife Acts. In the sea, such sites amount to currently 2.1% of our extensive Maritime Area, with a high proportion of the conserved sites being situated around our coasts and offshore islands, and in numerous bays...

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

Darragh O'Brien: Pathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock. Many areas of cities, towns and villages of all sizes face the blight of vacant properties, which, if brought back into use, could add vibrancy and provide new accommodation in those areas. The Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund is a key initiative which underpins...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Homeless Persons Supports (26 Oct 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department currently publishes data on a monthly basis on the number of homeless persons accommodated in emergency accommodation funded and overseen by housing authorities. These reports are based on data provided by housing authorities, produced through the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS). The reports are collated on a regional basis and are available on my...