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Local Minister Darragh O’Brien TD has welcomed the positive progress being made in relation to regularising pay and conditions for school secretaries and caretakers.
Minister O’Brien, who along with his Fianna Fáil Party colleagues, campaigned for an end to the two tier structure which saw some school secretaries at a disadvantage when it came to sick leave, certainty of hours or pay increases, said it was important that Minister Foley move quickly on the issue. He said, “Everyone knows their school secretary and caretaker - they are integral to the running of a school and have been taking on more responsibilities than ever, from assisting principals with complex administration, to organising fundraising for school events. “They really are the backbone of most schools and oftentimes the first port of call for students and parents and it’s important that this is recognised. “My Cabinet colleague Minister Foley has already made strides in key education commitments. An admin day for teaching principals and a reduction in class sizes have both been announced as part of the Stimulus package and Budget respectively. “In these difficult times where we are expecting a lot from our schools it’s important that they know that they are valued and appreciated,” he concluded. Local Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD has welcomed the passage of a Bill to modify the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 to prevent any notices of termination served by landlords from taking effect during the period of level five restrictions.
The Minister brought the emergency legislation through the Oireachtas this week on the back of the introduction of Level 5 restrictions country-wide. Minister O’Brien said that the Bill, which would ensure that no evictions could take place, save in exceptional circumstances, would protect tenants in North County Dublin and give them peace of mind during these difficult times. Commenting Minister O’Brien said, “This new Bill will ensure that in future, where severe restrictions on peoples’ movement are imposed, these protections would automatically kick-in. A ‘grace-period’ will also be built into the Bill whereby a person cannot be evicted in the ten days following the lifting of restrictions. “The Residential Tenancies and Valuation Act 2020 which came into effect on 1st August already protects tenants experiencing rent arrears due to Covid-19 from eviction and rent increases up to 10th January 2021. The protections under that Act apply nationwide, subject to the tenant making an appropriate declaration. “However, this new Residential Tenancies Bill is now needed to protect all tenants from eviction while their movement is restricted. These protections will apply any time that severe restrictions are placed on peoples’ movement. “All across Dublin Fingal there are renters working in sectors that are worst affected by Covid-19 such as in the hospitality and retail sectors. This new Bill better protects their tenancies at this difficult time by ensuring no evictions can take place,” concluded Minister O’Brien. Local Minister Darragh O’Brien TD has welcomed the boost given to the re-development plans for Balbriggan following the acquisition of several buildings in the town by Fingal County Council.
Minister O’Brien said the acquisition meant that people would begin to see transformative change in the town as the objectives of Balbriggan Rejuvenation Plan 2019-2025 are realised. Commenting he said, “Anyone who has seen the redevelopment plans for the harbour will see the huge potential of the area. There is so much history to this town, the castle, a beautiful beach and a working harbour - it has so much to offer and the redevelopment plans will help to make it thrive. “For too long our cities and large towns have been blighted by rundown and poorly utilised areas. My Department oversees a fund, the Urban Regeneration Development Fund (URDF) which supports sustainable development through the regeneration and rejuvenation of Ireland’s cities and other large towns. This is something Balbriggan has benefitted from in the past and is prime for in the future,” he concluded. Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD has recently received Cabinet approval for new provisions which will ensure that there is a statutory obligation to deliver affordable housing on State land.
This provision will be contained in the legislation to establish the Land Development Agency (LDA) on a primary statutory footing. Minister O’Brien has published an updated General Scheme of the LDA Bill, which reflects the pre-legislative scrutiny process previously undertaken by the Oireachtas and the commitments on the LDA included in the Programme for Government. Commenting Minister O’Brien said, “State owned lands are one of our most valuable resources and it is my intention that they will be a key part of the solution to quickly deliver affordable homes across the country through the LDA. “The LDA has an immediate focus on managing the State’s own lands to develop new homes, and regenerate under-utilised sites. It is currently working on nine initial sites, including their flagship partnership with Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council which will see 597 homes delivered in Shanganagh. “It’s expected that 4,000 homes will be delivered across their other sites with a pipeline of further sites being developed. The LDA is also engaged in urban regeneration master planning initiatives with Limerick City and Galway City Councils and is also engaging with other City Councils. “As a further demonstration of the Government’s commitment to supporting the LDA, €65 million was allocated in Budget 2021 and a further investment of €1.25 billion will be made by the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) from 2021 onwards. “My Department is working closely with the Office of the Attorney General to draft the LDA Bill, with a view to bringing this forward to the Oireachtas as a matter of priority,” he concluded. ENDS Link to updated General Scheme of the LDA Bill: https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/regulatory_impact_analysis_land_development_agency_general_scheme_of_bil.pdf The LDA was established as a State agency under secondary legislation in September 2018. The main objectives of the LDA, include:
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD has received Cabinet approval for the priority drafting and publication of a Bill to modify the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 to prevent any notices of termination served by landlords from taking effect during the period of level five restrictions.
Minister O’Brien said that the Bill, which would ensure that no evictions could take place, save in exceptional circumstances, needed to be enacted without delay. He called on opposition parties to support its passage through the Oireachtas. He said, “As a result of the growing public health concerns in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, further legislative measures are now considered necessary to protect tenants in situations where peoples’ movement is severely restricted. “This new Bill will ensure that in future, where severe restrictions on peoples’ movement are imposed, these protections would automatically kick-in. A ‘grace-period’ will also be built into the Bill whereby a person cannot be evicted in the ten days following the lifting of restrictions. “The Residential Tenancies and Valuation Act 2020 which came into effect on 1st August already protects tenants experiencing rent arrears due to Covid-19 from eviction and rent increases up to 10th January 2021. The protections under that Act apply nationwide, subject to the tenant making an appropriate declaration. “However, this new Residential Tenancies Bill is now needed to protect all tenants from eviction while their movement is restricted. These protections will apply any time that severe restrictions are placed on peoples’ movement “I hope that all Oireachtas colleagues engage constructively on this Bill,” he concluded. |
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August 2023
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