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195. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is considering introducing additional support for local authorities to assist tenants who are made homeless through fire damage to their rented accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48291/26]

196. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he will implement a no-fault eviction ban, in line with proposals in the recently published Report on Homelessness. [48321/26]

199. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures he is taking to ensure affordability of new homes; if he have a target percentage of new homes that will be deemed affordable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48003/26]

200. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the Gaeltacht planning statement and rural planning statement will be released; and the reason for the continued delays in the face of rising homelessness, the decline of the Irish language in an Ghaeltacht and demographic decline. [48181/26]

307. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding plans for a maritime activity centre for Cork (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48575/26]

309. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures being undertaken by his Department to protect Irish beaches as part of coastal resilience measures; the supports available for beach renourishment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48626/26]

310. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost to hire 10% additional staff in the An Coimisiún Pleanála with environmental, marine and/or ecological expertise; and the estimated cost to hire 20% 30%, 40%, 50% additional staff in An Coimisiún Pleanála. [48726/26]

311. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his Department’s plans to curtail economic evictions due to rising rents; the steps he is taking to address people being priced out of the private rental market; if he plans to introduce rent control measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48090/26]

312. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to review a gap in the vacant above-the-shop-grant scheme (details supplied); to outline the grants being introduced to support same; the timeframe for their delivery or when they will open to applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48394/26]

313. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures that are being undertaken to improve water quality in Cork Harbour and the River Lee catchment area, in light of recent Environmental Protection Agency findings regarding bathing water quality, nutrient pollution and other identified issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4433…

314. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will publish the updated guidelines for windfarms; if these guidelines will include setback distances, noise and flicker; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44473/26]

315. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is satisfied that his Department has an effective high level of oversight on the procurement processes and public accountability relative to the local authorities and agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40601/26]

316. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to support high street retailers who are facing a range of challenges (details supplied). [45502/26]

317. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the proposed new rural planning guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48302/26]

318. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department is considering any additional supports for the conversion of vacant upper floors above shops in towns and villages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38390/26]

319. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the engagement there has been between his Department and other Government departments recently in relation to the request for firefighters to be able to work past the age of 62 years, subject to medicals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40452/26]

320. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update regarding affordable student accommodation; and his plan to tackle student homelessness. [48285/26]

321. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures his Department is taking to support urban villages which are often not selected for Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38010/26]

323. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address issues (details supplied) in relation to the Draft National Planning Statement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48428/26]

324. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if HAP rent arrears prevents an individual from accessing homeless supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48434/26]

325. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of a dispute between Dublin City Council and staff who worked in the leakage department who decided not to transfer to Uisce Éireann; if he will intervene to ensure that Dublin City Council meets its obligations under the service level agreements to ensure these workers are reassigned to suitab…

329. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the delivery of affordable homes in the Poolbeg West SDZ. [48553/26]

330. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of requests for increased CALF and CAS funding on individual projects after construction has commenced, where costs have increased above initial stage 1 approval in the past 12 months, by local authority and by funding request approval/rejection. [48554/26]

331. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the capital funding increases for Uisce Éireann for every year from 2026 to 2030, as per the announcement in Budget 2026. [48555/26]

333. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress that has been made on wind farm guidelines; the stage the process is at; when the new guidelines will be in place; when a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) will be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48571/26]

I look forward to having those discussions with the Minister both at committee and in the Chamber and, indeed, offline because this is an issue that is not going away any time soon. Much time has been wasted over the last five to ten years when we should have been developing housing, but it is never too late to start doing the right thing. It needs to be focused on keeping rural communities alive …

I thank the Deputy for her question. Her taking us through that is a reminder of the scale of challenge and crises that not just Ireland but the world has gone through. If any one of these things had happened in somebody's lifetime in the past, it would have been viewed as extraordinary. We have had financial crises, the global pandemic, the impact of Brexit on our country, very significant migrat…

First, I welcome to the Gallery today Diarmaid Dulohery from Blarney, Louise Ahern, Pat Egan and my brother, Marc Kenny. This is the first time most of them have been in Leinster House and I wish them a fantastic day. I welcome this debate. It is seriously important but with this debate, I would appreciate that we would take these issues on board and work with them. I will begin in relation to le…

I thank colleagues right across the House for their contributions, not just during the discussion this afternoon on making Ireland's education system a world-class system and making sure every child can reach his or her full potential. I welcome the opportunity to speak on this issue and I thank Deputies for their contributions on it. I also thank thank the Minister, Deputy McEntee, for the huge a…

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I hope the Minister will withdraw his amendment killing this Bill and support it as it stands. We ask those on the Government benches to also support this Bill as it would do what all parties agree needs to be done and bring RTÉ under the remit of the Comptroller and Auditor General. I have read the media reports that the media Minister, Deputy P…

I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin - To discuss the closure of the Gorey and Courtown meals on wheels . Deputy Robert O'Donoghue - To discuss substandard water and wastewater connections at Ellen's Court, County Dublin. Deputy Brian Brennan -…

Independent Ireland brought this motion before the House in order for the Government to see common sense. Independent Ireland recently received the chairmanship of the Committee on Budgetary Oversight. The first thing the committee will look at is the cost of healthcare in this country and the value it gives for money, including the overspends. We will not discuss the National Children's Hospital …

Renting has never been more expensive or less secure than under the Taoiseach's Government. This week, daft.ie published its figures for the rental market for the start of this year. Rents are now climbing faster than at any point in the previous 20 years. Average new rents are now over €2,000 a month. That is an eye-watering €24,000 a year on rent. In Dublin city, new rents now average €2,500 a m…

I am just putting it to the Deputy because I have watched over the past three or four years on housing. All I get is an antipathy on the Opposition side towards any private sector funding in housing. If they maintain that position, we will not deal with the housing supply issue.

With others in this House, and I am quite certain people right across the entire country, we share the horror of what we have been seeing going on in Gaza and across the Middle East. The denial of humanitarian aid to citizens is, as the Taoiseach rightly said, a war crime. The fact that we are now hearing evidence, as Deputy Duncan Smith has said, from a number of trusted humanitarian organisation…

It is a privilege to address the House today to mark National Biodiversity Week, my first since being appointed Minister of State with responsibility for nature, heritage and biodiversity. This week continues to grow in reach and impact, with over 350 events happening nationwide. It is a time not just to celebrate Ireland's rich natural heritage, but also to reflect, take stock and recommit to the…

I will not make a grand speech about something I have always been involved in, but biodiversity was something I always just knew about. On the farm where my mam grew up in north Roscommon or the farm my uncle had, there were meadows and bees but I never thought too much about biodiversity. I grew up in a housing estate in Leixlip. We were out and about and parks were just for playing football. Whe…

I also do not support the change to this scheme or the amendment proposed. Let us put this in context. Some 91% of the people who are participating in hosting refugees under this scheme have never been landlords before. It is not true that this scheme will interfere or has interfered with the housing market because nine out of ten of hosts never would have been landlords. I do not understand why t…

I take a slightly different approach from that of Deputy Tóibín. We have to remember what the ARP is for. It is part of our contribution to help war-torn Ukraine which has been aggressively attacked by Putin's regime. As we are not a military country - we are militarily neutral and not participating in any transfer of weaponry - we have made a contribution as part of the effort to help Ukraine. Th…

I thank the Deputies for their contributions and for taking the time to consider the motion to reduce the amount of the monthly contribution under the ARP scheme for people hosting beneficiaries of temporary protection. As provided by the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022, the draft order laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas cannot be made law until a resolution approving that ord…

I move the following Revised Estimates: Vote 25 — Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Revised Estimate). That a sum not exceeding €9,709,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2025, for the salaries and expenses of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission and for payment of certain grants. Vote 4…

Under Standing Order 35(3), I would like to propose an amendment to the Order of Business that the Minister for housing come into the House and take questions on the housing emergency. It can no longer be called a crisis; it is an absolute disaster. Commencements of residential units have collapsed to a ten-year low. The Government's plan is failing disastrously. Does the Minister have any-----

The Taoiseach probably saw the figures yesterday that showed that the average rent in this country is now over €2,000. My question is simple and straightforward. The Taoiseach and his Government accept that the housing crisis is no longer just a crisis. It is an emergency. How, in that context, can he agree with the Minister for housing, who said, as quoted in the Irish Examiner yesterday, that th…

The Deputy said he supported the Housing Commission's report, and the Housing Commission report recommended changes to the rent pressure zones. I do not know why he is condemning the Government for even considering the recommendation of the Housing Commission in respect of that issue.

First, I recognise Cara Darmody. I met her when I was the Lord Mayor of Dublin. I brought her into the Mansion House as part of our initiative to make Dublin the world’s first autism-friendly capital city. Cara is a determined and brave person. I absolutely lament the fact she feels she has to sleep outside the Dáil for the next 50 hours in order to highlight one of the biggest challenges we have …

I am very grateful for the opportunity to speak on this issue. I wish the Minister very well in her role. Having listened to everyone who contributed, I believe there is not one Member across these Houses who is not inundated with queries and concerns over children’s therapies, waiting lists and assessment of need. So many of us are supporting parents and families to get services for their childr…

One-off housing, particularly in rural areas like Roscommon, no more than my own area, is a really important part of housing output. It is important to the vibrancy of rural communities as well. I understand the argument the Deputy is making in respect of how you tie the contribution people are paying directly to a service that is being delivered in return. I have outlined the position of the Dep…

The suggestion that what has been happening with the approvals for social and affordable housing at the end of last year and early this year is perfectly normal is simply not true. Either the Minister knows that and is refusing to address the question or he simply does not know what is going on in his Department. There is considerable frustration among local authorities, approved housing bodies an…

I am beginning to worry that the Minister does not understand what is actually happening in his Department. I urge him to talk to local authority directors of housing and the Irish Council for Social Housing. I will forward him the details on the individual schemes by way of email after this meeting. Typically, a decision on an application from an AHB – for example, for the capital advance leasing…

2. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is concerned that housing delivery is at risk because of an inability of new houses to be connected to the electricity grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24653/25]