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536. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what oversight mechanisms are in place within his Department to monitor delays and service performance in Tailte Éireann; and whether any formal escalation framework exists for cases experiencing prolonged delays. [33074/26]

538. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the nationality breakdown of adults recorded in emergency accommodation in each month from January 2024 to the most recent date available, including a breakdown by (i) Irish citizens, (ii) EU/EEA citizens, and (iii) non-EU nationals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33244/26]

539. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether data is collected, either by his Department or by local authorities, on the immigration or legal status of persons in emergency accommodation, including categories such as (i) international protection applicants, (ii) beneficiaries of temporary protection, (iii) refugees with status, (iv) EU/EEA nationals…

540. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons in emergency accommodation who are also in the international protection system, including those awaiting a decision on their application, in each of the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33246/26]

541. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the gender breakdown of adults in emergency accommodation, including male, female and any other recorded categories, for each of the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33247/26]

542. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the age profile of persons in emergency accommodation, including breakdowns by age cohorts (for example 18–24, 25–44, 45–64, 65+), for the most recent period available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33248/26]

543. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the breakdown of persons in emergency accommodation by household type, including single adults, couples, and families with children, and the proportion of each category accounted for by Irish citizens and non-Irish nationals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33249/26]

544. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons in emergency accommodation for (i) less than 6 months, (ii) 6–12 months, (iii) 1–2 years, and (iv) more than 2 years, and whether such data is disaggregated by nationality or immigration status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33250/26]

545. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the data collection framework used to compile official homelessness statistics, including whether standardised data fields exist across local authorities for nationality, immigration status, and household composition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33251/26]

546. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether nationality data is collected in respect of children in emergency accommodation; if not, the reason for this omission; and whether there are plans to introduce such data collection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33252/26]

547. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department engages with the Department of Justice, Home Affair and Migration, to align data on homelessness and international protection applicants, including shared datasets or reporting mechanisms; and if so, to outline the structure of that coordination; and if he will make a statement on the matte…

548. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether there is variation between local authorities in the application of eligibility criteria, access thresholds, or data collection practices in respect of emergency accommodation; whether any national standardisation framework is in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33265/26]

549. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department maintains a forward projection or demand model for emergency accommodation needs; if so, the assumptions underpinning that model, including population growth and migration-related factors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33266/26]

550. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the breakdown of emergency accommodation provision by type, including hotels, bed and breakfast accommodation, family hubs and other facilities; the proportion of total capacity each represents; and whether any policy exists to reduce reliance on higher-cost accommodation types; and if he will make a statement on…

553. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a detailed breakdown of all gifts received in his capacity as Minister; the nature of these gifts and potential monetary value; the procedures followed in accepting gifts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33384/26]

602. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether a cross-departmental review has been undertaken into the interaction between international education policy, migration pathways, labour market needs and housing supply; and whether the Government is satisfied that these policies are sufficiently aligned. [31892/26]

624. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the procedures in place where an individual is removed from an IPAS accommodation centre due to breaches of house rules or behavioural issues, including the alternative arrangements, if any, that are made for such individuals; and to indicate whether data is maintained on the number of removals for behavioural rea…

665. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether legal representation in housing-related disputes, including disputes before the Residential Tenancies Board, is being considered as part of reform of the civil legal aid scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32915/26]

1068. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether a cost breakdown exists at project or contractor level separating fire safety works from general refurbishment works in the Heather House Community Nursing Unit project; if so, to provide that breakdown; and if not, the reason such cost categorisation is not maintained for capital projects involving statutory fire compliance requiremen…

1070. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to outline the approval process for the capital funding allocated to the Heather House Community Nursing Unit project, including the stages of approval, the approving authority at each stage, and whether any revised cost approvals have been required since project commencement. [32662/26]

1071. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the projected total cost of €10.69 million for the Heather House Community Nursing Unit project is fixed or subject to revision; and whether any cost overruns or revised projections have been identified to date. [32663/26]

1073. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the original planned commencement and completion dates for the Heather House Community Nursing Unit refurbishment project; the current projected completion date; and the reasons for any delays arising. [32665/26]

1074. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether interim or final fire safety certification has been issued in respect of the Heather House Community Nursing Unit project; if so, to provide the dates of such certification and the certifying authority involved. [32666/26]

1075. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any defects, compliance issues, or remedial works relating to fire safety have been identified during the course of the Heather House Community Nursing Unit project; and if so, to provide details of same and any associated additional costs. [32667/26]

1076. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether independent oversight, audit, or inspection has been carried out in respect of the Heather House Community Nursing Unit project, particularly in relation to fire safety compliance; if so, to provide details and findings [32668/26]

I thank the Minister of State for those details. I appreciate that funding is important but I assure him that the €31 million is not reaching some of the families that I am speaking to. I want to emphasise, as I did in my initial contribution, that this is not just about funding. The way in which some of these families are being treated is also an issue. There are complex ways in which people arri…

Again, I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter and for her contribution. We are in agreement that the standard of social properties being rented out by local authorities should be such that tenants have a good quality of life and their well-being and mental health are being protected. It is not acceptable for anyone to live in damp, mouldy or substandard conditions. That is why the Go…

I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "recognises: — the crucial role played by An Garda Síochána in ensuring the security of the State, protecting and serving communities across Ireland through the maintenance of law and order, and upholding the principles of justice; — the commencement of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act…

I invite the House to think about An Garda Síochána and the unique monopoly services it provides to the Irish people. Its ability to deliver those services affects us all on a daily basis. I commend our local An Garda Síochána. Since 2008 when I entered public life, I have had relationships with community gardaí and local sergeants and superintendents who do tremendous work on the ground, go beyon…

I am glad to get the opportunity to speak about An Garda Síochána today. I thank it for its great work in Kerry. It is a massive county and the distances are very great around all the peninsulas and everything. We have to thank it especially for making progress in connection with the murder of Michael Gaine. We welcome this and hope that it continues to bring this to the conclusion desired by many…

I welcome the northside home care workers in the Public Gallery today. They do incredible work in the local community looking after sick and elderly people and they must be paid a decent and fair wage. Parents and carers from Before We Die visited the Dáil recently to highlight the housing needs of adults with intellectual disabilities. The name of their campaign group sums up the grim reality of…

Certainly, as I said, this is an issue I am going to deal with personally, as Taoiseach, with the Minister, Deputy Foley, the Minister of State, Deputy Higgins, and others, including the Minister for Health. It needs an integrated response, without question. We certainly will provide the necessary funding but, again, we have to get the design and the structures right. In my view, there is funding …

I begin by cautiously welcoming the short-term reprieve brought about by the Government's decision to reduce excise duty temporarily; to cut the NORA levy, a measure to which this legislation gives effect; and to take on board one of the Labour Party's proposals, which was to extend the fuel allowance by four weeks. The Labour Party voted in support of the introduction of these measures last night…

I will pick up on what my colleague, Deputy Ahern, was speaking about. We are living in an era in which shock events are becoming more regular due to irrational, unpredictable and, quite frankly, dangerous leadership among the big powers. The world's reliance on fossil fuels has become the source of global conflict. The ultimate impact of this is not only that it causes deaths in those regions whe…

It is good to have a few extra minutes to talk about this. Obviously, this legislation is about the National Oil Reserves Agency 2 cent levy suspension. That makes it 22 cent in total on diesel, 17 cent in total on petrol and another 2 cent reduction on home heating oil. As I have said and others have said, it is simply not enough in the current crisis. I know it is a geopolitical issue, but geopo…

I certainly welcome the measures that have been brought forward, which are quite comprehensive and are targeted at the most vulnerable. I wish to highlight two issues that have been raised by others. One is the case of those who are involved in agriculture. Given the costs our farmers are facing, particularly with regard to fuel and the increasing cost of fertiliser, we need to find a package some…

I accept that. The reality is that the carbon tax funds significant investment in reducing aspects of our economic dependence on fossil fuels. Some Deputies talked about a weakness in the SEAI grants scheme. We have brought forward simplification measures, which I am sure we will get to in due course. We are bringing in a grant scheme for windows and doors to help people to upgrade the energy eff…

I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the following Order in draft: Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 (Section 4(2)) (Scheme Termination Date) Order 2026, a copy of which was laid in draft form before Dáil Éireann on 23rd February, 2026. I thank the Members of Dáil Éireann for making time today to discuss this motion concerning the order the Minister, Deputy Jim O’Callaghan, and I pro…

I commend Deputy Carthy on the amendments he has tabled and his steadfast challenging of this scheme, which is deeply unfair. The amendment he has tabled today would remove that unfairness. The scheme should not be extended without the amendment being accepted. For more than two years, we in Sinn Féin have been raising concerns about the accommodation recognition payment. It was brought in, as Dep…

Fine Gael's manifesto for the last election states: Fine Gael will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. We will unequivocally support Ukraine. I presume Fianna Fáil's manifesto said something similar. The Government supports them as long as it can use them to drive an agenda of militarisation and undermining of neutrality. However, when it comes to Ukrainian people who have fled Putin's i…

I thank colleagues for their contributions to this debate. I acknowledge and welcome the fact that the majority of the House will be supporting the order to extend the ARP until 2027. It is important to acknowledge that this was a very innovative and successful mechanism, introduced back in July 2022, to respond to the fact that Ireland held itself out as a very welcoming place for Ukrainian peopl…

I move amendment No.1: In page 3, between lines 10 and 11, to insert the following: “Amendment of section 34 of the National Oil Reserves Agency Act 2007 1. Section 34 of the National Oil Reserves Agency Act 2007 is amended by adding a new paragraph after paragraph (2): “(3) The Minister shall, within three months of the reduction of the NORA levy during the period identified in section 37(1A)…

Gabhaim buíochas leis na Teachtaí as ucht an leasaithe. Labhróidh mé i gcomhthéacs an leasaithe anois. Ní féidir liom glacadh leis. Ní aontaím leis na rudaí a dúirt na Teachtaí. I do not agree with what Deputy Hayes said. I understand it and will take it at face value that his concerns are genuine. I have no reason to think otherwise. There is nothing underhand about this at all. It is a bit of a …

It is nearly a month into this crisis and the Government is finally acting but the measures announced today do not go far enough. A temporary cut to excise duty to provide some relief at the pumps is long overdue but where are the targeted supports for those who need them most? The Government, having spent weeks and weeks reviewing the situation, has come into this House and done the bare minimum…

Over the past week I had parents of children with intellectual disabilities from the Before We Die campaign in with me. They pointed out that about 2,000 adults with intellectual disabilities are living with parents who are over 70, and about 500 of those people are living with parents over 80. Their parents are extremely worried about what will happen to their children when they pass away and are…

I am responding to the issue. I met with the Before We Die group some weeks ago. This is on the agenda of the next Cabinet subcommittee on disability. I have spoken to the Minister for housing, the Minister for disability and the Minister for Health. What is needed here is a concerted, collective approach. I acknowledge that the current situation is not sustainable or satisfactory and creates undu…

I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 to 23, inclusive, together. The Department of the Taoiseach's statement of strategy 2025-28 was approved by the Government on 7 October 2025 and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 10 December 2025. The statement of strategy outlines the Department’s vision, mission, values, core responsibilities, key activities and policy priorities over the period fro…

I welcome this Bill. It is certainly a long and overdue step that will allow Irish State bodies, serving and former members of An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces, civil servants and even former Ministers to give oral evidence before a High Court judge to assist the Omagh bombing inquiry. However, I want to be clear that this legislation arrives almost 28 years after the horror of August 1998…

I welcome the motion put down by Deputy Cullinane and Sinn Féin. I acknowledge the personal testimony shared by Members throughout the debate. It is really appreciated and I know it will matter to a lot of people. Today’s motion is very timely, coming just a week after Daffodil Day when people across the country showed solidarity with those affected by cancer. People across this House showed the …

The Labour Party supports this emergency legislation. We support the rebate because the haulage industry needs relief and it needs it fast. We must act with urgency and a sense of responsibility to the workers and businesses that keep this country functioning. This emergency legislation is not technical and nor is it distant from the daily lives of people. It deals with a crisis that has struck at…