Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Housing and local TD, Darragh O’Brien has welcomed a recent meeting with the USI to discuss strengthening student’s tenancy rights.
The Union of Students in Ireland Pre-Budget Submission ahead of Budget 2020 is again calling for the government to provide capital grants specifically for HEI development of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA).
Deputy O’Brien said: “I recently met with the USI to discuss their pre-budget submission and specifically the accommodation crisis for students. It’s clear that significantly more work needs to be done in this area and I am happy to continue to work with the USI to strengthen student tenancy rights.
Deputy O’Brien noted that strengthening tenancy rights for students is a key priority for Fianna Fáil.
“We worked closely with the USI to ensure that amendments were made to the Residential Tenancies bill, ensuring that students in Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) would no longer see hikes of more than 4% per year.  Our work to introduce more security and affordability into the student accommodation sector continues and is one of Fianna Fáil’s priorities,” concluded Deputy O’Brien.

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Housing and local TD, Darragh O’Brien has said the Government’s Pyrite Remediation Scheme is leaving homeowners behind and more needs to be done to fix on-going problems for home owners.

Deputy O’Brien raised the issue at the Joint Housing Oireachtas Committee on Housing recently calling for more to be done for home owners affected.

“I am pleased that the Pyrite Resolution Board must now appear in front of the Joint Housing Oireachtas Committee where I will be raising issues on behalf of home owners who cannot access the scheme.

“The pyrite remediation scheme needs to be expanded so that all homeowners affected can have their homes repaired in the instances where their insurer won’t pay out."

“To date, over 1000 homes have been remediated to date but so many are being left behind and more needs to be done to help these people,” concluded Deputy O’Brien.

Local Authorities discretion to build new units still capped at €2m

Fianna Fáil Housing Spokesperson Darragh O’Brien has criticised Minister Eoghan Murphy for back tracking on promises to slash red tape for local authorities.
Budget 2019 had agreed to increase the discretionary cap for Local Authority spending on social housing from €2m to €6m.
This would mean Local Authorities could build up to 30 units without going through the 4-step process that takes over a year to complete. Minister Murphy confirmed the cap would not be increased at the Oireachtas Housing Committee earlier this week.
Deputy O’Brien said: “Supply is the key to solving our housing crisis. Local Authorities need to be able to put bricks and mortar into the ground but are being caught up in red tape by the Department. Last year Fianna Fáil pushed for an increase in the discretionary cap from €2m to €6m to expand the number of homes a local authority could build through a simple one-step process. However Fine Gael have backtracked on this and refused to increase the cap.”
“Instead of accelerating delivery, projects are being stuck in the bureaucratic mud rather than getting on site. It’s another example of a Fine Gael government who have turned their back on this housing crisis. Including HAP tenants there are over 130,000 people on social housing waiting lists. A €6m cap would allow Local Authorities and small to medium size builders get a real start in cutting those numbers down. ” Deputy O’Brien concluded.

-Letter shows further delays in publishing key review on the future of the scheme-
 
Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Housing, Darragh O’Brien TD, has called on Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy to swiftly publish a report on the future of the tenant purchase scheme. Correspondence received by Deputy O’Brien shows further delays in publishing the report which was due to be completed in 2017.
 
The 2016 Tenant Purchase scheme enables local authority housing tenants to buy their own homes at a discounted price subject to significant conditions. A report on how the scheme was functioning was due to be completed 12 months following its establishment.
 
“I have continually asked the Minister to publish this report and written to him on the matter. Correspondence I have received confirms further delays in its publication. The report was due over two years ago in 2017. Instead of publishing the report and allowing the Dáil to debate its recommendations and set out a path forward for the scheme he has put it on the long finger.
 
“Instead of being open with the public he has kept the report hidden. He is delaying it for political reasons and clearly intends to swamp it as part of a new social housing announcement over the coming months. This is cynical spin by the government that is delaying real debate over the scheme. This is causing uncertainty for tenants thinking about buying their own place.
 
“Its past time for the Minister to show a bit of honesty and publish the report. Tenants have been waiting far too long and the Dáil needs to debate the future of the scheme,” Deputy O’Brien concluded.

- Govt must now deliver on its commitment –
 
Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin Fingal Darragh O’Brien has welcomed confirmation today that Donabate is to get a new Gaelscoil.  It comes after years of campaigning by parents and local groups for a new school for the area.

Deputy O’Brien said, “This is a great day for everyone who has been involved in the campaign for a Gaelscoil for Donabate and Portrane.  We have seen the population in Donabate and surrounding areas expand significantly over recent years and there is a real need for a new school on the peninsula. 

“I’m particularly pleased that the new school will be a Gaelscoil as there is no Irish-medium primary school in the area, and parents had expressed a preference for their kids to be taught through Irish.

“I want to pay tribute to all of the parents and the local community groups who have been so actively involved in the campaign for a Gaelscoil for Donabate and Portrane.  Today’s announcement is a testament to their enthusiasm, determination and drive.

“I will be engaging with the Minister and the Department of Education to ensure that this new school is delivered on time.  The school is due to open next year, and while I fully welcome today’s announcement, this government has a habit of making promises and failing to see them through. That cannot be the case with this school and I will be keeping pressure on the Minister so that enrolment can begin for the 2020 school term”