Results 3,201-3,220 of 25,713 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Reports (11 Jun 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I am considering the report, entitled 'A Review Into Certain Planning Matters in Respect of Donegal County Council', by Mr. Rory Mulcahy S.C., and will bring this matter to Government for consideration in due course. The review is a scoping report and as such it does not make findings as to the truth or otherwise of allegations that have been made by an individual against named persons. The...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wind Energy Guidelines (11 Jun 2024)

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 setback distance, noise, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections. My Department, in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) which...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Mortgage Interest Rates (11 Jun 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: The Local Authority Home Loan is a government backed fixed rate mortgage for creditworthy First Time Buyers and Fresh Start applicants to purchase a home. The Local Authority Home Loan is only available to applicants who have been refused credit from at least two commercial lenders for the equivalent finance. The Housing Finance Agency provides financing to local authorities for the mortgages...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (11 Jun 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: Under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), all development, unless specifically exempted under the Act or the associated Planning and Development Regulations, 2001, as amended (the Regulations), requires planning permission. Section 247 of the Act sets out the process for pre-planning meetings (also referred to as pre-application consultations). Section 247(1)...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Energy Conservation (11 Jun 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: The Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme (EERP) aims to retrofit a local authority home to a BER of B2/Cost Optimal Equivalent. It is expected that 36,500 local authority owned homes will be retrofitted under this Programme out to 2030. Works eligible under my Department's revised EERP include attic/cavity wall insulation or external wall insulation where required, windows and doors...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (11 Jun 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: On 7 December 2022, the Government approved the publication of the General Scheme of the Registration of Short-Term Tourist Letting Bill (STTL Bill) and the priority drafting of the Bill providing for the establishment of a new registration system for short-term lettings to be operated by Fáilte Ireland in line with the commitment in this regard under Housing for All - A New Housing Plan...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Contracts (11 Jun 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department's current financial management system became operational in 2004. As agreed with the Deputy, a review of this system's records shows that my Department had one contract with BAM Civil in 2009. Details of that contract are in the attached table. Company Purpose Agreed Cost (incl. VAT) Actual Cost (incl. VAT) Project Name Devolved Responsibility BAM...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Land Issues (11 Jun 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: Tailte Éireann is an independent Government agency under the aegis of my Department. Tailte Éireann provide a property registration system, property valuation service, and national mapping and surveying infrastructure for the State. Under Section 8(6) of the Tailte Éireann Act 2022, Tailte Éireann is independent in the performance of its functions. Registration of all...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Building Regulations (11 Jun 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: The Building Regulations set out minimum standards for the design and construction of buildings and works to ensure the health and safety of people in and around 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...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Tax Code (11 Jun 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: Local authorities published annual draft Residential Zoned Land Tax maps on 1 February 2024 that identify lands that fall within the scope of the tax, as well as lands which they propose to exclude from the previous year’s annual final maps for 2025. Landowners and other interested parties had until 1 April 2024 to make a submission to the relevant local authority about whether or not...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 May 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: Who wrote that line for the Deputy? He has used it about five times. Did someone up in your research office write it?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Schemes (30 May 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Deputy. The scheme is working. We have to acknowledge that schemes such as this one need to be supported because they help people to buy a home. The Deputy and my Government colleagues and I support homeownership. We want to help people who are working hard to own a home. That is why I would like the scheme to continue. It is working for people. The take-up rate has...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Schemes (30 May 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: Bhí mo chomhghleacaí, an tAire Stáit, an Teachta Noonan, ag labhairt liom faoi na daoine atá sa Ghailearaí ó Ghaelscoil Osraí i gContae Chill Chainnigh. Cuirim fáilte rompu go léir go dtí Teach Laighean inniu. I ask Deputy Gould to give the details regarding the case he outlined and we will look at it for him. I am happy to help. The...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Schemes (30 May 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank Deputy O'Sullivan. The first home scheme is a radical initiative that the Government introduced to bridge the gap in finance for those with mortgage approval and a deposit but who are still short in purchasing a new home. The State is stepping in and assisting them. The average equity we are providing across the country is €66,000, so it is a significant amount. If we...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Provision (30 May 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Government Deputies for their comments. I put it to Deputy Gould that if there were medals awarded for objectors, Sinn Féin would be gold medalists as objectors right the way across the country.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Provision (30 May 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I think we should let Eoin come into the Chamber on his own so he can just talk to himself and get all this rage and anger out of his system.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Provision (30 May 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: Will the Deputy talk through the-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Provision (30 May 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I will respond to Deputy Stanton first. Waterrock in Midleton is a magnificent development. The previous Minister deserves a lot of credit for that too with regard to the LIHAF funding. We were also able to use the affordable housing fund to deliver homes there. It is a magnificent development. It shows that government schemes working together can actually help to drive not just social...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Provision (30 May 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: They got an extra 30 seconds so perhaps I could just be able to answer this. We see those mixed tenure developments across the country. On the road infrastructure issue, I will raise this with the Minister for Transport. It is important that infrastructure comes up. I might come back in if I have a supplementary response with regard to sustainable compact growth guidelines to be...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Homeless Persons Supports (30 May 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: We have delivered 110,000 new homes-----