Results 16,621-16,640 of 26,293 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Regeneration Projects (14 Dec 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The detailed advancement of housing and other works under the Cork City North West Quarter Regeneration (CNWQR) programme is a matter, in the first instance, for Cork City Council. The CNWQR Masterplan & Implementation Report was published in 2011. The strategy outlined a departure from previous policy, with a proposal to carry out wholesale demolition of the housing stock in...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (14 Dec 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. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes by 2030. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (14 Dec 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: A key action under Housing for All was the preparation of Housing Delivery Action Plans by local authorities. These Plans set out details of social and affordable housing delivery over the period 2022-2026, in line with targets set under Housing for All. The Plans also include details of the proposed delivery of housing to meet the needs of older people and people with disabilities, including...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (14 Dec 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 115 together. A key objective for the Government under Housing For All, is ensuring that homes are being made available to purchasers at a minimum of 15% below current market values, and for Cost Rental properties at a targeted 25% below market rental values for the area. This, along with the affordable delivery and cost rental pipeline, local...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (14 Dec 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. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Social Media (14 Dec 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I refer to the reply to Question No. 541 of 19 January 2022 which set out the information relating to social media spending in 2021. The information requested relating to social media spending in 2022 is being compiled and will be forwarded in accordance with Standing Orders.

Defects in Apartments - Working Group to Examine Defects in Housing Report: Statements (15 Dec 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I welcome the opportunity to once again address the House on the issue of the report of the Working Group to Examine Defects in Housing and to inform Deputies of the steps this Government is taking to provide support to homeowners who find themselves in a difficult situation through no fault of their own. I thank Deputies across the House in this regard. We will sometimes have charged...

Income Eligibility for Social Housing Supports: Statements (15 Dec 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I wish the Ceann Comhairle and all the staff of the Houses a very happy Christmas. I hope they get time to enjoy it with family and friends. I wish Deputy Ó Broin, his colleagues and all colleagues a happy Christmas. This is probably the last housing debate this side of the new Government. We wait to see what Saturday holds. I wish colleagues a very happy and peaceful Christmas and...

Income Eligibility for Social Housing Supports: Statements (15 Dec 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: We will deliver this year about 10,500 new social homes across the country. I think even Deputy Boyd Barrett may say that is a significant uplift and it is welcome to the 10,500 households, many of whom I have the pleasure of meeting right across the country, who are getting their safe and secure home for life. What is important as well is that, for the first time in nearly a generation,...

Income Eligibility for Social Housing Supports: Statements (15 Dec 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I will address that. Also, just this week, I approved another 142 cost rental tenancies which will be delivered late this year and early next year. There is a really strong pipeline coming through. We would always look at acquisition, which is important, where appropriate. We are looking at schemes at the moment. I have already mentioned dormant or stalled planning permissions, where we...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Appointments to State Boards (15 Dec 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: A dedicated MARA Establishment Unit is in place within my Department leading the critical work enabling the timely establishment of the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA). The unit is directing a detailed Implementation Plan along three workstreams - governance, corporate development and operational development and is on track to have MARA formally established in March 2023. I hope...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (15 Dec 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I refer to the reply to Question No. 90 of 30 November 2022 which sets out the position in the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (15 Dec 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 220 to 223, inclusive, together. The Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme was reviewed in 2021 in line with Programme for Government and Housing for All commitments. Amendments on foot of the review came into effect on 1st February 2022. The amendments include a reduction in the minimum reckonable income required to be eligible under the scheme from...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Funding (15 Dec 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, the implementation of a planned maintenance programme and carrying out of responsive repairs, are matters for each individual local authority under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. Since 2014, Exchequer funding has also been provided through my Department's Voids...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: International Protection (15 Dec 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) is the Department with lead responsibility for the provision of accommodation for refugees and International Protection applicants. My Department is supporting the whole of government response to the war in Ukraine and has taken responsibility for some elements, in order to provide support and assistance to...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Jan 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Today is a very significant day. We committed in the programme for Government of the three parties that we would grasp this nettle and that we would deal with the issue of defects in apartments and duplexes. A significant Government decision was taken today to provide 100% redress. Costs already incurred will be covered by the scheme. It is important to say that those who have contracted...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Jan 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: As the Deputy will be aware, the new revised and updated scheme the Government introduced through legislation passed last year is the basis for how we move forward on 100% redress for families affected by defective concrete blocks. We are doing that. We have been engaging with the local authorities on the draft regulations and we will receive feedback from them. I expect to meet with the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (19 Jan 2023)

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. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes by 2030. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (19 Jan 2023)

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. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (19 Jan 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Government recently agreed to increase the baseline income thresholds by €5,000 for all local authorities with effect from 1 January 2023. The thresholds increased to €40,000, €35,000 and €30,000 for bands 1, 2 and 3 respectively, with an estimated 16,000 additional households potentially eligible for social housing support as a result. While local authorities...