Results 1-20 of 2,564 for speaker:Christopher O'Sullivan

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Schemes (1 May 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: Since the second-hand acquisition programme was established, Cork City Council has delivered a significant programme, complementing its strong record of new build output in the city. Over the past three years, Cork City Council has acquired 285 second-hand properties, scaling up significantly in 2024, with 135 homes acquired, of which 79 were tenant in situ acquisitions. Taking Cork County...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Schemes (1 May 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: The allocation of €20 million to the council in 2025 represents 6% of the total fund available across 31 local authorities. To date, €6.8 million has been paid to Cork City Council in 2025. The Deputy is right that that represents strong delivery in the tenant in situ scheme. In fairness to them, I know that Cork City Council and Cork County Council have strong delivery of...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Schemes (1 May 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I cannot give a yes or no answer. As I said, the Cabinet subcommittee on housing is meeting. I will certainly work with the Deputy and the local authorities to try to find a resolution to this, because I agree with the Deputy that the tenant in situ scheme is a key way of preventing homelessness.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Schemes (1 May 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I thank Deputy Gould for raising this important matter. I am glad to have the opportunity to discuss the second-hand acquisitions programme, which includes the tenant in situ scheme in Cork city. This Government and Department are committed to increasing the supply of new build social and affordable homes. Increasing the overall housing supply is key to addressing the housing challenge and...

Final Draft Revised National Planning Framework: Motion (30 Apr 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I thank everybody for their contributions. I listened with interest. Many valid points were made by Deputies who are clearly in touch with their constituencies. They know the reality on the ground in their constituencies. I might come back to a lot of those comments at the end of my closing remarks. I am pleased to have the opportunity to outline the importance of the first revision...

Final Draft Revised National Planning Framework: Motion (30 Apr 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: It is a framework.

Seanad: Revised National Planning Framework: Motion (29 Apr 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I acknowledge Deputy Feighan and his esteemed guests. I thank the Senators for their contributions to today's debate. I have listened intently and will try at the end of the main body of my speech to come back to many of the comments and points raised. I will also respond on the proposed amendment, which the Government will be opposing. I will touch on the reasons for this towards the end...

Housing Emergency Measures: Motion [Private Members] (2 Apr 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: That is a 50% increase on the three years prior to that.

Housing Emergency Measures: Motion [Private Members] (2 Apr 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: Apartment construction has reduced but the measures proposed in the motion here would actually reduce it even further.

Housing Emergency Measures: Motion [Private Members] (2 Apr 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: We have to face up to the reality; we need private investment. If we are to deliver apartments at scale-----

Housing Emergency Measures: Motion [Private Members] (2 Apr 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: -----we need private investment. The equation is simple.

Housing Emergency Measures: Motion [Private Members] (2 Apr 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: In order to get to the housing targets we need, we are talking about a €20 billion per annum investment.

Housing Emergency Measures: Motion [Private Members] (2 Apr 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: The current investment by the State-----

Housing Emergency Measures: Motion [Private Members] (2 Apr 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: -----is €6.8 billion. How do we make up that €13 billion gap? Is the State going to contribute that €13 billion in the context of seeing tariffs introduced and economic uncertainty?

Housing Emergency Measures: Motion [Private Members] (2 Apr 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: We need to get real here.

Housing Emergency Measures: Motion [Private Members] (2 Apr 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: Private investment is needed. The tenant in situ scheme has been extended but many Members said the scheme is over. It has been extended into 2025.

Housing Emergency Measures: Motion [Private Members] (2 Apr 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: We cannot be any way clearer about that.

Housing Emergency Measures: Motion [Private Members] (2 Apr 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: There is an emergency and we will use every lever possible to increase supply, make houses affordable and to end homelessness.

Housing Emergency Measures: Motion [Private Members] (2 Apr 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I congratulate the Leas-Cheann Comhairle on his elevation to his new position, which is long overdue. I wish him good luck with it. I welcome the Other Members' Questions slot. It is not so long ago that I was on the backbenches. I recall how frustrating it was to get speaking time on Private Members' business. If I was lucky, I might have got a minute from a Minister. Some of the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Supply (2 Apr 2025)

Christopher O'Sullivan: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I do not think Kildare is a forgotten county, but the Deputy is well within his rights to represent the different areas. He is well aware of the different geographical areas in Kildare experiencing difficulties at the moment. This response is quite detailed, and I hope it gives him some comfort. If it does not, I ask the Deputy to come back to me...