Results 15,241-15,260 of 25,999 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Homeless Persons Data (27 Jan 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. While responsibility for the provision of accommodation for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities, the administration of homeless services is...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Irish Water (27 Jan 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. Issues in relation to the allocation of funding towards the upgrade of water infrastructure in particular areas are a matter for Irish Water. As part of Budget 2021, I secured funding of over €1.4 billion to...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Home Loan Scheme (27 Jan 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 341, 342 and 356 together. The Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan scheme remains open for business. All local authorities are receiving and processing applications and are incorporating increased flexibility to accommodate applicants during the COVID 19 Pandemic. The Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan scheme Approval in Principle letter is usually valid for a period of 6...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Construction Sector Strategy (27 Jan 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The Government announced that additional public health restrictions would apply under Level 5 of the Plan for Living with COVID-19 on 6 January 2021. The additional restrictions required all construction activity to cease from 6 pm on Friday 8 January, with a number of exceptions. These measures are set out in the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 10)...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Traveller Accommodation (27 Jan 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 345 and 347 together. In accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, the role of my Department is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist housing authorities in providing accommodation for Travellers, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding. Following a review of the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Traveller Accommodation (27 Jan 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: In accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) in their areas. My Department’s role is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Traveller Accommodation (27 Jan 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: On the matter of the recommendations in the Traveller Accommodation Expert Review Report, there are 32 recommendations aimed at: - addressing research deficiencies, including how information is gathered and used; - removing any potential delays and obstacles in the planning system in terms of delivery; - increasing resources and delivery capacity; and - strengthening governance...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Fire Safety (27 Jan 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The management and maintenance of local authority housing stock including carrying out of responsive repairs, is a matter for each relevant local authority, in line with Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. My Department does not have a role in the matter but we have brought it to the attention of the relevant local authority and any follow up should be directly with the council.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Issues (27 Jan 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department gave funding approval-in principle to Meath County Council's proposed development of 20 new build social homes at the location in question in May 2020. It is now a matter for the Council to advance the design of the project and take it through the planning process. The project when constructed, would be funded through my Department's Local Authority Housing Capital Budget.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Building Regulations (27 Jan 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The Programme for Government sets out a number of commitments in respect of the important policy area of building defects and provides for an examination of defective housing, having regard to the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing report, "Safe as Houses". In this regard, my Department is actively engaging with key stakeholders and I have had several meetings...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Legislative Programme (27 Jan 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: In January 2020, my Department published the finalised General Scheme of the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill, which will provide the legislative basis for Ireland's new marine planning regime. In addition to the legislative underpinning for forward planning provided through the National Marine Planning Framework, the MPDM Bill will also provide: a new State consent regime...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rental Sector (27 Jan 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2020 regulate the landlord-tenant relationship in the private rented sector and sets out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. The Acts apply to every dwelling that is the subject of a tenancy, subject to a limited number of exceptions. Accommodation let under licensing agreements does not fall within the remit of the Residential...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authority Housing (27 Jan 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: In accordance with section 58 of the Housing Act, 1966 local authorities are legally responsible for the management and maintenance of their housing stock. Local authorities also have a legal obligation to ensure that all of their tenanted properties are compliant with the provisions of the Housing (standards for rented houses) 2019. Notwithstanding the legal obligations on local authorities...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Properties (27 Jan 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: Commitments were included in the former Government's Strategy for the Rental Sector and National Vacant Housing Reuse Strategy, to examine the treatment under the Nursing Home Support Scheme’s (or Fair Deal Scheme's) financial assessment of income from a person’s principal private residence (PPR), where they move into long-term residential care. The Programme for Government...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Homelessness Strategy (27 Jan 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 357 and 358 together. My Department's role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless services rests with individual housing authorities....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Covid-19 Pandemic (27 Jan 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department monitors expenditure and anticipated expenditure on an ongoing basis. In terms of any potential long-term impact of Covid-19 on programmes, policies and strategies and budgets these will be addressed in conjunction with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform as part of the annual budgetary process.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Issues (27 Jan 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department currently provides Exchequer funding for a number of grant schemes in respect of privately owned housing. My Department provides funding to local authorities in respect of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, to assist eligible people in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. The suite of grants...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Disability Act Employment Targets (27 Jan 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: Under the Disability Act 2005, public service bodies have a duty to promote and support the employment of people with disabilities and to ensure that at least 3% of their employees are people with disabilities. In addition the Department has a statutory requirement to maintain accurate records on the number of staff with disabilities in the Department. To meet this requirement, on an annual...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Appointments to State Boards (27 Jan 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 363 and 364 together. Since the formation of the Government, the following appointments have been made to State bodies which fall under the aegis of my Department. State Body No. of Appointments Associated Fee Docklands Oversight and Consultative Forum 22 Nil Ervia 1 Nil ...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Covid-19 Pandemic (27 Jan 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 365 and 366 together. In 2020, my Department spent €192,907 on public information material as part of the Government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This related to the printing and translation, including into braille and sign language, of an information brochure on the Community Call initiative which was delivered to every home, and the design of...