Results 16,061-16,080 of 26,293 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

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

Darragh O'Brien: My Department does not have any function in relation to the Blue Green City project. The initiative is a matter for the Southern Regional Assembly who is the Irish partner on this InterReg Europe project. Further information in relation to the initiative is available at: www.southernassembly.ie/eu-projects/blue-green-city.

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

Darragh O'Brien: The main sources of funding provided by my Department to Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) for the provision of social housing, including community housing projects, are made through the Capital Advance Leasing Facility Scheme or the Capital Assistance Scheme. Applications by AHBs for funding under these programmes should, in the first instance, be made through the relevant Local Authority...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wastewater Treatment (26 Oct 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. Irish Water’s primary function is to provide clean safe drinking water to customers and to treat and return waste water safely to the environment. In turn, the EPA, as environmental regulator, is responsible for...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Grant Payments (27 Oct 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department provides funding to local authorities for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Scheme, to assist eligible applicants living in privately owned homes to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. The detailed administration of this scheme including assessment, approval and prioritisation, is the responsibility of local...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (27 Oct 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded in accordance with Standing Orders.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Data (27 Oct 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. Under Housing for All, my Department was tasked with undertaking an analytical exercise to examine whether an increase in the level of discretion available to Local Authorities under HAP was required. The...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Properties (27 Oct 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Local authorities will always have a level of vacancy in their housing stock. This will fluctuate over time as tenancy surrender and re-letting of stock is an ongoing process. Data in relation to levels of vacancy, average turnaround times and reasons associated with this are not routinely collated by my Department. However, statistics in relation to the social housing stock are published...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Defective Building Materials (27 Oct 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 the Bill passed through both Houses of the Oireachtas and was subsequently signed into law by the President on the 23 July, 2022. The...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Nov 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: How many have you opposed, Deputy Ó Broin?

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Nov 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The year-on-year figures on commencements show commencements are up and the Deputy knows that. Housing completions and starts are up.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Nov 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Housing starts are up and we will substantially exceed our target this year - even in a difficult year. That may not suit the Deputy. However, this Government is very serious about tackling the housing crisis. On affordability, every measure that we brought forward, such as help to buy and the first home scheme, that helps young people and renters buy their own home-----

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Nov 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The Deputy opposed it and voted against-----

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Nov 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The Deputy voted against the Affordable Housing Act. We see alternatives from the Social Democrats and we are always open to looking at things that will work. This Government's plan is working and taking hold, even though there are very persistent and serious challenges that we are meeting on a weekly basis. As the Taoiseach said, this is our focus and the number one priority. The Deputy...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Nov 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: No one is denying anything.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Nov 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I engaged with the Deputy specifically on this case and I met with Graham as well. I do not want to talk about specific instances. There are complexities in that too. We are engaging directly with Tipperary County Council and will continue to do so. I wrote to the Deputy earlier this week in that regard.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Nov 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I have spoken to the Deputy directly about the social housing limits. I have told him what is happening. We are going to change the social----

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Nov 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Gabh mo leithscéal. Nóiméad amháin. The social housing income limits will be changed this year. The Deputy knows that.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Nov 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: This year. The Deputy knows that. I have told him that.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Nov 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I take the opportunity, as I have done previously, to thank all the women and men in the retained fire services for the work they do 365 days a year. As the Deputy stated, the way in which they responded to the terrible tragedy in Creeslough was a shining example of the really important work they do. I will make two points in respect of the fire services. The Government has brought forward...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Nov 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I expect to have details of that shortly and I will inform the House and the Deputy of how it moves on.