Results 5,221-5,240 of 15,555 for speaker:Eoghan Murphy

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (24 May 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: I propose to take Questions Nos. 222 to 228, inclusive, together. My Department’s involvement in the Poolbeg West Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) arises in the context of my statutory role in the designation and future planning of the area as an SDZ, and in that context, setting out the broad views of my Department in relation to planning and housing policies relevant to the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rent Pressure Zones (24 May 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: Rent Pressure Zones have their legal basis under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2016, which regulate the landlord-tenant relationship in the private rented residential sector.  Pursuant to section 3(1) of the 2004 Act, the Acts apply to every dwelling that is the subject of a tenancy. The provisions of the Acts, including those provisions providing for the rent...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Investigations (24 May 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: My Department received a report from Senior Counsel in June 2017 regarding his Review Into Certain Planning Matters In Respect Of County Donegal. My Department is currently reviewing and assessing the contents of Senior Counsel’s report and I have requested the advice of the Attorney General in respect of a number of points, including the issue of publication...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Water Services (24 May 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: Under sections 43 and 54 of the Water Services Act 2007, responsibility for maintenance and replacement of any water or wastewater pipes, connections or distribution systems that are located within the boundary of a private property rests with the owner. This was the position that pertained prior to the establishment of Irish Water, when individual local authorities held responsibility for...

Questions on Promised Legislation (23 May 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: I thank the Deputy for the question. We have responsibilities, as Deputies in this House, not to try to undermine the integrity of our electoral process, which is very robust. Getting onto the register of electors is not a simple process and requires a number of steps, including verification from the Garda Síochána. I received the Deputy's letter. I am aware of one incident in...

Questions on Promised Legislation (23 May 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: -----and I will have them investigated by the local authority, where it is relevant.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wind Energy Guidelines (23 May 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: My Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. These Guidelines offer advice to planning authorities on planning for onshore wind energy through the development plan process and in determining applications for planning permission. The Guidelines are also intended to ensure a consistency of approach throughout the country in the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Funding (23 May 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: Annual expenditure under the local authority construction programme, i.e. standard construction, turnkeys and rapid delivery, for the period 2005 to 2017, and to date in 2018, is set out in the following table.  The data is provided from 2005 onwards in order to align with the introduction of my Department’s current financial management system during 2004. The breakdown of the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Public Relations Contracts Expenditure (23 May 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: My Department has not incurred any expenditure on public relations since 2016. My Department’s Press Office provides public relations services and the engagement of external expertise is generally only considered where the issues involved require specific expert skills that are not readily available within the Department. With regard to the Government's Rebuilding...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Water Services Infrastructure (23 May 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: I propose to take Questions Nos. 202 and 203 together. Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. Irish Water, as a single publicly owned national water services authority, is taking a strategic, nationwide national utility approach to asset planning and investment,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Appeals (23 May 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: Under Section 126 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, An Bord Pleanála has a statutory objective to determine planning appeals within 18 weeks. Where the Board does not consider it possible or appropriate to reach a decision within 18 weeks (e.g. because of the particular complexities of a case or the requirement to hold an oral hearing), it will inform the parties of the reasons...

Seanad: Commencement Matters (Resumed): Approved Housing Bodies (22 May 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: I thank the Senator for raising this important issue. I am aware from his membership of the Joint Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government that he has a keen interest in the matter. We often battle politely in that forum and I very much appreciate his engagement, expertise and interest in this area. Rebuilding Ireland - Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness recognises the key...

Seanad: Commencement Matters (Resumed): Approved Housing Bodies (22 May 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: I thank the Senator. I will consider the proposal he has made about where we initiate the legislation. The Senator is aware of the importance of the AHB sector to our delivery stream. When we talk about the State building social housing and local authorities building social housing, we include what the AHBs are doing because they are one of the new delivery streams that were not there in...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (22 May 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: I propose to take Questions Nos. 586, 613 and 614 together. My Department approved a project under the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) for the construction of the Donabate Distributor Road. The project was submitted for funding by Fingal County Council, following a Call for Proposals in August 2016. The proposal was assessed by the LIHAF Advisory Group and LIHAF...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Assistance Payment (22 May 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: The HAP rent limits were increased significantly in July 2016, including by up to 60% in some areas. The Government also provided flexibility to each local authority to agree to a HAP payment up to 20% above the maximum rent limit, where it is necessary, because of local rental market conditions. At the end of Q4 2017, 22.4% of the total number of households being supported by HAP...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Assistance Payment Administration (22 May 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is deemed to be a social housing support under the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014. As a long term housing support, an assessment of housing need must be completed in order for a household to qualify for HAP. Any household with an identified housing need is eligible for HAP. The Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 provide that subject...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Referendum Campaigns (22 May 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: There are no specific requirements under the Electoral Acts in relation to online advertising. Under section 140 of the Electoral Act 1992, the sole provision in relation to advertisements provides that every notice, bill, poster or similar document having reference to a referendum or distributed for the purpose of furthering a particular result at a referendum is required to bear upon its...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Expenditure (22 May 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: Staff Training and Development spend for the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government in 2017 including associated incidental expenses was €688,060.66, broken down as follows: Name   Annual Spend Training Core Skills Programme € 31,201.32 Training Personal Development € 45,606.04 Training Language € 745.00 Training General IT...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Expenditure (22 May 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: Travel and subsistence expenses incurred by my Department in the year ending 31 December 2017 are set out in the following table. Category 2017 Accommodation / Hotel €43,613.20 Airfare €68,091.75 Car Hire / Rental €505.36 Hire of Rooms €80.00 Insurance Class 2 €876.55 Motor Travel €433,228.20 Other T&S Expenses...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Expenditure (22 May 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: Where possible, my Department avails of in-house staffing resources to undertake value for money, policy review and other similar work in support of achievement of business objectives. Consultancy services are only engaged by the Department where specific expertise is required which is not available in the organisation at the relevant time. The expenditure incurred by the Department on such...