Results 9,701-9,720 of 26,783 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Construction Industry (14 Feb 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: In response to the many building failures that have emerged over the past decade, my Department introduced the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014, which require greater accountability in relation to compliance with Building Regulations in the form of statutory certification of design and construction by registered construction professionals and builders, lodgment of compliance...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (14 Feb 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The terms for gratuity payments to elected members of local authorities are as set out in the provisions of the Local Authority Members (Gratuity) Regulations 2002-2006. The calculation of the gratuity is based upon the Representational Payment that was in place when the Principal Regulations were given effect and this is adjusted in proportion to any adjustments made to the salary of a...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (14 Feb 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I can confirm that the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department is happy to work with the organisation concerned to come to a resolution and is currently working on registering a new domain name.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Proposed Legislation (14 Feb 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The key aim of the review and consolidation of the Planning and Development Act 2000 was to put plan-making at the centre of the planning system by bringing increased clarity and streamlining to the legislation and improving the functioning of the planning system for both practitioners and the general public. This review and the draft Bill it has produced represents the most comprehensive...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Fire Stations (14 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 the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (14 Feb 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: An Bord Pleanála ('the Board') is independent in the performance of its functions under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Approved Housing Bodies (14 Feb 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department is engaging with the Approved Housing Body (AHB) sector, including Cena, on its capacity to deliver Traveller-specific accommodation as part of the ongoing work of the Programme Board, established to oversee the implementation of the recommendations contained in the Expert Group Review report. My Department supported Cena in 2022 in relation to the following: - funding for a...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (14 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: Planning Issues (14 Feb 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT), a key commitment under Housing for All, is a new tax which was established in Finance Act 2021. It is designed to activate suitably zoned and serviced land for housing and is a key pillar of the Government’s response to address the urgent need to increase housing supply in suitable locations. The Department of Finance leads on its implementation...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Derelict Sites (14 Feb 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Addressing vacancy and dereliction, and maximising the use of the existing housing stock, is a priority objective of the Government, as evidenced in Housing for All - where one of the four pathways in the plan is specifically dedicated to this area - and also the recently announced Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant Scheme which encompasses derelict properties. The Derelict Sites Act...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Arts Centres (14 Feb 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Cork Events Centre was included as a commitment under Project Ireland 2040. This underlines the Government’s objectives for urban regeneration, enhanced amenity and heritage, associated quality of life standards, balanced regional development, and the regeneration and development of Cork City Centre. It was agreed by Government in the context of Budget 2020 that responsibility...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (14 Feb 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: On 7 December 2022 the Government approved the publication of the General Scheme of the Registration of Short-Term Tourist Letting Bill and the priority drafting of the Bill which provides for the establishment of a new registration system for short-term lettings to be operated by Fáilte Ireland in line with the commitment under Housing for All, the Government's housing policy and action...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Fire Stations (14 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 the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (14 Feb 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 245 and 246 together. Housing for All sets out the range of actions necessary to increase the supply of housing to the required 33,000 homes, on average, per year over the next decade. 54,000 affordable home interventions will be delivered between now and 2030 to be facilitated by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), the Land Development Agency...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (14 Feb 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I refer to the reply to Questions No. 163 and 164 of 8 February 2023 which sets out the position in this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (14 Feb 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: In line with the commitment in Housing for All, the expanded Local Authority Home Loan was launched in January 2022. It is a Government backed mortgage for those who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial banks to purchase or build a home. It is available to first-time buyers and "fresh start" applicants to purchase a new or second-hand property, or to self-build. Following a...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (14 Feb 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Under the Pathway 1 of Housing for All: Supporting Homeownership and Increasing Affordability, the Government committed to introducing a form of ‘owner-occupier guarantee’, which would enable Local Authorities to specify the proportion of houses and duplexes in a development for owner-occupiers. In support of this commitment the Government introduced a series of measures in...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (14 Feb 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Housing for All is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 new homes per year over the next decade. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (14 Feb 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Cost Rental was introduced through the Affordable Housing Act 2021. Under Housing for All, an average of 2,000 new Cost Rental homes are targeted annually to 2030. Cost rental is targeted to deliver at least 25% below market level and at households with incomes above the social housing limits, but who cannot afford to purchase or rent their own home on the open market. Cost Rental provides...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rental Sector (14 Feb 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Residential Tenancies (No. 2) Act 2021 introduced measures in July 2021 to extend the operation of Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) until the end of 2024. The designation of all existing RPZs has also been extended until 31 December 2024. The Act provides that rent reviews outside of RPZs can, until 2025, occur no more frequently than bi-annually. This provides rent certainty for tenants...