Results 6,921-6,940 of 25,732 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Defective Building Materials (10 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 305 and 310 together. There have been a number of engagements between my Department and the Banking and Payments Federation (BPFI) on specific issues raised by Defective Concrete Block (DCB) homeowners to see what can be done to address their concerns. I am aware also that homeowners have engaged directly on a bilateral basis with other stakeholders...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (10 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I can confirm that I plan to publish the documents referred to in the coming weeks.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Properties (10 Oct 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: Housing Provision (10 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The annual statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA) outlines details on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority area. The purpose of the SSHA is to capture the total number of households qualified for social housing support across the country whose social housing need has not yet been met, in order to better understand the level of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (5 Oct 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 and 54,000 affordable homes by 2030. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4 billion per annum, through an overall combination of €12 billion in direct Exchequer...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (5 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: A funding application to progress 19 new social homes at the old Castleblayney fire station in conjunction with an Approved Housing Body has recently been submitted by Monaghan County Council to my Department and this proposal is currently being considered and evaluated. While at an early stage, the Council's proposal involves some age friendly housing and homes to cater for persons with...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Waterways Ireland (5 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Waterways Ireland proposes to update the Shannon Bye-laws and Canal Bye-laws which are more than 30 years old and no longer fit for purpose. The needs of users have changed, environmental landscape and health and safety considerations have developed significantly and the waterways themselves have been transformed over the past thirty years. The purpose of updating the Bye-laws is to make the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (5 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: An external supplier was engaged by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) on behalf of my Department following a competitive procurement process to assist in the search for a permanent replacement for the role of Chief Executive of Dublin City Council. My Department had no role in respect of the selection of the successful supplier. PAS manage the executive search process and consult with my...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rental Sector (5 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Minister for Social Protection is responsible for various schemes to assist people with insufficient incomes to meet their needs and the Minister for Finance is responsible for taxation. A landlord may be allowed to claim Mortgage Interest Relief against rental income from residential accommodation. The interest must be from a mortgage that is used to purchase, improve or repair a...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: International Agreements (5 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention) requires Parties to prevent, control and reduce transboundary impact, use transboundary waters in a reasonable and equitable way and ensure their sustainable management. While Ireland intends to ratify the Convention, there is no agreed timetable to do so at this time....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (5 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Modern methods of construction (MMC) is a key way of helping to address Ireland’s housing needs, be they urban or rural. Modular and timber are key components within the range of MMC categories. MMC has the potential to increase productivity and efficiency, improve delivery, and reduce cost and waste in construction. Coordination of activities to promote MMC adoption is being led under...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (4 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Both the Programme for Government and Housing for All commit to strengthening the Mortgage to Rent (MTR) scheme and ensuring that it is helping those who need it. Building on the significant amendments already made to the scheme in 2017, the 2021 Review, published on 24 January 2022, examined the impact of these changes and what further changes would benefit those in need of the scheme. While...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Fire Stations (4 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 130 and 141 together. 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 Services Acts, 1981 and 2003. My Department supports the fire...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Waterways Issues (4 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 132 together. Waterways Ireland is proposing to update the Shannon Bye-laws and Canal Bye-laws which are more than 30 years old. The needs of users have changed, environmental landscape and health and safety considerations have developed significantly and the waterways themselves have been transformed over these decades. There is an open public...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Waterways Issues (4 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Waterways Ireland is proposing to update the Shannon Bye-laws and Canal Bye-laws which are more than 30 years old and no longer fit for purpose. The needs of users have changed, environmental landscape and health and safety considerations have developed significantly and the waterways themselves have been transformed over the past thirty years. The purpose of updating the Bye-laws is to make...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Solar Energy Guidelines (4 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: In 2021 a new holistic approach was applied to the programme, designed around the Programme for Government's commitment led by the Department for the Environment, Climate and Communications that calls for the 'retrofit' of 500,000 homes to a B2/Cost Optimal Equivalent (BER) standard by 2030, of which, approximately 36,500 are expected to be local authority owned homes, with grant funding...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Proposed Legislation (4 Oct 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: National Parks (4 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Government is committed to achieving 30% Marine Protected Area (MPA) coverage of Ireland's Maritime Area by 2030, in line with the Programme for Government, the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, and a number of International initiatives such as the UN Convention on Biological Diversity's post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. My Department has been working closely with...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (4 Oct 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Public Drinking Water Fountains have been installed by many Local Authorities in recent years. In response to the Programme for Government commitment to install drinking water fountains two pilot projects are being undertaken. These projects are being led by Uisce Éireann and the National Federation of Group Water Schemes (NFGWS) respectively. Any future funding from my Department...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (4 Oct 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...