Results 5,601-5,620 of 15,555 for speaker:Eoghan Murphy

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Water Pollution (26 Apr 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: I propose to take Questions Nos. 225 and 226 together. I refer to the reply to Questions No 1487 and 1488 of 17 April 2018.  The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Assistance Payment Eligibility (26 Apr 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) will replace Rent Supplement (RS) for those with a long term housing need, who qualify for social housing support. However, RS will remain available through the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP) to households as a short-term income support. The strategic aim is to complete the transfers from long term rent supplement to...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rent Pressure Zones (26 Apr 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: Section 24A of the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2016  provides that the Housing Agency, in consultation with housing authorities, may make a proposal to the Minister that an area should be considered as a Rent Pressure Zone.  Following receipt of such a proposal, the Minister requests the Director of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) to conduct an assessment of the area to...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Guidelines (26 Apr 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: Following engagement between the European Commission and my Department regarding the 2013 European Court of Justice ruling in the "Flemish Decree" case, a working group, comprising senior representatives from my Department and planning authorities, was established in May 2017 to review and, where necessary, recommend changes to the 2005 Planning Guidelines on Sustainable Rural...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Data (26 Apr 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: In relation to the Dublin Docklands area, the North Lotts and Grand Canal Dock area has been designated as a Strategic Development Zone (SDZ), for which Dublin City Council is implementing the planning scheme. In relation to specific housing figures requested, my Department does not directly hold the information requested.   Notwithstanding this, I am aware that significant...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Data (26 Apr 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: My Department provides funding to local authorities on an ongoing basis as housing projects are progressed and relevant claims are received and validated for payment. The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.  This represents the current position in respect of housing capital expenditure claims from local authorities which are at various stages of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rental Accommodation Scheme Data (26 Apr 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: The Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) has been an important contributor to social housing supply since its introduction on a pilot basis in 2005. RAS  involves a three-way relationship between (1) the housing authority and landlord - where the local authority enters into a contractual arrangement with the property owner to make the property available to the RAS for an agreed term; (2)...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authority Housing (26 Apr 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: Social housing projects funded by my Department, like all publicly-funded construction projects, must comply with the Government’s Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF), the objectives of which are to ensure greater cost certainty, better value for money and financial accountability. While there are nine points of review within the CWMF, my Department has combined these to...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Fire Safety (26 Apr 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: In July 2015, the then Minister directed that a review be undertaken by an independent fire expert to develop a framework for general application, in the interest of supporting owners and residents living in developments where concerns regarding non-compliance with fire safety requirements arise. It included a case study based on the Millfield estate at Newbridge, Co. Kildare. This review has...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Bodies Establishment (26 Apr 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: The Planning & Development (Amendment) Bill 2016 provides, inter alia, for the establishment of the Office of the Planning Regulator. This Bill is currently at Committee Stage in the Seanad and is expected to be enacted by the Summer. Once it is passed into law, I will be in a position to set an establishment date for the Office. The Office will provide for enhanced...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Bodies Establishment (26 Apr 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: The Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) has not yet been established as the necessary statutory framework is not yet in place. The Planning & Development (Amendment) Bill 2016, which provides for the establishment of the OPR, is currently progressing to Report Stage in the Seanad. Once it is passed into law, I will be in a position to set an establishment date for the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Home Repossessions (26 Apr 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: Information in relation to local authority repossessions of properties that were financed using a local authority home loan and which are now either repossessed, voluntarily surrendered or abandoned is available on my Department’s website at the following link, under the heading “Local authority repossessions” - . This data is not broken down by loan type. ...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Sites Levy (26 Apr 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: The Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015 introduced a new measure, the vacant site levy, which is aimed at incentivising the development of vacant, under-utilised sites in urban areas.  Under the Act, planning authorities are required to establish a register of vacant sites in their functional areas, beginning on 1 January 2017.  Planning authorities will be issuing notices to...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Sites Levy (26 Apr 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: The Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015 introduced a new measure, the vacant site levy, which is aimed at incentivising the development of vacant, under-utilised sites in urban areas.  Under the Act, planning authorities are required to establish a register of vacant sites in their areas, beginning on 1 January 2017. Planning authorities will be issuing notices to owners of vacant...

Questions on Promised Legislation (25 Apr 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: Last week, I announced a €1.7 billion investment in Irish Water for the next three or four years, primarily in respect of wastewater services. What we have in the new housing delivery unit in the Department is a way to co-ordinate to ensure key sites ready to be built upon have the necessary services going into them. It is also an ambition we have under Project Ireland 2040 and one...

Questions on Promised Legislation (25 Apr 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: I thank the Deputy for his question. The commercial rates Bill is currently being drafted. My understanding is that it does not require pre-legislative scrutiny, so once it is drafted and published, we will be able to move with it quite quickly. It will give new powers to local authorities of greater flexibility in how they treat businesses in their local authority areas.

Seanad: Housing: Statements (25 Apr 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: I thank the House for this important opportunity to update Members on housing and related matters. In view of the time available, I will not address every single issue in housing but I look forward to coming back to any questions Members have. The top-line figures for house building are going in the right direction. Planning permissions for 20,776 homes were granted to the end December...

Seanad: Housing: Statements (25 Apr 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: It is not correct. We are correcting it with The Irish Times.

Seanad: Housing: Statements (25 Apr 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: It was so that the Senator did not perpetuate a wrong number that, unfortunately, had been reported in a newspaper.

Seanad: Housing: Statements (25 Apr 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: I think I definitely have to as I have nine or ten pages of notes here. I would like to respond to everyone if I may in the time available. I thank all the Senators for their contributions. We will be back here talking about housing because it will continue to be an issue until we have actually managed to stabilise the housing sector, bring along the supply we have provided for with regard...