Results 2,661-2,680 of 26,565 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Cybersecurity Policy (22 Jan 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department has measures in place in relation to its IT systems and cyber security best practices. My Department works closely with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), which encompasses the State's national/governmental Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT-IE), and operates in accordance with NCSC guidance in this regard. While each local authority has responsibility...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Artificial Intelligence (22 Jan 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to conduct business. As with all new technologies, my Department is assessing the potential of AI in the delivery of services, in line with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) guidance on its usage in the public service, and works closely with the NCSC. My Department does not hold the requested information in respect of the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Urban Development (22 Jan 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department is working closely with Dublin City Council (DCC) to realise the progression of the regeneration of Pearse House. Stage 1 funding approval was provided by my Department in April 2021. DCC have advanced this project to an outline design with costing and my Department is currently working with DCC on that submission.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (22 Jan 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: A range of building control reforms which focus on ensuring strong and effective regulation in the building control system and of the construction industry and on improving compliance with Building Regulations have been implemented over the last decade. These include: 1. The implementation of the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 which empower competence and professionalism in...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rental Sector (22 Jan 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Both the Social Housing Tenant in-Situ and Cost Rental Tenant in-Situ schemes support households who are at risk of homelessness. Under Housing for All, there was provision for 200 social housing acquisitions each year. However, with increased pressures on housing and the exit of landlords from the market, the Government agreed that there would be increased provision for social housing...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wind Energy Generation (22 Jan 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. The review is addressing a number of key aspects of the Guidelines including noise and setback distance as well as shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections. My Department, in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Climate and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (22 Jan 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Affordability and the chance to own a home is at the heart of the Government’s housing policy. A strong pipeline of affordable purchase housing opportunities is now in place, and under continuous development, across all partners and delivery streams, including local authorities, the Land Development Agency and the First Home Scheme, a strategic partnership between the State and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (22 Jan 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The First Home Scheme, which launched in July 2022, is a shared equity scheme designed to help bridge the gap between a purchaser’s deposit and mortgage, and the price of their new home, for eligible first-time buyers, Fresh Start applicants and those who wish to build their first home, within regional price ceilings. The First Home Scheme Designated Activity Company is responsible...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (22 Jan 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Loan (LAPR) came into effect on 22 July 2024. The LAPR is an expansion of the Local Authority Home Loan, and supports the purchase and/or renovation of vacant or derelict homes which are eligible for the existing Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant. The LAPR is for creditworthy first-time buyers and fresh start applicants who cannot get...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Properties (22 Jan 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, introduced in July 2022, is a key support to bring vacant and derelict properties back into use as homes. A grant of up to €50,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent. A top-up grant of up to €20,000 is...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (22 Jan 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Addressing vacancy and dereliction and making efficient use of existing housing stock is a key priority for Government. The Vacant Homes Action Plan, which I published in January 2023, built on Pathway 4 of Housing for All and set out the various actions that were being pursued to return vacant properties back into use as homes. In April 2024, I published an update on the Action Plan which...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (22 Jan 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Under Section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he/she is responsible. My Department oversees strategic workforce planning for the local government sector, including the monitoring of overall local government sector employment...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (22 Jan 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department is designated as the Lead Government Department for co-ordinating the whole-of-Government response to severe weather and flooding emergencies, supporting local response agencies, including local authorities. The Crisis Management Team of my Department's National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) have responsibility for co-ordination of the response to severe...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Properties (22 Jan 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (22 Jan 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Housing for All includes a commitment to review income eligibility for social housing. From this review, completed in November 2021, it was recommended moving five local authorities from Band 3 to Band 2, ensuring the income eligibility thresholds better reflect housing costs in those counties. Government also agreed to increase the baseline income thresholds by €5,000 for all local...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Official Travel (22 Jan 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The details as requested are available and regularly updated on my Department's OpenData website and are available to view under the following links: 2023: Ministerial Travel 2023 - Dataset - DHLGH Open Data - opendata.housing.gov.ie/dataset/ministerial-travel-20232024: Ministerial Travel 2024 - Dataset - DHLGH Open Data - opendata.housing.gov.ie/dataset/ministerial-travel-costs-202 4.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (22 Jan 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Details on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority administrative area is provided in the annual statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA). The most recently published summary for all counties, conducted in November 2023, is available on my Department's website at www.gov.ie/en/collection/62486-summary-of-social-housing-ass essments/....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (22 Jan 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a form of social housing support available for people who have a long-term housing need. Any household assessed as eligible for social housing is immediately eligible for HAP. Eligible households can source their own accommodation in the private rental sector which should be within the HAP rent limits provided to them by the local authority. The...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Derelict Sites (22 Jan 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department continues to liaise with local authorities, including Kerry County Council, on the implementation of the Derelict Sites Act 1990 (the Act) with a view to improving its effectiveness. Under the Act, local authorities are required to maintain a derelict sites register, which includes the name and address of each owner and occupier, where these can be ascertained by reasonable...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Properties (22 Jan 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Addressing vacancy and dereliction and making efficient use of existing housing stock is a key priority of Housing for All. The Vacant Homes Action Plan, which was published in January 2023, built on Pathway 4 of Housing for All and set out the various actions that were being pursued to return vacant properties back into use as homes. In April 2024, an update on the Action Plan was...