Results 3,801-3,820 of 8,016 for speaker:Peter Burke

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Reviews (28 Sep 2021)

Peter Burke: On Deputy Wynne's point, the reason for what she cited in her local authority area is that local authorities have discretion to take into account short-term income, or if there is a significant change in family income, while carrying out their assessment policy. Regarding the review, we can also look at other areas in disregarding certain types of income. It is important to state that as...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Reviews (28 Sep 2021)

Peter Burke: Applications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated social housing assessment regulations 2011, as amended. The 2011 regulations prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority in different bands...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Policy (28 Sep 2021)

Peter Burke: I again thank both Deputies. In the first instance, it is very important that we get the schemes open for application and we will be doing that. We really need to back this up with money. We have a number of schemes now, including our rural regeneration and urban regeneration schemes and Croí Cónaithe, which are really unlocking the potential of our towns and villages. In...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Policy (28 Sep 2021)

Peter Burke: That is exactly what we are aiming to do. If we look at the broader picture, we need to take advantage of the climate change adaptation opportunities in our towns and villages along with diverse living. We need to hive out opportunities from every crisis we have. Our Town Centre First initiative will give us a chance to do that. Regenerating our public realm and our streets in a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Policy (28 Sep 2021)

Peter Burke: I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 110 together. Housing for All recognises the challenges in facilitating owner-occupation in towns, where viable sites available for building of new homes are in short supply.  There is significant potential for local authorities to support home ownership in these areas by making available serviced sites at a reduced cost or...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Local Authorities (28 Sep 2021)

Peter Burke: I thank Deputy Matthews. I am anxious to ensure that the planning authorities are appropriately resourced to meet the demands of Housing for All and the national development plan, NDP. I recognise that changing work demands are being placed on local authorities from the strong terrestrial and marine planning legislation and the monitoring required from development plans. For that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Local Authorities (28 Sep 2021)

Peter Burke: I concur with the Deputy. It is a very important to ensure that we maximise our resources and skill set within the local authority sector. One thing I see as I go around the 31 local authority networks is how important it is to have the right skills in the right places. In connection with the Deputy's issues on bringing the two-stage process back to the local authorities on the ground...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Local Authorities (28 Sep 2021)

Peter Burke: In response to Deputy Matthews, absolutely; it is so important to see the value of the skill set of those people who are delivering services to the local authority. I recently visited Tipperary County Council, where the county architect, Mr. Liam Ryan, took me through a number of developments. I could see first-hand his input and imprint and how he changed developments to make them much...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Approved Housing Bodies (28 Sep 2021)

Peter Burke: It is appropriate. The Department has adequate oversight. In the first instance, I would point the Deputy to the investigation of the Comptroller and Auditor General, the report on which was published in 2018. Three recommendations were made in respect of the Department and the AHB sector, namely, recommendations 10.1 to 10.3. We sent a response in March 2021 stating that all the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Approved Housing Bodies (28 Sep 2021)

Peter Burke: I am not aware of the specific case but I can confirm that the AHB sector has constructed, since 2016, over 15,000 units. Of those, 60% were either through building or Part V. That is a significant aspect. On the new regulatory regime that is going to be established, internal audit procedures will be set up. There will be monitoring of financial risk and it will be ensured that proper...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Approved Housing Bodies (28 Sep 2021)

Peter Burke: Approved housing bodies are a key delivery partner for the provision of social and affordable housing.  My Department does not administer funds directly to AHBs, rather, it is primarily provided to local authorities which, in turn, advance the funding to AHBs.  Social housing provision through AHBs can only be provided with the approval and oversight of the local authority....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Licences (28 Sep 2021)

Peter Burke: My Department is responsible for regulating the use of the foreshore through a system of leasing and licensing under the Foreshore Act 1933, as amended. Currently foreshore licence applications are being considered for site investigations to assist with site selection and for gathering environmental and technical data to inform the future location and detailed design of proposed offshore wind...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Student Accommodation (28 Sep 2021)

Peter Burke: Under Section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act) I am unable to exercise any power or control in relation to any particular case with which a planning authority or the Board is or may be concerned. Therefore, I cannot comment on any specific decisions concerning An Bord Pleanála. On the generalities of the Board performing its functions, when making a...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (28 Sep 2021)

Peter Burke: Construction work has been significantly impacted, with both delays and site closures throughout 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and associated restrictions. Therefore, on 9 September 2021, new provisions were commenced to allow for applications, subject to certain conditions, for further extensions of duration of planning permission of 2 years or until 31 December 2023, which ever...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (28 Sep 2021)

Peter Burke: Action 1.10 in Housing for All outlines that a form of ‘owner-occupier guarantee’ will be introduced to enable local authorities to specify the proportion of houses and duplexes in a development for owner-occupiers. This is intended to build on the existing higher-rate stamp duty measures and restrictions on planning permissions introduced in May 2021 by way of section 28...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Funding (28 Sep 2021)

Peter Burke: I propose to take Questions Nos. 115, 116 and 169 together. Our recently launched Housing for All plan sets out four pathways to a sustainable housing system. A key objective is that everyone in the State should have access to a home to purchase or rent at an affordable price, built to a high standard and in the right place, offering a high quality of life. Aligned with our overall...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Derelict Sites (28 Sep 2021)

Peter Burke: Aside from providing for the derelict sites levy - the proceeds of which are retained by local authorities - and associated provisions, the Derelict Sites Act 1990 does not address the issue of funding for local authorities to address dereliction. The proportion of the overall annual budget of each local authority, including Cork City Council, which is spent on addressing dereliction in this...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Maternity Leave (28 Sep 2021)

Peter Burke: I propose to take Questions Nos. 122, 140 and 143 together. Councillors, like members of the Oireachtas, are office holders rather than employees. As such, they are not covered by the statutory framework for employees on issues such as maternity leave, sick leave and annual leave. As matters stand, it is under the provisions of Section 18 of the Local Government Act 2001 that...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (28 Sep 2021)

Peter Burke: I propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 344 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (28 Sep 2021)

Peter Burke: My Department is currently updating Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Development Plans. As part of this process, draft Guidelines were published for public consultation last month. The period for making submissions runs from Friday 13thAugust 2021 until 5pm on Friday 8thOctober 2021. Further details including relevant documents can be found on my Department’s website at...