Results 3,061-3,080 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Foreshore Issues (26 Jun 2018)

Damien English: There is an ongoing legal case involving the club concerned. This matter is therefore sub-judice. In that context, it would be inappropriate for an official of my Department to visit the club or for me to comment further.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Student Accommodation (26 Jun 2018)

Damien English: Rent Pressure Zones have their legal basis under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2016, which regulate the landlord-tenant relationship in the private rented residential sector. Pursuant to section 3(1) of the 2004 Act, the Acts apply to every dwelling that is the subject of a tenancy. The provisions of the Acts, including those provisions providing for the rent pressure zone measure, do...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Adaptation Grant Applications (26 Jun 2018)

Damien English: My Department provides funding to local authorities under the Housing Adaptation Grants scheme for Older People and People with a Disability in private houses. Information on the 2018 allocations under this scheme, already notified to each of the local authorities, is available on my Department’s website at the following link: .Funding is drawn down by the local...

Topical Issue Debate: Homeless Accommodation Provision (21 Jun 2018)

Damien English: The Government recognises that hotels are not a suitable accommodation option for families. That is why we are supporting local authorities to develop family hubs and new housing projects, and to purchase vacant houses from banks or others. Last year there were an additional 7,000 houses in the system and this year there will be an additional 8,000 available for social housing. That is a...

Topical Issue Debate: Homeless Accommodation Provision (21 Jun 2018)

Damien English: That is not going to happen.

Topical Issue Debate: Homeless Accommodation Provision (21 Jun 2018)

Damien English: I thank Deputy Ellis for raising this issue and giving me a chance on my behalf, on behalf of the Department and on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, to outline the position on this because it is a story that has been discussed over recent days. Addressing homelessness is an absolute priority for this Government. Rebuilding Ireland,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Fire Stations Provision (21 Jun 2018)

Damien English: I propose to take Questions Nos. 250 and 268 together. The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs, the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Service Act, 1981.  My Department supports the fire authorities...

Other Questions: Vacant Properties (20 Jun 2018)

Damien English: I agree that we have to be very proactive in dealing with vacant properties. That is what we are trying to do. It was nice that the Central Statistics Office, CSO, figures last week reflected the fact that over 5,000 vacant properties had been brought back into use in the past two years. The report of the CSO was released last week and is independent of the Government. We also know that...

Other Questions: Vacant Properties (20 Jun 2018)

Damien English: Vacant homes officers and their teams are engaging on the issue. In Limerick four people have been assigned to the task. There is even a vacant homes manager. Their job is to proactively chase up vacant properties. I have seen good examples in different counties I have visited where vacant properties have been brought forward. We want the officers in question to do more. That is what we...

Other Questions: Vacant Properties (20 Jun 2018)

Damien English: We all agree that the numbers are not as high as we want them to be. The schemes have been put in place and they are attractive. We made changes to them to make them even more attractive. There is no reason the purchase and renew scheme cannot be used much more by local authorities which now understand this also. There are over 600 repair and lease-back properties in the system. Some 900...

Other Questions: Traveller Accommodation (20 Jun 2018)

Damien English: Those of us in the House at the moment who are focused on this area have an ambition for this money to be spent. There is responsibility on all stakeholders, including Deputies, councillors, Senators, local managers and local authority staff as well as local communities and local Traveller groups. We need to work on this together. The Traveller accommodation programme review points out...

Other Questions: Traveller Accommodation (20 Jun 2018)

Damien English: In line with the commitment in Rebuilding Ireland, in 2017 the Housing Agency commissioned an independent expert review of funding for Traveller specific accommodation.  The review had regard to targets contained in the local authority Traveller accommodation programmes, actual delivery, the current status of accommodation funded and funding provided for accommodation maintenance and...

Other Questions: Traveller Accommodation (20 Jun 2018)

Damien English: I certainly agree with the Deputy that our ambition, as a Department, and certainly mine as Minister of State and that of the Minister is to have the money spent. It is very hard for us to argue for increased funding for Traveller specific accommodation if it is not spent. Last year less than €4.5 million out of a total budget of €9 million was spent. We are engaging with...

Seanad: Short-term Lettings Bill 2018: Second Stage (20 Jun 2018)

Damien English: I cannot keep turning towards the Senator but I am listening to her.

Seanad: Short-term Lettings Bill 2018: Second Stage (20 Jun 2018)

Damien English: I am absolutely listening to the Senator.

Seanad: Short-term Lettings Bill 2018: Second Stage (20 Jun 2018)

Damien English: I was listening.

Seanad: Short-term Lettings Bill 2018: Second Stage (20 Jun 2018)

Damien English: I was listening to the Senator so she should please not keep saying I was not listening.

Seanad: Short-term Lettings Bill 2018: Second Stage (20 Jun 2018)

Damien English: I wish to thank Senator Humphreys and his Labour Party colleagues for bringing forward this Bill and providing us with another opportunity to discuss short-term lettings, a matter which is a priority for this Government. I am conscious that the Senator has worked on this area for quite a while. We have had discussions about it in the House and it is to be hoped there will be some progress...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Properties (20 Jun 2018)

Damien English: Action 5.9 of the Government's Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness and Action 6 of the Action Plan for Rural Development committed to reviewing planning legislation to allow the change of use of vacant commercial units in urban areas, including vacant or under-utilised areas over ground-floor premises, into residential units without having to go through the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Estates (20 Jun 2018)

Damien English: The taking-in-charge of housing developments is a matter for the relevant local authority under section 180 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). My Department launched the National Taking-in-Charge Initiative (NTICI) in April 2016 to trial new approaches and working methods in supporting and accelerating overall national and local action on the taking-in-charge...