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311. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when local authorities will receive their budget for housing acquisitions for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7251/26]

352. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has assessed the impact of the use of private accommodation for international protection applicants on housing supply, rental prices, and availability in the wider housing market; to detail any such assessments undertaken since 2022; and to outline what measures are being pursued to reduce rel…

89. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider offering interest free loans to local authorities to allow for the installation of solar panels on local authority owned houses whereby the panels would be owned by the local authority, who could use the credit for unused energy sold back to the grid to pay down the loan; and if he will make …

96. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider allowing local authorities to include attic conversions in their own social housing stock to meet the needs of existing tenants as an alternative to tenants having to apply for transfers to larger homes as their household size increases. [6930/26]

157. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the reason plans for the refurbishment of Wicklow court house were removed from the National Development Plan; the plans to use the court house in the future; the steps being taken to maintain the building; if his Department has considered disposing of the premises for community use; and if he will make a statement o…

381. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of public houses in Ireland in December 2024; the estimated amount of alcoholic beverages sold, by category, by pubs in 2024; the total amount of VAT collected from pubs in 2024; and the total number of public houses which made VAT returns of less than €100,000 to the Revenue Commissioners in 2024. [6146/26]

607. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the breakdown of funding allocated to each county council for housing grant schemes, in the years 2022 to date; when the thresholds to qualify were last revised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5481/26]

612. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the role local authorities will have in conducting or contributing to technical reviews of applications under the Defective Concrete Blocks Scheme; to specify the nature of that role; the expertise to be applied; whether local authorities will be acting independently or on behalf of the Housing Agency; and if he…

625. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of properties which were listed on local authority derelict registers as of 31 December 2025; and the number of compulsory purchase orders initiated and completed under the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015. [5670/26]

627. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of vacant homes identified in the Census 2022 and subsequent vacancy estimates; and what actions under Housing for All target these units. [5674/26]

634. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether, under the defective concrete blocks grant scheme, the way in which the statutory 78-week timeframe for appeals is suspended where an appeal cannot be determined pending a technical review linked to the revision of I.S. 465; whether this position has been communicated to the housing agency and local auth…

640. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 217 of 26 November 2025, the reasons the proposal referenced in that reply to fund affordable supported housing was not approved; whether alternative funding options are being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5944/26]

642. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the length of time it took to complete the four-stage and single-stage approval process for all Traveller-specific accommodation projects completed in 2023 and 2024, by halting site bays and group housing schemes, and by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5951/26]

645. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a house constructed in 2009 and not completed or lived in would be considered eligible for the vacant property grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6026/26]

651. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of dedicated staff currently employed within the Housing Agency to carry out assessments of letters of recommendation submitted by local authorities in relation to defective concrete blocks; if this staffing level is considered sufficient to meet the demand for timely assessments; and if he will mak…

654. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total cost to date of the redress scheme for defective houses in County Donegal and surrounding counties; the total estimated cost of these schemes; whether the schemes are likely to exceed their budget; and the estimated amount of any such overruns. [6148/26]

655. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of people currently on local authority housing waiting lists; the breakdown of those on these lists who are Irish citizens, UK nationals, EEA nationals, or nationals of other countries. [6153/26]

656. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to ensure adequate funding is provided to Dublin City Council in order to allow it to continue operate its financial contribution scheme which is vital in allowing older people to downsize to DCC older person’s accommodation, while also increasing council housing stock; and if he will make a statement on the …

660. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current number of stock audits completed on local authority social housing; if there is a fund to address issues identified in these audits; and if so, the overall sum allocated to this fund in 2026 and ongoing. [6324/26]

661. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the overall spend on social housing retrofit; and the number of units this applied to in each of the past five years respectively, in tabular form. [6325/26]

667. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures in place to accelerate the reuse of vacant and derelict buildings for housing and community purposes; the steps taken to improve delivery timelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6375/26]

668. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the level of funding allocated under the Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund to projects in Dublin Bay north; the status of approved or pending projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6379/26]

669. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department has engaged with local authority or community leaders in Donaghmede regarding housing and infrastructure delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6383/26]

670. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will publish the review of the income limits for social housing, discussed in recent correspondence (details supplied). [6402/26]

678. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the policy on one off housing will be changed to make it easier for people to build on their own land as per the recent statement by the Taoiseach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6624/26]

I am taking this debate on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health, Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, who unfortunately is unable to be here this evening as she is attending a meeting of EU heath ministers in Luxembourg. I assure the House she would have been here otherwise and I am sure that Members will appreciate that it just was not possible for her to be here this evening. I have spok…

I thank the Deputy for this very important question. In April last year, I obtained Government approval for the general scheme of the short-term letting and tourism Bill. Once enacted, this Bill will provide a statutory framework for regulating the short-term letting sector, including the establishment of a national register. This register, which has been broadly welcomed by the tourism sector, w…

The question with this Bill, as with previous ones, is: will it help families, particularly low-and-middle income families, to access affordable and secure accommodation? I have particularly in mind those in private rented accommodation. The concern is that the Minister of State is bringing in further measures and amendments to what was brought in in March. That was one of the most far-reaching Bi…

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill this afternoon. An Teachta Ó Broin has outlined in detail the Sinn Féin position on this legislation. I will say one thing, and this is more of a general point than a specific one, that at this early stage in the legislative process, the tabling of pages and pages of ministerial amendments is a little bit concerning. That is no disrespect to the peop…

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I congratulate the Minister of State on her new role and thank her for taking this Bill. I thank her and the Minister, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan, for agreeing to support the Bill and facilitate its movement to Committee Stage. I look forward to working with the Department to address the underlying issues within the Bill. I am happy to consider how w…

I also join in congratulating the Minister of State, Deputy Ardagh, on her appointment and wish her the very best as she takes on this important and challenging role. First of all, I commend Deputy Byrne and thank him for continuing with this legislation. Deputy Byrne had this on First Stage in April 2025. If we think of how far AI has developed in that time, this legislation is needed now more t…

I welcome the Minister of State with responsibility for sport to the House. Sport has always occupied a unique place in humane society. It transcends politics, religion, ethnicity and nationality. It brings people together in a way that very few things can. That is why I approached this motion with extreme caution. Let me be clear to this House: I condemn the horrific attacks that were carried ou…

I thank Deputy Gibney and the Social Democrats for tabling this motion and I apologise for not being here at the outset of the debate. Based on the debate in the House today and the debate on the Sinn Féin Private Member's motion last night, as well as from the discussions we have on a regular basis in this House, it is very clear that this House and the people of Ireland have significant concerns…

I thank the Taoiseach for his update. I want to raise the issue of the qualifying income limits for social housing. The Minister for housing has indicated a willingness to examine these limits but I am raising it because I believe they urgently need to be increased. An increasing number of working people are finding themselves outside the social housing income limits and outside the social housing…

I thank all the Deputies for raising these very important questions here. On Deputy Martin Daly’s question, I have also met the group, Before We Die, in relation to vulnerable adult children and the fear and anxiety of parents in terms of providing for them if they were to pass from this world. The Minister for housing has met the Minister of State for disability. The Minister for housing is inst…

Yes. I congratulate the Deputy on his success. I join in some of the comments made about the carbon tax and I ask the Minister of State if he thinks we are getting value for money from it. Does he think it should be tailored to ensure there are not the types of increases faced through the carbon tax, and to divvy up the money raised from a lower amount of taxation? One of the issues that has come…

Yes, we will. I thank Deputy Doherty and Deputies across the House, including on the Government benches, for raising this issue. We will reopen the portal. The Deputy is right; on occasions we can agree in this House. This is a vital programme that plays a very important part in the lives of children with additional needs, be they special educational needs or children from areas of economic disadv…

Changes to the tenant in situ scheme are of significant concern for some constituents who face the very real prospect of homelessness because a scheme that was working has been effectively dismantled. When a landlord decided to sell, the local authority could step in, buy the property and keep the family in their home. It was straightforward and cost-effective and it worked, but last year the Depa…

Gabhaim buíochas leis na Teachtaí. Is tábhachtach comhthéacs a chur leis an díospóireacht seo. Bunaithe ar na figiúirí ó na húdaráis áitiúla, ceadaíodh, ar an meán, 90% d’iarratais phleanála le haghaidh tithíochta sa Ghaeltacht in 2025, rud a léiríonn go bhfuil a lán rudaí ag tarlú sa Ghaeltacht i réimse na tithíochta. Ina theannta sin, bronnadh os cionn €3 milliún ar iarratais i limistéir Ghaelta…

There is the issue in the legislation itself, there is the bigger picture nationally and then of course there are the more parochial local issues. I am not quite sure, but I know I have been shifted around in the speaking rota so I will deal with the local issues first in case I have to cede the time later on in the discussion and, if not, I will use it to elaborate on the bigger issues. The Gover…

We should all recognise the value of short-term letting to rural economies. Of course, the Government should also recognise this. I appreciate the work that has been done in this regard by the Ministers involved. There are 1,800 short-term lets in Kerry worth over €17 million to the county's economy. On the Wild Atlantic Way between Kerry and Donegal, there are over 6,800 short-term lets all in ru…

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the Second Stage debate on the National Treasury Management Agency (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026. This is, in effect, the Bill that closes the book on NAMA. It dissolves the agency, concludes the special liquidation of IBRC and transfers the small amount of residual activity to a new resolution unit within the NTMA. It is a technical Bill but it de…

I welcome this Bill and am glad to have the opportunity to speak on it today. The dissolution of the National Asset Management Agency is not just an administrative tidying up exercise. I would very much argue that it is a significant milestone in Ireland's post-crisis economic journey. It is a moment that deserves to be acknowledged and understood and not just processed quietly through this House.…

The current income limits for council housing are completely outdated. They are too low and must be increased urgently. These low income limits have the effect of locking large numbers of low- and middle-income families out of public housing and indeed private home ownership as well. The families do not qualify for council housing or the housing assistance payment, nor will they qualify for a mort…

This week I spoke to a family from County Wicklow. The parents are Ciaran and Jessie Redmond. Their daughter was recently diagnosed with leukaemia. They are facing eviction. They were both self-employed, hard-working parents doing the best they can for their family. Unfortunately, Ciaran has been forced into taking some leave from his work to care for his daughter. They do not qualify for any supp…

I thank the Deputy for his question. The management and maintenance of local authority social homes, including pre-letting repairs and the retenanting of homes, is entirely a matter for each individual local authority, as set out in section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. Local authorities must also ensure tenanted homes comply with the provisions of the rental standards regulations. To that end, loca…

When the Taoiseach entered politics, people were able to buy a family home for £50,000. Now house prices in Galway have exploded. They are up by almost 50% in the city and more than 60% in the county since 2020. Buying a home now costs over €140,000 more than it did a few years ago. In five years of the Taoiseach's so-called affordable housing scheme, not a single affordable home was delivered in …

I move amendment No. 1: In page 5, to delete lines 22 to 26 and substitute the following: “(4) A draft of the designation order shall be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas, and the order shall be made only after a resolution approving the draft has been passed by each House of the Oireachtas.”. I want to talk about the concentration in the hands of the Minister of huge power under this B…

Ar dtús báire gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Daly as ucht an rún seo a chur os comhair an Tí. Gabhaim buíochas leis na Baill a ghlac páirt sa díospóireacht an-tábhachtach seo. Deputy McGrath is right. We cannot have this debate in isolation, and it goes back to Deputy Heneghan's contribution about the turmoil in global energy markets. I make the point that in this debate some people are running …

I take it from the response that there has been some progress. The Minister referred to 63 but my information is that up to 80 properties are in a derelict state. Soldiers are travelling distances to work, and many travel from County Laois. There are also retired soldiers, some of whom, unfortunately, end up in difficult housing situations. It is important these properties are put back into use. W…