Results 9,861-9,880 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Select Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: -----that it should possibly be put on the website of the local authority so that people know.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: That is fair enough.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: We have cases like that in my constituency.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: This is a very important point. A change to reduce standards is significant. The quality of life for families is very difficult in many apartments, particularly if they go above a certain number of floors. My key point is that the physical environment in which the apartments are located is one aspect but the recreational and other amenities nearby are another. Many European cities have...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: I hear the Minister but one will find that where the cost of land is highest, one will find the smallest houses, pokey apartment and the poor amenities.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: That certain size is the base level. The larger that size is the better. While the Minister is talking sense, I am happy I made those points.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: I support the thrust of what my colleagues have said. I agree that we do have a housing emergency and this legislation is specifically dealing with it. I welcome the principle of what the Minister is doing. Later on, we will have a debate on the rental changes the Minister is making which, from what I have read, I very much welcome. There are 198,000 vacant homes in the State, not...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: This is an important debate. When we have the Minister's full proposals and amendments, which are coming in this Bill, we will be able to debate them more fully. Landlords are paid well enough. The rents for those who are receiving the increased HAP supports in Drogheda have shot up in the past couple of years. There has been a significant increase in Drogheda. The national increase in...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: I understand that. I have been putting some thought into one of the main issues. A group of young men with whom I spoke told me that their landlord was putting them out of the house, not because they were not paying but because if he switches to Airbnb, he will make much more money. Their rent has increased by 35%. They cannot pay it, so they must leave. The landlord will make a killing...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: Is the Government dealing with that?

Select Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: I did not see it in what I had read so far. That is excellent. Given the statistics that I have been reading, approximately 1,200 homes in Dublin that are not owner-occupied are listed on Airbnb. There is a website-----

Select Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am referring to Airbnb.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: I know that the overall number on Airbnb is higher nationally and in Dublin, but I am referring to the ones in Dublin that are not owner-occupied. Those statistics are provided on a website. I believe they are accurate, although I hope to be corrected. It is wrong that landlords can make an excessive profit off people. In particular, many young people cannot live in Dublin anymore....

Select Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: We need to stand up to these people and ensure that homes are for families.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Message to Dáil (13 Dec 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: I echo that and I also thank the staff working behind the scenes all night as it has not been easy on them. It is a great tribute to the staff that some people will be working throughout the night to get the Bill ready for tomorrow.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Legislative Measures (13 Dec 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: 182. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on an issue regarding a change in the recent Finance Bill (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40051/16]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Site Acquisitions (13 Dec 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: 209. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding a petition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39878/16]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Accommodation Provision (13 Dec 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: 480. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the proposed new 100 bed unit at the St Mary's site, Dublin Road, Drogheda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39900/16]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres Provision (13 Dec 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: 481. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the proposed primary care centre in Bettystown and Laytown, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39905/16]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres Provision (13 Dec 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: 482. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the proposed primary care centre for Drogheda, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39906/16]