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687. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the implementation of the recommendations of the interdepartmental group on coastal change management, and the work of the steering group charged with addressing the recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14945/26]

688. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 do not apply to local authority dwellings; whether any review of this position is underway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14998/26]

689. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he is taking to ensure that the forthcoming National Planning Statement on Short-Term Letting provides a workable and proportionate framework for small coastal towns where tourism is a key part of the local economy; whether a multi-year derogation will be made available for homeowners who commit to app…

690. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the funding application for the Cork city homeless hub (details supplied); the reason for the delay in a decision; the timeline for funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15017/26]

691. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of retained firefighters by each local authority area for each of the years 2021 to 2025 inclusive. [15107/26]

693. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps his Department is taking to ensure that local authorities provide transparent eligibility and allocation rules for cost-rental accommodation; the consideration being given to adjusting income thresholds to be eligible for cost rental; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15137/26]

756. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the amount spent on providing a tax free payment under the accommodation recognition payment for housing Ukrainians in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14375/26]

757. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the amount that has been spent providing a tax free payment to house Ukrainians in 2025 under the Accommodation Recognition Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14379/26]

867. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the way in which disability housing policy ensures continuity of friendships, routines, and social connections for adults with intellectual disabilities, particularly where families can no longer provide full-time advocacy or care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14429/26]

868. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the way in which her Department works with housing authorities to ensure that independent living does not result in isolation, loneliness, or loss of community for people with intellectual disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14430/26]

879. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps being taken to move away from institutional and congregated models of care, including the ongoing placement of younger adults with intellectual disabilities in nursing homes, towards community-based housing models with flexible, onsite supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14533/26…

892. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department or Tusla maintains a data architecture capable of linking duration of time spent in State care with post-18 outcomes including housing stability, educational attainment, employment status and engagement with aftercare services; whether such linkage is currently operational; and if not, whether t…

1023. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the capital cost of the extension at Heather House, Cork University Hospital; the date construction was completed; the date on which the additional 19 high-dependency beds were certified as physically ready for use; and the planned date for operational opening [14685/26]

1024. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the total number of funded beds at Heather House; the number currently operational; the number temporarily or permanently closed; and the reasons for any non-operational capacity [14686/26]

1025. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether recruitment approval has been granted for staffing of the 19-bed high-dependency unit at Heather House; the number of WTE posts required; the number filled; and the timeline for full staffing [14687/26]

1026. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health when HIQA registration was sought for the new high-dependency unit at Heather House; whether any conditions or compliance issues were raised; and the expected date of regulatory approval [14688/26]

1139. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to set out the evidential basis and methodology used by his Department to describe the “Build Back Home” campaign as having had a contributory effect on increases in the construction workforce, the specific CSO series and tables relied upon; the definitions used by the Department for “All…

8. 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. [13201/26]

38. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the current status of the Short Term Letting and Tourism Bill 2025 in light of significant concerns that it may negatively impact Ireland’s tourism industry; if his Department has had discussion with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage around the planning issues; and if he will make a statement…

78. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the justification for the continued roll-out of the built to innovate initiative, with €6.8 million in public grants approved to date, in the absence of an independent external evaluation and in circumstances where productivity impacts are currently measured only at firm level rather than across the residential constr…

261. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of multi-property owners that own more than 100 residential properties and 1,000 residential properties, excluding local authorities and approved housing bodies; how this has changed over the past ten years, using the information provided through local property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [138…

282. Deputy Cathy Bennett 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. [13433/26]

388. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department is aware of the “Global Biodiversity Loss, Ecosystem Collapse and National Security: A National Security Assessment” published by the UK government recently; the steps being taken to address the biodiversity crisis to strengthen Ireland’s national security in the wake of this assessment; and if…

389. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the implementation of the 59 recommendations from the Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13960/26]

390. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the projects that local authorities have applied for to-date under the Local Biodiversity Action Fund 2026; the breakdown in the details and the cost of those initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13961/26]

There is a moment in public life that demands more than ideology. It demands conscience, clarity and, above all, courage. The motion before us, brought by the Social Democrats, seeks to express opposition to Israel's war efforts by way of economic instrument, by targeting war bonds and financial ties. As a centrist, I approach this and other motions like this with deliberation of mind and a stead…

I dtús báire, ní aontaím leis an Teachta. Níl aon bhaint ag an méid atá ráite aici leis an bhfírinne. Níl suim ag an Teachta leis an bhfírinne, áfach. Is é atá i gceist ag an Teachta, agus Páirtí Shinn Féin, ná a bheith i gcoinne gach aon chinneadh a dhéanann an Rialtas, gan aon pholasaí soiléir dá chuid féin a chur os comhar an phobail. Is é sin bun agus barr an méid atá ráite ag an Teachta McDon…

The Housing Agency provides the platform for the review that the Government has acted on. We have acted. We have taken decisions. I am not hanging around here. I am not interested in Deputy McDonald's bluff and bluster because it will contribute nothing to housing supply in this country. That is the bottom line. I did listen to Deputy McDonald this morning and she said to me it was back of the env…

Renters are already in an incredibly stressful situation having seen their rents doubled over the last decade and the Government is now not helping the situation by sowing confusion. It did that yesterday. The launch, as regards the understanding of it and the contradictory messages coming out, was an absolute shambles. The Taoiseach is at it again today. He told the Dáil just a few minutes ago th…

-----bar an SSIA-type investment scheme which would take a couple of years before you had the requisite funds to invest in capital in housing. The State is already investing capital in housing to the tune of €7 billion plus. I put the question yesterday.

Quite a significant number of economists, along with the Housing Agency, are saying that measures taken by this House in 2021 restricted supply, so a lot of people are saying there is a clear need for reform of the rent pressure zones. The vast majority of commentators have said that. The key objective is to protect existing tenants and create certainty so that if someone invests in the future, at…

The question of the exclusion of services from the Government's occupied territories Bill lite has been a central issue of debate in this House and in public since it was announced in the programme for Government. In response to questions from me and others, the Taoiseach regularly cited legal advice that he had received for the exclusion of services. In a recent response to questions in the House…

Today's motion is a very important milestone in Ireland's journey as a modern knowledge society where research, innovation and international co-operation are placed at the centre of national development. The decision to seek associate membership of CERN is not just a symbolic act; it is a declaration of intent and a clear statement that Ireland sees itself as a serious player in global scientific …

Gabhaim buíochas leis na Teachtaí Dála a labhair sa díospóireacht seo. It has been a worthwhile debate. I welcome the support for the motion from across the House. What is rare is wonderful. We do not see such agreement often but, when we do, it is something to celebrate. I thank the Deputies on all sides of the Chamber who contributed. I acknowledge the contribution of the scientific community t…

That is the bottom line and yet Deputy McDonald comes in, all sound and fury. To a certain extent, there is an incredible incoherence in terms of Sinn Féin policy on housing. Deputy Ó Broin, as the Sinn Féin housing spokesperson, will meet all of the property interests. I have a list again of who he has met lately. On 30 April, Property Industry Ireland and IBEC. He meets them. Why?

I join others in expressing sympathies to all those affected by the school shooting in Austria of which we have just heard news. Back in February, someone in the Government was briefing the media about a proposed end to rent pressure zones. For years, the Government refused to contemplate designating the whole country as a rent pressure zone. Yesterday morning, the future of the entire RPZ scheme…

Before Deputy Bacik starts, we have a full Public Gallery. I am asking all Deputies in the House to be respectful. This is Leaders' Questions. It means each party gets to ask a question. If Deputies are happy heckling during the answer, I will let them off. I do not see the benefit. We will have a three-and-a-half-hour debate on housing later this afternoon. Could Deputies be respectful of one ano…

Time and again, we have put forward proposals to increase supply and financing, most recently with regard to leveraging some of the savings on deposit in Ireland and incentivising how they could be invested in housing. Pension funds in other countries invest in housing that is affordable. The Government is creating a system in which rents just go up and up, beyond people's reach. That is the diffe…

About two weeks ago, the Government announced plans to buy Citywest hotel. That is a huge concern to the constituents in the surrounding area. A debate has to happen in the House. Before the purchase of any hotel, a debate should happen in the House, regardless of what it is needed for. This is a huge issue and concern for the public.

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue, which is obviously of huge concern to those in County Louth, in Carlingford and Dundalk. The additional investment in Irish Water, or Uisce Éireann, is a key priority for the next national development plan for clean water but also for housing supply. We will be ring-fencing quite substantial capital allocations for housing supply but also, as is clearly ne…

There are challenges. Nonetheless, earlier this year, the new Government allocated up to €700 million additionally over the Estimate for a whole variety of schemes to give them the green light. It allocated about €450 million for new projects and then approximately €300 for the tenant in situ scheme and for further acquisitions of housing and so on by local authorities. Other schemes are coming th…

I refer to a recent An Bord Pleanála decision to refuse permission for the development of 800 new homes in Cork docklands in the Taoiseach's constituency. The area has seen substantial investment, including commitments exceeding €600 million for the regeneration project. Would the Taoiseach agree that An Bord Pleanála's refusal to outline case 313142 undermines these efforts and hampers Cork's pot…

I declare an interest in this debate. For the past 40 years, I have been strongly involved in the provision of housing. I will continue to be involved for the rest of my time in an accelerated and growing way, year on year, despite all the difficulties in that sector. There are issues surrounding this whole debate and why it is happening. An awful lot of people in opposition wanted a debate on ho…

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have failed utterly to tackle the housing crisis. It is the number one issue in our country. Whether it be a renter's tax credit, a ban on no-fault evictions or limiting the level with which renters can be additionally burdened, in each incident the Government has dragged its feet in taking any action on this. What it has done has been too little and too late. In virtual…

-----submitted by a local authority does not exclude €11,000. In addition, and where turnaround times are not impacted, local authorities can also complete the suite of works applicable to the energy efficiency retrofit programme on a vacant dwelling with additional funding up to a maximum of €48,850. There is evidence to suggest, however, that while re-letting costs are higher, the turnaround ti…

Dublin City Council has 362 vacant homes that residents urgently need to be returned to the available housing stock. Of the approximately €50,000 needed to fully refurbish a council home, central government is funding only about 20%. Has the Minister heard of index-linked funding? Is this a deliberate decision of neglect? The voids return programme must be revoked in order to provide a quicker tu…

The programme for Government outlines the policy position regarding energy policy, housing policy, foreign direct investment growth and the many other goals and objectives of this Government. It reflects the balance between the many opportunities and challenges facing the country and the actions that will be taken over the lifetime of this Government. It recognises that increased and unprecedented…

In the context of PR6 and the previous review, it is not a question that it is data centres first at all. PR6 takes into account Government targets and includes the connection of up to 50,000 new homes per year, up to 1 million electric vehicles and currently contracted data centre demand, which means currently contracted data centres - no new ones - and those with contracted connection agreements…

The Taoiseach and the Minister for public expenditure, Deputy Chambers, rejected the warnings raised by the Minister, Deputy O'Brien's Secretary General that Ireland would be forced to choose between housing and AI data centres. I believe they and the Minister are far too quick to dismiss concerns by the most senior civil servant in the latter's Department. There has been positive growth in energ…

As I already outlined in the House earlier this week, the Central Bank does not sell or oversee the sale of Israeli bonds. It is important to be clear as to the role of the Central Bank because it has been misrepresented repeatedly. To be clear again, the Central Bank's role under EU legislation is to assess the bond prospectus to ensure that it includes all the disclosure requirements of the EU p…