Results 7,621-7,640 of 26,864 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Properties (21 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: In acknowledgement of the administrative overheads for local authorities in managing the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant and the Ready to Build Scheme, the Department provides an initial supporting allocation of up to €180,000 to each local authority in respect of processing applications for both schemes, which are funded under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund, as follows:Up...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Properties (21 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...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Defective Building Materials (21 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act), which contains the Enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme commenced on 22 June 2023 and the related Regulations were adopted on 29 June 2023. The Enhanced Grant Scheme provided for the extension of the scheme to include dwellings damaged due to the use of defective concrete blocks in...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (21 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Awaiting reply from Department.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (21 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 under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund 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...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Cybersecurity Policy (21 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department has training and awareness campaigns in place in relation to its IT Systems and cyber security best practices. My Department works closely with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), which encompasses the State's national/governmental Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT-IE), and operates in accordance with NCSC guidance in this regard. My Department does not...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Expenditure (21 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 302 and 304 together. My Department has Cybersecurity policies and plans in place in relation to its IT Systems. My Department works closely with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), which encompasses the State's national/governmental Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT-IE), and operates in accordance with NCSC guidance in this regard. My...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Contracts (21 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department has contracts in place to provide relevant services. My Department works in line with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) guidance on Cybersecurity in the public service, and works closely with the NCSC which encompasses the State's national/governmental Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT-IE). My Department does not comment on operational security matters as...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Defective Building Materials (21 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 305 and 306 together. As you are aware I commenced the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act) on 22 June 2023 which contains the enhanced grant scheme and adopted the related Regulations on 29 June 2023. The new scheme is now open to applications in four counties: Clare, Donegal, Limerick and Mayo. ...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Legislative Measures (21 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: It is my intention to bring forward a piece of legislation provisionally titled the Fire, Emergency Management and Public Safety Bill, whose primary purpose will be to update the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003. It is also my intention that the Bill will place relevant elements of evolved emergency management practice at national and local level on a statutory footing. A General Scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Constitutional Amendments (21 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I refer to the reply to Question No. 87 of 9 November 2023 which outlines the position on the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Regeneration Projects (21 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department intends to launch a fourth round of funding under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) during 2024. It is intended that this further round of funding will provide an opportunity for a number of the ‘pipeline’ projects that have or will emerge from master planning exercises carried out under Calls 1 and 2, to be considered for funding and may include...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (21 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Supporting individuals and families facing homelessness is a key Government priority, and funding of €215m has been provided this year to support the delivery of homeless services by local authorities and their service delivery partners. The referred to highlights the important work undertaken to support those at risk of homelessness. Local authorities already oversee a range of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Contracts (21 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department has no current contracts with any Israeli state agency, any Israeli-based company or any company based elsewhere in the world which is owned or part-owned by any Israeli state agency or by any Israeli-based company.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Data (21 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department is not involved in any exercise, operation, training or research which includes involvement by any Israeli state agency, any Israeli-based company or any company based elsewhere in the world which is owned or part-owned by any Israeli state agency or by any Israeli-based company. However, to note Ireland (represented by Met Éireann) and Israel (represented by the Israeli...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (21 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Under the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme, a tenant sources their own accommodation in the private rented market. The HAP tenancy agreement is between the tenant and the landlord and is governed by the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022. Tenants in the HAP scheme are required to sign a rent contribution agreement to pay a weekly rental contribution to the relevant local...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Meetings (21 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Humanitarian Senior Officials Group, which is chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach, has met 75 times since it was established in March 2022. My Department has been represented at each meeting, which reflects my commitment to supporting the whole of Government humanitarian response to Ukraine.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (21 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department has undertaken a comprehensive review of the private rental sector, which involved significant stakeholder engagement and a public consultation process during 2023. A draft report is now being finalised detailing the findings of the review and outlining a range of policy options. In line with Priority Action 21 of the Housing for All Action Plan Update and Q3 2023 Progress...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Legislative Measures (21 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: A comprehensive review of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) was initiated in 2021, led by the Office of the Attorney General. The review culminated in the publication of the draft Planning and Development Bill 2022 in January 2023. The draft Bill subsequently underwent a very extensive pre-legislative scrutiny process over a three month period, undertaken by the Joint...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (21 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: In April 2023 a Cost Rental Tenant-in-Situ Scheme was put in place on an administrative basis to respond to cases of tenants who are at risk of homelessness, due to a Notice of Termination, but who are over the income thresholds for social housing supports. The current household net income limit for scheme eligibility is €66,000 for Dublin and €59,000 elsewhere. This is in line...