Results 11,601-11,620 of 26,846 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (23 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Under Section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he or she is responsible. This is a matter for the Chief Executive of Mayo County Council.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Schemes (23 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department provides funding on an annual basis under the Disabled Persons Grants scheme (DPGs) to local authorities for adaptations and extensions to the existing social housing stock to meet the needs of local authority tenants.  The scheme applies primarily to works that are necessary to address the needs of older people or people with a disability. This...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Properties (23 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, the implementation of a planned maintenance programme and carrying out of responsive repairs, are matters for each individual local authority under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966.  Notwithstanding this, my Department provides annual funding support to local...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (23 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: 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 has been available nationwide from local authorities since 4 January 2022 for people on modest or low incomes who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial banks to purchase or build a home. The loan can be used both for new...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (23 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 233 to 243, inclusive, together. My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity by all local authorities, including Kildare. This data provides details on local authority, approved housing body and Part V delivery and is available to the end of 2021. This is published on the statistics...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Defective Building Materials (23 Jun 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 I intend to progress the legislation before the end of term in order to ensure that we can have the scheme ready for...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank Deputy Kerrane for raising this matter. One of the reasons we have seen the reduction in these payments being made over the past number of years is because there are more people working. More than 2.5 million people are working in the State, which is the highest we have ever had. That said, there are people who still need to access support by the State and the supports are there....

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I happen to agree with Deputy Cathal Crowe. It is a very fair point. We need integrated information systems in our health service. The HSE is working on that very piece but it is about how we can share information between our GP and the local hospitals as well. Much of it is paper-based and the systems do not speak to each other, where there are systems. It is something that is being...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Is it good?

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I will tell the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Deputy. On his last point, I will very shortly be announcing the Croí Cónaithe towns and villages fund. It will focus first on the centre of towns and villages. We will see how well that works. What this will do is provide a grant in the region of €30,000 to people who want to buy properties that are either vacant or derelict to help defray the cost of doing...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The special leave with pay scheme for healthcare workers was, as the Deputy rightly says, due to end at the end of June. My understanding is the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, is working with the Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to address the issue before the end of next week and we would like to see that extended. On the fact that only a third of...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: Deputy Carey raises a very good point. It is about the resource of An Bord Pleanála to ensure it has the people it needs to process the work it has. I provided for an additional 42 posts over the last number of months at inspector level and senior level in the board to beef up the team there and speed up that work. I have received another workforce plan from the board for further...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank Deputy Stanton for raising this point. On 14 June, the Government approved a package of measures to secure electricity supplies and to help mitigate rising household electricity bills. The ongoing supply of fuel, gas and oil is something that has been discussed at Cabinet level. We are confident the situation is stable at the moment but it is something we must continue to watch....

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: First, I assure Deputy Cannon that I will make contact myself with Irish Water on behalf of his constituents in Gort. I can give him an update on it that the filtration system has been replaced and both filters are now in place. They have been linked to an automatic alarm system. There is a three-day sampling and testing programme that commenced in conjunction with the environment...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank Deputy Harkin for raising the matter of the mobile cath lab at Sligo University Hospital. As the Deputy knows, it is operated by a private company. The company concerned has advised it is to cease its provision of mobile cath lab services at Sligo University Hospital, and other hospitals in the Irish market, at the end of June. As a result, the Saolta University Health Care Group...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I guarantee the Deputy I will do that. I know this is a serious matter for her constituents and for Sligo University Hospital. I will ask the Minister to respond directly to the Deputy on this serious issue to see what else the HSE can do to ensure the provision of services continues.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank Deputy Leddin. There is no question but that there are benefits to improving our infrastructure across the country and ensuring it supports regional development, in particular. That is why we have taken specific measures around the urban regeneration development fund. Almost €2 billion has been provided to our regions to provide compact urban growth. We need to improve our...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Deputy. I have met groups in my own constituency of Dublin Fingal, including Prosper Fingal. They have been encouraging and I know a campaign is under way within those companies to address pay, in particular. It is a matter the Government will consider seriously. The provision of these services is crucial and the work these tutors do on behalf of vulnerable adults and...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Jun 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Deputy. We certainly need to ensure we vindicate the rights of those people. I know the Deputy has raised the issue of Dealgan nursing home directly with the Taoiseach in the past. My understanding is that it is intended that the group set up to consider the issue will formally submit its report to the Minister for Health shortly. I will raise the matter directly with the...