Results 7,921-7,940 of 25,732 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Legislative Measures (25 Apr 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 300 and 313 together. My Department has been proactively engaged with a wide range of stakeholders throughout the process of review and consolidation of the Planning and Development Act (2000), the project which has been led by the Office of the Attorney General. The Review is ongoing further to publication of the draft Planning and Development Bill 2022...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Public Sector Staff (25 Apr 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Based on information provided by the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) to my Department, there are currently two whole-term staff vacancies in the OPR. A detailed breakdown as requested is included in the table below. Job title To be filled 1x Executive Officer Live recruitment campaign 1x Clerical Officer Awaiting...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Planning Framework (25 Apr 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 304 and 305 together. The National Planning Framework (NPF) is the long-term, 20 year strategy for the spatial development of Ireland to promote a better quality of life for all, with sustainable economic growth and an environment of the highest quality as key underlying principles. The NPF, which was published in 2018, replaced the National Spatial Strategy...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: State Bodies (25 Apr 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: An Bord Pleanála (the Board) is the national independent statutory body with responsibility for the determination of planning appeals and direct applications for strategic infrastructure and other developments under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (the Act), as amended, and certain other Acts. The Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Act 2022, which was signed into...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (25 Apr 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Part 2 of the Affordable Housing Act 2021, and its associated Regulations, allows for the provision of affordable homes by local authorities, for sale to eligible buyers under affordable dwelling purchase arrangements. Section 6(2) of the Act empowers local authorities to enter into arrangements for the provision of affordable homes with Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), community-led...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Building Regulations (25 Apr 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The functions of the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) include the development and publishing of standards to meet international demands for the quality, design, performance, safety and environmental impact of products and services. The NSAI is an agency under the auspices of my colleague the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. While my Department works in...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (25 Apr 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I recently introduced the Cost Rental Tenant In-Situ (CRTiS) Scheme, as an interim measure developed on an administrative basis, which is intended to address the immediate circumstances of the ending of the 'Winter Emergency Period' on 31 March 2023. This temporary scheme is available where a tenant faces the valid termination of a tenancy due to the landlord’s intention to sell the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Functions (25 Apr 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department has a dedicated Vacant Homes Unit, and is one of the business units in the Housing Affordability, Inclusion and Homelessness Division. The Unit oversees, drives and supports the co-ordinated approach to addressing vacancy and efficient use of existing stock under Pathway 4 of Housing for All, the Vacant Homes Action Plan, and in the context of the Towns Centre First Policy...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Rangers (25 Apr 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Given the enforcement roles discharged by certain staff in the National Parks and Wildlife Service, for reasons of operational security, my Department does not provide details of staffing in the manner requested. Currently there are in excess of 70 Conservation Rangers stationed right across the country, and it is my intention to further increase this number, up to 120 Rangers. In April...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (25 Apr 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2015 provided for the development of a deposit protection scheme to be operated by the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB). Significant changes have taken place in the rental market since this Act. Section 7 of the Residential Tenancies (No. 2) Act 2021 inserted a new section 19B into the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 which applies to tenancies...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Data (25 Apr 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department provides funding to local authorities under the Disabled Persons Grants scheme to carry out works on social housing stock to address the needs of older people, people with a disability or overcrowded situations. Typical works include adaptations such as stair-lifts, level deck showers, ramps and grab rails, widening door opening widths and improving circulation spaces....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (25 Apr 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department provides funding to local authorities under the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability scheme. The scheme assists eligible applicants living in privately owned homes to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. The detailed administration of the grants including their assessment, approval and prioritisation, is the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (25 Apr 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 47,600 new build social homes and 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing in the period 2022-2026. Our clear focus is to increase the stock of social housing through new build projects delivered by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs). For 2023, the Government has agreed that there will be increased provision for...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (25 Apr 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 (the RTA) regulate tenancies in the residential rental sector covering private renters, cost renters, social renters with Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) as well as regulating tenancies and licences in student specific accommodation, in addition to setting out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. The RTA applies to every dwelling that is...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Animal Welfare (20 Apr 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: There are currently 21 bird species on Ireland’s Open Seasons Order. Of these 21 species, 14 were the subject of national-level concern, on foot of Ireland’s 2019 EU Article 12 report and 15 are listed as Amber or Red on BirdWatch Ireland’s Birds of Conservation Concern Ireland (BOCCI) list. In response to concerns at the national and EU level on the status of Annex II...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (20 Apr 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 oversees workforce planning for the local government sector, including the monitoring of overall local government sector employment levels. To...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Consultations (20 Apr 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 (20 Apr 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Housing for All – A New Housing Plan for Ireland is Ireland’s housing plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year to 2030. Over 300,000 new homes will be built by the end of 2030, including a projected 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes. The Plan is backed by investment with in excess of €20bn...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Strategies (19 Apr 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I welcome the publication of the report of the Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss and am grateful to members of the Assembly for their dedication and commitment to the process. Having now received the report of the Assembly, the recommendations therein will be deliberated by the relevant committee in the Houses of the Oireachtas. The Committee will, in turn, bring its conclusions to the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (19 Apr 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Under Housing for All the Government plans to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 homes per year over the next decade. Over 300,000 new homes will be built by the end of 2030, including a projected 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes. Housing for All sets out that there will a managed phasing out of new long term leasing...