Results 7,941-7,960 of 26,778 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

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

Darragh O'Brien: Brú na Bóinne is a complex and multi-layered archaeological ensemble and an extensive UNESCO World Heritage property. The upstanding monuments, most notably the great passage tombs of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth, constitute only a fragment of the overall archaeological resources across the World Heritage property, with new discoveries constantly being made and records often...

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

Darragh O'Brien: In April 2022, I announced a new funding measure, as an advance stage of the upcoming Multi-annual Rural Water Programme, for the waste water collection and treatment needs of villages and settlements that do not have access to public waste water services. Funding of €50 million has been specifically allocated under the National Development Plan 2021-2030. The first round of...

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

Darragh O'Brien: The Local Authority Home Loan, which is available since 4 January 2022 is a Government-backed mortgage for first-time buyers and fresh start applicants, who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial banks to purchase or build a home. The loan can be used both for new and second-hand properties, or to self-build. As part of the eligibility criteria, applicant(s) of the Local Authority...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Approved Housing Bodies (10 Oct 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). I am not aware of any housing developments or projects under the aegis of this...

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

Darragh O'Brien: My Department does not hold the information sought in the question. Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for An Bord...

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

Darragh O'Brien: I can confirm that I plan to announce the new Multi-annual Rural Water Programme with the individual funding measures in the coming weeks. Local authorities will then be invited to submit applications for funding for priority projects in their areas. The Rural Water Working Group which is made up of the key stakeholders in the Sector played a vital role that allowed my Department to finalise...

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

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 268 and 269 together. The Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 provide that where a tenant has been in occupation of a dwelling for a continuous period of 6 months, with no valid notice of termination having been served during that time, a 'Part 4' tenancy is established to cover the next 5 years and 6 months. A Part 4 tenancy may be terminated by a...

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

Darragh O'Brien: My Department sought clarification in relation to the circumstances referenced in this question from the Deputy's office, but none was received. Accordingly, it has been assumed that the question refers to the compulsory purchase of residential properties by the State, that are in the ownership of institutional landlords. An adequate supply and mix of housing across all tenures is...

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

Darragh O'Brien: My Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at a local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless accommodation and related services rests with individual housing authorities. My Department does...

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

Darragh O'Brien: My Department does not hold the information sought in the question. However, Uisce Éireann has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 0818 578 578.

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

Darragh O'Brien: I recently announced my Department’s agreement to purchase the Dowth Hall Demesne in Co. Meath. This 552 acre site contains valuable elements of natural, archaeological and architectural heritage and will be managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) as a new national park to ensure the preservation of these features for the people of Ireland. Contractual arrangements...

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

Darragh O'Brien: The collection of the Vacant Homes Tax (VHT) is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Finance. Local authorities do not have a role.

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

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 278, 279 and 280 together. Local authorities are required to submit an annual return to my Department providing information on the operation of the Derelict Sites Act 1990 in their functional areas. My Department issued Circular Letter PL 02/2023 on 15 March 2023 requesting the submission of returns on the operation of the Derelict Sites Act in 2022 by end of...

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

Darragh O'Brien: The Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, as amended by the Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011, provides the legislative basis for the non-principal private residence (NPPR) charge. The NPPR charge, which has since been discontinued, applied from 2009 to 2013 to any residential property in which the owner did not reside as their normal place of residence. The self-assessed charge...

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

Darragh O'Brien: The primary purpose of the Water Framework Directive is to; ‘Establish a framework for the protection of inland surface waters, transitional waters, coastal waters and groundwater which includes preventing further deterioration and protecting and enhancing the status of aquatic ecosystems and, with regard to their water needs, terrestrial ecosystems and wetlands directly depending on...

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

Darragh O'Brien: My Department is supporting local authorities in the delivery of their social housing targets under Housing For All through a range of different initiatives and schemes, including the construction of social homes on their own lands, construction delivery in conjunction with approved housing bodies and also, local authorities are working in partnership with private developers to deliver social...

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

Darragh O'Brien: My Department does not hold the information sought in the question. However, the Housing Agency have a dedicated email address to assist Oireachtas members in seeking information and can be contacted at publicreps@housingagency.ie.

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

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 291 and 292 together. Planning statistics are compiled by each planning authority on an annual basis for collation and publication on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/service/9e4ee-get-planning-statistics/. The data collected relates to the total number of applications and decisions for all developments that require planning...

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

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 295 and 296 together. The recording of court cases including those relating to planning is one in which I have no statutory function and is a matter for the Courts Service which is statutorily independent. Judicial Reviews against the State, on which my Department may be included as a party, are co-ordinated by the Chief State Solicitors Office under the...