Results 16,401-16,420 of 27,055 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing (13 Jan 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: Part V Guidelines issued in January 2017 under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 set out that, in overall terms, the priority option which should normally be pursued by Local Authorities is the acquisition of social housing on the development site, by means of transfer of ownership to the Local Authority or to an Approved Housing Body and this remains the case....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Data (13 Jan 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on all social housing delivery activity. This is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link:www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-p rovision/. Data on the total number of houses built is produced by the Central Statistics Office and can be found...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Homelessness Strategy (13 Jan 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The National Quality Standards Framework (NQSF) for homeless services is in place nationally for local authority and NGO delivered services. The Framework has been developed to ensure a consistent approach in how local authorities and service providers respond to the needs of those experiencing homelessness and to improve the quality of services provided.  In general, the operation...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Census of Population (13 Jan 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 348 and 349 together. Reviews of Dáil and European Parliament constituencies are linked to the publication of Census of Population data.  In effect, the publication of preliminary census results triggers the establishment of a Constituency Commission under section 5(1) of the Electoral Act 1997 with the Commission required to present its...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Repair and Leasing Scheme (13 Jan 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The Repair and Leasing Scheme (RLS) was developed to assist private property owners and local authorities or approved housing bodies to harness the accommodation potential that exists in vacant dwellings. At end Q3 2020, a total of 198 dwellings had been brought back into use under the RLS scheme. Up-to-date data in relation to dwellings delivered by each local authority...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: House Purchase Schemes (13 Jan 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: From a broad policy perspective and in a supply constrained environment, the provision of purchaser supports is prioritised towards new build homes and to encourage the wider increase in the available housing stock.  However, in purchasing new build, self-build or second hand homes, eligible first time buyers can avail of support which currently exists in the form of the Rebuilding...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Issues (13 Jan 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2020 regulates the landlord-tenant relationship in the rented residential sector and sets out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Act to operate a national tenancy registration system and to resolve disputes between landlords and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Energy Efficiency (13 Jan 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: In 2020 funding of €20 million was made available as part of the Programme for Government and the Climate Action Plan for an energy efficiency retrofitting programme to fund upgrades to local authority houses in the midlands, under the 'Just Transition' programme. This Midland Retrofit Programme was established as a pilot programme to provide economic stimulus to the counties most...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme (13 Jan 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department received correspondence from Clare County Council in October 2020, requesting the extension of the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant to County Clare. A comprehensive reply was subsequently issued to the Council in November 2020.   My Department informed the Council that before any extension of the scheme can be considered the same rigorous analysis as that...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Fire Safety (13 Jan 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: Firstly, I wish to acknowledge the very stressful circumstances which the owners and residents of buildings face when defects occur in their homes. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authority Housing (13 Jan 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: Increasing the supply of housing is a priority for my Department. The Programme for Government commits to increasing the social housing stock by more than 50,000, with an emphasis on new build homes.  Budget 2021 provided €3.3 billion for the delivery of housing.  The available funding will deliver 12,750 new social homes through build, acquisition and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Fire Stations (13 Jan 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: 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 Services Acts, 1981 and 2003. My Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Home Loan Scheme (13 Jan 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: Rebuilding Ireland Home Loans (RIHL) are provided in accordance with the Housing (Rebuilding Ireland Home Loans) Regulations 2018 and the statutory credit policy issued in accordance with the Regulations. The RIHL is available for self-builds and therefore persons in the very early stages of construction are not precluded from accessing the RIHL. However, given the greater complexity of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Covid-19 Pandemic (13 Jan 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department engaged consultancy services to support the carrying out of COVID-19 risk assessments, revision of the Department's Safety Statement and standard operating procedures for field-based staff. My Department engaged external service providers (not consultants) to support COVID-related work across a number of areas, including COVID-19 specific training; co-development of the...

Seanad: Planning and Development, and Residential Tenancies, Bill 2020: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: Gabhaim buíochas leis na Seanadóirí. Táim lán-sásta a bheith ar ais sa Seanad inniu. This is an important Bill, which I initiated in the Seanad. I was grateful for the co-operation of colleagues in allowing this Bill to pass the Dáil without dissent yesterday evening, following protracted discussions and debate. This legislation is about strengthening...

Seanad: Planning and Development, and Residential Tenancies, Bill 2020: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: We are dealing with group 1, amendments Nos. 1 to 9, inclusive, and amendment No. 18. These amendments have been passed by the Dáil. We are not dealing with Senators' amendments yet.

Seanad: Planning and Development, and Residential Tenancies, Bill 2020: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: I will explain. This Bill was introduced in the Seanad and has been amended in the Dáil. I have to report to the Seanad on the Dáil amendments. Group 1 includes amendments Nos. 1 to 9, inclusive, and amendment No. 18. These are not the Senators' amendments, but those passed by the Dáil. They are all pretty technical and concern matters such as changes to the Title. The...

Seanad: Planning and Development, and Residential Tenancies, Bill 2020: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: This grouping, group 2, deals with three Government amendments passed by the Dáil, which I must read into the record here. There is an Opposition amendment within the grouping from Senator Warfield, namely, amendment No. 1. The Planning and Development Act 2000 and regulations were amended following a 2008 decision by the Court of Justice for the European Union, CJEU, in the case...

Seanad: Planning and Development, and Residential Tenancies, Bill 2020: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: When will Senators vote on the amendments?

Seanad: Planning and Development, and Residential Tenancies, Bill 2020: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: I will abide by the Leas-Chathaoirleach's ruling. The amendments are not being moved as we go along.