Results 19,421-19,440 of 26,350 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Properties (28 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Addressing vacancy and making efficient use of existing housing stock is a key priority for Government, as set out in Pathway 4 of Housing for All. As part of the Vacant Homes Action Plan, a new CPO Activation Programme was launched in April. The Programme supports a proactive, planned and systematic approach by local authorities to the activation of vacant and derelict properties which...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (28 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Programme for Government commits to ensuring that the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) levels are adequate to support vulnerable households, while the supply of social housing is increased. Maximum rent limits for HAP were set for each housing authority area in 2016 in conjunction with the Department of Social Protection (DSP). In reviewing the rent limits, my Department worked...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Offshore Islands (28 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Government’s housing plan to 2030, Housing for All, supports the need to fully consider the housing needs of island communities as part of the objective to drive social sustainability and foster sustainable communities. In concert, our national planning policy in the National Planning Framework (NPF) identifies the need to have vibrant rural communities on our offshore islands and...

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (30 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Yes.

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (30 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Tá mé sásta an cheist sin a fhreagairt.

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (30 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: First, I appreciate all the work that everyone has put into this Bill, including the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The Chairman is here, as are many of the members who have been heavily involved in this Bill as it was brought forward and was being produced. We have had extensive input into it. There is no truncation of the Second Stage process at all. I do not...

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (30 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Well I am not going to do that.

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (30 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." It is difficult to understate the importance that planning plays in almost every aspect of our day-to-day lives. Good planning can deliver generational benefits that will last many lifetimes. Blockages within the planning system can delay critical infrastructure such as housing, renewable energy, transport, and even discourage...

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (30 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: You said it was rushed.

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (30 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: No, I did not. I wrote to-----

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (30 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: -----Deputy Cian O'Callaghan as well.

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (30 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Carry on. This is great stuff.

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (30 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: You said it was rushed, though.

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (30 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Companies and Taxes Consolidation Acts.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Expenditure (29 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Under the Prompt Payment Act 1997, and later the SI 580 2012 European Communities (Late Payment in Commercial Transactions) Regulations 2012, my Department is required to pay Prompt Payment Interest on valid invoices that are not processed within 30 days. In this scenario the Department applies a daily 8% interest rate (which is currently the ECB rate of 4.00% plus the margin of 8%) followed...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Defective Building Materials (29 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department has had a number of engagements with the Banking and Payments Federation (BPFI) on specific issues raised by Defective Concrete Block (DCB) homeowners to see what can be done to address their concerns. As part of these discussions the BPFI has confirmed to my officials that, from their perspective, once a home has been certified as remediated under the DCB Scheme it will be...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (29 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Addressing vacancy and making efficient use of existing housing stock is a key priority for Government, as set out in Pathway 4 of Housing for All.In January 2022, my Department communicated with local authorities outlining that funding, made available since 2018 to support the work of a Vacant Homes Office including a Vacant Homes Officer (VHO), would be increased from €50,000 to...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: EU Directives (29 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The information requested is set out in the following table. EU Directive not yet transposed Deadline for transposition Estimated date for transposition into law Directive 2014/52/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 amending Directive 2011/92/EU on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private...

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

Darragh O'Brien: The relevant details are being compiled and will be provided to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Fire Service (29 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003. My Department supports fire authorities through setting general policy, providing the legislative...