Results 2,301-2,320 of 8,196 for speaker:Peter Burke

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Fire Safety (10 May 2022)

Peter Burke: I take the Senator's point very seriously. In the first instance, we must capture exactly the extent of this issue right across the country and also in terms of the budget that will underpin what will be a significant remediation scheme. I would point to the many legacy issues with which we are still grappling post the previous decade and more, including that we are trying to establish the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: State Bodies (10 May 2022)

Peter Burke: In October 2021, my Department approved the 2021-2022 An Bord Pleanála (the Board) Workforce Plan which provides for an additional 24 posts across a range of technical and administrative grades including the setting up of a new Marine and Climate Unit to implement the role assigned to the Board under the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021 and associated projects under the Climate Action...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Building Regulations (10 May 2022)

Peter Burke: The Building Regulations apply to the design and construction of all new buildings (including dwellings) and to certain works to existing buildings. They are subject to ongoing review in the interests of safety and the well-being of persons in the built environment and to ensure that due regard is taken of changes in construction techniques, technological progress and innovation. The...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Coastal Protection (10 May 2022)

Peter Burke: The Government established the Inter-Departmental Group on Managing Coastal Change to scope out an approach for the development of a national co-ordinated and integrated strategy to manage the projected impact of coastal change to our coastal communities. The Inter-Departmental Group is jointly chaired by my Department and the OPW and will bring forward options and recommendations for the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wind Energy Generation (10 May 2022)

Peter Burke: It should be noted that 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 address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for An Bord Pleanála in this regard is...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (10 May 2022)

Peter Burke: 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. Section 126 of the Act provides that it shall be the duty and objective of the Board to decide...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (10 May 2022)

Peter Burke: Under the Planning and Development Act, 2000, as amended (the Act), all development, unless specifically exempted under the Act or associated Regulations, requires planning permission. Section 4 of the Act and Schedule 2 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended (the Regulations), set out various exemptions from the requirement to obtain planning permission. Any...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Foreshore Issues (10 May 2022)

Peter Burke: The Foreshore Act 1933, as amended, requires that a lease or licence must be obtained for any activity on State-owned foreshore, which represents the greater part of the foreshore. The Act provides for the issuing of licences or leases which are in the public interest. A lease relates to buildings or other structures and is generally used for a development that requires exclusive occupation...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wind Energy Generation (10 May 2022)

Peter Burke: My Department has made significant advances in the development of marine policy over the last number of years, culminating in the launch of the National Marine Planning Framework (NMPF) last summer and the signing of the Maritime Area Planning Act in December 2021, elements of which have already been commenced. The NMPF creates an overarching framework for decision-making that is...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Housing Provision (5 May 2022)

Peter Burke: The objective of the local infrastructure housing activation fund, LIHAF, is to provide public off-site infrastructure to relieve critical infrastructure blockages. This enables the accelerated delivery of housing on key development sites in urban areas of high housing demand, adding to supply, a crucial factor in terms of moderating house prices. LIHAF projects often involve complex,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Housing Provision (5 May 2022)

Peter Burke: As I referenced, the Minister has engaged with Deputy Stanton and will continue to do so. The arms of the State have to work together to deliver key infrastructural projects such as this. It is not good enough in a housing crisis when we see the level of value for money that a project such as this can deliver to society. It has to progress. I have full confidence that negotiations will...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Planning Issues (5 May 2022)

Peter Burke: There are very robust mechanisms in place now to ensure the legacy of a decade ago-----

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Planning Issues (5 May 2022)

Peter Burke: I would appreciate it if the Deputy would let me finish. I did not interrupt her. I said there are a number of mechanisms in place now to ensure this does not happen again. I mentioned that we had almost 3,000 ghost estates in this country, and we have changed the law to ensure that this does not happen again. There are mechanisms to ensure that developers have bonds in place that...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Planning Issues (5 May 2022)

Peter Burke: I thank Deputy Cairns for her question. The Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and here referred to as the Act, and the Water Services Acts 2007 to 2018 set out the statutory provisions relating to the taking in charge of housing estates by planning authorities and Irish Water where it is appropriate to do so. Section 180 of the Act sets out the process to be followed in...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Planning Issues (5 May 2022)

Peter Burke: There is provision in the Act for housing estates that have not been taken in charge in terms of what action the residents can take to compel the local authority to commence the process. It is up to the local authority then to judge the development in terms of the completion to the prescribed planning permission. Over the past decade we had to respond to in excess of 3,000 ghost estates...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Housing Schemes (5 May 2022)

Peter Burke: As Deputy Matthews rightly outlined, the Croí Cónaithe towns fund will be a game changer in terms of bringing derelict properties back into use, along with the other interventions in the system. There will be two strings to it. One string will involve looking at a reduced cost of self-build in terms of serviced sites, which is very important for the system, while the second will...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Housing Provision (5 May 2022)

Peter Burke: I hear the points made by the Deputy. That is why the Department and Minister have initiated a review under Housing for All. It also includes the context of the wider global interventions we are making in housing from the record level of social housing construction to the affordability measures from direct purchase and shared equity and our new cost-rental model, which will be a game...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Housing Provision (5 May 2022)

Peter Burke: Housing for All is a very appropriate name because, in the context of a comprehensive societal approach, it is important that we have streams to have a record level of social, affordable and private housing. Many people in our society are unable to reach the threshold to get a mortgage. That is why we have a record level of affordable housing investment to meet that need. Housing for All...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Housing Schemes (5 May 2022)

Peter Burke: I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 87 together. Housing for All provides a new housing plan for Ireland to 2030, with an overall objective that citizens in the State should have access to good-quality homes through a steady supply of housing in the right locations with economic, social and environmental sustainability built right into the system. The strategy sets out, over four...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Housing Provision (5 May 2022)

Peter Burke: I thank the Deputy for his question. Applications for housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority in accordance with the eligibility and needs criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated social housing assessment regulations. The regulations prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority in differing...