Results 11,341-11,360 of 25,844 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Second Stage (5 Apr 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am glad to have the opportunity to outline the provisions of the Bill, which will deliver on the ambitious electoral reform agenda set out in A Programme for Government - Our Shared Future. The package of reforms set out in the Bill will address some of the most significant challenges our electoral system faces and, what is more, will...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Building Regulations (5 Apr 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The Building Control Acts 1990 to 2020 set out the statutory framework for the regulation and oversight of building activity based on: - clear legal requirements as set out in the Building Regulations; - detailed Technical Guidance Documents to outline how these requirements can be achieved in practice; - clear administrative procedures for demonstrating compliance in respect of an individual...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (5 Apr 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Applications for social housing support are assessed by local authorities, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set out in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations. Where relevant to the circumstances, a copy of a separation or divorce agreement for both applicants is required with the social housing...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (5 Apr 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 296 and 297 together. The Housing for All Strategy delivers on the Programme for Government commitment to step up housing supply and put affordability at the heart of the housing system, with an ambitious target of 300,000 homes over the next decade for social, affordable and cost rental, private rental and private ownership housing. Measures to deliver this...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (5 Apr 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 298 and 346 together. The Affordable Housing Act 2021, the provisions of which I commenced in August and September 2021, laid the foundation for three new affordable housing schemes: 'Cost Rental' housing, the 'Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme', and the 'First Home' shared equity scheme which will support purchases in the private market. Part...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (5 Apr 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Building on the commitment in Housing for All – pillar 1 Pathway to Supporting Home Ownership and Increasing Affordability, the Regulations establishing the reformed Local Authority Home Loan were signed in December 2021. The introduction of the Local Authority Home Loan was announced as part of Housing For All. This is the successor to the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan Scheme. It...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (5 Apr 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Cost Rental represents a new tenure option, targeted at those people within the middle-income cohort, who do not quality for social housing but who are facing affordability pressures on the private rental market. The pipeline for Cost Rental delivery is being developed and delivery is expected to increase incrementally over the period to 2030, with the target of an average of 2,000 Cost...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rental Sector (5 Apr 2022)

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...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rental Sector (5 Apr 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: In accordance with both the Programme for Government and Housing for All commitments, the Government has provided for Tenancies of Unlimited Duration through the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2021. The Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2021 was signed into law on 11 December 2021. All new tenancies created on or after 11 June 2022 will become tenancies of unlimited...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Building Energy Rating (5 Apr 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The Government is committed under Housing for All to developing a roadmap to implement minimum Building Energy Rating (BER) standards, or ‘Cost Optimal’ equivalent, for the private rental sector beginning in 2025. This will increase energy efficiency, help to alleviate fuel poverty, help to protect tenant’s health and improve comfort levels in rental homes. Work in this...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rental Sector (5 Apr 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Section 7 of the Residential Tenancies (No. 2) Act 2021 inserts a new section 19B into the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 which applies to tenancies created on or after 9 August 2021, to restrict the total amount that anyone is required to pay to a landlord by way of a deposit or an advance rent payment to secure a tenancy to no more than the equivalent of 2 months’ rent (i.e. any...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (5 Apr 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 by 2030. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (5 Apr 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Housing for All is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 homes per year over the next decade. Over 300,000 new homes will be built by the end of 2030, including a projected 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes. This includes the delivery of 47,600 new build social homes in the period 2022-2026....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (5 Apr 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Both the Programme for Government and Housing for All commits to strengthening the Mortgage to Rent scheme and ensuring that it is helping those who need it. Building on the significant amendments already made to the scheme in 2017, the 2021 Review, which was published on the 24 January 2022, examined the impact of these changes and what further changes would benefit those in need of the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (5 Apr 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. The scheme was reviewed in 2021 in line with Programme for Government and Housing for All commitments. The Government approved a number of amendments on foot of the review and these came into effect on 1st February 2022. The...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (5 Apr 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 311, 336 and 379 together. I refer to the reply to Question No. 343 of 22 March 2022 which sets out the position in the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (5 Apr 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 312 to 315, inclusive, 348 and 349 together. Supporting individuals and families facing homelessness is a key Government priority. Through Housing for All - a New Housing Plan for Ireland,the Government’s strategic housing plan to 2030, the Government is committed to taking action to prevent entries into homelessness in the first instance and to help...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (5 Apr 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 316 and 360 together. Housing for All (published in September 2021) provides a new housing plan for Ireland to 2030 with the overall objective that every citizen in the State should have access to good quality homes through a steady supply of housing in the right locations, with economic, social and environmental sustainability built into the system. The...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (5 Apr 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: While most affordable housing measures are primarily targeted at first-time buyers, the Housing for All strategy explicitly provides for the Fresh Start principle. The Fresh Start principle extends the supports available under both Affordable Purchase schemes and the Local Authority Home Loan scheme to applicants who are divorced, legally separated, or where the relationship has ended and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (5 Apr 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The national housing policy Housing for All, as launched in September 2021, provides a new pathway to a sustainable housing system, by clearly setting out how we plan to address the short, medium and long-term challenges ahead. The overall aim of this new housing plan for Ireland is that everyone in the State should have access to a home to purchase or rent at an affordable price, built to a...