Results 16,301-16,320 of 26,293 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

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

Darragh O'Brien: The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a form of social housing support for people who have a long-term housing need. Under HAP, tenants source their own accommodation in the private rented market. However, additional supports are available under HAP for homeless households or households at risk of homelessness. While eligible households or individuals may source accommodation for themselves...

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

Darragh O'Brien: 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 housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. While responsibility for the provision of accommodation for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities, the administration of homeless services is...

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

Darragh O'Brien: The Government’s Housing for All strategy introduced a new ‘Fresh Start’ principle targeting support at those who have experienced a relationship breakdown or an insolvency. Whilst these schemes are not aimed at supporting mortgage repayments on current homes, they do provide support to divorced persons in acquiring new homes. Under the provisions of the Affordable...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Contracts (29 Nov 2022)

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

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Ministerial Staff (29 Nov 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: No civilian drivers in my Department have been replaced by official Garda drivers at this time.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Water Services (30 Nov 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I understand that the question is referring to legacy debt issues where group water schemes are seeking to be taken in charge by Irish Water. Group water schemes are community-owned and community-run and they remain fully the responsibility of the scheme right up until such time as they are formally taken in charge by Irish Water. Irish Water and the local authority are actively working to...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (30 Nov 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 86 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 real vibrancy and provide new accommodation in those areas. The Croí...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Schemes (30 Nov 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 Reports (30 Nov 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The Galway Housing Task Force is continuing to provide a strong focus to social and affordable housing delivery across the two Galway Local Authorities. I understand that the minutes of the Task Force continue to be shared by the secretariat, currently operated by Galway County Council, which reflect the productive work programme of the Task Force. I have not as yet received the report...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (30 Nov 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The Government has recently agreed to increase social housing income eligibility thresholds by €5,000 for all local authorities with effect from 1 January 2023. The income eligibility bands, the respective thresholds, and the local authorities assigned to each band, were introduced in 2011. The thresholds were developed with reference to the income needed to provide for a household's...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (30 Nov 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 92 together. The Tenant Purchase Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the scheme. All sales under the scheme must meet the criteria set down in Part 3 of Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 and associated Regulations. While the sale of any dwelling under the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (30 Nov 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Housing for All is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn in funding through the Land Development Agency and €5bn funding through the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defective Building Materials (1 Dec 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue. I fully acknowledge the difficulties that owners and residents of many apartments and duplexes are facing and the stress caused by these defects in their homes. We are committed, as a Government, to supporting such homeowners. That commitment was included in the programme for Government and, from that, as the Deputy will know, I...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defective Building Materials (1 Dec 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: We are looking at interim measures because there are a number of apartment complexes and multi-unit developments that have very specific issues now. One of the reasons I met representatives of the insurance sector last week was to see what interim measures we can take. I am not going to delay on that. However, what I need to do, as the Deputy appreciates, is bring the recommendations to...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defective Building Materials (1 Dec 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: This scheme is going to be with us for a number of years, unfortunately. The work that is being carried out is very important. Some 28,000 different homes have participated in that survey so we now have the best handle on the scale and type of defects that exist. We will not delay. I thank the residents who have continued to engage with us in a very constructive way. The Government will...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defective Building Materials (1 Dec 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I say the following to be helpful. The Deputy is of the view that we could use first the pyrite remediation scheme and the Act that underpins it. That would not be the way forward. From discussing the matter with residents and, in particular, the Construction Defects Alliance, I know that is not their view. We will need bespoke legislation. That does not mean we will not bring in interim...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Housing Provision (1 Dec 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: As the Deputy will be aware, the aim of the emergency winter eviction ban is to afford time for housing supply to increase and to reduce the burden on homelessness services and the pressure on tenants and the residential tenancies market. To assist in managing demands on housing services after the winter period and to ensure there is no cliff edge, as referred to by the Deputy, on 1 April,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Housing Provision (1 Dec 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: To give an update on purchase for tenants in situ, we have more than 700 properties now. The number is increasing every day. I gave a commitment at the select committee last week that we are breaking up those data between homes. We had a target of 200 homes to purchase this year. We have well exceeded that. Most of the number above that is purchased with tenants in situ. I will gladly...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Housing Provision (1 Dec 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: As regards the recent media report, published yesterday morning, in respect of us setting aside the environmental assessments, that is totally incorrect. It was an incorrect report. There is no question of us doing that. We are drafting the specific amendment at the moment. I met with the Attorney General last night. As soon as we have that amendment, I will be happy to ensure that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: State Lands (1 Dec 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The LDA is on schedule to complete the register of relevant lands in line with the target delivery date and the register will be made available in an online map format in the coming weeks and in advance of the end of this year. Its contents are informed by the LDA's State lands database and by engagement with the Property Registration Authority, Ordinance Survey Ireland and other relevant...