Results 1,941-1,960 of 7,983 for speaker:Peter Burke

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Schemes (23 Jun 2022)

Peter Burke: It is true what they say about empty vessels. They absolutely make the most noise. Will the Deputy stop interrupting?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Schemes (23 Jun 2022)

Peter Burke: Can the Deputy stop interrupting?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Schemes (23 Jun 2022)

Peter Burke: If the Deputy keeps interrupting, I will not respond.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Schemes (23 Jun 2022)

Peter Burke: I gave the answer.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Policy (23 Jun 2022)

Peter Burke: I assure both Deputies that this is being treated with the most urgency within the Department. The Minister has been engaging with other Departments, as well, to try to finalise an approach that will ensure the most vulnerable in society are protected. That is our modus operandiin trying to get these regulations right. There are three bands throughout the network of 31 local authorities...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Schemes (23 Jun 2022)

Peter Burke: Housing for All, which was published in September 2021, provides a new housing plan for Ireland to 2030. Its overall objective is that every citizen in the State should have access to good-quality homes through a steady supply of housing in the right locations, with economic, social and environmental sustainability built into the system. The strategy sets out, in four pathways, a broad...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Schemes (23 Jun 2022)

Peter Burke: We clearly outlined the target numbers in the parliamentary question response for local authorities in terms of vacancy. We have had the biggest voids programme in the history of the State to bring in 6,000 voids over the past two years. It is highly inaccurate to say that the Department does not have targets when the evidence does not back up that assertion. Unfortunately, sometimes...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Policy (23 Jun 2022)

Peter Burke: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 9 together. Applications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated social housing assessment regulations. The regulations prescribe maximum net income limits for each local...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Policy (23 Jun 2022)

Peter Burke: I absolutely understand the concerns of the Deputies. Every week at my clinics I meet very vulnerable people who are concerned about inflation and the risk to their position on the housing list. We are committed to ensuring we get the right answer. As I outlined in my contribution this has to be balanced with the amendments we have made through Housing for All, having record delivery of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rental Sector (23 Jun 2022)

Peter Burke: First, I acknowledge the very egregious case outlined by Deputy O’Callaghan. I am aware that last Friday the Deputy communicated with the Minister, Deputy O’Brien, in respect of that particular example and he will escalate that within the RTB. In the main, the RTB is doing its job. The legislation which this Dáil has put through is very strong on the sanctions that...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rental Sector (23 Jun 2022)

Peter Burke: I thank the Deputy for his question. The Government should firmly focus on what it has done and the evidence to date and on the law that has been passed to strengthen the powers of the RTB and the increase in resources which the board has to conduct its work to ensure that landlords are held to account on any breaches. The courts have the powers in the law. The Deputy is referring to a very...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rental Sector (23 Jun 2022)

Peter Burke: I thank Deputy O'Callaghan for the question. Section 134 of the Residential Tenancies Act requires a landlord to apply to the RTB to register a tenancy of a dwelling within one month of its commencement and, thereafter, within one month of each anniversary of its commencement date. All private landlords, approved housing bodies and providers of student-specific accommodation are required...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Planning Issues (23 Jun 2022)

Peter Burke: I thank the Deputy for her question. I wish to confirm in the first instance to the House that the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, received a request from Remy Farrell SC at 3 p.m. yesterday for an extension to 29 July for a report into the management of conflicts of interest and relevant disclosures at An Bord Pleanála, and the Minister acceded to that request. An organisational review...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Planning Issues (23 Jun 2022)

Peter Burke: Obviously, the Minister needs to see the report and consider it, but it will be dealt with in a very transparent manner, like all the other actions of the Government. We are prepared to ensure that board appointments will go through the Public Appointments Service, PAS, system, as detailed in the previous review. The Office of the Planning Regulator announced on 27 April that it is...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Planning Issues (23 Jun 2022)

Peter Burke: I thank the Deputy for her question. As stated in my opening remarks, the report is due by 29 July. The Minister has no issue with having a debate on the report in the Oireachtas. To be fair, the report has not yet been completed and the Minister has to consider the contents of the report when he receives it by 29 July. We are open to ensuring that An Bord Pleanála is fit-for-purpose...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Funding (23 Jun 2022)

Peter Burke: My Department provides funding to local authorities for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Scheme. These schemes assist eligible applicants living in privately owned homes to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. Funding of €81.25 million is available nationally in 2022 which is an...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (23 Jun 2022)

Peter Burke: The Programme for Government includes a commitment to ensure that each local authority has a sufficient number of biodiversity officers and heritage officers among their staff complement. The role of a biodiversity officer is prescribed at local level by the employing local authority. Biodiversity officers are the public face of biodiversity-related activities within the local authority,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Renewable Energy Generation (23 Jun 2022)

Peter Burke: My Department, in the context of the Climate Action Plan and in consultation with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, has undertaken a review of the solar planning exemptions set out in the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, with a particular focus on facilitating increased self-generation of electricity. This review is now complete. Included in the exemptions...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (23 Jun 2022)

Peter Burke: One year after the introduction of the Section 28 Guidelines measure, my Department has undertaken a review of the planning measures introduced. In summary by 18 May 2022, this condition had been applied to a combined total of 15,883 residential units.  This included a total of 7,988 house and duplex units across 23 Strategic Housing Development planning permissions approved by An Bord...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Urban Development (23 Jun 2022)

Peter Burke: The identification and implementation of greenbelts and green spaces at a regional and city scale is a matter for regional assemblies and local authorities, through the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies (including Metropolitan Area Spatial Plans) and City/County Development Plans.  Guidance in relation to provision and design of open space at the local level is set out in the...