Results 6,201-6,220 of 25,732 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (7 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department and the Department of Transport jointly established a working group in December 2021 under ‘Housing for All’ to consider opportunities for Transport Orientated Development (TOD) in major urban centres. TOD is important to achieving the National Planning Framework’s (NPF) priorities for compact and sustainable growth, supporting climate targets under the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (7 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The zoning of land for particular uses, including housing, is an exercise undertaken as part of the overall statutory development plan function under sections 9-13 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended). Under this legislation, the decision to zone land for development is a reserved function of the elected members of each planning authority. My Department published statutory...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (7 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Help-to-Buy scheme is administered by the Department of Finance and any development or expansion of the scheme comes under the remit of that Department. I continue to engage with all key stakeholders to support innovation and the delivery of affordable homes under Housing for All. With that in mind, prior to the announcement of Budget 2024, officials from my Department engaged...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Legislative Measures (7 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The provisions in Parts 4 and 5 of the Electoral Reform Act 2022 were formally notified in draft form to the European Commission in accordance with the notification requirements of Article 5 of Directive (EU) 2015/1535 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 September 2015 laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical regulations and of rules on...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (7 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 87 together. Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 54,000 affordable homes, including 36,000 affordable purchase and 18,000 cost rental homes, by 2030, to be facilitated by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), the Land Development Agency (LDA) and through a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks. The...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (7 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Planning and Development Bill 2023 provides for 10 year Development Plans, replacing the current 6 year cycle. The content of development plans will now be more strategic in nature. They will include an integrated overall strategy for the area and six thematic strategies. The longer cycle allows more time in between plan making cycles for effective implementation of the plan agreed by...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Water Quality (7 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: According to the latest census data available, approximately 10% of the population obtain their water from a private water supply (or private well). Owners must ensure that the water supply is wholesome and clean and is fit for human consumption. My Department, provides financial assistance with grants, which are subject to terms and conditions, to assist householders dependent on these...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Properties (7 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, the implementation of a planned maintenance programme and carrying out of responsive repairs, are matters for each individual local authority under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. Local authorities also have a legal obligation to ensure that all of their tenanted...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Funding (7 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I fully acknowledge the difficulties that homeowners and residents of many apartments and duplexes are facing, and the stress that is caused when defects arise in relation to their buildings. The Government is committed to helping those whose lives have been impacted by this issue. Since the receipt of Government approval in January of this year, I have been working hard to progress the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Mayoral Election (7 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: In June this year, Government referred the report of the 2022 Dublin Citizens’ Assembly to the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The Committee was asked to consider the recommendations contained in the report, and to advise on whether to hold plebiscite to determine if Dublin should have a directly-elected Mayor and local government structures as recommended,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (7 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Government's Legislation Programme for Autumn 2023, published in September, includes the Residential Tenancies (Right to Purchase) Bill for priority publication this session.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (7 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The baseline social housing net income eligibility thresholds were increased for all local authorities from 1 January 2023, by €5,000 to €40,000, €35,000 and €30,000 for bands 1, 2 and 3 respectively. My Department also continues to work on developing options for a potential revised or new social housing income eligibility model. It is expected proposals will be...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (7 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: In July 2022 I launched the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund, which supports bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use as homes. In May 2023, I announced a revised grant rate of up to a maximum of €50,000 available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and also for...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Gaeltacht Policy (7 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: An Interdepartmental Group (comprising my Department; the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts Gaeltacht, Sport and Media; and Údarás na Gaeltachta) is continuing its work in developing specific planning guidance for Gaeltacht areas. There is also a separate Working Group made up of my Department, the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Údarás...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (7 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Affordability and the chance to own a home is at the heart of the Government’s housing policy. As detailed in the Housing for All strategy, the Government has introduced a number of measures to support households and individuals wishing to purchase a home, as well as increasing the overall supply of new homes, with an ambitious target of 300,000 new homes up to 2030. In relation...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Water Pollution (7 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Uisce Éireann has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local level, including investment in wastewater treatment plants and returning treated wastewater safely to the environment in an efficient and sustainable manner. The Environmental Protection Agency is the environmental regulator for Uisce Éireann...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (7 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Since the publication of the current Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines in 2005 (which continue to have effect in addition to subsequent clarifications and national policy changes in the NPF) there have been important changes to our planning system. Most notably, obligations under European Directives and international agreements relating to the management and protection of the environment...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Commercial Rates (7 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by Tailte Éireann under the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2020. The amount of rates liable on a property is determined by multiplying the valuation of the property set by Tailte Éireann by the Annual Rate...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (7 Dec 2023)

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. In July 2022 the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was launched to support bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use. From 1 May 2023, a grant of up to a maximum of €50,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (7 Dec 2023)

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. In July 2022 the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was launched to support bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use. From 1 May 2023, a grant of up to a maximum of €50,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation...