Results 4,121-4,140 of 8,342 for speaker:Peter Burke

Housing for All: Statements (Resumed) (29 Sep 2021)

Peter Burke: As I begin my response, it is incredible to note that the Sinn Féin Party has 37 Deputies and not one of them has been here for almost an hour as we respond to one of the biggest challenges in our State. That is very noticeable in the context of all the ideas we have from the various political parties and Independents. It could not send one Deputy into this House to listen to the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Signage (29 Sep 2021)

Peter Burke: 72. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider erecting two new signs (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46885/21]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Sites (29 Sep 2021)

Peter Burke: Under the vacant site levy provisions in the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015 (the Act), planning authorities were empowered to apply a vacant site levy of 3% of the market valuation of relevant properties which were listed on local authority vacant site registers in 2018, which relevant owners were liable to pay in January 2019. The rate of the levy increased to 7% for sites listed on...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Traveller Accommodation (29 Sep 2021)

Peter Burke: In accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) in their areas. My Department’s role is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (29 Sep 2021)

Peter Burke: 252. To ask the Minister for Health if he will advise on an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47042/21]

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

Peter Burke: I thank the Deputy for her response. As I said during previous debates, as did the Minister, we are monitoring the situation in the context of the record-breaking monetary value of the new initiatives approved by this House. There is a recommendation in Housing for All to make a determination for quarter 4 this year. My county of Westmeath is on the same band as the Deputy's and I meet...

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...