Results 18,341-18,360 of 26,320 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (27 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in each local authority. This data is available to the end of 2022, and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link:...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Building Regulations (27 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Building Regulations 1997 to 2022 provide for the safety and welfare of people in and about buildings and apply to the design and construction of a new building (including a dwelling) or an extension to an existing building. The minimum performance requirements that a building must achieve are set out in the Second Schedule to the Building Regulations. They are subject to ongoing...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (27 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Local authorities set and collect rents on their dwellings in accordance with section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. The making or amending of such rent schemes is generally a matter for local authorities within broad principles set out by my Department, including that rent levels should be based on income and reflect tenants’ ability to pay. Local discretion and flexibility are...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Properties (27 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I refer to Question No. 328 on 9 May. I can confirm that my Department does not own the site at Rosscarbery Playground, Rosscarbery Co. Cork 51.57909834945283, -9.028955329525367.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (27 Jun 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 and 54,000 affordable 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,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Natural Heritage Areas (27 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The selection procedure for Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) follows the guidance provided by the EU Commission for the implementation of the EU Habitats Directive. An initial suite of candidate sites was put forward for consideration between 1995 and c.2010, with other sites added in subsequent years. All these sites, and the habitats and species for which they were selected, were...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (27 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 384 and 385 together. Local authorities are encouraged to acquire vacant/derelict properties to be upgraded as new, value-for-money social homes via the Buy & Renew Scheme. Since it was introduced in 2016, in excess of 800 properties have been delivered under this arrangement. The table below outlines the average cost in that time of 1/2/3/4 bed...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Water Pollution (27 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Uisce Éireann has statutory responsibility for all aspects of public water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. The scope, prioritisation and progression of individual projects are a matter for Uisce Éireann, and are approved through its own internal governance structures. Uisce Éireann is investing over €500 million in...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Properties (27 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The actions to be taken with regard to 6 properties at the location referred to, are a matter for Clare County Council and exact information on this matter will be available directly from the Council. My Department has received no proposals or funding applications to date in respect of these properties. From contacts between the Council and my Department, I understand that the Council is...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Voluntary Housing Sector (27 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in each local authority. This data is available to the end of 2022, and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link:...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Water Pollution (27 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The management and protection of bathing waters requires an integrated catchment management approach incorporating the physical, geographical, social and hydrological characteristics of the catchment area of the bathing water and careful management of activities that could be a source of pollution. The primary responsibility for the monitoring, management, protection and improvement of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Waterways Issues (29 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The area referenced is within Killarney National Park and is the responsibility of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department. More specifically, the canal area is within the Killarney National Park, McGillycuddy’s Reeks and Caragh catchment SAC 365. Works of the nature described would need to be assessed for environmental impact and follow the normal procedures for...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Protection (4 Jul 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The International Whaling Commission (IWC) was established in 1946 as the global body responsible for management of whaling and conservation of whales. It is an inter-governmental organisation with a current membership of 88 governments from all over the world. Ireland joined the IWC in 1985. Ireland maintains a pro-conservation position with respect to cetaceans and all cetaceans are...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Office of Public Works (4 Jul 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Scattery Island is designated as a Special Area of Conservation (Lower River Shannon SAC 2165), and part of the island is classified as a Special Protection Area (River Shannon and River Fergus Estuaries SPA 4077). Scattery Island is an important site for both breeding (nesting) birds and wintering birds. During the spring and summer season, the following birds have been observed breeding on...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Protection (4 Jul 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Expanded polystyrene foams (EPS) are widely used as packing,material for household appliances and in construction. Polystyrene is very inert and this characteristic causes polystyrene to last a long time in the natural environment, which poses a litter hazard as the material is typically thrown away after an extremely short useful lifespan. Plastic pollution, and its effects on wildlife, has...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (4 Jul 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Regional National Parks and Wildlife Service staff in Carlow were made aware of the fuel leak in recent weeks and have liaised with Inland Fisheries Ireland staff and the Local Authority, who have led on the incident. Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), under the aegis of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, is the agency responsible for the protection, management and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Correspondence (4 Jul 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Awaiting reply from Department.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (4 Jul 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Government is focused on the actions already set out in Housing for All to support prospective homeowners and first-time buyers, including those wishing to build their own homes. The Help-to-Buy scheme is an incentive for first-time buyers to help with their deposit for purchasing or self-building a new home. The scheme has already helped some 39,000 first-time buyers. The Local...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (4 Jul 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Awaiting reply from Department.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Water Pollution (4 Jul 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Ireland’s Fifth Nitrates Action Programme, published in March 2022, commits to increasing Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine inspections of farms and to developing an enhanced local authority inspection and enforcement programme. In order to achieve this the National Agricultural Inspection Programme has been established and funded by my Department. This inspection and...