Results 2,181-2,200 of 26,006 for speaker:Kieran O'Donnell

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Schemes (9 Nov 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Deputies. Yes, we have given directions and guidelines to the local authorities. However, in the interests of absolute clarity, we will write to the local authorities again on this specific area of discretion. On a couple of points, if an application was approved prior to 1 May 2022, the Deputy will probably be aware that applicants have 18 months. We have now extended the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Schemes (9 Nov 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: We in government would very much welcome any change of mind on Sinn Féin's part on particular policy dimensions.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Schemes (9 Nov 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I think that Deputy Ó Broin, in his interpretation of Croí Cónaithe, is trying to do a twist of faith. He is basically changing the scheme. Our scheme works.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Schemes (9 Nov 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 88 and 154 together. In July 2022 we launched the vacant property refurbishment grant under the Croí Cónaithe towns fund. This supports bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use as homes. In May 2023 we announced a revised grant rate of up to a maximum of €50,000 available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Housing Schemes (9 Nov 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: As the Deputy is aware, the local authority affordable housing fund scheme is equity based. We have made changes to that scheme in the current year. It ensures people will get a discount of at least 22% when they qualify for the help to buy scheme, which Sinn Féin opposed. Our system of people being able to purchase their own homes is not binary. Sinn Féin's system is binary....

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Housing Schemes (9 Nov 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: 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. Some 54,000 affordable homes will be delivered between now and 2030, to be facilitated by local authorities, approved housing bodies, AHBs and the Land Development Agency and through the first-home scheme, which is a strategic...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Housing Schemes (9 Nov 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: The target for the period up to 2030 is to complete 54,000 units. Our target for this year is to deliver 5,500 units. Last year, we delivered 1,750 units and from looking at the various aspects, the momentum is good. The local authorities have affordable homes projects for 4,300 units in total across 72 projects in 20 local authorities. As the Deputy is aware, they have already advertised...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Energy Conservation (9 Nov 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: Since 2013, Exchequer funding has been provided through my Department's Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme which has supported retrofit work on over 77,500 social homes to the end of 2022 with a total exchequer spend of €251 million, this figure includes those dwellings retrofit under the Midlands Retrofit Pilot. In 2021 a new holistic approach was applied to the Energy Efficient...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (9 Nov 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Affordable Housing Fund is one of a number of funding streams the Government has made available to support the delivery of affordable housing. The AHF is specifically for the provision of affordable homes by local authorities. An allocation of €100m in capital funding will be provided for AHF for 2024. The AHF is available to contribute towards the development costs of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Water Safety (9 Nov 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Multi-annual Rural Water Programme provides an important funding stream to address the key challenges facing the Rural Water Sector. Under the upcoming programme, funding is available to support the Rural Water Sector to build on the achievements and lessons learned from previous multi-annual programmes. Capital funding of €175m is committed to the MARWP under the National...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Traveller Accommodation (9 Nov 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 provides that the role of my Department is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist housing authorities in providing accommodation for Travellers, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding. The Act provides that housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (9 Nov 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: My Department provides Exchequer funding to local authorities to support the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, which helps older and disabled people living in private houses to adapt their home to meet their needs. The grants include the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (9 Nov 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: Under Housing for All, there is a policy objective to increase and improve housing options for older people to facilitate ageing in place with dignity and independence. Housing for All builds on and takes forward the ongoing actions in "Housing Options for Our Ageing Population" policy statement from 2019, published jointly by my Department and the Department of Health, which provides policy...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Marine Protected Areas (9 Nov 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: 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...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (8 Nov 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: It is very difficult for those residents. If the Deputy sends on the details to me, and the specifics of what is happening there, the Department will take it up with Uisce Éireann specifically. We will look to resolve it for the residents.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (8 Nov 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: My Department provides Exchequer funding to local authorities for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Scheme. This scheme assists eligible applicants living in privately owned homes to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. The Housing Options for an Ageing Population policy statement includes a commitment by my Department to work...

Housing: Motion [Private Members] (7 Nov 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: Deputy Ó Broin opposed the Croí Cónaithe scheme.

Housing: Motion [Private Members] (7 Nov 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: Sinn Féin opposes it for the ordinary person purchasing a house.

Housing: Motion [Private Members] (7 Nov 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: Sinn Féin is espousing a different policy.

Housing: Motion [Private Members] (7 Nov 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank everyone for their contributions. I reiterate what the Minister, Deputy said; we will oppose the motion and the subsequent Opposition amendment. I emphasise that we are committed. We have a Housing for All document and plan, which is detailed. We understand the impact that housing is having on people but I want to deal in facts. I have listened to all of the debate and I want to...