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164. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the mechanisms in place to support agencies under his remit to manage the increase in the minimum wages in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31382/26]

165. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the mechanisms in place to support agencies under his remit to manage increasing operating costs including insurance, energy and fuel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31400/26]

166. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration has been given to introducing a mechanism whereby parents who are separated or divorcing, but cannot live separately due to the housing crisis, may qualify for one-parent family supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31047/26]

14. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Taoiseach to provide an update on the work of the Cabinet offshore energy clearing house. [7890/26]

15. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Taoiseach to provide an update on the work of the Cabinet offshore energy clearing house. [7891/26]

16. Deputy John Connolly asked the Taoiseach to provide an update on the work of the Cabinet offshore energy clearing house. [7909/26]

17. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Taoiseach to provide an update on the work of the Cabinet offshore energy clearing house. [14278/26]

18. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Taoiseach to provide an update on the work of the Cabinet offshore energy clearing house. [28397/26]

19. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Taoiseach to provide an update on the work of the Cabinet offshore wind energy clearing house. [29768/26]

20. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Taoiseach to provide an update on the work of the Cabinet offshore wind energy clearing house. [29770/26]

21. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Taoiseach to provide an update on the work of the Cabinet offshore wind energy clearing house. [29773/26]

22. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Taoiseach to provide an update on the work of the Cabinet offshore wind energy clearing house. [30323/26]

23. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the Cabinet offshore wind energy clearing house. [29036/26]

24. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the Cabinet offshore wind energy clearing house. [29039/26]

25. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Taoiseach to provide an update on the work of the Cabinet offshore wind energy clearing house. [30357/26]

26. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Taoiseach to provide an update on the work of the Cabinet offshore wind energy clearing house. [30492/26]

27. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Taoiseach to provide an update on the work of the Cabinet offshore wind energy clearing house. [30496/26]

28. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Taoiseach to provide an update on the work of the Cabinet offshore wind energy clearing house. [30526/26]

177. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage have considered the introduction of a visitor accommodation levy/hotel bed tax or similar levies for the Dublin area for the generation of additional revenue to support our growing tourism sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2648…

181. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the status of the review of the critical skills occupations list and ineligible occupations list; whether the review will take into consideration the availability of housing in addition to the needs of the labour market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30068/26]

203. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage have considered the introduction of a visitor accommodation levy, hotel bed tax or similar levies, nationally for the generation of additional revenue to support the growing tourism sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26486/26]

211. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Housing will next meet. [30361/26]

222. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her reaction to comments made in the British parliament on Wednesday 22 April 2026 from the Northern Secretary of State that he will pursue significant amendments to the Bill currently going through the House of Commons to give effect to the British-Irish Legacy Framework; the steps the Government will take to ensure there …

678. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2024 will be fully commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29567/26]

679. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the Dowth Hall Demesne and National Park will be open to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29571/26]

I thank People Before Profit for bringing forward this Bill, which is both timely and essential and which I completely support. As a father of four children, social media is the biggest issue in the day-to-day running of most houses. The influence it has on homes is ridiculous. Children growing up in this time and age are suffering from mental health issues and eating disorders like we have never …

I have always felt that technology is a positive force in society. My career has been shaped by how technology can be harnessed for social good. Back in 1997, I did my undergraduate dissertation on the impact of the information revolution on the development of socialism, would you believe. That was back when we called it the information revolution and back when I called myself more openly a social…

I thank Deputies Gibney, Gogarty, Healy-Rae and Dolan, who spoke so eloquently about this issue. I also thank People Before Profit and Deputies Boyd Barrett and Murphy for tabling this incredibly important Bill. It comes with a backdrop where we have all been subjected to abuse, as Sinéad was last night. I have been subjected to it myself, as has everybody in the House and particularly women. I do…

Many people in Ireland are now at breaking point from the cost-of-living crisis. This crisis has not just persisted; it has been turbocharged by global instability for sure but also by the Government's policies. Households are struggling on every front, with the price of housing, groceries and energy. Those already in poverty are being pushed even further to the margins and everyone is feeling the…

In our party we have a free vote, and I initiated that well over a decade ago on matters pertaining to life and death. Let us acknowledge that this has been a hugely contested area in our country. It was a major decision by the Irish people, and one I supported, as the Deputy knows, both inside and outside the House, in respect of the change that occurred. The Government will examine the review, …

I disagree with the very false narrative the Deputy has put before the House in respect of the Government's position on renewables. It is a deliberately created false narrative by the Green Party in order to present the idea that it is indispensable to climate change. I have to say that strongly because I really reject what the Deputy has said. I think it is wrong and it is deliberately wrong. We …

I disagree with some of the points the Deputy has made. We have the highest population since the Famine. It went up by 52% since 1995. I am not going to go into all of the reasons and factors that underpin the homelessness situation, but they are quite varied and there are ones we did not have to deal with before. The Minister has a specific initiative in terms of families who are homeless. The mo…

We have had an interesting debate. I will begin by acknowledging a very special lady in Mullagh, County Cavan, Jane Duffy, who was lovingly known as a postwoman for 38 years. She recently retired and I want to wish her and her lovely husband, Peter Duffy, the very best of luck. The night she retired epitomised what has been said across the House during this debate. The community came out in force …

I welcome the opportunity to address the House on a number of important inquiry processes that have been established or are in the process of being established by the State in the health sector, and to update Members on progress to date. I also want to put these updates in the context of the human experiences that underpin them. We must always remember that long before any inquiry is agreed, befor…

There are serious concerns with the Bill. As is often the case with the Government, it waits until the last minute to try to rush through legislation. The concerns raised by academics and service providers need to be listened to. The University of Galway has raised concerns about the treatment of minors, the lack of meaningful engagement and the criteria for extending timelines. I want to raise co…

.I thank all of the Deputies who spoke on his really important Bill both last night and tonight. I acknowledge Members who contributed to the debate and indicated their support for progressing what is urgent and important legislation. I really appreciate the fact that support came from both sides of the House. A lot of different issues were touched on both tonight and last night, so I going to do…

We are witnessing a terrifying outbreak of war in Iran and across the Middle East over recent days, with strikes on schools and infrastructure, citizens locked down, flights cancelled and global chaos. At the outset, I will say what the Taoiseach and his Government colleagues have so far failed to say, namely that the attacks carried out by the United States and Israel represent a flagrant breach …

The new laws provide far greater and stronger protection to tenants than the old system did and Deputy Bacik was the very person who alleged that we ignored the Housing Commission. The Housing Commission said that the rent protection zones, RPZs-----

Holy Family School for the Deaf in Cabra is a centre of excellence for deaf education and is in fact the only campus in Ireland catering for deaf pupils from the ages of three to 18 years. This is education for deaf children and young people in the deaf community. It is a special school, providing a very specialised service. It is a wonderful school and they need in-house Irish sign language, ISL,…

Across this House we are incredibly impatient and adamant that this committee at the Department of the Taoiseach must deliver for disabled people. Right across the country, every single day, many of us speak to people with disabilities, and families who have children with disabilities who are caught up in not getting access to education, housing adaptations, timely assessments or transport in thei…

I think swimming should be obligatory and mandatory for everyone in this House. It would take a lot of tension out of the House. It would be very therapeutic for all the Members. Táim an-sásta an-chuid oibre a dhéanamh chun níos mó tacaíocht a thabhairt do na daoine atá ag snámh sa tír seo.

I could not agree more with the Deputy. Communities do not thrive if they do not have the sporting and community infrastructure. Increasingly, and more than ever, sport is central to having healthy communities. The project in Carrigaline is exactly the type of project we want to come forward across the country. I am certainly happy to meet those involved in relation to their plans the next time I…

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 Joanna Byrne - To discuss funding for the breakfast club for St. Paul's Senior National School, Drogheda, County Louth. Deputy John Connolly - To discuss the availability of the shingles vaccine for those over age 65. Deputy Dessie…

I welcome the opportunity to raise this matter. I finally got it accepted. It relates to the north city arterial main, NCAM, project and issues along the Howth Road and James Larkin Road and in surrounding areas. Hundreds of my constituents have been contacting my office every day. I have been trying to get access to information from Uisce Éireann and the contractor, but to no avail. As a public r…

Age-related rates apply to persons aged between 18 and 24 in receipt of a jobseeker's payment. However, young jobseekers can receive the full adult payment if they participate in training and employment programmes. This is the correct approach, which will help to minimise the scarring effects that extended periods of activity can sometimes have on the long-term prospects and well-being of young pe…

I will also mention the other services for Tyrrelstown and Hollystown. The Minister knows these areas well from his time on Fingal County Council. He knows the figures for Fingal. It is the fastest growing area and so on. I do not need to recite the figures to him. Dublin West has never had the transport it needs. It is the most recurring issue that people are contacting me about. It is causing ha…

I want to ask the Tánaiste about the SNA circular and the recent bad handling by the Department of a reorganisation of SNAs. It has caused huge upset within and without this House. I pay tribute to Michelle Cotterell, who is the principal of Our Lady of Good Counsel Boys' National School in Johnstown in my constituency. Ms Cotterell was one of the leaders in highlighting this issue. One of the re…

I want to raise with the Tánaiste today the lack of wastewater treatment capacity in the town of Kanturk in north Cork. We are very lucky to have five or six sites in development at the moment, with a number of houses being developed right across the town. We have a number of other applications for planning permission which do not have a wastewater connection at the moment. I believe there is a pl…

Many years ago, there were perhaps some indications or factors that may have made people more prone to homelessness, be it addiction, familial breakdown or economic background. That is no longer the case, as all of us know. Homelessness is like an illness; it can strike anyone at any time, particularly if they are a renter or renting in this country. If someone came into my clinic or any other Dep…

It is hard to know what to say at this stage because it will not be anything new from me or anyone else. I used to joke about single, transferable speeches but, unfortunately, there is an element here of, "Where are we going?" As Deputy Ellis said, that 16,734 is the officially accepted or classified number for homelessness. Obviously, this does not deal with rough sleepers, children in domestic …