Results 14,521-14,540 of 26,886 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Reviews (6 Jul 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The independent review referenced sought to establish the processes followed by Wicklow County Council and to identify any deviation from relevant legal requirements and administrative requirements or practices. The review found that there was no such deviation by the Council from such requirements. The review was carried out in accordance with the agreed terms of reference that addressed...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Proposed Legislation (6 Jul 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: It is my intention to bring forward a piece of legislation provisionally titled the Fire, Emergency Management and Public Safety Bill, whose primary purpose will be to update the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003. Part of the impetus for this work arises from the review of fire safety in Ireland carried out in the aftermath of the Grenfell tragedy in the UK. It is also my intention that the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Freedom of Information (6 Jul 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 233 to 235, inclusive, together. My Department publishes freedom of information disclosure logs on its website on a quarterly basis. The logs are up to date and in compliance with the Freedom of Information Act Publication Scheme requirements and can be found at the following link www.gov.ie/en/collection/5c178-foi-logs/. Details of fees collected annually...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Road Projects (6 Jul 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The primary focus of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) is on supporting projects that will contribute to compact growth and that will improve the liveability of our cities and towns. Call 2 of the URDF was launched in 2020. To assist local authorities with the application process, my Department hosted a number of workshops to provide information on the purpose of the URDF...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Seanad Reform (6 Jul 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The Seanad plays an important role as part of our legislature under the Constitution. In a democracy, any reform of the legislature must enjoy the confidence of the public as well as legislators. In this regard The Programme for Government contains a broad range of electoral reforms including a commitment to establish an independent, statutory Electoral Commission. The Government is...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Approved Housing Bodies (6 Jul 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) are independent not-for-profit organisations which operate in accordance with their Memorandum and Articles of Association. If a property is owned outright by an AHB and is not subject to public funding, the AHB may choose to sell that property, once this is allowed for in their constitution. It should be noted that AHBs must have as their primary...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (6 Jul 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: Funding of €75 million is available nationally in 2021 for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability scheme, in respect of private houses. Local authorities fund 20% of the overall budget from their own resources with the balance of 80% funded by the exchequer. Details of the funding drawn down for the grants up to 2020, are available on my...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Schemes (6 Jul 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 245 and 246 together. My Department has informed Clare County Council that before any extension of the scheme can be considered, the same rigorous analysis as that put in place prior to the rollout of the scheme to the counties of Donegal and Mayo would have to be undertaken. Following further discussions between my Department and Clare County Council it...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (6 Jul 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: Increasing the supply of public, social and affordable homes is priority of this Government. The Programme for Government includes a commitment to deliver 50,000 new social homes with a focus on new build homes. This commitment was underpinned by investment of €3.3bn towards housing programmes in Budget 2021. Subject to the impact of COVID-19, this investment will fund the delivery of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Semi-State Bodies (6 Jul 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The engagement of a contractor is an operational matter for which Gas Networks Ireland as contracting authority is wholly responsible. I can confirm that I have not engaged with any member of the Board of Ervia or GNI on the matter. However, it should be noted that as part of the governance arrangements between my Department and Ervia/GNI the company does update my Department on a regular...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wastewater Treatment (6 Jul 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I am aware of the submission to which the Deputy is referring to. My Department builds its strategic water policy and infrastructure delivery programmes around the National Planning Framework 2018-2040 and the National Development Plan 2018-2027. Investment is primarily delivered through Irish Water while my Department operates the Rural Water Programme directly. The Programme for...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (No. 2) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (5 Jul 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: Amendment No. 1 technically amends section 1 on the definitions of the Bill, to remove the definition of: "Minister". My full title, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, is now used in section 5 of the Bill, which is the only provision in the Bill that refers to me as Minister. It is just a technical change. The next Government amendment is No. 6. This amendment...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (No. 2) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (5 Jul 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: No. Amendments Nos. 8 to 10, inclusive, are not in my name. I have addressed all the others. Amendments Nos. 1 and 6-----

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (No. 2) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (5 Jul 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: Yes, I will happily do that.

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (No. 2) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (5 Jul 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: Not at all.

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (No. 2) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (5 Jul 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: We certainly do not want that.

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (No. 2) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (5 Jul 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The Senators may wish to move their amendments. It is up the Leas-Chathaoirleach.

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (No. 2) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (5 Jul 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: Okay.

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (No. 2) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (5 Jul 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I will respond to all Senators, including Senators Moynihan and Warfield. I thank Members for the constructive approach they have taken towards this Bill. It is good to see there is broad agreement. I appreciate it. As I said, there are other elements, which I will speak about towards the end of the debate. We will also be bringing forward a further tenancy reform Bill later in the...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (No. 2) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (5 Jul 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I will be brief but I thank Senator Moynihan and her colleagues for tabling this amendment. In this Bill we are restricting the value of deposits to a maximum of two months' rent. This relates to a deposit equal to a month's rent and then a month of advance rent. Effectively, it has been capped absolutely at two months' rent. The deposit should be returnable and it remains the property of...