Results 4,501-4,520 of 26,565 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wind Energy Guidelines (18 Apr 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 noise, setback distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections. My Department, in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC)...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Properties (18 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: Pathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock. The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was launched under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund to support bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use. A grant of up to €50,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Fire Service (18 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: Following the Government’s recent approval of an increase in the mandatory retirement age for certain members of the uniformed services, I committed to examining a similar extension to the mandatory retirement age for all fire fighters with a view to providing consistency across the uniformed services. On 12 April, I was pleased to announce that I have now secured approval for this...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Regeneration Projects (18 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: The Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) aims to deliver more compact and sustainable development, as envisaged under Project Ireland 2040. It does this by part-funding regeneration and rejuvenation projects in Ireland’s five cities and other large towns. The eligibility criteria for admission to the URDF funding Programme. provide that towns have a population greater than...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (18 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: The Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended, prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority, in different bands according to the area concerned, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy. The Policy was revised in March 2021 and comprehensive guidance was provided to local authorities at the time. Social housing is...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (18 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department does not hold information on the average time it takes to assess a social housing application. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (18 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: The First Home Scheme, which launched on 7 July 2022, supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market, and also self-builders, through the use of an equity share model. Full details of the First Home Scheme are available at: www.firsthomescheme.ie The Scheme is overseen and managed by the First Home Scheme Ireland Designated Activity Company (First...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Allotments Provision (18 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: In terms of planning, providing, enabling and supporting allotments, legislation is in place in the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) and the Local Government Act 2000 (as amended) to identify locations in development plans for allotment development, and to establish allotments as a part of local government’s role in promoting the interests of local communities. ...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (18 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I refer to the reply to Question No. 52 of 11 April 2024 which sets out the position in this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (18 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I understand the Question refers to a 30 unit social housing proposal at Ennistymon, Co. Clare that received pre-planning funding approval from my Department in October 2022. This approval is still in place and has not been rejected. Further information on this proposal is available directly from Clare County Council.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Properties (18 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: Pathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock. The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant supports bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use. A grant of up to €50,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I move amendment No. 963: In page 445, line 17, to delete “the relevant body” and substitute “the relevant body referred to in paragraph (a)”.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I move amendment No. 964: In page 445, line 37, to delete “issued” and substitute “brought”.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: That is determined; I asked the officials just before that. The phrase is "directly or indirectly materially affected by the matter". For argument's sake, directly would be I could be living adjacent to the proposed development or the site that is directly in the area. Indirectly materially affected may mean someone has familial ties to the area. There may be an environmental issue where...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: Yes, absolutely

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: It is, and I am glad the Deputy asked that. There is no fear of restriction in that place. It would be at the discretion of the court. An individual, for argument's sake, as the Deputy said, on environmental grounds could be concerned about pollution of watercourses or potential pollution of watercourses. Somebody could absolutely make that case.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: Yes.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: They would be able to make that case. They would be able to put the argument forward that they are directly or indirectly materially affected and that would be adjudicated on by the court. Certainly, there is nothing to stop then making that case.