Results 17,261-17,280 of 26,886 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Approved Housing Bodies (9 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 127 and 128 together. Following engagement with the Credit Union sector on proposals for credit unions to provide funding for the provision of social housing, the Central Bank undertook a review of the relevant investment framework in 2017. On foot of this review, revised Regulations commenced on 1 March 2018. The revised Regulations included the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Approved Housing Bodies (9 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: In April 2018 the Department of Finance published the Stability Programme Update for 2018 which was the first set of fiscal projections produced by that Department to incorporate the CSO decision to reclassify the majority of Tier 3 Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) as part of the local government sector. This was an important first step in the Government's assessment as to the impact of the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Irish Water (9 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: The Programme for Government provides that the Government will retain Irish Water in public ownership as a national, standalone, regulated utility. In this context, in September 2018, the Director General of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) reported on a process of engagement, undertaken with the parties involved in the water sector transformation programme, including ICTU and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Homeless Persons Data (9 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: Tragically, there were a number of deaths during the summer involving people accessing homeless services. Our sympathies go to the families who have lost loved ones in this way and indeed to the dedicated service providers that have also suffered the loss. Supporting households experiencing homelessness is a priority for this Government. The Programme for Government recognises that many...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Homelessness Strategy (9 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: I have established a Homelessness Task Force, to provide a forum for engagement with key organisations working to address homelessness and to provide input on the implementation of the commitments on homelessness in the Programme for Government. The Group met on three occasions in July, with the next meeting scheduled for 14 September. Notes of the meetings can be provided on request.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authority Funding (9 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: In 2019, €1.4bn was collected in rates from all 31 local authorities, an average collection rate of 86.6%. This collection rate is in line with the annual trends across the local government sector and does not reflect a funding shortfall.Similarly, as per unaudited 2019 figures, 30 of the 31 local authorities had a budget surplus in 2019, a continuing trend from 2018 and a marked...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Functions (9 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: The Heritage Division of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht is transferring to my Department. The transfer will take place in two stages, with the first stage due to take place on 9 September 2020. There are linkages between some of my Department's existing legislation, for example on the planning side, and some of the transferring heritage functions which will need...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Proposed Legislation (9 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: In January, 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. The commitment in the Programme for Government to enact this legislation in nine months reflects the priority it has been accorded. In order for this legislation to be enacted...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (9 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: There is a commitment in the Programme for Government to review the remit, status and funding of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to ensure that it is playing an effective role in delivering its overall mandate and enforcement role in the protection of wildlife. Preparatory work on this matter is underway. An options paper will be prepared in coming weeks. This paper will...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing (9 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: Part V units can be delivered through a range of programmes funded by my Department, including: - The Social Housing Capital Investment Programme which is Local Authority (LA) led and 100% capital funded - The Capital Assistance Scheme which is Approved Housing Body (AHB) led and 100% capital funded - The Capital Advance Leasing Facility which is AHB led and operates with a range of 0% to 30%...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (9 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: On the 6thAugust 2020, my Department received an application for funding under the Capital Assistance Scheme from Dublin City Council for the scheme referred to by the Deputy. In order to assess the application further on the 27thAugust 2020 my Department requested additional information from Dublin City Council in relation to the design of the scheme. On receipt of this information, the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Land Development Agency (9 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: The Land Development Agency (LDA) was established on an interim basis in September 2018, by way of an Establishment Order made under the Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) Act 1971, pending the enactment of primary legislation when it will be established as a commercial State agency. Under Section 5(e) of the Establishment Order, the LDA can provide masterplanning and development...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Coastal Erosion (9 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: Matters relating specifically to the funding of flood response schemes are the responsibility of the Office of Public Works (OPW). I understand that there is currently no ‘buy-out’ scheme in place with regard to property at risk from coastal erosion. Further to a decision of Government, my Department is working with the OPW to examine and address matters of coastal erosion...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Ministerial Meetings (9 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: This Government is absolutely committed to ensuring that affordable, quality housing solutions are available to everyone in Irish society and this is reflected in the Programme for Government - Our Shared Future. The Programme commits to putting affordability at the heart of the housing system through the progression of State-backed affordable housing. In this context, I have consulted...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Water Services (8 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: The Programme for Government provides that the Government will refer the issue of the environment, including water, and its place in the Constitution, to a relevant Joint Oireachtas Committee for consideration. I and my Department look forward to engaging with the relevant Committee when work proceeds on this issue.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Adaptation Grant (8 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: In 2020, a total of €73.75 million is available for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Scheme, in respect of private houses. This is made up of €59 million Exchequer funding, which is an increase of some 3.5% on 2019, with the balance of €14.75m being contributed by the local authorities. The suite of grants include the Housing...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (8 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: Individual military installations may have a variety of different functions; therefore, no specific set of guidelines exists regarding development in close proximity to military installations. Planning applications should be considered by a planning authority on a case by case basis taking all relevant factors and statutory requirements into account. It is open to a military installation or...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Home Loan Scheme (8 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: The Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan scheme remains open for business. All local authorities are receiving and processing RIHL applications and are incorporating increased flexibility to accommodate applicants during the COVID 19 Pandemic. As is the case with any lender, local authorities must lend mortgages on a prudent basis, taking into account the most recent income and employment data...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Registration of Title (8 Sep 2020)

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 . I understand from the Property Registration...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Building Regulations (8 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) regulate all gas installers who carry out domestic work through the Registered Gas Installer (RGI) scheme, which is managed by the Register of Gas Installers of Ireland (RGII). It is a legal requirement that any work carried out on domestic gas installations must only be carried out by a Registered Gas Installer. Gas boilers and solid fuel...