Results 6,561-6,580 of 28,221 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (16 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: Under Action 59 of the Housing for All Action Plan Update and Q3 2023 Progress Report Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) criteria are being developed for use in evaluating tenders for public contracts for housing. In this regard, a range of evaluation criteria are being researched and developed which can be used to evaluate tenders for public contracts for housing. This is to take...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (16 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: Housing for All commits to increase the use of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and a number of measures are being taken to increase its use in social housing delivery. A Roadmap for MMC has been developed by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) and my Department. The Roadmap was published on the 11 July, 2023. Both Departments worked with the interdepartmental MMC...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Legislative Measures (16 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: The Government's decision to increase the borrowing capacity of the Housing Finance Agency (HFA) was given effect by Section 66 of the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024, which was enacted on 6 March 2024. The amendment was as a consequence of Action 66 of the Housing for All Action Plan Update and Q3 2023 Progress Report (November 2023), a copy of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (16 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I refer to the reply to Question No. 646 of 9 April 2024 which sets out the position in this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (16 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: The Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2015 provided for the development of a deposit protection scheme to be operated by the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB). However, significant changes have taken place in the rental market since this legislation was passed. The Housing for All Action Plan Update published in November 2022, included an action to examine the creation of a system of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rental Sector (16 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I refer to the reply to Question No. 15 of 11 April 2024 which sets out the position in this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rental Sector (16 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: The position in relation to Action 4.5 of the Housing for All Action Plan Update is detailed in the Housing for All Q3 2023 Progress Report, a copy of which can be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/97015-housing-for-all-action-plan- update-and-q3-2023-progress-report/

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Legislative Programme (16 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: The Government approved an initial General Scheme in December 2021 to set out proposals to introduce Land Value Sharing. The proposals set out in the revised General Scheme (www.gov.ie/en/publication/0ad37-general-scheme-planning-and -development-land-value-sharing-and-urban-development-zones- bill-2022/) published on 14 April 2023 are the result of significant analysis and engagement...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Building Regulations (16 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: Tackling vacancy is a key priority for this Government and Pathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock. The Vacant Homes Action Plan, which I launched in January 2023, outlines the significant progress that has been made in addressing vacancy, along with the actions that are being pursued to return vacant...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Building Regulations (16 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: In line with the commitment under Housing for All, work continues to advance on determining the scope, functions, role and structure of the proposed Building Standards Regulator. To this end, a steering group has been established to provide high-level strategic guidance to my Department on a range of relevant matters. On receipt and consideration of the group’s report, I intend to...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Reports (16 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: The Housing Commission report has not yet been submitted. Once the report is received, and after I have had the opportunity to examine it, I will bring proposals for next steps to Government for consideration. A formal response to the report's findings and recommendations will issue thereafter.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (16 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: The standards for rental accommodation are prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 and responsibility for the enforcement of the Regulations in the private rental sector rests with the relevant local authority. If a property has been found to be non-compliant with the Regulations, it is a matter for the local authority to determine what action is necessary and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Fire Stations (16 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Service Acts, 1981 and 2003. My Department supports fire authorities through general policy-setting and preparing legislation,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Schemes (11 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I completely and utterly reject what the Deputy has just said. It is a measure and an option that is available. Every tenant in the country has been written to through the Residential Tenancies Board, RTB, with the options available. The scheme operates on an administrative basis and nothing will stop with regard to applications. I have already said to the Deputy that it must be...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Schemes (11 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: The Deputy can have a chat with his colleagues who are sitting behind him.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Schemes (11 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Deputy. We developed the cost rental tenant in situ scheme for tenants in private rental homes who are at risk of homelessness because the landlord intends to sell. This was an add-on to the tenant in situ scheme which I mentioned earlier. There were more than 1,800 purchases last year and we will continue that scheme into this year. We will continue the cost rental tenant in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Reports (11 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I will come back to Deputy Wynne on it.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Reports (11 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I have the majority report and the minority report on the proposals on how housing would be reflected in the Constitution. I do not have the overall Housing Commission report. It will come in time. It is about the future of housing in Ireland. While we are doing this, as we have said in answer to questions previously, it is important we continue to increase our housing supply, including...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Reports (11 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: That is not true.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Reports (11 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: Unquestionably, the Croí Cónaithe grant scheme is working extremely well. The Deputy would also know that, because it is Exchequer funding, there have to be checks and balances on the payments of grants. I know Sinn Féin might play fast and loose with money from time to time but, in fairness, it is Exchequer funding and we have to be careful with it. The scheme has taken...