Results 6,581-6,600 of 25,732 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Fire Safety (9 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: In my initial answer I wanted to inform the Deputy, the House and most importantly residents that there is work ongoing on this on a daily basis. We have appointed the programme manager in the Housing Agency, who will be speaking to residents next week when we have a further webinar on 14 November. I am pleased to inform homeowners that the interim scheme addressing essential fire safety...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Fire Safety (9 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The legislation will be detailed and we need legislation to underpin this scheme. We have worked collaboratively on this. The Housing Agency is the lead agency on this and it has extensive experience in that regard. The legislation will be published next year and with the co-operation of Members across the House we can work together to get that through as expeditiously as possible. This...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Fire Safety (9 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Housing Agency will be central to that scheme.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Fire Safety (9 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: It will manage the scheme and we will work through that. Our focus, as my direct engagement with residents has been, is to get the interim scheme set up and I want to get that done and open for applications by the end of this month.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (9 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Housing for All is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade and is the first multi-annual fully funded housing plan in the history of the State. The Plan is supported by an investment package of over €4 billion per annum, through an overall combination of €12 billion in direct Exchequer funding,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (9 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: In 2022 10,263 new social homes were delivered, including 7,433 new-build homes which represented the highest delivery of new build social housing since 1975. In the first half of 2023, 2,298 new social homes were delivered, including 1,401 new-build homes. Social housing delivery is traditionally weighted to the second half end of the year so we do expect to see a significant increase,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Defective Building Materials (9 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The approach taken under the Pyrite Remediation Scheme was considered in the development of the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme. However, due to the different scale of both schemes and the flexibility sought by homeowners the DCB Grant scheme required a different approach. The enhanced scheme, as legislated for by the Oireachtas, is now up and running. It is a significantly...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Properties (9 Nov 2023)

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

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Flood Risk Management (9 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 106, 111 and 117 together. Local authorities are designated as lead agencies for coordinating the local response to flooding emergencies as per the Government decision relating to the “Framework for Major Emergency Management” (2006). The arrangements for emergency management are seen as having worked extremely well, in particular the responses...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (9 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Housing for All, is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes by 2030. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn in funding through the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (9 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) has been identified as a key measure to address increased housing delivery and methods to support increased use of MMC are set out in Pathway 5 of Housing for All. The development of MMC will improve productivity in construction and increase efficiency in residential construction. The Housing for All Action Plan Update and Quarter 3 2022 Progress Report,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rental Sector (9 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 110 and 138 together. 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 Act and in order to inform decisions on the commencement of this measure, work is underway in my...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (9 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 116 together. Housing for All is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes. The 54,000 affordable home interventions that will be delivered between now and 2030 will...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (9 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I, together with Minister O’Donnell, Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, published Draft Sustainable and Compact Settlements Guidelines for Planning Authorities (SCSGs) and associated environmental reports (SEA and AA) for public consultation on the 30 August 2023. The draft guidelines are available to view on gov.ie - Public Consultation on the Draft Sustainable and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Grúpaí Idir-Rannacha (9 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Tá Grúpa Idir-Rannach (ina bhfuil oifigigh ón Roinn Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta; An Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán; agus Údarás na Gaeltachta) ag leanúint lena chuid oibre maidir le treoir phleanála ar leith a fhorbairt do cheantair Ghaeltachta. Tá Grúpa...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (9 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 115, 129, 143 and 149 together. In July 2022 my Department launched the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund, which supports bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use. On the 1st May 2023, I announced a revised grant rate of up to a maximum of €50,000 available for the refurbishment of vacant...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (9 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: In May 2021, guidelines were issued to planning authorities advising that conditions should be imposed on planning permissions to prevent multiple housing and duplex units being sold to a single buyer. Under this measure, all houses and duplexes would have to be made available to sale and for first occupation by separate, individual households for a period after completion of the unit. A...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (9 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department continues to work proactively with both Galway City and Galway County Councils. Quarterly meetings are held between representatives from my Department and the Councils housing teams to cover a range of issues relating to the Councils' social housing programme, including reviewing progress in advancing individual projects and to seek to resolve any challenges arising. In addition...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rental Sector (9 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Housing for All is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rental Sector (9 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Housing Act 1966 provides for the charging of rent by local authorities on social housing tenancies. Rents are based on household income levels, with those on lower incomes paying lower rents. This system is known as the ‘differential rents’ system. It is a critical piece of State’s welfare apparatus, subsidising housing costs and supporting households who...