Results 18,881-18,900 of 26,350 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Legislative Measures (24 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Government is committed to achieving 30% Marine Protected Area (MPA) coverage of Ireland's Maritime Area by 2030, in line with the Programme for Government, the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, and a number of International initiatives such as the UN post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. My Department has been working in close collaboration with Parliamentary drafters over the past...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Water Services (24 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I can confirm that I plan to publish the framework for the new Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme in the coming weeks. Local authorities, including Mayo County Council, will then be invited to submit applications for funding for priority projects in their areas.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (24 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Housing for All delivers on the Programme for Government commitment to step up housing supply and put affordability at the heart of the housing system and my Department has introduced a number of initiatives to support the delivery of affordable homes for purchase by first time buyers. The Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme (LAAPS) was introduced to assist first-time buyers...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (24 Oct 2023)

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. Local authorities and elected members have a very important role to play in this regard by...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (25 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: In 2021 a new holistic approach was applied to the Energy Efficient Retrofit Programme (EERP), designed around the Programme for Government's commitment led by the Department for the Environment, Climate and Communications that calls for the 'retrofit' of 500,000 homes to a B2 (BER)/Cost Optimal Equivalent standard by 2030, of which, approximately 36,500 are expected to be local authority...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Consultations (25 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: During the period under question, my Department has facilitated two remote and one in-person briefings from BelongTo. My Department has not facilitated any in-person or remote briefings from Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) during the same period. The information requested has been outlined in Table 1. My Department does not maintain the requested information in respect of the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (25 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The programme to provide funding for Biodiversity Officer roles within local authorities is being delivered by the Heritage Council, which is funded by my Department. Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Properties (25 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Derelict Sites Act 1990 imposes a general duty on every owner and occupier of land to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the land does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site. The Act also imposes a duty on local authorities to take all reasonable steps, including the exercise of appropriate statutory powers, to ensure that any land within their functional area does not...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (25 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Cost Rental Tenant In-Situ (CRTiS) Scheme was introduced, on an administrative basis, to address the immediate circumstances of the ending of the 'Winter Emergency Period' on 31 March 2023. This scheme is available where a tenant faces the termination of a tenancy due to the landlord’s intention to sell the property. My Department issued Acquisition Cost Guidelines (ACGs) in...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (25 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: An Bord Pleanála (the Board) is the national independent statutory body with responsibility for the determination of planning appeals and direct applications for strategic infrastructure and other developments under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and certain other Acts. Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (25 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 112 together. Section 28 guidelines for planning authorities on Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas (the ‘Sustainable Residential Development Guidelines’), were issued in 2009. Section 28 of the Act provides that planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála (ABP) shall have regard to Ministerial guidelines in the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (25 Oct 2023)

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 challengeof 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...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Functions (25 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The protection of nature and the environment in Ireland is a responsibility shared by all of society. Various sectors and organisations, including several different Government departments, agencies and bodies all have key responsibilities in this regard. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is an executive agency within my Department with primary responsibility for nature...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Sites (25 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: In respect of acquiring or accepting properties, my Department acquires heritage structures and monuments, which are either of national importance or strategic importance, from time to time as resources and opportunities permit. Usually this is in the interests of the protection, preservation, conservation and management of monuments or sites. Such acquisitions are considered within the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (25 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme provides for the purchase by eligible tenants, or joint tenants, of local authority homes available for sale under the scheme. To be eligible, applicants must meet certain criteria, including a minimum annual reckonable income. The Tenant Purchase Scheme was reviewed in 2021, with a number of amendments implemented from 1 February 2022. These...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Septic Tanks (25 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: There are currently three Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (DWWTS) grant schemes, commonly known as Septic Tank Grants, available to householders. The purpose of the grants is to provide financial assistance to householders to repair or upgrade septic tanks including those that fail inspections by a local authority. I can confirm that my Department, in consultation with key...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (26 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Data on the number of residential dwellings purchased, including by first-time buyers, are captured and published by the Central Statistics Office. The most recent data, for the period to end-August 2023, show more than 41,700 dwellings were purchased by all buyer types between January and August this year. Some 11,000 or 26.5% of these were purchased by first-time buyers, an increase of 2%...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (26 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Data on the number of residential dwellings purchased, including by first-time buyers, are captured and published by the Central Statistics Office. The most recent data, for the period to end-August 2023, show more than 41,700 dwellings were purchased by all buyer types between January and August this year. Some 11,000 or 26.5% of these were purchased by first-time buyers, an increase of 2%...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (26 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Applications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended. To qualify for social housing support a household must meet all of the eligibility criteria, which...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Waterways Issues (26 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Programme for Government includes a commitment to work with the Northern Ireland Executive to deliver the flagship cross-border Ulster Canal project. In July 2007, it was agreed by the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) to extend Waterways Ireland remit to include the reconstruction of a 13.5km stretch of the Ulster Canal from Upper Lough Erne to Clones. Waterways Ireland have...