Results 1,741-1,760 of 9,065 for speaker:James Browne

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (15 May 2025)

James Browne: The Government is providing continuing and substantial financial support to local authorities to acquire second-hand properties for priority categories of need including tenants-in-situ who have been in receipt of supports under HAP or RAS and who had received a Notice of Termination. For 2025, Government has increased the funding available for second hand social housing acquisitions from...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (15 May 2025)

James Browne: In support of the National Planning Framework (NPF) objectives relating to compact growth and in support of Housing for All objectives relating to increasing the supply of housing, the Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlements Guidelines (SRDCSG) for Planning Authorities were issued in January 2024, as Ministerial Guidelines. The SRDCSGs were issued under Section 28 of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Properties (15 May 2025)

James Browne: Pathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock. The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant introduced in July 2022, provides a grant of up to €50,000 for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent. A top-up...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Schemes (15 May 2025)

James Browne: The Heritage Act (1995) defines “heritage objects” as works of art or industry which are over 25 years old and which are of cultural importance. This can include classic and vintage cars, tractors, trucks, vans, motorcycles and steam-powered vehicles, as referred to. One of the functions of The Heritage Council, a state body under the remit of my Department, is to facilitate...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: An Ghaeltacht (15 May 2025)

James Browne: Leagtar amach san Acht um Pleanáil agus Forbairt, 2000, arna leasú, cuspóirí éigeantacha d’údaráis áitiúla, nach mór aghaidh a thabhairt orthu nuair atá a bPlean Forbartha á dhréachtú, a rialaíonn beartais forbartha áitiúla. Nuair atá ceantar Gaeltachta laistigh de limistéar riaracháin...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Compulsory Purchase Orders (15 May 2025)

James Browne: Addressing vacancy and making efficient use of existing housing stock is a key priority for Government, as set out in Pathway 4 of Housing for All. The Vacant Homes Action Plan – Progress Report 2025, launched in March, sets out the significant progress that has been achieved across government under objectives contained in Pathway 4 of Housing for All in 2024 and the further steps...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rental Sector (15 May 2025)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 43, 81 and 114 together. Following a recommendation made in a review of the Irish private rental sector published by my Department in July 2024, the Housing Agency was commissioned to undertake a review of the current system of rent controls using Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs). My Department received this report on 28 April 2025. I will be considering the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (15 May 2025)

James Browne: The Government is providing continuing and substantial financial support to local authorities to acquire second-hand properties for priority categories of need including tenants-in-situ who have been in receipt of supports under HAP or RAS and who had received a Notice of Termination. The other priority categories for second-hand acquisitions are properties that allow persons/families to...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Water Quality (15 May 2025)

James Browne: Uisce Éireann has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. The scope, prioritisation and progression of individual projects is a matter for Uisce Éireann and is approved through its own internal governance structures. Under Section 7 of the Water Services (No.2) Act 2013, I have no function in...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Regeneration Projects (15 May 2025)

James Browne: As part of the Dublin City Taskforce Report, published in October 2024, section ‘Big Move 2’ outlined recommendations to prioritise the regeneration of housing complexes within the inner city. In light of these recommendations, and as articulated in the Programme for Government, this government will continue to accelerate social housing regeneration schemes in Dublin. ...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (15 May 2025)

James Browne: On 25 April 2023, the Government approved additional measures under the Housing for All Action Plan to incentivise the activation of increased housing supply and help reduce housing construction costs, including the introduction of temporary time-limited arrangements for the waiving of local authority “section 48” development contributions and the refunding of Uisce Éireann...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (15 May 2025)

James Browne: The qualification criteria for social housing support are set down in Section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.A household may apply for social housing support to one local authority only, which may be the authority for the area in which the household normally resides or with which it has a local connection,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wind Energy Guidelines (15 May 2025)

James Browne: My Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. The review is addressing a number of key aspects of the Guidelines including noise, setback distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections. My Department, in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC)...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Properties (15 May 2025)

James Browne: The management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, is a matter for each individual local authority under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. Local Authorities also have a legal obligation to ensure all their tenanted properties are compliant with the provisions of the housing (standards for rented houses) Regulations 2019. ...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wastewater Treatment (15 May 2025)

James Browne: It is assumed that the Question refers to developer provided waste water treatment plants (commonly called DPI) in housing estates that are not in the charge of local authorities. With effect from 1 January 2024, Uisce Éireann, as the national water authority, is responsible for the progressive remediation of DPI infrastructure nationally. It is not the intention that Uisce...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (15 May 2025)

James Browne: The clear focus of Government is to increase the supply of new build social and affordable homes. This is key to addressing the housing challenge and in particular, to preventing and ultimately eliminating long term homelessness, which unquestionably must be the priority for all local authorities including Cork City and County Councils. My Department is continuing to providing...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Planning Framework (15 May 2025)

James Browne: The National Planning Framework (NPF), is the whole-of-Government strategy for strategic planning and sustainable development of our urban and rural areas to 2040, with the core objectives of securing balanced regional development and a sustainable ‘compact growth’ approach to the form and pattern of future development. The NPF, together with the National Development Plan 2021...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (15 May 2025)

James Browne: The clear focus of Government is to increase the supply of new build social and affordable homes. This is key to addressing the housing challenge and in particular preventing and ultimately eliminating long term homelessness, and that unquestionably must be the priority for all local authorities including Galway County Council. My Department is continuing to provide substantial financial...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (15 May 2025)

James Browne: The clear focus of Government is to increase the supply of new build social and affordable homes. This is key to addressing the housing challenge and in particular preventing and ultimately eliminating long term homelessness, and that unquestionably must be the priority for all local authorities including Donegal County Council. My Department is continuing to provide substantial...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Water Services (15 May 2025)

James Browne: Uisce Éireann has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. The scope, prioritisation and progression of individual projects is a matter for Uisce Éireann and is approved through its own internal governance structures. Under Section 7 of the Water Services (No.2) Act 2013, I have no function in...