Results 961-980 of 9,065 for speaker:James Browne
- Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2025: Second Stage (8 Jul 2025)
James Browne: I thank all Deputies for their engagement on this Stage of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2025. It is imperative that the Government takes all measures necessary to increase the supply of housing. Let me be clear that no single measure will solve the challenges we face on its own, but I firmly believe the combined effect of the measures being introduced through this Bill will...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Priorities of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (8 Jul 2025)
James Browne: Thank you very much, a Chathaoirligh. I thank Deputies and Senators for the opportunity to say a few words here today. I am committed to addressing the challenges of securing a housing system that meets the needs of society. Building new homes is a key priority and we must use every means available to do so. I will set out what we are doing to build on the achievements of Housing for...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Priorities of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (8 Jul 2025)
James Browne: I thank Deputy McGrath for his questions. On housing output, we had obviously hoped for a much higher output last year. Everybody was disappointed with the final outturn. A lot of effort and record funding had been put in for housing delivery. We did see a significant increase in the number of commencement notices. There is a sense that many developers and builders may have turned their...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Priorities of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (8 Jul 2025)
James Browne: We are finalising our proposal on the over the shop scheme and what it will look like. We are engaging with the Department of public expenditure and reform. The work that has been done across the country to tackle vacancy and dereliction has been impressive. Local authorities have embraced it, as have people living in our cities and towns. The over the shop scheme is the next piece. In...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Priorities of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (8 Jul 2025)
James Browne: I agree the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again. That is why we are bringing radical change to how we deliver housing in this country and in particular how we facilitate the private sector. Right now the State is delivering 50% of all homes, more or less. We are delivering-----
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Priorities of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (8 Jul 2025)
James Browne: I am addressing Deputy Ó Broin's full question.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Priorities of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (8 Jul 2025)
James Browne: I will give context to the question.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Priorities of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (8 Jul 2025)
James Browne: I know Deputy Ó Broin does not like it.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Priorities of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (8 Jul 2025)
James Browne: I know Deputy Ó Broin does not like it, but he has to listen to me.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Priorities of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (8 Jul 2025)
James Browne: If Deputy Ó Broin wants to hear me, he has to listen.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Priorities of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (8 Jul 2025)
James Browne: We are bringing radical change to how we deliver housing. If we are going to go from 30,000 to 50,000 or 60,000 homes, we have to activate the private sector. That is what we have been doing. We have extended existing planning permissions. The Minister of State, Deputy Cummins, is undertaking work on planning exemptions to free work up. In terms of the savings, we are going to see a...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Priorities of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (8 Jul 2025)
James Browne: By being able to provide more units onto the existing footprint of an apartment block.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Priorities of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (8 Jul 2025)
James Browne: We are doing a lot more than that and Deputy Ó Broin is aware of that. It is not simply based around the square meterage of studios. We are also removing the mandatory mix that has been there. This will allow more units onto a square footage. We are also addressing the areas around lifts and hallways. When you add it all up, including staircases, the number of lifts, etc., you will...