Results 7,481-7,500 of 25,732 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (13 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in each local authority, including Cork County Council. This data is available to the end of 2022, and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link:...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (13 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in each local authority, including Cork County Council. This data is available to the end of 2022, and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link:...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Properties (13 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: There are no vacant properties in the ownership of my Department. It is the role of the Office of Public Works (OPW) to provide office accommodation to all Government Departments. The OPW owns or leases the buildings which my Department occupies. The information requested in relation to bodies under the aegis of my Department is a matter for the individual bodies concerned. Arrangements have...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Water Services (13 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 697 to 699, inclusive, together. The Framework for Future Delivery of Water Services (June 2022) was developed following a comprehensive process of engagement with unions under the aegis of the Workplace Relations Commission and enables the integration of public water services into Uisce Éireann's organisational structure. The Framework provides...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Policies (13 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department fully supports the National Action Plan Against Racism 2023-2027, which was published by my colleague the Minister of State for Community Development, Integration and Charities, Joe O’Brien TD, in March 2023. The Plan can be accessed on the website of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth at the following link:...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Protection (13 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department does not have overall responsibility for hedgerow surveys. Teagasc, however, has undertaken hedgerow mapping on a national scale, and while no comprehensive national survey has been carried out to date, a number of local authorities have commissioned hedgerow surveys at county level. The Local Biodiversity Action Fund (LBAF) operated by my Department provides funding to...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (13 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Government's Legislation Programme for summer 2023, published in April, includes the Residential Tenancies (Right to Purchase) Bill 2023 for priority drafting in this Oireachtas session. Policy is being developed as a matter of priority and draft legislative provisions and administrative measures are being examined to help a tenant to buy their rented home on the basis of a landlord...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Expenditure (13 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: These bodies may be contacted directly by e-mail, by members of the Oireachtas, as set out in the attached table. The information would be available from the state bodies themselves, and the dedicated e-mail addresses for members of the Oireachtas in respect of each such body are as set out in tabular form below. State Body Contact E-mail Address An Bord...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Protection (13 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The National Parks and Wildlife Service of my department has commenced a project to review and update wildlife legislation. This is an extensive review and is a multi-year project. It will examine closely the effectiveness of our legislation in protecting wildlife and regulating activities that adversely impact on wildlife and biodiversity. The review includes the Wildlife Act, which, in...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (13 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: 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/she is responsible. My Department may sanction the recruitment for new posts as requested by individual local authorities. I understand that the recruitment process for this...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wind Energy Guidelines (13 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. The review is addressing a number of key aspects including noise, setback distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections. Guidance on the noise aspect, which is highly technical in nature, is currently being finalised by my Department in...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wastewater Treatment (13 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 783 and 784 together. The questions refer to Sliabh Dubh and Drumakelly in County Monaghan specifically but I understand it to relate more generally to housing estates that are not taken in charge and are dependent on developer provided water services infrastructure (DPI) for the provision of their water services. These estates do not have their water...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (1 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I visited Youghal with the Deputy slightly more than a month ago. We had a good visit. We met many people from the business community, community groups and residents of Youghal. I know Youghal has taken more than its fair share of newcomers and has been a very welcoming town to people, especially those who have fled the terrible war in Ukraine. It has had an impact, especially on...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (1 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank Deputy Cannon for recognising the increased investment in public transport the Government has made over the past nearly three years. Regarding the specific matter he raises, there is no question that it is an issue that needs to be looked at when for people living in Loughrea, a half an hour away from the city, the bus services ceases at 6.30 p.m. I will speak directly to the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (1 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank Deputy Cronin for raising this issue on behalf of two of her constituents. If she sends the details through to me, we will certainly look at it. We are committed to providing accommodation for people, be it assisted living or independent living. That has increased in recent years. I do not know the specifics of the case, as Deputy Cronin just raised it here with me.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (1 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I am offering to do that now for the Deputy. In fairness, the family has given Deputy Cronin permission to raise the case here. If she gets me the details, I will raise it with the Minister of State directly and ask him to respond to Deputy Cronin.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (1 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Deputy Cronin should send me the details.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (1 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank Deputy Tully. This may be an issue arising specifically with her community healthcare organisation region within the HSE. I am not familiar with the details of it. I know that the HSE contract is being looked at. If Deputy Tully wants to send the details to me I will get them to the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly. The HSE is responsible for its own procurement in that regard....

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (1 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank Deputy Troy for his comments and his question, and indeed his support for the delivery of Government housing policy. First, in relation to An Bord Pleanála, we now have 15 board members in place. It was as low as five last year. That is the highest number of board members that we have ever had. That was permitted in the legislation that we brought forward late last year. ...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (1 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: There is no question that we need to do more work with the board and our planning system.