Results 8,421-8,440 of 26,778 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Properties (4 Jul 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 occupation as a...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Banking Sector (4 Jul 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Awaiting reply from Department.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Seaweed Harvesting (4 Jul 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department operates a consenting regime under the Foreshore Act 1933 (as amended), managing a range of different marine activities and infrastructural developments. The foreshore area stretches from the high water mark out to a distance of twelve nautical miles – a total area around Ireland of approximately 39,000 sq. kilometres. Section 3 of the Act provides for the granting of a...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rural Schemes (4 Jul 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Awaiting reply from Department.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Gaeltacht Policy (4 Jul 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Awaiting reply from Department.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Hare Coursing (4 Jul 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The results of a new study comparing the survival, movements, home ranges and dispersal of hares after coursing and/or translocation were published recently by the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS). This publication, "Reid, N. (2023). Survival, movements, home ranges and dispersal of hares after coursing and/or translocation. Irish Wildlife Manuals, No. 145. National Parks...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Waterways Issues (29 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The area referenced is within Killarney National Park and is the responsibility of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department. More specifically, the canal area is within the Killarney National Park, McGillycuddy’s Reeks and Caragh catchment SAC 365. Works of the nature described would need to be assessed for environmental impact and follow the normal procedures for...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (28 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as an cheist thábhachtach seo. The Deputy is correct. I met with the interim chairperson of the board, Oonagh Buckley, on a number of occasions. The board now has 15 board members whereas it was as low as five last year and we had to stabilise it as it was in a difficult position. We brought forward the large-scale residential developments Act...

Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023 [Seanad]: Financial Resolution (28 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I move: THAT provision be made in the Act giving effect to this Resolution for the charging of, in accordance with fees prescribed under section 150 of the Act, fees to accompany an application, under section 150 of the Act, for a licence in respect of the licensable activity specified in the application.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (28 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: We will make inquiries in that regard and revert to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Charitable and Voluntary Organisations (27 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 341 and 342 together. As provided for in the Housing (Regulation of Approved Housing Bodies) Act 2019, the Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority (AHBRA) was formally established on 1 February 2021. AHBRA is an independent body tasked with providing the regulation of Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) for the purposes of protecting housing assets...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Schemes (27 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department does not administer any general heritage recognition scheme or register that would seem appropriate in this instance. The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, and Media operates a National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage which may be relevant to the body referred to. The preservation of traditional heritage skills is a policy priority for...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (27 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in each local authority. This data is available to the end of 2022, and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link:...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Building Regulations (27 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Building Regulations 1997 to 2022 provide for the safety and welfare of people in and about buildings and apply to the design and construction of a new building (including a dwelling) or an extension to an existing building. The minimum performance requirements that a building must achieve are set out in the Second Schedule to the Building Regulations. They are subject to ongoing...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (27 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Local authorities set and collect rents on their dwellings in accordance with section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. The making or amending of such rent schemes is generally a matter for local authorities within broad principles set out by my Department, including that rent levels should be based on income and reflect tenants’ ability to pay. Local discretion and flexibility are...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Properties (27 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I refer to Question No. 328 on 9 May. I can confirm that my Department does not own the site at Rosscarbery Playground, Rosscarbery Co. Cork 51.57909834945283, -9.028955329525367.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (27 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Housing for All, is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes and 54,000 affordable homes by 2030. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Natural Heritage Areas (27 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The selection procedure for Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) follows the guidance provided by the EU Commission for the implementation of the EU Habitats Directive. An initial suite of candidate sites was put forward for consideration between 1995 and c.2010, with other sites added in subsequent years. All these sites, and the habitats and species for which they were selected, were...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (27 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 384 and 385 together. Local authorities are encouraged to acquire vacant/derelict properties to be upgraded as new, value-for-money social homes via the Buy & Renew Scheme. Since it was introduced in 2016, in excess of 800 properties have been delivered under this arrangement. The table below outlines the average cost in that time of 1/2/3/4 bed...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Water Pollution (27 Jun 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Uisce Éireann has statutory responsibility for all aspects of public water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. The scope, prioritisation and progression of individual projects are a matter for Uisce Éireann, and are approved through its own internal governance structures. Uisce Éireann is investing over €500 million in...