Results 13,381-13,400 of 26,864 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I am joined this morning by the following officials from my Department: Marguerite Ryan, finance officer; Lorraine O’Donoghue, local government finance; David Kelly; and Mary Hurley. In late April, I met the committee to discuss the 2021 Estimate for my Department at an overall level. I thank members for the engagement at that stage and also for facilitating this meeting at...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: With regard to the defective block scheme, we have, as the Deputy knows, published significant changes that will increase the commitment by Government from €1.4 billion, by adding €800 million to that scheme, on which we have worked hard with residents to put together. I do not expect to and will not be coming back to the committee for any Supplementary Estimate in that regard...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: This is important and I am glad the Deputy has raised the serious issue of homelessness and what we can do to support those people who need our help. At an acute level, particularly in Housing First, wraparound supports are needed. This month we will be announcing details of over 1,200 new tenancies, which is more than we have promised in Housing for All for long-term homeless individuals....

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: We have to roll out the plan, which we will do this month. It is new, they are new tenancies and it will be a little bit more than 1,200. We have exceeded our target in the first round, which was just short of 700 as the Deputy said. The original target was 663, which increased from 693 to 697 in those supports. While I mentioned an approximate figure of 1,200, it will be more than that or...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Deputy for his question. I will also use the opportunity to commend those councillors who supported the Oscar Traynor Road development. That site has lain idle for 41 years. Many excuses were used by people as to why they would not, could not or should not support the provision of just short of 1,000 homes, when it is looked at overall. It is one of the biggest housing...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I will try to keep it concise and succinct to give the Deputy the facts. The 2022 budget for Cork City Council is up €14 million on 2022. We will ensure that, with the passing of this budget and the Supplementary Estimates, there will be no loss. We are plugging the hole for Cork city. I met Ann Doherty and Brian Geaney in Cork on a number of occasions and have used them as...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I do not want to cut across the Deputy, but this is really important. I do not want people to go away with an incorrect perception of what is happening. In 2022, €14 million more has been allocated for Cork city. There will be no loss in income this year because we are plugging the gap. If councillors, through a budget, decide to cut one service or another or move money from one...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I will try to be brief, which the Deputy has asked me to be. He asked a good long question. I have no difficulty in saying that the derelict sites levy has not been collected properly. I have said that and have issued the figures on that. It does not work as it should do. There are other things we can do. We will bring forward the zoned land tax. I look forward to Sinn Féin's...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The Deputy voted against the LDA legislation.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The Deputy is always one to highlight the positives, which he has had every opportunity to do. In Cork city this year alone, with funding the Government has provided, 241 void units were brought back into use and have been allocated or occupied by social housing tenants. In Cork county this year alone, 186 units have been allocated. That is a significant figure. Even the Deputy would...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: There is a big difference between properties which have been let again and voids. In fairness, the Deputy always references the city council, and rightly so. Voids are part of a separate programme. When something is positive, I ask the Deputy to take a deep breath and acknowledge that fact. Progress is being made. He does not have to be negative about everything.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The Deputy could start voting for the legislation.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Chairman for his remarks. As he said, he and I had a discussion in the Dáil on the role of biodiversity officers. Four or five local authorities currently have biodiversity officers, which is not nearly enough. Due to the Chairman's intervention and the work of my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, who has been exceptional in this area, we have provided...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: There is no way we can leave Deputy Higgins out. Deputy Flaherty and the Chairman mentioned county architects. There is a commitment in that regard in Housing for All. Not all our counties have county architects. They have been extremely valuable, particularly in making sure that the character of particular areas is maintained. In Cork, Clonakilty and such places they have been really...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank Deputy Higgins for the incredible work she has been doing and the support she has given to our housing strategy in her constituency, Dublin Mid-West, and nationally. I mean that genuinely. She has been very progressive and positive about things. Yes, we track allocation of moneys and outputs. We give funding only on a recoupment basis. The work has to be done before we give it,...

Planning and Development (Amendment) (Large-scale Residential Development) Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (1 Dec 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: All I wish to do is thank all Deputies for their contributions to the Second Stage debate. We have Committee Stage later on. I will respond to queries that have been raised.

Planning and Development (Amendment) (Large-scale Residential Development) Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Referral to Select Committee (1 Dec 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I move: That the Planning and Development (Amendment) (Large-scale Residential Development) Bill 2021 [Seanad] be referred to the Select Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage, which shall, in accordance with Standing Order 101, send a message to the Dáil not later than 3 December, 2021, in relation to the completion of its consideration of the Bill.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Fire Stations (1 Dec 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 84, 85 and 86 together. The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Service Acts, 1981 and 2003.   Furthermore, under the Local...