Results 14,301-14,320 of 25,979 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Irish Water (12 May 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 127 together. The Programme for Government provides that the Government will retain Irish Water in public ownership as a national, standalone, regulated utility. The realisation of this commitment will complete the broad policy and legislative reforms which have seen the public water system embark on a journey of transformation, from a structure based...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Water Services (12 May 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I refer to the reply to Question No. 346 of 11 May 2021 which sets out the position in this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Reviews (12 May 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: Under the Housing (Private Water Supply Financial Assistance) Regulations 2020, the grant scheme to support improvement works for a private water supply was revised. The revised scheme forms part of the funding investment under the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme 2019-2021. The revised scheme, which opened for applications on 04 June 2020, brought into effect the following changes: - A...

Residential Property Market: Motion [Private Members] (11 May 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The Deputy and his party oppose everything.

Residential Property Market: Motion [Private Members] (11 May 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: This Government will help them out and I hope Sinn Féin will see fit to support the affordable housing Bill when it stops delaying its passage in committee. Sinn Féin's political tactics are slash and burn, not build and renew. First-time buyers are collateral damage in that political game, which is what part of today's motion is. Its record on helping first-time buyers is all...

Residential Property Market: Motion [Private Members] (11 May 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after “Dáil Éireann” and substitute the following: “notes that: — the Government is fully committed to tackling high rents and ensuring an increase in the supply of affordable high quality rental accommodation through continued significant capital investment, including Cost Rental and other means and in a...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Land Issues (11 May 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: In relation to any specific cases with the Property Registration Authority (PRA), arrangements have been put in place to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. Further information in relation to the specific case referred to may be obtained by contacting the dedicated e-mail address in respect of the PRA at reps@prai.ie.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (11 May 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 315 and 331 together. 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 2011 Regulations prescribe maximum net...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Schemes (11 May 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: Increased rent limits for the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and the Rent Supplement Scheme were introduced in 2016. These limits were agreed in conjunction with the Department of Social Protection (DSP). In reviewing the rent limits, my Department worked closely with DSP and monitored data gathered from the Residential Tenancies Board and the HAP Shared Services Centre. The HAP rent...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Issues (11 May 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 318, 337 and 340 together. Details on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority administrative area are provided in the statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA). The SSHA has been conducted on an annual basis since 2016, prior to which it was carried out once every three years, with the last Summary...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Homeless Accommodation (11 May 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 319 and 321 together. 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: and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (11 May 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 320 and 322 together. The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a form of social housing support for people who have a long-term housing need. In order for a household to qualify for HAP, they must first be assessed as eligible for social housing support by their local authority. Any household assessed as eligible for social housing is immediately eligible for...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (11 May 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: A recruitment competition for Conservation Rangers being run by the Public Appointments Service is currently at an advanced stage. A panel will be formed shortly and I have asked my Department to accelerate appointments from this panel, with the recruitment of a further 60 Rangers planned. The new appointees will be allocated to fill vacant positions throughout the country. Any appointments...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Issues (11 May 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 324, 325 and 326 together. The recording of court cases is one in which I have no statutory function and is a matter for the Courts Service which is statutorily independent. Judicial reviews against the State, in which my Department may be included as a party, are co-ordinated by the Chief State Solicitors Office under the guidance of the Attorney...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (11 May 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The filling of posts in the local authority sector is undertaken both by individual local authorities and the Public Appointments Service. Such recruitment is undertaken in accordance with best practices and also in accordance with specific regulations or rules where these apply.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (11 May 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The responsibility to develop social and affordable housing within their operational areas, including offshore islands, rests with the individual local authorities, working in partnership with Approved Housing Bodies. Targets are provided to each local authority for social housing delivery and it is a matter for the authority to decide on locations for new social housing based on their...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (11 May 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: Implementation of national housing policy is a matter for individual local authorities in accordance with their Housing Strategy and based on their estimate of the different types and amount of housing need throughout their administrative area. In relation to social housing, responsibility for its delivery within their operational area, including on offshore islands, rests with the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rental Sector (11 May 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2021, to operate a national tenancy registration system and to facilitate the resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants. The RTB Rent Index is published quarterly and reveals the actual rents being paid for rented properties, as distinct from the asking...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (11 May 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 334 and 335 together. The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a form of social housing support and the scheme is operated by local authorities. Under the HAP scheme, monthly payments are made directly to landlords on behalf of the HAP recipient in respect of rent, subject to the conditions of the scheme. HAP is funded through a combination of Exchequer monies...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (11 May 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department provides funding to local authorities on an ongoing basis as housing projects are progressed and claims fall due for payment. As such, it is a matter for the local authority concerned to ensure that claims for recoupment of funds are submitted to my Department in a timely manner. The funding provided by my Department to Cavan County Council for the delivery of housing...