Results 5,281-5,300 of 25,732 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Electoral Process (22 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: Under electoral law, Returning Officers are responsible for the selection and provision of polling stations at polling places. Section 94 of the Electoral Act 1992, as amended by section 3 of the Electoral (Amendment) Act 1996, provides that Returning Officers must, where practicable, select buildings for polling stations which are accessible to wheelchair users. In 2018, my Department...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Building Regulations (22 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 168 together. The minimum standards for rental accommodation are set out in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 and specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, natural light, fire safety, ventilation and the safety of gas, oil and electrical installations....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Defective Building Materials (22 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: In December 2023 I announced the opening of the Interim Remediation Scheme for the funding of emergency fire safety defect works in apartments and duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013. The majority of remediation activities covered by the Interim Remediation Scheme will be to the common areas of buildings only, unless additional work is deemed necessary. Owners’ Management...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Septic Tanks (22 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department does not compile the information requested. The Water Services Act 2007 (as amended) requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to produce a national inspection plan for domestic waste water treatment systems, also known as septic tanks. The EPA report on the implementation of the plan and publishes information on inspections and enforcement on an annual basis. The...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (22 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: Under Housing for All, the Government has targeted delivery of 47,600 new build social homes; 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing, and 28,500 new affordable homes from 2022 to 2026. Each local authority has prepared its own 5-year Housing Delivery Action Plan setting out their planned social and affordable housing delivery. The Plans for Cavan and Monaghan are available on the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wastewater Treatment (22 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: Gweedore waste water treatment was originally included in proceedings against Ireland taken by the European Commission but this was withdrawn in 2017. In July 2022 Uisce Éireann, in partnership with Donegal County Council, completed an innovative project for waste water treatment in Gweedore. This new scheme will ultimately lead to a reduction in the reliance on septic tanks in the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Defective Building Materials (22 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 173 to 176, inclusive, together. Arising from the Government Decision of 30 November 2021 in respect of the enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) grant scheme, the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) was tasked with delivering a programme of work to address a number of technical items. An interagency DCB Technical Matters Steering Group has...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (22 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: Since the introduction of the new remuneration package available for local authority elected members in July 2021 following the publication of the Moorhead Report, there is in fact financial support in place for elected members for office accommodation. The Local Representation Allowance (LRA) is payable to an elected member of a local authority on a vouched basis for expenditure up to...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Defective Building Materials (22 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: The Enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme is demand led which makes it difficult to accurately predict the number of eligible applicants that will apply for assistance and undertake works in a given year. However, as indicated in my reply to the previous Parliamentary Question I have ensured sufficient funding is available to enable remediation works under the enhanced scheme in...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (22 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: To date Clare County Council has received funding approval from the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) to assist in the delivery of 10 affordable purchase homes at Shannon. Two further applications for proposed affordable purchase schemes in Ennis were received by my Department in December and in January and are currently under assessment. My Department is also aware of a further proposal relating...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Properties (22 Feb 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 a maximum of €50,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (22 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: It is a principle under planning that the planning process is not pre-determined and where any planning application is lodged in accordance with section 34 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), the application must be considered on a case by case basis by the relevant planning authority. An application for planning permission also provides an opportunity for...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I genuinely do not see that. I discussed this at length yesterday. Obviously, the national planning framework guidelines are delivering and are being revised and reviewed right now. They will be updated and will look at where we want to target our growth. The housing supply targets in each development plan reflect demand. This is all plan-led, particularly in the context of county...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: We can look at that. I did say yesterday that we had input and feedback in relation to this specific insertion of a new subsection into section 83. We will look to refine the wording between now and Report Stage. We have received feedback from members of the committee as well. We are going to work on that between now and Report Stage.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: Of course.