Results 19,641-19,660 of 26,350 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Properties (13 Dec 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. In July 2022 I launched the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant which supports bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use. From 1 May 2023, a grant of up to a maximum of €50,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Properties (13 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The repair and leasing scheme (RLS) is one of the delivery options in Pathway 4 of Housing for All – Pathway to Addressing Vacancy and Efficient Use of Existing Stock. Housing for All committed to placing a renewed focus on RLS and has set ambitious targets for its duration. In line with this commitment, a pilot expansion to the scheme targeting the conversion of vacant commercial /...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (13 Dec 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. In July 2022 the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was launched to support bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use. From 1 May 2023, a grant of up to a maximum of €50,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (13 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The substantial uplift in housing delivery since Housing for All was launched in 2021 - almost 30,000 new homes completed in 2022 and more than 30,000 forecast for this year - is expected to be sustained into 2024. Indeed, initial sectoral forecasts suggest new home delivery next year will be at its highest level for many years, with some commentators suggesting the Housing for All target of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (13 Dec 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. Since 2014, Exchequer funding has also been provided through my Department's Voids...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (13 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 134 and 135 together. It is of the utmost importance in the first instance to point out that provision for the handling and consideration of appeals where considered vexatious is currently already legislated for under section 138 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), under which An Bord Pleanála has powers to dismiss appeals where it...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Emergency Accommodation (13 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Supporting individuals and families facing homelessness is a key Government priority. Critical to supporting households to exit homelessness is increasing the supply of housing. Record State investment of over €5bn is available to support capital investment in housing in 2024. This funding will support the delivery of 9,300 new build social homes and 6,400 affordable homes. Budget...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (13 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I refer to my reply to Question No. 407 of the 12 December 2023 which sets out the position in this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Appointments to State Boards (14 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The information requested is not held by my Department. In making appointments to State boards under my remit, my Department operates in accordance with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards, published in November 2014. The Public Appointments Service has responsibility for managing an open, accessible and transparent system...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Correspondence (14 Dec 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. In July 2022 the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was launched to support bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use. From 1 May 2023, a grant of up to a maximum of €50,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (14 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Housing for All sets out the range of actions necessary to increase the supply of housing to the required 33,000 homes, on average, per year over the next decade. 54,000 affordable homes will be delivered between now and 2030 to be facilitated by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), the Land Development Agency (LDA) and through First Home, which is a strategic partnership...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (14 Dec 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. In respect of the Land Development Agency's (LDA) work...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (14 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Local authorities are designated as lead agencies for coordinating the response to flooding emergencies and severe weather as per the Government decision relating to the “Framework for Major Emergency Management” (2006). The arrangements for emergency management are seen as having worked very well, in particular the responses led by local authorities to flooding and other...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (14 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Both the Programme for Government and Housing for All commit to strengthening the Mortgage to Rent scheme and ensuring that it can help those who need it. The 2021 Review of the Mortgage to Rent Scheme was published on 24 January 2022. Building on the significant changes already made to the scheme in 2017, the 2021 Review examined the impact of these changes and what further changes would...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (14 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2015 provided for the development of a deposit protection scheme to be operated by the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB). However, significant changes have taken place in the rental market since this Act and in order to inform decisions on the commencement of this measure, work is underway in my Department to complete Action 2.10 of the Housing for...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (14 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Croí Cónaithe (Cities) Scheme supports building 5,000 apartments for sale to owner-occupiers up to 2026. The Scheme aims to bridge the current “viability gap” between the cost of building apartments and the market sale price (where the cost of building is greater). The Scheme is managed by the Housing Agency on behalf of my Department and is targeted principally at...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (14 Dec 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. In July 2022 the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was launched to support bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use. From 1 May 2023, a grant of up to a maximum of €50,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Policies (14 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, is the foundation for my Department's main policy initiatives. My Department has commitments across 10 of the 12 Missions in the Programme. My Department's 2021 Statement of Strategy was published in April 2021 and set out our strategic goals, objectives and actions. It is available on my Department's website at the following link:...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (14 Dec 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 (14 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Local Authority Home Loan is a Government backed mortgage scheme for creditworthy applicants who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial banks to purchase or build a home. It has been available nationwide from local authorities since 4 January 2022 for first-time buyers and fresh start applicants. The loan can be used both for new and second-hand properties, or to self-build. The...