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827. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has carried out any costing in relation to providing retrospective or partial financial support to homeowners who undertook verified remediation works in good faith before the establishment of the Defective Concrete Blocks Scheme, and if so, to provide details if his Department has carried out …

828. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he accepts that the current operation of the Defective Concrete Blocks Scheme results in unequal treatment between homeowners who remediated defective concrete block damage prior to the scheme and those who did not, despite comparable levels of structural damage, and if not, to outline the basis for this posi…

829. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the consideration given by his Department to recognising documented historic remediation works, including engineering reports and contractor invoices, for the purposes of eligibility or financial support under the Defective Concrete Blocks Scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12879/26]

830. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has examined the potential financial, legal, and compensation exposure to the State arising from the exclusion of homeowners who remediated defective concrete block damage prior to the introduction of the Defective Concrete Blocks Scheme; and if so, to provide details; and if he will make a sta…

831. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has assessed the number of residential properties affected by defective concrete blocks within the area of Fingal County Council; the basis on which that local authority area is currently excluded from the scheme; when a decision will be made on its inclusion; and if he will make a statement on…

832. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if any assessment has been made in relation to the legacy mortgage structures on 2008 purchases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12923/26]

833. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are relief or restructuring mechanisms available for legacy mortgage structures on 2008 purchases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12924/26]

834. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a list of all State agencies that allocate programme and project funding to section 10 organisations. [13419/26]

835. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide updated figures on the installation of heat pumps in new homes, with a year-by-year breakdown since 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13420/26]

919. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he maintains data on the number of international protection applicants who are bound to present at the International Protection Office, Timberlay House, 78-83 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2, D02 ND99 in order to formally seek international protection and that are forced to rough sleep until an offer of accommod…

944. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration where the IPAS applicants in a hotel (details supplied) in Monaghan ended up being placed; and if any of these residents obtained long-term housing from any State body. [12758/26]

1021. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of adult disability residential housing placements allocated in each of the past five years. [12224/26]

1031. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she has received any update from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage regarding Tailte Éireann sending commercial rates bills to pre-schools operating under the ECCE scheme; whether this is now the standard for all ECCE pre-schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12439…

29. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will report on the first meeting of the Joint Utilities and Transport Clearing House to Accelerate Infrastructure Delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10567/26]

44. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for an update on the development of Doneraile Court and Estate, and in particular the re-construction of the orangery (conservatory) at Doneraile House; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9968/26]

47. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation his views on whether public capital investment under the NDP in the electricity and water networks will be sufficient to enable delivery of housing and public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11097/26]

106. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Youth the steps she is taking to assist schools, primarily in rural areas, that are facing closure or the loss of a teacher due to falling enrolment; and the engagement she has had with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht regarding this issue. …

136. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education and Youth the planning her Department has undertaken or will be undertaking to meet the schooling needs of the Balbriggan community, given the plans for further significant housing development for the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10934/26]

152. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department has carried out projections on primary and post primary school numbers that also take account of housing targets by area; and the consequent plans that are in place for resources; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11069/26]

401. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if clarification can be provided regarding the position of owners of short-term lettings who have been involved in short-term lettings for longer than seven years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11286/26]

402. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to review the 20-year claw back for owners who seek to remediate their properties that are not their primary home, under the defective concrete block grant scheme. [11131/26]

403. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the planned new fire station, for Bunclody, County Wexford. [11134/26]

404. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of cases, by each local authority, currently awaiting a decision from Tailte Éireann on rates valuation; and the number which have been with Tailte Éireann for six months or longer. [11135/26]

405. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount which has been paid to each local authority to meet the requirements of the firefighter pay deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11136/26]

406. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the overheads which must be paid by each local authority, to meet central management costs relating to Uisce Éireann; if all funding is recouped from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11137/26]

I thank the Deputy for his question. We have provided significant money for second-hand acquisitions for this year. The second-hand acquisition programme was always introduced as a temporary, short-term measure to deal with the ending of the eviction ban. Sinn Féin's own housing policy proposes a very sharp reduction in tenant in situ acquisitions to 800, far below what we have to address this sit…

It is deeply disappointing that not only did the Minister fail to address the question but he also misrepresented Sinn Féin's policy. Let me set the record straight. In our alternative housing plan, we have made provision for 6,500 acquisitions over five years, 2,000 this year, reducing by 200 each year until 2029. That is because we make the assumption that demand for the scheme over five years w…

I know you do not like my answer, but shouting me down will not stop me giving it, okay, Deputy? The reality is that Sinn Féin's housing policy proposes to significantly reduce second-hand acquisitions. I suggest Deputy Gould read it. As to what we have done, in some local authorities, unfortunately, significant amounts of money have been used for refurbishment, €5 million in the case of one loca…

On 11 November 2021, the former Minister informed me in a parliamentary question answer that the stock audit would take place across all local authorities and would take four to five years. As the Minister of State pointed out, that would have allowed for a planned maintenance programme for 2022 and 2023 - we are at least two, if not three, years behind schedule - and the voids programme to end. T…

5. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for his expectations for the delivery of affordable housing this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24902/25]

Will the Minister outline his expectations for the delivery of affordable housing, particularly affordable purchase housing, for the coming year?

6. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the level of funding he has provided to housing authorities for the provision of emergency accommodation in 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24777/25]

8. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his expectations for the delivery of affordable housing in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24661/25]

9. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how quickly the new housing national planning framework targets will be given to the county councils so that they can amend their county development plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24826/25]

I thank the Minister for that answer. I understand that the tenant in situ scheme was a temporary scheme. It was a safety net for people who were given a notification of termination of their tenancy to avoid homelessness. It is important to address the anxiety of people right around the country - not just in Roscommon or in Ballinasloe, which is also part of my constituency - about the possibility…

11. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to expand the provision of modular housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24654/25]

13. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans for increasing the housing options available to older people to facilitate ageing in place with dignity and independence; if he will provide an update on the development of a policy on rightsizing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24643/25]

I thank the Deputy for her question. One of the most difficult things I have to do as Minister for Justice, and indeed, that the House has to do, is to resolve issues around balancing conflicting constitutional rights. This is an issue where there are conflicting constitutional rights that need to be balanced but, as the Deputy indicated, that balance needs to be shifted legislatively in the near …

I am obviously very accountable to the House, as I should be. Any information that my Department can provide will be provided. I will look into the issue the Deputy raises about getting further information from An Garda Síochána. Sometimes that just takes a bit of time but I have no difficulty with being accountable in this House for what gardaí do. There is nothing we can do about retirements al…

What is absolutely key is delivery and that we look at problems with fresh eyes and in a new way and make sure those who are responsible and able to deliver are very much part of the solution. That is why Uisce Éireann will be part of the various bodies I mentioned - the new infrastructure office established in the Department of public expenditure and the new housing delivery office. It is really…

I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. Obviously, regarding the retention or otherwise of rent pressure zones options are being provided to the Minister. Those options are under consideration. The Government is committed to the delivery of more affordable homes. Cost rental has a key part to play in that regard. We have seen a significant ramp-up in activity on the part of the Land …

This is my first chance to welcome the Minister to his new role and I wish him the best going forward. I also welcome the IFA president, Mr. Francie Gorman, who is here with us. I acknowledge the volunteers on the ground in farm organisations, such as Mr. Tadhg Healy and previously Mr. Donal O'Donovan in west Cork. Tadhg is my right ear most weeks on farm issues and Mr. Dermot Kelleher, of the ICS…

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 Michael Cahill - To discuss the need to place people in nursing home care closer to their homes. Deputy George Lawlor - To discuss the urgent requirement for a school gymnasium at CBS New Ross, County Wexford. Deputy James Geoghega…

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." The Title to the Bill states that it is: "An Act to provide that information relating to the repairability of certain products be made available and to provide for related matters." Ba mhaith liom ar dtús mo bhuíochas a ghabháil le hOifig na gComhairleoirí Dlí Parlaiminte as an obair a rinne siad ag ullmhú an Bhille seo, go mór mór d'Orla Ryan, A…

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 Michael Cahill - To discuss wages of early childhood educators and staff shortages. Deputy Eoghan Kenny - To discuss multi-annual funding for residential placements for adults with disabilities. Deputy Brian Brennan - To discuss di…

I thank the Minister of State for that response. I note that Lucan is the largest town in Dublin without access to light rail, so when I talk about this extension, it is not just about transport but about fairness and inclusion. The Minister of State referenced the public transport connectedness that exists across parts of the infrastructure currently. There is a very large public transport defic…

Before I begin, I take the opportunity to offer my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Garda Kevin Flatley, as well as to his colleagues in An Garda Síochána. It is an unimaginable tragedy that his life would be taken as he was carrying out his duties in the interests of making our roads safer. Reading the tributes from those who knew him and worked with him, we really get a sense o…

Last year, nearly 19,000 vehicles were seized by An Garda Síochána for being uninsured following the introduction of the new Irish motor insurance database. That is a positive development that makes our roads safer. In comparison, gardaí seized approximately 5,000 vehicles from unaccompanied learner drivers even though there are approximately 370,000 learner permits in the State according to the R…

Driving test waiting times are a shambles. This is clear from the discussion today. I regularly get emails from constituents. Constituents are given absurdly long waiting times to be called to sit their driving tests. This means people are forced to pay very high insurance costs because the Government simply cannot get its act together on this issue. I remember almost five years ago the issue was …

The only criticism I remember was that a TV programme gave details of the grants. It was considered politically wrong to let the public know they could avail of a grant if they wanted to buy and refurbish a derelict building or vacant house. These grants have been spectacularly successful and we need more of them. Some local authorities have been good on social housing but others have not been. W…