Results 1,801-1,820 of 25,713 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (22 Jan 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: All incentive schemes for new housing provided under Housing for All are required to meet the minimum performance requirements of Building Regulations. All new dwellings must comply with building regulations, the aim of which is to provide for the safety and welfare of people in and about buildings, and in addition achieve a 60-year durability for all key elements. The Building...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Fire Stations (22 Jan 2025)

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...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Data (22 Jan 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department currently gathers and publishes data on a monthly basis on the number of homeless persons accommodated in emergency accommodation funded and overseen by local authorities. These reports are based on data provided by local authorities, produced through the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS). The monthly homelessness report includes details of individuals,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Development Contributions (22 Jan 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: 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: Local Authorities (22 Jan 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Local government has direct functional relationships with several Government Departments covering a wide range of policy and operational areas. In the context of those areas for which my Department has direct responsibility, local authority powers have been varied in a number of instances since 2015, including as follow below: The Water Services Acts 2007 to 2022 allow for the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (22 Jan 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Since the publication of the current Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines in 2005 (which continue to have effect in addition to subsequent clarifications and national policy changes in the NPF published in 2018) there have been important changes to our planning system. Most notably, obligations under European Directives and international agreements relating to the management and protection...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (22 Jan 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The First Home Scheme, which launched in July 2022, is a shared equity scheme, designed to help bridge the gap for eligible first-time buyers, eligible homebuyers, and self-builders, between their deposit and mortgage, and the price of their new home (within price ceilings established across the country). Full details are available on the First Home Scheme website, www.firsthomescheme.ie. ...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (22 Jan 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The objective of the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) is to provide public off-site infrastructure to relieve critical infrastructure blockages. The types of infrastructure being provided include roads, bridges, diversion of power-lines, drainage works, as well as public amenities (parks). In July 2016, the Department invited relevant infrastructure project proposals...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Cybersecurity Policy (22 Jan 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department has measures in place in relation to its IT systems and cyber security best practices. My Department works closely with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), which encompasses the State's national/governmental Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT-IE), and operates in accordance with NCSC guidance in this regard. While each local authority has responsibility...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Artificial Intelligence (22 Jan 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to conduct business. As with all new technologies, my Department is assessing the potential of AI in the delivery of services, in line with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) guidance on its usage in the public service, and works closely with the NCSC. My Department does not hold the requested information in respect of the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Urban Development (22 Jan 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department is working closely with Dublin City Council (DCC) to realise the progression of the regeneration of Pearse House. Stage 1 funding approval was provided by my Department in April 2021. DCC have advanced this project to an outline design with costing and my Department is currently working with DCC on that submission.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (22 Jan 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: A range of building control reforms which focus on ensuring strong and effective regulation in the building control system and of the construction industry and on improving compliance with Building Regulations have been implemented over the last decade. These include: 1. The implementation of the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 which empower competence and professionalism in...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rental Sector (22 Jan 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Both the Social Housing Tenant in-Situ and Cost Rental Tenant in-Situ schemes support households who are at risk of homelessness. Under Housing for All, there was provision for 200 social housing acquisitions each year. However, with increased pressures on housing and the exit of landlords from the market, the Government agreed that there would be increased provision for social housing...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wind Energy Generation (22 Jan 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: 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 and setback distance as well as shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections. My Department, in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Climate and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (22 Jan 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Affordability and the chance to own a home is at the heart of the Government’s housing policy. A strong pipeline of affordable purchase housing opportunities is now in place, and under continuous development, across all partners and delivery streams, including local authorities, the Land Development Agency and the First Home Scheme, a strategic partnership between the State and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (22 Jan 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The First Home Scheme, which launched in July 2022, is a shared equity scheme designed to help bridge the gap between a purchaser’s deposit and mortgage, and the price of their new home, for eligible first-time buyers, Fresh Start applicants and those who wish to build their first home, within regional price ceilings. The First Home Scheme Designated Activity Company is responsible...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (22 Jan 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Loan (LAPR) came into effect on 22 July 2024. The LAPR is an expansion of the Local Authority Home Loan, and supports the purchase and/or renovation of vacant or derelict homes which are eligible for the existing Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant. The LAPR is for creditworthy first-time buyers and fresh start applicants who cannot get...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Properties (22 Jan 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, introduced in July 2022, is a key support to bring vacant and derelict properties back into use as homes. A grant of up to €50,000 is available 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 grant of up to €20,000 is...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (22 Jan 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Addressing vacancy and dereliction and making efficient use of existing housing stock is a key priority for Government. The Vacant Homes Action Plan, which I published in January 2023, built on Pathway 4 of Housing for All and set out the various actions that were being pursued to return vacant properties back into use as homes. In April 2024, I published an update on the Action Plan which...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (22 Jan 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Under Section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he/she is responsible. My Department oversees strategic workforce planning for the local government sector, including the monitoring of overall local government sector employment...