Results 10,381-10,400 of 26,864 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Housing Provision (1 Dec 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: To give an update on purchase for tenants in situ, we have more than 700 properties now. The number is increasing every day. I gave a commitment at the select committee last week that we are breaking up those data between homes. We had a target of 200 homes to purchase this year. We have well exceeded that. Most of the number above that is purchased with tenants in situ. I will gladly...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Housing Provision (1 Dec 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: As regards the recent media report, published yesterday morning, in respect of us setting aside the environmental assessments, that is totally incorrect. It was an incorrect report. There is no question of us doing that. We are drafting the specific amendment at the moment. I met with the Attorney General last night. As soon as we have that amendment, I will be happy to ensure that...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defective Building Materials (1 Dec 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue. I fully acknowledge the difficulties that owners and residents of many apartments and duplexes are facing and the stress caused by these defects in their homes. We are committed, as a Government, to supporting such homeowners. That commitment was included in the programme for Government and, from that, as the Deputy will know, I...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defective Building Materials (1 Dec 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: We are looking at interim measures because there are a number of apartment complexes and multi-unit developments that have very specific issues now. One of the reasons I met representatives of the insurance sector last week was to see what interim measures we can take. I am not going to delay on that. However, what I need to do, as the Deputy appreciates, is bring the recommendations to...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defective Building Materials (1 Dec 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: This scheme is going to be with us for a number of years, unfortunately. The work that is being carried out is very important. Some 28,000 different homes have participated in that survey so we now have the best handle on the scale and type of defects that exist. We will not delay. I thank the residents who have continued to engage with us in a very constructive way. The Government will...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (1 Dec 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Housing for All sets out national housing policy and implementation measures for the period to 2030. As part of the objective to increase social housing delivery, the plan recognises the significant role that Approved Housing Bodies (AHB’s) have played as partners in social housing delivery and will continue to play over the next five years. The Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF)...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Properties (1 Dec 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Pathway 4 in Housing for All is focused on addressing vacancy and making efficient use of existing housing stock. With regard to the vacant units referenced in the details supplied, I understand that these properties are over a commercial premises and have been vacant for some time. Following engagement by Cork County Council with the property owner, discussions are currently ongoing between...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Defective Building Materials (1 Dec 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 27, 55 and 68 together. The Programme for Government sets out a commitment to examine defects in housing, having regard to the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing’s report Safe as Houses?,and to assist owners of latent defect properties by identifying options for those impacted by defects, to access low-cost, long-term finance....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (1 Dec 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 54,000 affordable homes between now and 2030, to be facilitated by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), the Land Development Agency (LDA) and through a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks. 2022 represents the first year of a very ambitious programme of delivery of affordable housing. Significant funding has...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (1 Dec 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Following the publication of Housing for All, I asked local authorities to prepare Housing Delivery Action Plans. In preparing these plans local authorities were asked to assess the level of housing demand with affordability constraint projected for their area based on the Housing Need and Demand Assessment (HNDA) tool and plan their provision accordingly. Local authorities with a strong and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (1 Dec 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Modern Methods of Construction(MMC) has been identified as a key measure to address the different housing needs in Ireland and methods to support the development of MMC in Ireland are set out in Housing for AllPathway 5 Section 5.3.2. MMC encompasses a broad and diverse range of innovative construction practices with huge potential to boost productivity and increase efficiency (avoid waste)...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (1 Dec 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 32, 36, 37, 39, 41, 49, 69, 201 and 202 together. The social housing income eligibility bands, the respective thresholds, and the local authorities assigned to each band were introduced in 2011. They were developed with reference to the income needed to provide for a household's basic needs, plus a comparative analysis of the local rental cost of housing...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (1 Dec 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: 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 (LDA) and through a strategic partnership between the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Homeless Persons Supports (1 Dec 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The continuing increase in the numbers accessing emergency accommodation is a serious concern for me and for the Government. We are doing everything in our power to tackle this problem, both by increasing housing supply and investing in homelessness prevention. The Government is investing significantly in social and affordable housing, with record funding allocated for current and capital...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (1 Dec 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Housing for All is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn in funding through the Land Development Agency and €5bn funding through the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Defective Building Materials (1 Dec 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Following on from the Government decision of the 30 November 2021 in respect of the enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme, the Government approved the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) Bill 2022 on 21 June and the Bill passed through both Houses of the Oireachtas and was subsequently signed into law by the President on the 23 July, 2022....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (1 Dec 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: An Affordable Housing Fund application was recently submitted by Mayo County Council to my Department to support a development of 13 affordable purchase homes in Springfield, Westport. I granted approval in principle to this application and Mayo County Council were advised of this last week. Scheduled delivery of these affordable homes will be in 2024. Furthermore, I recently announced...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Sites (1 Dec 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I refer to the reply to Question No 341 of 11 October 2022 which sets out the position in this matter and the process, which is still on going. The Department of Transport, as the parent Department of the Shannon Group, have the lead role in the transfer of heritage sites from Shannon Group to relevant local authorities. Officials from my Department continue to engage with the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Site Acquisitions (1 Dec 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Housing for All is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 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 in direct...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (1 Dec 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 48, 52, 76 and 78 together. 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...