Results 6,701-6,720 of 25,732 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Housing: Motion [Private Members] (7 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: If that is a detailed plan and an alternative to Housing for All, I would hate to see if the Deputy was doing something on a cursory basis. Three pages out of 52. I think people deserve a little more. They will ask a lot more of Sinn Féin on its alternatives.

Housing: Motion [Private Members] (7 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: It is very difficult sometimes for the Deputies opposite to hear the truth and even to listen to contrary voices or a different opinion and maybe they would respect that. I know they do not respect that in their own party-----

Housing: Motion [Private Members] (7 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: -----but I expect that if I am given an opportunity-----

Housing: Motion [Private Members] (7 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Every single time the Deputy tables a motion here and if I go to respond, all he can do and the choir behind him is continue to interrupt and stop me from speaking but the figures do not lie. Many challenges remain but there has been progress and by the end of this year, we will have delivered more than 100,000 new homes since we came into government. There has been a step-change in...

Housing: Motion [Private Members] (7 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: -----actually wants to abolish the help-to-buy grant.

Housing: Motion [Private Members] (7 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Again, in their constituency clinics, wherever they are held-----

Housing: Motion [Private Members] (7 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: -----they should let their constituents know that the tax they have earned that has been given back to them to help with their deposits would be abolished by their party, even though that support that has helped 42,500 people. I was only in Skerries on Monday, in her own home town, where she was able to buy a home pretty handily.

Housing: Motion [Private Members] (7 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: This is a bit of a farce here now.

Housing: Motion [Private Members] (7 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Let us deal with first-time buyers supports. The help-to-buy grant is provided for next year as well. There is an extension to 2025. The first home scheme, which the party opposite has opposed, has nearly 7,000 registrations. A total of 2,800 families and households who are eligible and are buying their homes through the scheme. It is a real intervention that is supporting homeownership....

Seanad: Housing For All: Statements (7 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank Senators Kyne, Fitzpatrick, Casey and the Acting Chairperson for being here. I welcome the opportunity to update Members of the House on the progress being made on Housing for All. It is just over two years since the plan was published and although the landscape and environment in which we are operating has changed significantly, real progress is being made. While challenges...

Seanad: Housing For All: Statements (7 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I apologise to Senator Moynihan. I am due to be in the Dáil. My good colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, will be here for the rest of the debate.

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

Darragh O'Brien: A comprehensive review of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) was initiated in May 2021, led by the Office of the Attorney General. This process included extensive stakeholder engagement, particularly with the Planning Advisory Forum established in December 2021. The review culminated in the publication of the draft Planning and Development Bill 2022 in January 2023. The...

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

Darragh O'Brien: Data on new residential dwellings completed are captured and published quarterly by the Central Statistics Office. The data are available at data.cso.ie/table/NDQ01. The data show 20,546, 29,751 and 22,443 new homes were completed in 2021, 2022 and to end-September 2023 respectively. Data on the share of these homes which have gone to market, or which are now inhabited, are not available.

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

Darragh O'Brien: The Local Authority Home Loan (LAHL) is a Government-backed mortgage for creditworthy applicants who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial banks to purchase or build a home. It has been available nationwide from local authorities since 4 January 2022 for first-time buyers and fresh start applicants. The loan can be used both for new and second-hand properties, or to self-build. The...

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

Darragh O'Brien: 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 a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent, including the conversion of a property...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wastewater Treatment (7 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department’s Multi-annual Developer Provided Water Services Infrastructure Resolution Programme (DPI) is focused on housing estates which do not have their water services connected to the public network but instead rely on infrastructure provided by developers of the estate. The aim of the multi-annual programme is to provide funding to local authorities to assist them in...

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

Darragh O'Brien: All households in receipt of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) pay a differential rent based on the rent scheme set by the relevant local authority. The right of local authorities to set and collect rents on their dwellings is set out in section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. The making or amending of such schemes is an executive function and is subject to broad principles laid down by my...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Artificial Intelligence (7 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to conduct business. As with all new technologies, my Department is assessing the potential of AI in the delivery of services, in line with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) guidance on its usage in the public service, and works closely with the NCSC which encompasses the State's national/governmental Computer Security Incident...

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

Darragh O'Brien: My Department has responsibility at central government level in relation to the local government system generally and certain specific functional or service areas. My Department has no function however in relation to policy and funding of museums. That is, in the main, a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Grant Payments (7 Nov 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...