Results 781-800 of 6,999 for speaker:James Browne

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...

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

James Browne: The Framework for Major Emergency Management 2006 (Framework) designates local authorities as the “Lead Agency” for coordinating the response to nine emergency scenarios, including severe weather and flooding. Local authorities are recognised as being best placed to lead and co-ordinate an emergency response in terms of capability, experience and knowledge. They work with the...

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

James Browne: 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 rests with individual local authorities. My Department...

Government’s Response to Storm Éowyn: Statements (5 Feb 2025)

James Browne: I am grateful for the opportunity, as Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, to make this statement to the Dáil following one of the most dangerous and destructive wind storms experienced in living memory. First, I acknowledge the extreme hardship experienced by many people across the country who had to deal with power and water outages for extended periods....

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Staff (5 Feb 2025)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 555 and 632 together. My Department is committed to staff development and promotes several EU related programmes each year. Staff are encouraged to apply for opportunities in the EU through the National Experts in Professional Training (NEPT) and Seconded National Experts (SNE) programmes as well as the shorter Erasmus for Officials programme. These roles...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Mining Industry (5 Feb 2025)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 556 and 559 to 562, inclusive, together. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive (Directive 2011/92/EU), as amended by Directive 2014/52/EU), and the UNECE Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (the Espoo Convention) both set out the obligations of Member States/Parties to assess the environmental impact of...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Energy Infrastructure (5 Feb 2025)

James Browne: My Department notes the commitment in the recently published Programme for Government 2025 – Securing Ireland’s Future to introduce planning guidelines for solar energy developments. In light of this commitment, my Department has begun an initial scoping process to identify the component factors relevant to the preparation of planning guidelines for solar energy development,...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Public Sector Staff (5 Feb 2025)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 558 and 564 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Housing Schemes (5 Feb 2025)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 563 and 609 together. The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a form of social housing support available for people who have a long-term housing need. Any household assessed as eligible for social housing is immediately eligible for HAP. Eligible households can source their own accommodation in the private rental sector which should be within the HAP rent...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Invasive Species Policy (5 Feb 2025)

James Browne: The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department is responsible for the management of Ireland's network of National Parks. It continues to invest heavily in, and is committed to, tackling the spread of invasive species. In particular, the control of Rhododendron ponticum is a priority in Killarney National Park (KNP). This is a challenging, costly, and labour intensive...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Invasive Species Policy (5 Feb 2025)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 566 and 567 together. Managing invasive species within the boundaries of Ireland’s National Parks system is one of the important areas of work undertaken by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department, with a significant amount of resources devoted to this task every year. Invasive species cause grave damage to ecosystems and to...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Housing Policy (5 Feb 2025)

James Browne: Cost Rental housing represents a key element of affordable housing delivery under the Government's Housing For All strategy, which is being achieved through collaboration with a range of delivery partners including Local Authorities, Approved Housing Bodies, and the Land Development Agency. At present, there is no transfer system in place for existing cost rental tenants and if they wish...