Results 721-740 of 9,065 for speaker:James Browne

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (29 Jul 2025)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1695 and 1696 together. The link below to my Department’s website provides an annualised breakdown in terms of total funding provided and the number of units upgraded for the years 2013 to 2024: www.gov.ie/en/publication/668c1-energy-efficiency-retrofitti ng-programme-expenditure-output/ My Department also introduced a pilot Midlands Energy...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (29 Jul 2025)

James Browne: The 'macroprudential rules' by which regulated financial institutions must operate for mortgage lending, including loan-to-value ratio limits, are set by the Central Bank of Ireland. In making and reviewing these rules, the Central Bank operates independently of Government. The area of banking and mortgages generally falls under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Finance.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: House Sales (29 Jul 2025)

James Browne: Matters in relation to the regulation and conduct of the property services sector in Ireland are the responsibility of the Property Services Regulatory Authority (PRSA). The PSRA was established on 3 April 2012 pursuant to the Property Services (Regulation) Act 2011. The PSRA, has a number of key functions including; the administration of a system of investigation and adjudication of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (29 Jul 2025)

James Browne: The granting of planning permission exemptions is a function for individual local authorities not a function of my Department. As I have no function in this regard my Department does not hold the information requested.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Apprenticeship Programmes (29 Jul 2025)

James Browne: Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he or she is responsible. My Department oversees workforce planning for the local government sector, including the monitoring of local government sector employment levels. To this...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Construction Industry (29 Jul 2025)

James Browne: Government established the Land Development Agency for the purpose of developing affordable and social housing on State lands. The LDA also works to procure housing units more broadly for cost rental and affordable purchase. Plans have recently been announced for an enhanced LDA, to increase delivery of homes across the country, with the body working to deliver more private housing as...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Construction Industry (29 Jul 2025)

James Browne: Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) is a collective term which describes innovative construction alternatives to traditional construction, which includes modular housing. My Department, working closely with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, and other relevant stakeholders, is progressing work to increase delivery capacity in the residential construction sector through...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Regeneration Projects (29 Jul 2025)

James Browne: A draft Stage 1 proposal regarding the regeneration of Noonan's Road and surrounding streets was received by my Department in May. This proposal was discussed at a dedicated meeting between Cork City Council and my Department's architectural/QS advisors in mid July. Cork City Council is now to develop their application further in advance of submitting a revised Stage 1 proposal. Once...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (29 Jul 2025)

James Browne: Government is fully committed to delivering affordable housing at scale, and continuing to accelerate housing supply across all tenures. A comprehensive implementation strategy is in place to support the various affordable housing schemes now being delivered by a range of delivery partners. Overall, over 14,500 affordable housing solutions have been delivered since the launch of Housing for...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rental Sector (29 Jul 2025)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1706 and 1729 together. The minimum standards for rental accommodation are prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 and specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, natural light, fire safety and the safety of gas, oil and electrical supplies....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Data (29 Jul 2025)

James Browne: Based on the funding drawn down by the local authorities from my Department, the table below sets out the average costs for Part V properties acquired by each local authority as new social homes in 2023, 2024 and up to the end of Q1, 2025 . It does not include data on Part V properties for social housing acquired by AHBs. Individual local authority and annual data can be influenced by...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Data (29 Jul 2025)

James Browne: Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 requires private developers to ensure that a specified percentage of land zoned for residential and other uses is reserved for social and affordable housing. Local authorities negotiate Part V agreements with the developer in line with a range of guidelines and supports aimed at assisting them in maximising the benefits of Part V in the context...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Data (29 Jul 2025)

James Browne: The Acquisition Cost Guidelines (ACGs) and Basic Unit Costs (BUCs) are reviewed and updated as appropriate by my Department, usually on an annual basis, with the most recent update being issued to all local authorities in Q2 2025. The ACGs provide cost guidelines for the acquisition by housing authorities, of second-hand properties for the provision of social housing, including where there...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Data (29 Jul 2025)

James Browne: 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 Schemes (29 Jul 2025)

James Browne: Supporting individuals and families at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness is a priority for Government. Critical to addressing homelessness is increasing the supply of housing. For 2025 I have made €325 million available to our local authorities for their social housing second-hand acquisitions activity including tenant-in-situ. To date, local authorities have only drawdown 36%...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Energy Conservation (29 Jul 2025)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1712 and 1713 together. In 2021 a new holistic approach was applied to the Local Authority Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme (EERP), designed around the Programme for Government's commitment led by the Department for the Environment, Climate and Communications. It calls for the 'retrofit' of 500,000 homes to a minimum B2 BER standard by 2030, of which...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Ministerial Appointments (29 Jul 2025)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1714 and 1715 together. The Planning Design Standards for Apartments Guidelines for Planning Authorities, 2025 “the Guidelines” were issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (Act of 2000). Section 28 provides that planning authorities and An Coimisiún Pleanála shall have regard to Ministerial guidelines in the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Meetings (29 Jul 2025)

James Browne: The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.In line with the obligations of the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015, the organisation specified publish information about their engagement with public officials, including myself and the designated officials in my Department, as laid down under the act. This information is...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (29 Jul 2025)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1717, 1718 and 1719 together. The Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended, prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority in different bands according to the area concerned, with income defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy. The Policy provides for a range of income disregards and local...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rental Sector (29 Jul 2025)

James Browne: The standards for rental accommodation are prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 and specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, natural light, fire safety and the safety of gas, oil and electrical supplies. These Regulations apply to all properties let or available for let....