Results 2,601-2,620 of 25,975 for speaker:Kieran O'Donnell

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Vacant Properties (9 Mar 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I propose to take Questions No. 91 and 143 together. Under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, all development, unless specifically exempted under the Act or associated regulations, requires planning permission. Exemptions from the requirement to obtain planning permission in respect of specific forms of development are provided for when they are considered to be...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Vacant Properties (9 Mar 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Deputy. Vacant home officers are now in situin every local authority, including that in Louth. Their role is to go out proactively and bring vacant units back into use. Traditionally, people would have rung the planning officer, but that takes some time. We will look to see whether we can expand the role of the vacant home officers to incorporate the planning aspect. Clearly,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Vacant Properties (9 Mar 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: In response to Deputy Gould, the Croí Cónaithe scheme has just been announced. Furthermore, there is a vacant housing officer in every council. There is also a town centre first housing officer. In addition, there are derelict site teams within local authorities. We are introducing a vacant site tax.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Vacant Properties (9 Mar 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: The fundamental issue is that there is an action plan for vacant properties. The sum of €150 million has just been announced by the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, under the urban regeneration and development fund, URDF, specifically to bring derelict sites back into use as homes. The resources are there, and we want to see action on the ground. We will work proactively with the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Vacant Properties (9 Mar 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: In response to Deputy Cian O'Callaghan, we hope to have the review completed by the middle of this year. It is being worked on actively at the moment. It is a priority. We want it to be empirically based in order that any further measures put in place on the rental side will bear fruit.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Vacant Properties (9 Mar 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: It is 350 to date.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Vacant Properties (9 Mar 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: Given that the Croí Cónaithe scheme was launched last November in certain rural areas and towns, a figure of 1,250 is a fair success so far. The repair and leasing scheme totals 350 properties, which comprise multiple units. The scheme is highly successful. There has been a publicity drive from the Department to get the information out as to how the scheme works. I encourage...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Vacant Properties (9 Mar 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 88, 121, 139, 141 and 146 together. It is great to see so many Deputies here on this particular issue. Tackling vacancy is a key priority for this Government. Housing for All sets out a suite of measures to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock. Significant progress is being made and I welcome the opportunity to mention...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Building Regulations (9 Mar 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: The answer to both questions is "Yes". The most important thing here is to get this right. Deputy Ó Broin referred to the number of appeals. However, I point out that the An Bord Pleanála figures are of the order of approximately 15 to 25 appeals per year, and less than 1% of fire safety decisions are appealed. Generally, the level of appeals is low but I take the Deputy's point...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rental Sector (9 Mar 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Residential Tenancies Acts 2004 to 2022 regulate the landlord-tenant relationship in the private rented sector and set out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. The Residential Tenancies Board, RTB, was established as an independent statutory body under the Acts to operate a national tenancy registration system and to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants. Section...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rental Sector (9 Mar 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: Section 16 of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 obliges a tenant to pay any charges or taxes in accordance with the lease or tenancy agreement unless they are unlawful or contravene any other enactment. Typically, these may include electricity, gas or other utility charges. Will the Deputy provide the details of the specific case he raised to us? Typically, if a system has been in...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rental Sector (9 Mar 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: On the first point the Deputy raised, the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, is not in the Chamber-----

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rental Sector (9 Mar 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: -----but I will take up with the Minister the issue the Deputy has raised about sex-for-rent exploitation. On the particular matter the Deputy raised regarding student accommodation, send the issue into us. We will follow up on it and look at it in our Department and at the RTB. If changes need to be made, we will make them, but the RTB is the body charged with this. I take the Deputy's...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Building Regulations (9 Mar 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank Deputy Ó Broin. On 20 January 2023, I launched a three-month public consultation on proposed amendments to Part B of the building regulations relating to fire safety. The proposed changes aim to improve fire safety in new buildings and support the reuse of existing buildings by simplifying, clarifying, and rationalising fire safety requirements. This public consultation is...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Water Quality (9 Mar 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Senator for his congratulatory comments and I thank him for raising this very important issue. The policy paper on water sector transformation, as published in 2021, set out the Government's vision for the development of water services in Ireland based on the full integration of water services under Uisce Éireann as a single national water services authority in public...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Water Quality (9 Mar 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Senator has made clear points. He understands the issues at hand in Clonmel. I understand that my Department and I will make direct contact with Uisce Éireann to ask its officials to engage directly with the Senator, and councillors John Fitzgerald and Michael Murphy in Clonmel, on this particular issue. Ultimately, we all want to improve the quality of the water supply, which is...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Staff (9 Mar 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Senator for raising this issue. I will speak on CF overall and go into the details. Is the patient to whom she referred a woman?

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Staff (9 Mar 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: If we can do anything for that lady, I ask the Senator to provide me the details and I will follow up on it. I know many people who have CF. They are a group I admire. Many of them are highly successful. A member of my extended family who has CF is a credit to her parents and leading a very full life. I fully support the provision of any supports that are required in the context of CF....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Staff (9 Mar 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I make the point to Senator Seery Kearney, soon to be Deputy Seery Kearney, that although it is regrettable that recruitment for a consultant respiratory and lung transplantation physician in the Mater hospital has been delayed, the HSE ODTI is working to recruit to the position as soon as possible. Once in place, this consultant physician will provide greater support to lung transplant...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Overcrowding (9 Mar 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I am taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly. The Senator and I are colleagues in Limerick and I am fully aware of this issue. Senator Gavan will know that I, along with colleagues, have looked to highlight the issues at UHL with overcrowding. I intend to explain the difference and then I will deal with the more local, substantive...