Results 16,121-16,140 of 26,293 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Defective Building Materials (8 Nov 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. ...

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

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 396 and 397 together. The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022, to operate a national tenancy registration system and to facilitate the resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants. A dispute may be referred to the RTB under Part 6 of the Acts - please see...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (8 Nov 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 self-build....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Charitable and Voluntary Organisations (8 Nov 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The Commissioner of Valuation is independent in the exercise of his functions under the Valuation Act 2001, as amended. The making of valuations for rating purposes as well as determining the ratability or not of a property is the sole responsibility of the Commissioner and I, as Minister, have no function in decisions in this regard. The Valuation Act provides that all buildings used or...

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

Darragh O'Brien: The Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 (RTA) regulate the landlord-tenant relationship in the private rented sector and set out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Acts to operate a national tenancy registration system and to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants. The...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Properties (8 Nov 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 409 to 411, inclusive, together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Properties (8 Nov 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 these...

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

Darragh O'Brien: The recently published Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report Water Quality in Ireland 2016-2021 shows that the main risk to water quality continues to be excess nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen) in our rivers, lakes and coastal areas. In relation to the Priority Areas for Action, the EPA reports that a total of 117 river water bodies showed improvements in status, while 67...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Medical Aids and Appliances (8 Nov 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 418 and 422 together. The Housing Adaptation Grant for Older People and People with a Disability scheme is underpinned by secondary legislation. The provisions of Article 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...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Legislative Process (8 Nov 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: It is my intention to bring forward a piece of legislation provisionally titled the Fire, Emergency Management and Public Safety Bill, whose primary purpose will be to update the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003. Part of the impetus for this work arises from the review of fire safety in Ireland carried out in the aftermath of the Grenfell tragedy in the UK. It is also my intention that the...

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

Darragh O'Brien: I currently have no plans to amend the Household Means Policy and the requirement to assess household income eligibility on the previous 12 months net average income. The income eligibility requirements reflect the long-term nature of social housing support. However, my Department is monitoring the operation and implementation of the policy, which will be kept under review. In the wider...

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

Darragh O'Brien: My Department provides a range of strategic learning and development options, delivered flexibly, using a range of delivery methods, with a particular emphasis on work based learning. In the past ten years to date, there were no officials in the Department who completed the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Programme.

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

Darragh O'Brien: I am currently considering potential changes to the social housing income eligibility model. In the meantime, I have approved proposals to scope and develop options for a new model. This work will commence shortly under the aegis of the Housing Agency who have been tasked with commissioning it and I expect that the work will complete by end Q4 2022. I have also recently approved...

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

Darragh O'Brien: There is one civil servant in my Department who is currently on a secondment to a public body and who is in receipt of a higher duty/acting allowance, which is payable by that body.  The civil servant in question has been on secondment since 2019.  This allowance is deemed to be pensionable.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: International Protection (9 Nov 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 58 together. The European Union (Planning and Development) (Displaced Persons from Ukraine Temporary Protection) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 306 of 2022), which came into effect on the 23rd of June 2022 give effect to Council Directive No 2001/55 EC and Council Implementing Decision EU 2022/382 of 4 March 2022, to provide immediate protection in EU...

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

Darragh O'Brien: The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a flexible and immediate form of social housing support for people with a long-term housing need. Any household assessed by their local authority as eligible for social housing is immediately eligible for HAP. These households must find their own accommodation in the private rental sector.  The HAP scheme started in 2014 and at the end of Q2 2022,...

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

Darragh O'Brien: The operation of the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022, the residential rental market and the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) are kept under constant review by my Department to ensure that the legislation is fit for purpose. I have no plans to provide for a legal requirement, as proposed in the Question. The RTB was established as an independent statutory body under the Residential...

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

Darragh O'Brien: Further to my reply to Question No. 552 of 8 September 2022, 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. I have no role in this regard.  Accordingly, it is a matter for Galway City and Galway County Councils to...

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

Darragh O'Brien: Housing First recognises that a stable home provides the basis for recovery in other areas. With Housing First, the priority is to support a person who has experienced homelessness into permanent housing as quickly as possible, without any preconditions around addiction or mental health treatment. Then, intensive work continues on these issues once they are housed. Housing First has been a...

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

Darragh O'Brien: I am confident the funding and targeted schemes committed to under Housing for All will deliver a greater supply of homes and increase access to purchasing affordable homes for all who aspire to do so, including local authority tenants. Government has committed a record €4 billion current and capital funding in Budget 2022 to help increase homeownership. This investment, a 20% increase...