Results 1,921-1,940 of 26,006 for speaker:Kieran O'Donnell

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Planning Issues (7 Dec 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Planning and Development Bill 2023 provides a range of measures to improve consistency across the planning system through clearer, more consistent policies and guidance throughout all tiers of planning, from national to local. Ministerial guidelines and policy directives will be upgraded to national planning statements. These statements will be approved by Government and subject to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Planning Issues (7 Dec 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: As the Deputy is aware, the Bill itself provides statutory timelines for An Bord Pleanála. That will provide a degree of certainty and it should speed up the process in terms of appeals. On the second point the Deputy raised, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on any individual planning cases. It should be noted that the Government is opposed to the abuse of any process,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Planning Issues (7 Dec 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: As the Deputy is aware, we are increasing the staff of An Bord Pleanála to 300, so we are putting the resources into the bord. The point I would make is that we are open to consider any amendments to the Bill on Committee Stage. I expect the Deputy will bring them forward and we would welcome that. What we are looking for, with the new planning Bill, is to have a robust and fit...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Homeless Accommodation (7 Dec 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Deputy. The Department’s role regarding homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of local authorities in addressing homelessness at a local level. Statutory responsibility in the provision of homeless services rests with individual local authorities. The named organisation informed the Dublin...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Homeless Accommodation (7 Dec 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Deputy will appreciate it is a difficult time. Our particular concern is for the more than 1,000 users of the Peter McVerry Trust, along with the more than 600 employees and the more than 600 people on the housing first scheme. The trust received €1.1 million on 4 December from the DRHE. It will receive a further €2.8 million by the end of December. It is then required...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Homeless Accommodation (7 Dec 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: The substantive question is about the trust. We want to ensure it is put on a sustainable footing, particularly for service users, staff and their work in delivering homeless services. The restructuring plan must be provided by the end of January. We note the points the Deputy raised on the broader context and will take them on board.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Grant Payments (7 Dec 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: Housing for All commits to reviewing the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability scheme and a report on the review has been prepared by my Department. The review was informed by engagement with external stakeholders, including the Department of Health, the HSE, the Disability Federation of Ireland and the Irish Wheelchair Association. Written submissions were...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (7 Dec 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 23 together. Under Housing for All, the Government has targeted delivery of 47,600 new build social homes; 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing, and 28,500 new affordable homes from 2022 to 2026. Each local authority has prepared its own 5-year Housing Delivery Action Plan setting out their planned social and affordable housing...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Defective Building Materials (7 Dec 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: As you are aware Minister O'Brien commenced the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act) on 22 June 2023 which contains the enhanced grant scheme and adopted the related Regulations on 29 June 2023. In March 2023 Engineers Ireland engaged with officials in my Department regarding the certification of specific options under the Enhanced...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (7 Dec 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: Cost rental is a new form of tenure which was introduced under the Affordable Housing Act 2021, where rents are set only to cover the cost of financing, building, managing and maintaining the homes. Under various schemes, the State may provide a subvention to reduce the initial capital cost and make the starting cost rent more affordable. In return, the homes are designated as cost rental...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Flood Risk Management (7 Dec 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: Local authorities are designated as lead agencies for coordinating the local response to flooding emergencies as per the Government decision relating to the “Framework for Major Emergency Management” (2006). The arrangements for emergency management are seen as having worked very well, in particular the responses led by local authorities to flooding and other severe weather...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Grant Payments (7 Dec 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 82 together. Housing for All commits to reviewing the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability scheme and a report on the review has been prepared by my Department. The review was informed by engagement with external stakeholders, including the Department of Health, the HSE, the Disability Federation of Ireland and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Traveller Accommodation (7 Dec 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 provides that 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. The Act provides that housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (7 Dec 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: My Department provides Exchequer funding to local authorities to administer the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, which support older and disabled people living in private houses to adapt their home to meet their needs. The grants include the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for...

Seanad: Local Government Matters and City and County Councillors: Motion [Private Members] (6 Dec 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Chair. I am delighted to be here for this debate. I thank Senators Boyhan, Craughwell and Keogan for tabling the motion.I commend all Members in the House on their advocacy for both councils and local government. I acknowledge LAMA and the AILG for their advocacy. I have met with their representatives on many occasions. The work they do on behalf of their members is very...

Seanad: Local Government Matters and City and County Councillors: Motion [Private Members] (6 Dec 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I am. That is under a different Act so it would not apply. Is that the Department of Transport?

Seanad: Local Government Matters and City and County Councillors: Motion [Private Members] (6 Dec 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I will inquire about that.

Seanad: Local Government Matters and City and County Councillors: Motion [Private Members] (6 Dec 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: Senator Craughwell made a point about broadband and expenses incurred. I am going to look at the LRA allowance specifically on that. I gave a commitment on that particular issue. Senator Fitzpatrick made reference to the executive and a directly elected mayor. In the Limerick situation, I have gone back to what the people voted for. Fundamentally, we are democrats and, fundamentally, I...

Seanad: Local Government Matters and City and County Councillors: Motion [Private Members] (6 Dec 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: Yes, absolutely. Senator Gallagher made a point. I look forward to the deliberations from Senator Mark Daly's public consultation committee and look forward to working with Senators that. Senator O'Loughlin said we should ensure more people go for election to local authorities. I was elected a councillor many years ago in 2004. I hugely value the role of councillors. I have said on many...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Traveller Accommodation (6 Dec 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 provides that 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. On 4 August 2023, my Department granted Stage 1 approval to Cork City Council for the...