Results 5,561-5,580 of 6,937 for speaker:Cian O'Callaghan

Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2021: Second Stage (Resumed) (29 Jun 2021)

Cian O'Callaghan: If they are watching and listening, I do not intend to use the full 20 minutes. I intend to be significantly short of that but we will see how that goes. Someone in this Chamber saying he or she will be quicker than he or she thinks are famous last words. I have issues with any planning legislation being rushed. I understand the rationale for it in this situation but you can have...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Jun 2021)

Cian O'Callaghan: Yesterday, Professor John FitzGerald said the Government's plan to inflate house prices through the shared equity scheme was a bad idea for Ireland and a case of politicians doing stupid things. He pointed out that property owners and landowners would benefit from the scheme, not potential buyers. In the UK, a similar scheme led to a boom in profits for large developers. The Central Bank,...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Jun 2021)

Cian O'Callaghan: I also do not agree with moving the debate on the Covid-19 vaccination programme to later in the week. I also object in the strongest possible terms to the use of the guillotine on the Land Development Agency Bill 2021. Considerable time has already been devoted to that Bill on Committee Stage, so it really is very disappointing that the Government is seeking to guillotine it now. With...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (29 Jun 2021)

Cian O'Callaghan: 142. To ask the Minister for Finance if a company (details supplied) was in receipt of the Covid restrictions support scheme payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34575/21]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (29 Jun 2021)

Cian O'Callaghan: 518. To ask the Minister for Health the actions his Department is taking to improve the track and trace operation in relation to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27222/21]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Tests (29 Jun 2021)

Cian O'Callaghan: 520. To ask the Minister for Health if rapid antigen testing will become more widely available in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27229/21]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of Local Government (Directly Elected Mayor with Executive Functions in Limerick City and County) Bill 2021: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Jun 2021)

Cian O'Callaghan: I thank the witnesses. Some of the contributions were strong and clear and they leave us in no doubt. That is useful and helpful. In terms of the report that we are doing, what specific key transfers of power should be in the Bill? What do the witnesses recommend should be included that is missing from the Bill? I will start with Ms Ryan and then go to Dr. O'Malley, Professor Ó...

Affordable Housing Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Second Stage (24 Jun 2021)

Cian O'Callaghan: Deputy Boyd Barrett missed it so he will never know and I will never tell. It is true that the hopes and dreams of an entire generation of people who are locked into renting are resting on this Bill, on the measures therein and on the investment that will hopefully be brought forward. I was very struck during the election campaign by the number of people I met in my constituency in...

Affordable Housing Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Second Stage (24 Jun 2021)

Cian O'Callaghan: I will start by following up on some of the points made by Deputy Duncan Smith about investment funds and the issue of buying homes and second-hand homes. Last weekend, there was coverage in the Business Post, by Killian Woods, of a new-build home in Malahide, in the Minister's constituency. It is in a great development with great amenities in a highly sought-after area. It has been vacant...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Homeless Accommodation (24 Jun 2021)

Cian O'Callaghan: I thank the Minister for his reply. Much work and consultation went into the creation of these standards and they are good. It is an issue that they are not being applied to the private providers. These services are funded by the local authorities and are in receipt of funding through the Minister's Department to provide accommodation. We have some serious issues. Hostels that were shut...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Homeless Accommodation (24 Jun 2021)

Cian O'Callaghan: These standards were drawn up to apply to all providers of services, be they funded by the local authorities or private, for-profit or not-for-profit entities. The standards are not being applied to the private providers. There is talk of parallel standards but when it comes to the inspection forms, the NQSF is a detailed inspection form of 12 pages that touches on many issues and contains...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Homeless Accommodation (24 Jun 2021)

Cian O'Callaghan: 14. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of homeless services that are operating to the national quality standards framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33464/21]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Homeless Accommodation (24 Jun 2021)

Cian O'Callaghan: This question is about quality standards for homeless accommodation. It is important that national quality standards are applied by all providers of accommodation for people experiencing homelessness. How many providers are applying these standards? Why are the private for-profit providers not applying these standards? When will they be applying them?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: House Prices (24 Jun 2021)

Cian O'Callaghan: 2. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his views on the latest CSO residential property price index report that shows that house prices have risen by 4.5% over the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34134/21]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: House Prices (24 Jun 2021)

Cian O'Callaghan: What is the Minister's response to the latest CSO residential property price index report showing that house prices have risen by 4.5% over the past year? The Tánaiste, who has made a lot of pronouncements on housing recently, defended these prices on the basis that price levels have not yet surpassed the Celtic tiger peak. What price levels does the Minister think would be acceptable?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: House Prices (24 Jun 2021)

Cian O'Callaghan: I would like to hear if the Minister has a view on price levels or if housing for all will set targets. In the past week, a house in Rathmines in poor condition and in need of significant renovation has attracted a bidding war with offers in excess of €530,000 above the asking price. These kind of bidding wars create huge anxiety and fear in prospective first-time buyers and have not...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: House Prices (24 Jun 2021)

Cian O'Callaghan: Will there be targets for price levels in housing for all or does the Minister and Government have a view on that? There are only 7,000 or 8,000 new build homes available on the open market each year. The rest are bought by institutions or for one-off houses or social housing. In the context of some of the highest house prices in the eurozone, the warnings that prices could reach Celtic...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rental Sector (24 Jun 2021)

Cian O'Callaghan: 75. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the action he will take to stop the 8% rent increases within rent pressure zones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33462/21]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (24 Jun 2021)

Cian O'Callaghan: 43. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the resources which have been provided for the National Building Control and Market Surveillance Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33811/21]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Sites (24 Jun 2021)

Cian O'Callaghan: 81. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the steps he will take to ensure that local authorities collect the full vacant site levy that is due; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33463/21]