Results 3,801-3,820 of 5,629 for speaker:Thomas Gould

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Derelict Sites (25 Jan 2022)

Thomas Gould: Check the records of the council.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Derelict Sites (25 Jan 2022)

Thomas Gould: Fianna Fáil voted down social housing in Cork.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Derelict Sites (25 Jan 2022)

Thomas Gould: No, that is not true.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Derelict Sites (25 Jan 2022)

Thomas Gould: I am taking this question on behalf of Deputy Ó Broin. The Department was before the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage today and its officials enlightened me, telling me that our cities have dereliction rates that are below average. I found that an astounding comment to make. I have asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and I now ask...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Derelict Sites (25 Jan 2022)

Thomas Gould: I am not sure if the Minister of State will remember but last May I asked him for an increase in funding for full-time vacant home officers in every local authority. At that time, he said that it would be inappropriate for the Government to intervene in local authority staffing. However, in November, the Department said that every local authority should have a full-time vacant homes...

Violence against Women: Statements (Resumed) (25 Jan 2022)

Thomas Gould: I extend my deepest sympathies to Ashling Murphy's family, partner, friends and community. They are all in our thoughts and prayers. I considered seeking speaking time on this subject because after having listened to the National Women’s Council, Women's Aid and to my female colleagues here I felt it was important that I sent out a clear message that the men stand firmly alongside...

Ministerial Rota for Parliamentary Questions: Motion: Taoiseach's Communications (25 Jan 2022)

Thomas Gould: What about Cuba, when it was the other way around?

Ministerial Rota for Parliamentary Questions: Motion: Taoiseach's Communications (25 Jan 2022)

Thomas Gould: Yes, and there is a blockade on Cuba-----

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (25 Jan 2022)

Thomas Gould: 96. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the average local authority will pay over €300,000 to an organisation (details supplied) for mortgage-to-rent schemes over the next 25 years for properties the local authority will not own; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62338/21]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (25 Jan 2022)

Thomas Gould: 277. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the reason that a local authority can grant a transfer from social housing. [2912/22]

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Island Communities (25 Jan 2022)

Thomas Gould: 706. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the new ferry, which will service Tory Island, will be put into operation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2913/22]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Urban Regeneration: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Jan 2022)

Thomas Gould: My first question is to Mr. O'Sullivan. How many full-time dedicated staff in the Department are working on addressing vacancy only?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Urban Regeneration: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Jan 2022)

Thomas Gould: My question was how many people in Mr. O'Sullivan's Department are working solely on vacancy and dereliction.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Urban Regeneration: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Jan 2022)

Thomas Gould: I appreciate that, and I mean no disrespect to the staff who are doing multiple jobs, but this goes to the crux of the problem. There is no one in the Department working on an estimated 92,000 or 90,000 vacant properties. We do not have a team. We should have a team in the Department driving this. Mr. O'Sullivan made a point about having only three full-time vacant home officers in all 31...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Urban Regeneration: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Jan 2022)

Thomas Gould: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Urban Regeneration: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Jan 2022)

Thomas Gould: Sorry, I do not mean to interrupt Ms Graham, I am just managing my time. This legislation came in in 1990. That is 32 years ago. Was there no one in the Department looking at this in 32 years? I have raised this for 12 years in Cork City Council where I was stonewalled. Different Sinn Féin representatives have raised the issue of vacancy and dereliction. An official told me once...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Urban Regeneration: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Jan 2022)

Thomas Gould: I want to stop Ms Graham on that because my time is nearly up. Before Housing for All, was no policy being implemented to tackle dereliction and vacant property for the past 32 years?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Urban Regeneration: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Jan 2022)

Thomas Gould: I appreciate Ms Graham's answers. My points were not a criticism of her Department.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Urban Regeneration: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Jan 2022)

Thomas Gould: Going back to the Department officials, there is a €50,000 grant given to each local authority to employ a vacant homes officer. There are only three full-time vacant homes officers in the 31 local authorities. Another Department has sent out a circular that every local authority should have a full-time vacant homes officer but I do not believe one person can do that job. In Cork...