Results 6,761-6,780 of 25,732 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

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

Darragh O'Brien: Planning permission is generally granted for a five year period during which development must be commenced and substantially completed. There is a significant number of planning permissions in place for residential development that remain unimplemented, including a significant proportion in the Dublin area. Since the publication of Housing for All, the Government’s plan for...

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

Darragh O'Brien: In line with commitments in the Programme for Government and Housing for All: A New Housing Plan for Ireland, the Housing Commission was established by Government in December 2021 to independently examine and review the housing system in Ireland. The Housing Commission has been tasked to examine issues such as tenure, standards, sustainability and quality-of-life issues in the provision...

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

Darragh O'Brien: The Local Authority Home Loan 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. Eligibility...

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

Darragh O'Brien: I have not exercised the powers granted to me under section 9(1) of the the Land Development Agency Act 2021 to report to me on their progress towards achieving the purposes of the Act. Under Section 9(2) of the Land Development Agency Act, the Land Development Agency will be required to provide me with a report on their progress towards achieving the purposes of the Act not later than 31...

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

Darragh O'Brien: Local authorities are designated as lead agencies for co-ordinating 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 led by local authorities to flooding and other severe...

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

Darragh O'Brien: Section 36 of the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 provides that the Government may make a scheme for the purposes of enabling a designated local authority or an approved housing body to remedy damage caused to dwellings by the use of defective concrete blocks in their construction. The grant rates for this local authority and approved housing...

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

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 672 and 674 together. My Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of local authorities in addressing homelessness at a local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless accommodation and related services rests with...

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

Darragh O'Brien: The Government has developed the ‘Cost Rental Tenant In-Situ’ (CRTiS) scheme for tenants in private rental homes who are at risk of homelessness because a landlord intends to sell the property, but who are not in receipt of social housing supports. The scheme was established on a temporary administrative basis from 1 April 2023, pending further policy development over the longer...

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

Darragh O'Brien: I established the Housing Commission in December 2021 as an independent body to examine and evaluate Ireland's housing system. This included tasking the Commission to advise the Government on the critical factors to be considered regarding a referendum on housing and, if appropriate, recommend appropriate wording for a constitutional change. The Housing Commission has recently submitted its...

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

Darragh O'Brien: The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.

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

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 679 and 680 together. Addressing vacancy and making efficient use of existing housing stock is a a key priority for Government, as set out in Pathway 4 of Housing for All.In January 2022, my Department communicated with local authorities outlining that funding, made available since 2018 to support the work of a Vacant Homes Office including a Vacant Homes...

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

Darragh O'Brien: The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.

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

Darragh O'Brien: The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Properties (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 occupation as a...

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

Darragh O'Brien: The First Home Scheme, launched on 7 July 2022, supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market, or building their own home, through the use of an equity share model. Full details of the First Home Scheme are available at: www.firsthomescheme.ie. The Scheme is overseen and managed by the First Home Scheme Ireland Designated Activity Company (First...

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

Darragh O'Brien: On 7 December 2022, the Government approved the priority drafting of the Registration of Short-Term Tourist Letting (STTL) Bill and publication of the General Scheme of the Bill which provides for the registration of short-term tourist lettings with Fáilte Ireland in line with the commitment under Housing for All, the Government's housing policy. On 21 December the proposed STTL Bill...

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

Darragh O'Brien: Number of WTE hydrometeorologists working in Met Éireann in 2021, 2022, and to date in 2023 Year 2021 7 2022 8 2023 8 2024 A competition will be run in 2024 with the intention of recruiting additional hydrometeorologists.

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

Darragh O'Brien: 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), details of which are available on my Department's website at the following link: . The arrangements for emergency management are seen as having worked extremely well, in...

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

Darragh O'Brien: Under Section 91 of the Finance Act, 2004, all or part of any unspent appropriations for capital supply services may be carried over for spending in the following year. This provides for the carryover of up to 10% of the REV allocation (Capital) from one year to the next. This must be expended in the following year i.e. it is not permissible to further defer any surplus. My Department...