Results 901-920 of 7,789 for speaker:James Browne

Seanad: Housing: Statements (2 Apr 2025)

James Browne: I welcome the opportunity to speak to the Seanad today on the challenges we face as a country as we work to build on the progress achieved under the Housing for All plan and to secure a housing system that meets the needs of our society. I recently outlined a broad housing policy agenda in the Dáil with reference to the Government's work on the report of the Housing Commission. I...

Seanad: Housing: Statements (2 Apr 2025)

James Browne: I thank my fellow scalder, Senator Cathal Byrne, for his kind comments. I know his family are very proud of him as well for being here in the Seanad. I thank all Senators for their contributions this afternoon. As with the recent debates in the Dáil, today's engagement will help to reform our approach to the challenges we face. Before drawing this afternoon's debate to an end, I...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Protection (2 Apr 2025)

James Browne: It is assumed from the reference to 'bird sanctuary' in the question relates to the establishment of a nature reserve. Under the Wildlife Act, 1976, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage may establish a nature reserve where certain considerations are met. These are set down in sections 15 and 16 of the Act. The provisions of section 17 and 18 may also be of relevance to...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (2 Apr 2025)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 172 and 175 together. The clear focus of Government is to increase the supply of new build social and affordable homes. Increasing the overall housing supply is key to addressing the housing challenge and in particular preventing and ultimately eliminating long term homelessness. Social Housing acquisitions targets, including Tenant in Situ acquisitions,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Funding (2 Apr 2025)

James Browne: 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: Fire Service (2 Apr 2025)

James Browne: The provision of a fire service in its functional area is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003 and my Department has not issued any instructions specifically in relation to this matter. National policy in relation to fire safety is detailed in Keeping Communities Safe, which is based on the internationally-used systemic risk...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (2 Apr 2025)

James Browne: Under the Programme for Government published in January 2025, the Government committed to introduce a new, all of government, national housing plan to follow Housing for All. My Department is currently examining that commitment, its implementation and the potential timeframe. While work is being undertaken to progress a new plan, which will build on progress to date, the measures detailed...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Approved Housing Bodies (2 Apr 2025)

James Browne: Tenant Purchase Schemes provide for the purchase by eligible tenants of local authority properties which are available for sale under the terms of the particular scheme. All applications for the schemes must satisfy the requirements outlined in the relevant legislation. However, the schemes only provide for the purchase of local authority properties and do not extend to properties owned...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Approved Housing Bodies (2 Apr 2025)

James Browne: My Department does not fund Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) directly, rather the funding is provided primarily to the local authorities and also to the Housing Agency, who in turn, release this funding to the AHBs in line with relevant funding scheme conditions. However, the funding provided by my Department in respect of the main range of AHB led capital and current funded schemes in 2023...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (2 Apr 2025)

James Browne: I am pleased that the Government is providing continuing and substantial financial support for Tenant in Situ acquisitions in 2025, following on from similar investments in 2023 and 2024. I have made €325 million available to our local authorities for their social housing second hand acquisitions activity in 2025 and asked that they prioritise Tenant in Situ acquisitions but have...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Meetings (2 Apr 2025)

James Browne: Since my appointment as Minister I have met with the individual Management Board members, together with their senior management teams, on a number of occasions. I have also met with my colleagues, Minister Cummins, Minister O'Sullivan and Minister O'Donnell on a range of matters. The first formal Ministers and Management Board (MinMB) meeting is scheduled for 14 April. It is my...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Planning Framework (2 Apr 2025)

James Browne: The National Planning Framework (NPF), 2018 is the long-term, 20-year strategy for strategic planning and sustainable development of our urban and rural areas to 2040, with the core objectives of securing balanced regional development and a sustainable ‘compact growth’ approach to the form and pattern of future development. The NPF, together with the National Development...

Confidence in the Ceann Comhairle: Motion (1 Apr 2025)

James Browne: I condemn the reckless behaviour of the Opposition, a coalition of chaos determined not to serve the people but to sabotage the democratic functioning of this very House. Opposition Members' constant disruption of the Dáil is not protest but performance. It is a blatant attempt to undermine the very institution they claim to serve. Now, they stoop even lower, lodging a motion of no...

Confidence in the Ceann Comhairle: Motion (1 Apr 2025)

James Browne: Its members have reduced themselves to acolytes of Sinn Féin. What was once a party of principle has now lined up with populists and opportunists, lending its voice to this cynical circus and treating everything as a joke, as we have just heard. This House faces serious challenges including threats to the economy from tariffs and challenges in housing, healthcare and climate. The...

Confidence in the Ceann Comhairle: Motion (1 Apr 2025)

James Browne: We reject this motion and stand by the Ceann Comhairle.

Confidence in the Ceann Comhairle: Motion (1 Apr 2025)

James Browne: We will not allow the work of the Dáil and the Irish people to be derailed by those who have abandoned responsibility. It is time to move on and start doing the work we were elected to do.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (1 Apr 2025)

James Browne: Section 179A of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, (the Act of 2000) was inserted by the Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Act 2022. The effect of Section 179A of the Act of 2000 is to exempt qualifying local authority housing development from the ‘Part 8’ process and to enable notification and determination procedures for such development. ...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Development Plan (1 Apr 2025)

James Browne: The Programme for Government sets out the clear ambition to prioritise the delivery of transformative, critical and growth-enhancing infrastructure over the next 5 years. To support these goals, the Government, led by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitisation, has commenced work on setting the parameters, priorities and critical...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (1 Apr 2025)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 451, 475 and 476 together. My Department provides Exchequer funding to local authorities to administer the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and Disabled People, which support older and disabled people living in private houses to adapt their home to meet their needs. The suite of grants, which include the Housing Adaptation Grant for...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (1 Apr 2025)

James Browne: In October 2023 My Department provided funding approval for the Turnkey delivery of 32 Social Housing units that are being developed by O’Chualain for Tuath Housing Association. I am advised by DCC that these units are expected to deliver in June 2026. I am also advised by DCC that this scheme is specifically aimed at older persons listed on the DCC social housing waiting list....