Results 9,661-9,680 of 26,787 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rental Sector (21 Feb 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 291 and 310 together. I refer to the reply to Question No. 236 of 16 February 2023 which sets out the position in this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Irish Sign Language (21 Feb 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department is aware of its obligations under the Irish Sign Language Act 2017, to ensure that interpretation into Irish Sign Language is provided by a competent Interpreter; for persons who are competent in that language; and at no cost to them. My Department has clear procedures in place to source and engage accredited interpreters through the Irish Deaf Society and has previously...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Properties (21 Feb 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. Many areas of cities, towns and villages of all sizes face the blight of vacant properties, which, if brought back into use, could add real vibrancy and provide new accommodation in those areas. The Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund is a key initiative which underpins...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Fire Service (21 Feb 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: 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 Services Acts 1981 and 2003. My Department supports fire authorities through setting general policy, providing the legislative...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Data (21 Feb 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Budget 2022 provided for record capital investment in Housing with total funding of over €4 billion available through exchequer resources, Land Development Agency (LDA) investment and Housing Finance Agency (HFA) lending. In respect of capital expenditure on Housing in 2022, my Department will shortly submit its Capital Expenditure Management Report End Quarter 4 2022 to Government....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rental Sector (21 Feb 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Maximum rent limits for the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) were set for each housing authority area in 2016, in conjunction with the Department of Social Protection (DSP). In reviewing rent limits, my Department worked closely with DSP and monitored data gathered from the Residential Tenancies Board and the HAP Shared Services Centre. In prescribing these limits, household size and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (21 Feb 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Central Statistics Office (CSO) carries out its functions independent of government, and any other body, in accordance with the Statistics Act 1993. That said, I understand the CSO clarified the matter early last week, outlining its consideration of the approach taken by the organisation named in the Question. The clarification is available on the CSO website at CSO Statement on New...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (21 Feb 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The administration of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme is a matter for the relevant local authority and it is the responsibility of the local authority to make a decision in each individual case. The information sought in relation to the number of HAP tenancies awaiting review is not held by my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Defective Building Materials (21 Feb 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 300 and 301 together. I fully acknowledge the difficulties that homeowners and residents of many apartments and duplexes are facing, and the stress that is caused when defects arise in relation to their buildings. The Government is committed to helping those whose lives have been impacted by this issue. In this regard, on 18 January 2023 I received...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Community Development Projects (21 Feb 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 302 and 303 together. Schedule 1 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as inserted through the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010 allows for “Reserving land for use and cultivation as allotments and regulating, promoting, facilitating or controlling the provision of land for that use.” The identification and implementation...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (21 Feb 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Government is committed to ensuring that the local government sector remains vibrant and sustainable and is well equipped and properly resourced to deliver the key functions within its remit. My Department has a wide and diverse business agenda, covering a broad range of functions including local authority housing, voluntary housing, homeless services, estate regeneration, energy...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Community Development Projects (21 Feb 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: In line with the objectives of the National Planning Framework and the National Development Plan, the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) is currently providing part-funding to applicant-led projects, enabling more compact and sustainable development within the existing built-up footprints of our cities and large towns. To this end, the URDF has already allocated in excess of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Appointments to State Boards (21 Feb 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Pursuant to section 6A(11) of the Water Services Act 2013 (as amended), the person concerned was nominated by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions for appointment to the Board of Uisce Éireann. I, with the consent of my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform made the appointment to the Board of Uisce Éireann in accordance with sections 6A(2), (4) and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (21 Feb 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Both my Department's Local Authority Home Loan and the Help to Buy tax rebate managed by the Revenue Commissioners are currently available to eligible applicants for the purpose of constructing a self-build home. The lending ceilings and underwriting practices for self-build projects are a matter for individual commercial mortgage providers within the wider regulatory framework of the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (21 Feb 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department is engaging with councillor representatives associations in relation to the current terms of the gratuity payable to councillors, which I acknowledge is a matter of considerable interest to them. I understand that an analysis of councillors' views and needs in this regard has been undertaken by the Association of Irish Local Government (AILG), which will be of assistance to my...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Correspondence (21 Feb 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The correspondence referred to in the question concerns the need to bring vacant buildings and homes back into use. My Department is leading a number of initiatives in this area, both in general terms and as part of the Government response to the invasion of Ukraine and the consequential humanitarian situation. On 30 January, I launched the Vacant Homes Action Plan. The Plan outlines the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (21 Feb 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Increasing housing supply and delivering sustainable, affordable homes for people is the Government’s top priority. Housing for All is a plan with real ambition, guaranteed investment and fresh ideas to deliver housing for real people and create a long-term sustainable housing system. Guaranteed State investment of over €4 billion a year in housing is aimed at increasing supply....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wastewater Treatment (21 Feb 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I refer to the reply to Question No. 322 of 31 January 2023 which sets out the position in this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Funding (21 Feb 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: 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: National Planning Framework (21 Feb 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The National Planning Framework (NPF) is the long-term, 20 year strategy for the spatial development of Ireland to promote a better quality of life for all, with sustainable economic growth and an environment of the highest quality as key underlying principles. The National Planning Framework (NPF) published in 2018, replaced the National Spatial Strategy and is the overall spatial planning...