Results 781-800 of 7,010 for speaker:James Browne

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Weather Events (6 Feb 2025)

James Browne: Met Éireann routinely reviews its Weather Warning process and such considerations are part of wider ongoing discussions with their colleagues in the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management, and the local authority sector in Ireland.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (6 Feb 2025)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 127 together. In line with Part 2 of the Affordable Housing Act 2021, the administration of affordable purchase housing schemes is a matter for the local authority concerned, in this case Waterford City and County Council. This includes the determination of the minimum affordable price at which particular homes will be advertised and agreeing the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (6 Feb 2025)

James Browne: My Department granted funding approval-in principle to Waterford City and County Council's proposed development of 50 new build social homes at at Fairlane, Dungarvan on 23 March 2024. It is now a matter for the Council to advance the design of the project and take it through the planning process. The social housing element will be funded via the Social Housing Investment Programme. ...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (6 Feb 2025)

James Browne: My Department provided approval to Waterford City & County Council in April 2024 to advance this social housing project through the planning process and onto the preparation of the tender for the construction contract. I look forward to the Council's earliest possible advancement of this project and can confirm that funding is in place to support its construction. Further...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (6 Feb 2025)

James Browne: I understand that Waterford City & County Council commenced the construction of the new social housing development at Shandon, Dungarvan in December 2024. My Department has approved funding of €12.7m to the Council in respect of this 38 home project and I look forward to its completion as soon as possible. Further information on the project will be available directly from...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rental Sector (6 Feb 2025)

James Browne: Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) were introduced under Part 3 of the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 to moderate rent increases in those parts of the country where rents are highest and rising fastest. The Planning and Development Act 2024, extended the operation of these rent controls until 31 December 2025. In 2024 my Department completed a review of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Tourist Accommodation (6 Feb 2025)

James Browne: Legislative reforms to regulate the short-term letting sector through the planning code, in areas designated as “rent pressure zones” (RPZs), were introduced under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (Exempted Development) (No. 2) Regulations 2019 (the Regulations) which came into effect on 1 July 2019. Under this legislation which is applicable in RPZs: Short term...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Meetings (6 Feb 2025)

James Browne: An Interdepartmental Group (comprising the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH), the Department of Rural, Community Development and the Gaeltacht (DRCDG) and Údarás na Gaeltachta) is still continuing its work in developing specific planning guidance for Gaeltacht areas. There is also a separate Working Group made up of both Departments and Údarás na...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (6 Feb 2025)

James Browne: Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 relates to applicable developments of houses on any land that is zoned as residential (either exclusively or mixed use), or is granted planning permission for houses as a material contravention of the development plan. The purpose of Part V is for the State to capture a portion of the increase in land value resulting from the granting of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Animal Diseases (6 Feb 2025)

James Browne: There has been no outbreak of Bubonic Plague at Dublin Zoo in 2024, nor in any other Irish zoo. Bubonic plague is caused by a bacterium named ‘Yersinia pestis’. There is, in contrast, a common bacteria of world wide distribution that can infect and, on occasion, kill a range of animal species called Yersinia enterocolitica (previously known as Yersinia pseudotuberculosis). ...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Artificial Intelligence (6 Feb 2025)

James Browne: My Department has not allocated funding in the past fiscal year, or in the year ahead, towards artificial intelligence systems or artificial intelligence research. My Department does not currently conduct any operations using artificial intelligence tools. My Department is, however, currently conducting a program of work to assess if a Microsoft AI product, specifically Copilot for...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Homeless Accommodation (6 Feb 2025)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 137 and 138 together. 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 local authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Fire Service (6 Feb 2025)

James Browne: The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Service Acts, 1981 and 2003. My Department supports fire authorities by establishing policy, setting national standards for...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Contracts (6 Feb 2025)

James Browne: The information requested in respect of my Department is set out in the following table. Consultant Purpose of Consultancy Expenditure 2023 Expenditure 2024 Irish Centre for Diversity Diversity Policy Development 15,990 Risk and Resilience Audit Support Services for Business Continuity Management...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (6 Feb 2025)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 140 and 147 together. The Tenant in Situ Acquisitions Programme was introduced by way of Government decision in 2023. It was originally intended as a short-term response to the reported uplift in sales by landlords of homes which were within the HAP and RAS schemes in order to prevent potential homelessness where other solutions could not be found for the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (6 Feb 2025)

James Browne: In line with Part 2 of the Affordable Housing Act 2021 the administration of affordable purchase housing schemes is a matter for each local authority who will have the specific information sought relating to sale of affordable purchase homes in their functional area. Affordable Housing statistical reports are based on the delivery of affordable homes which have been completed and publicly...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (6 Feb 2025)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 143 and 144 together. It is a matter for individual planning authorities to consider licence applications under section 254 of the Act on a case by case basis, including those for telecommunications infrastructure along public roads. Under section 254(5) of the Planning and Development Act 2000, in considering an application for a licence under this...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Approved Housing Bodies (6 Feb 2025)

James Browne: I understand that there have been recent contacts between Cavan County Council and the housing association concerned relating to the final account for a housing project delivered under the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS). My Department gave our funding approval in respect of the final account in January 2025 and I understand the Council and the housing association must now finalise certain...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Properties (6 Feb 2025)

James Browne: My Department directly occupies the following properties in Dublin: Occupant Address Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Custom House, Dublin, D01 W6X0 Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage 90 King Street North, Smithfield, Dublin 7, D07 N7CV Met Éireann Casement...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Weather Events (6 Feb 2025)

James Browne: Local authorities are designated as the lead agencies for coordinating a response to flooding and severe weather emergencies. All local authorities have an established Severe Weather Assessment Team in place, monitoring Met Éireann weather warnings, High Tide Advisories and European Flood Awareness System (EFAS) advisory warnings. Local authorities also have Severe Weather/ Flood...