Results 10,921-10,940 of 26,886 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (12 Oct 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 73, 74 and 75 together. The annual statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA) outlines details on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority area. The purpose of the SSHA is to capture the total number of households qualified for social housing support across the country whose social housing need has not...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Funding (12 Oct 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded in accordance with Standing Orders. The information requested in relation to bodies under the aegis of my Department is a matter for the individual bodies concerned. Arrangements have been put in place by each Agency to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. The contact email address for...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rental Sector (12 Oct 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, natural light, fire safety and the safety of gas, oil and electrical installations. All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with these regulations. Responsibility for...

Tailte Éireann Bill 2022: Financial Resolution (11 Oct 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I move: THAT provision be made in the Act giving effect to this Resolution for the charging of, in accordance with an order made by the Minister under section 25 of the Act, the fees payable to Tailte Éireann in relation to the performance by it of its functions.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Defective Building Materials (11 Oct 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 304 and 339 together. 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 Bill 2022 on 21 June and the Bill passed through both Houses of the Oireachtas and was subsequently signed...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Culture Policy (11 Oct 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: On 29 September, the Taoiseach and I announced 25 awards totalling more than €4.3 million under the Shared Island Local Authority Development Funding scheme at an event in Cavan. Funding was awarded to 25 projects which brought together 23 different local authorities from across the island. Galway City Council, as the lead local authority, was awarded €147,000 in funding...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (11 Oct 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I am not currently considering changes to the Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme vis-à-vis inclusion of Part V properties provided for social housing support. The Part V provisions seek to promote social integration and secure mixed tenure, sustainable communities. Accordingly, Part V properties secured for social housing are excluded from the scheme to ensure the original policy...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Defective Building Materials (11 Oct 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 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: Defective Building Materials (11 Oct 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 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 Schemes (11 Oct 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The Tenant Purchase Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the scheme. Under the scheme, maisonettes and duplex units provided in blocks that require arrangements between accommodation owners for regular upkeep and maintenance of common structures, works and services are excluded from sale. Maisonettes in blocks...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (11 Oct 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 313 and 337 together. The review on social housing income thresholds is now available at the link below on my Departments website: www.gov.ie/en/publication/c49a0-review-of-income-eligibility -for-social-housing-support/ I have recently approved proposals to scope and develop options for a revised or new social housing income eligibility model. This work will...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (11 Oct 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The day-to-day operation of the social housing system, including the oversight and practical management of the lists of qualified households awaiting accommodation, is a matter solely for each local authority. If a household on the waiting list experiences a change in the details given on their application form, such as entry into addiction rehabilitation, they should immediately notify...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (11 Oct 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Across all schemes and funding sources my Department provided €82.9m in 2020, €84.4m in 2021 and €24m to end September 2022 to Galway County Council. Included in this is the unprecedented level of support provided by central Government to local authorities in respect of the COVID -19 pandemic. The payments in 2020 also included an additional allocation to Galway of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: State Properties (11 Oct 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Prospect Hill consists of 469 apartments the majority of which are in private ownership. Dublin City Council (DCC) has full ownership of 58 apartments located in Blocks 2 and 2a. DCC has advised my Department that following a scope of works exercise, the tender for remediation works was advertised in Q2 2022 for these 58 apartments. A contractor has been appointed to undertake the works and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Properties (11 Oct 2022)

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 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: Energy Conservation (11 Oct 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Since 2013, Exchequer funding has been provided through my Department's Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme to support local authorities with the retrofit of local authority owned homes requiring insulation and energy upgrade works. Since the programme commenced in 2013 over 75,000 homes have been retrofitted with a total exchequer spend of €184 million under the scheme. In...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Emergency Accommodation (11 Oct 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Supporting individuals and families facing homelessness is a key Government priority. The role of my Department is to ensure that a framework of policy, legislation and funding is provided to ensure that housing authorities are in a position to address homelessness at a local level. I can assure the Deputy that resources and funding are not an obstacle to the urgent efforts required. Budget...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Emergency Accommodation (11 Oct 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of local authorities in addressing homelessness at a local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless accommodation and related services rests with individual local authorities. Under the Housing Act...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Ukraine War (11 Oct 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) continues to lead the initial humanitarian response, including the provision of accommodation and related supports, for persons arriving in Ireland from the conflict in Ukraine. My Department is supporting the wider, cross-Government response in a number of ways. My Department continues to be an integral part...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (11 Oct 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: 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. In response, in February 2021, I established a Working...