Results 13,761-13,780 of 26,864 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Environmental Schemes (9 Nov 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: Both the Climate Action Plan 2019 and Interim Climate Action Plan included an objective for Local Authorities to identify and develop Decarbonising Zones. My Department issued a circular to local authorities on 10 February 2021 asking each local authority to identify a decarbonising zone and to provide a broad outline of the main projects that could be implementable in the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (9 Nov 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: Both the Climate Action Plan 2019 and Interim Climate Action Plan included an objective for Local Authorities to identify and develop Decarbonising Zones. My Department issued a circular to local authorities on 10 February 2021 asking each local authority to identify a decarbonising zone and to provide a broad outline of the main projects that could be implementable in the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (9 Nov 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The recently published Housing for All strategy is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade, supported by an investment package of over €4b per annum. The Government plans to deliver more than 90,000 social homes to 2030, with a focus on the social housing build programme, with a target to reach delivery of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (9 Nov 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme came into operation on 1 January 2016. The Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the Scheme. To be eligible, tenants must meet certain criteria, including having a minimum reckonable income of €15,000 per annum and having been in receipt of social housing support...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Cross-Border Co-operation (4 Nov 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 270 and 271 together. The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (4 Nov 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department has received correspondence relating to a number of allegations regarding certain matters in County Wicklow. An assessment and analysis has been carried out of the various allegations raised. A final decision on the appropriate action to be taken by my Department will be made in due course. My Department has not had engagement with Wicklow County Council or An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (3 Nov 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: In 2016 my Department sought to trial new approaches and working methods in supporting and accelerating overall national and local action on the process of taking in charge residential estates including those with developer provided water services infrastructure. This was done through a pilot initiative called the National Taking in Charge Initiative (NTICI). Following the NTICI process...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Property Registration (3 Nov 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I am informed by the Property Registration Authority (PRA) that, under the Form 3 procedure, the PRA effects registration based on the certification of the solicitor who investigates the title to the property registered. The solicitor certifying the title must be a practising solicitor, that is, s/he must hold a practising certificate from the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland. In...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (3 Nov 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: Applications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended. The allocation of local authority dwellings, including the prioritisation of certain households, is a...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Defective Building Materials (3 Nov 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The legal framework and rules for placing construction products on the market, including concrete blocks, are established in the first place at European level and then national provisions can be set at Member State level. - The Construction Products Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 (CPR) sets out rules for the marketing of construction products in the EU. Where a construction product covered by a...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (2 Nov 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department, under the oversight of the Rural Water Working Group, is reviewing the Framework for the upcoming Multi-annual Rural Water Programme 2022-2024. The organisations that are participating on the Working Group reflect the importance and wide ranging impact of the Rural Water Sector. In addition to my Department (Chair), the Working Group comprises of: the Department of Rural...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (2 Nov 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department operates the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan, which is targeted at first time buyers who wish to own their own home, have access to an adequate deposit and have the capacity to repay a mortgage, but who are unable to access a mortgage sufficient for them to purchase their first home. The loan enables credit worthy first time buyers to access sustainable mortgage lending to...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Energy Conservation (2 Nov 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department's Energy Efficiency Programme that commenced in 2013, with the ambition to fund retrofit on all social homes requiring insulation and energy upgrade works, has seen improved energy efficiency and comfort levels in over 73,500 Local Authority homes over the period 2013 to 2020. A Programme for Government objective called for the 'retrofit' of 500,000 homes to a B2/Cost...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (2 Nov 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I refer to Parliamentary Question 362 of 28 September 2021. The position is unchanged, however, it is my intention to review the matter in relation to the filling of the post of the Chief Executive of Galway County Council, on a permanent basis, before the end of the year.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Homeless Accommodation (2 Nov 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department publishes a detailed monthly report on homelessness, based on data provided by housing authorities. The Report outlines details of individuals utilising State-funded emergency accommodation arrangements that are overseen by housing authorities. The Reports are available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/80ea8-homelessness-data/ and via...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (2 Nov 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: Budget 2021 provided €3.3 billion to support the delivery of a broad range of housing programmes this year. My Department recoups the funding to local authorities as projects and schemes are progressed and as claims fall due for payment. Total expenditure on housing programmes to end September 2021 was €1.643 billion. The breakdown of this expenditure under the various...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (2 Nov 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: 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 housing are supported by over €4 billion in...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (2 Nov 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan Scheme enables credit-worthy first-time buyers to access sustainable mortgage lending to purchase new or second-hand properties in a suitable price range, where they cannot obtain sufficient mortgage finance from a commercial lender. As with the previous local authority loan offerings, the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan is currently available to first-time...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (2 Nov 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: Housing for All is the most ambitious housing plan in the history of our State, backed up by an unprecedented financial commitment of in excess of €4bn per annum. As detailed in Housing for All under ‘Pathway to Supporting Home Ownership and Increasing Affordability’, affordable purchase and the home loan scheme will be primarily targeted at first time buyers. However,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (2 Nov 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: Applicants for the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan must be of good credit standing; have a satisfactory credit record; and be a first time buyer, to be eligible. Applicants must provide bank or similar statements (such as post office, credit union etc.) for a 12-month period immediately prior to making an application, clearly showing a credible and consistent track record of savings. The...