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256. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has undertaken any impact assessment, economic analysis, or consultation with stakeholders regarding the proposed prohibition of no-fault evictions for landlords with more than three tenancies, due to come into effect on 1 March 2026; the projected number of private landlords expected to exit th…

258. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 283 of 25 September 2025, in which he stated that the Housing Agency has confirmed to his Department that the presence of pyrrhotite is taken into consideration in their analysis, if he will confirm whether transitional applicants, those who applied under the origin…

203. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the number of housing units realised in the cities of Dublin, Cork, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick and Waterford that have availed of the vacant homes refurbishment grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55745/25]

204. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social housing units completed by county, for the years 2022 to 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55799/25]

205. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of approved housing assistance payment tenancies in County Kildare from 2022 to 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55802/25]

558. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider removing the working family payment from consideration on social housing income thresholds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55381/25]

559. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are any plans to increase the social housing income thresholds annually, in line with increases in the cost of living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55382/25]

562. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if additional funding will be allocated to Uisce Éireann to meet the increased demand for water and wastewater connections arising from the Government's housing target of 50,000 homes per year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54597/25]

563. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reforms that are being considered to streamline planning and consenting processes for critical water infrastructure projects, such as the Greater Dublin Drainage Project, which are essential to enabling housing delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54598/25]

564. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has engaged with Uisce Éireann regarding reports of substantial delays in commissioning utility connections for completed housing units; the measures that are being taken to improve coordination between developers and utility providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54599/25]

565. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has undertaken a review of utility infrastructure deficits in rural towns and villages; the way in which these deficits are currently limiting the delivery of rural housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54600/25]

573. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the status of the defective concrete blocks (amendment) Bill; the expected timeline for its publication and progression through the Houses of the Oireachtas; and when affected homeowners will be able to access the enhanced grant rates and retrospective payments announced in June…

574. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position of the Government and his Department in relation to the process of right sizing; if this is being promoted by local authorities or approved housing bodies; if so, the locations in which this is happening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54695/25]

582. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures he is taking to increase the availability of affordable housing in Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54769/25]

583. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures he is taking to increase the availability of affordable housing in Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54770/25]

584. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the actions being taken to ensure that additional land is zoned for housing in Sligo and Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54771/25]

587. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of registered derelict or vacant housing properties in Dublin west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54804/25]

589. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department is currently evaluating measures to amend the existing system for zoning land in an effort to increase housing delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54806/25]

592. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures his Department is evaluating to deliver higher density housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54809/25]

593. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which modern methods of construction are currently being utilised to increase housing delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54810/25]

594. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures his Department is evaluating to promote the conversion of older buildings for housing delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54811/25]

604. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a house that had block work completed before 2008 will be considered substantially complete for the vacant property grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54871/25]

615. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which the discontinuation of long-term leasing agreements will help to address the housing crisis. [55147/25]

619. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding streams that may be open to construct the planned northern relief road at Gorey, County Wexford, in order to open up the St. Waleran’s area for housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55194/25]

626. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department provides specific funding to local authorities for the purposes of refurbishment of vacant social housing stock; if he will detail the amount which has been made available to each local authority for this purpose; and the amount which has been drawn down in each of the past five years. [55226/…

I would like to take the opportunity to welcome Shillelagh National School pupils to Dáil Éireann. They are very welcome indeed. I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 16, inclusive, together. Reducing child poverty is a key priority for this Government, as set out in the programme for Government. In September 2025, the Government agreed a new and ambitious child poverty target to reduce the chil…

The Construction Industry Federation has said housing delivery is being held back by significant delays in electricity connections. Last year, while 60,000 homes were commenced, completions remained far below what is needed. The Minister is saying housing is a national priority but the energy policy allowed massive developments to absorb grid capacity first. We are not, contrary to what the Minist…

I do not doubt the Deputy’s green credentials, in fairness. The Deputy makes a fair point. All of this is always a balance. We are in a housing emergency but the point is that we want people to move into those houses and for them to become homes. Practical requirements about where people park their cars are not issues that should be dismissed. The Deputy’s community is, perhaps, a good example or …

We in the Labour Party welcome this Bill. It can be a small step towards an important aim, which is tackling air pollution and improving the quality of the air we all breathe in every city, village or rural area across our country. We all have a right to clean air. I pay tribute to groups like Irish Doctors for the Environment, which play an important role in fighting for this right across our cou…

I would not be looking for a few seats to make the Irish people worse off at a time of geopolitical turmoil. What we need right now is people who are going to stand up and lead. I will give the Minister solutions. I welcome that he referred today to the progression of plug-in solar. Has the Department investigated the cost of a temporary free public transport scheme? What would the estimated cost …

I thank Deputy Gould for raising this important matter. Heather House Community Nursing Unit, CNU, provides important and valued services for the people of the northside of Cork city and surrounding areas. There is a typo in the reply. I understand the significant role the CNU plays in the community and the importance of the facility. Heather House Community Nursing Unit was opened in 2011, and a…

Community nursing units such as Heather House form an integral part of local communities and provide invaluable service to the people who live in those communities as they age. I have already outlined that there are currently 60 beds open in Heather House CNU. I will once again reiterate that the new 17-bed dementia unit is at the final stage of applying for registration with HIQA. The HSE advises…

I will today highlight an issue of critical importance to the people of north Cork, namely, the urgent need to upgrade the wastewater treatment plant in Kanturk. Kanturk is a proud and growing town with a strong community spirit, vibrant local businesses and enormous potential for future development. However, that potential is being held back by infrastructure that is no longer fit for purpose. Th…

I very much welcome the opportunity to address the House this evening on matters relating to football, the most popular team sport in Ireland. Football can take us from the absolute peaks of delight, such as when Troy Parrott's toe-poke delivered the miracle of Budapest, to the absolute depths of disappointment that we all know too well too recently. It brings whole communities together. It provid…

I move: That Dáil Éireann reaffirms its confidence in the Government. I welcome this debate and the opportunity to again discuss important issues facing our people. Each of us here has a mandate and a duty to show respect for others and conduct a debate that shows respect for the people by acknowledging the full range of concerns at this deeply challenging moment in history. We need to talk abou…

It has consistently rowed back on climate action commitments. It has arrogantly dismissed and consistently voted down constructive proposals from Labour and others in opposition on taking action on housing, workers’ rights and on the cost of living. The Government stopped sick pay increases and rowed back on a living wage. It voted down our Labour Party Bill on the right to remote working. It snee…

Finally the Minister for housing says something about housing at the end of his speech. There was nothing to say about housing by the Minister for housing.

For the day that is in it, it may have won the vote of confidence but I can assure the Minister that his Government has lost the support - if it ever had it - and the confidence of the people. Public services are under huge pressure. Many services do not work properly and we see billions of hard-earned euro wasted, often due to poor planning. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are serious wasters of public…

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this. I want to be very clear that I am all for speeding up any infrastructure in the line of what Government needs to do, be that roads, rail or housing. There are a few issues. I am trying to get my head around parts of this Bill. Is this Bill solely for Government and semi-State bodies? I am asking whether some wind developer somewhere that is tormenting so…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCeann Comhairle as ucht an deis a thabhairt dom labhairt anseo inniu. I appreciate the opportunity to speak today on developments at the site of the former mother and baby institution at Bessborough. The legacy of the mother and baby institutions is a deeply sad one that continues to be a source of profound hurt and pain for many people across this country. I am very cons…

I am going to talk about Bessborough, but I will also talk about the entire system of mother and baby homes, industrial schools and county homes. We have had many apologies in this House, and rightly so; they are welcome. Too often, however, the State has failed to truly get to grips with what was actually in place in this State, that is, an entire system that was integrated between county homes, …

When we speak about Bessborough, we are not speaking about an abstract planning file or a routine decision before a local authority. We are speaking about a place that goes to the very core of who we are, or who we claim to be, as a republic. There are moments when politics must step back from process and confront conscience. This is one of those moments. The history of mother and baby homes is no…

I thank the Deputy for raising a very important issue. I met with the Before We Die campaign well over a month ago in Cork and listened intently to what they had to say about their personal situations. Their personal situations could be amplified with many more. There are 1,389 active applications for residential services, with 281 assessed as priority 1. We are investing and there are investment …

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I welcome the opportunity to bring this Bill forward today. I thank my officials for the work they have done in a very short space of time as well as the Whip's office and the Opposition for facilitating this just the day after it was approved by the Government. I am acutely aware of the pressures being faced by Irish businesses and households. …

Is mór agam an deis seo a thapú labhairt ar an mBille seo, Bille a bhfuil fáilte ann dó. Tá a fhios agam go gcuirfidh clanna na n-íobartach fáilte roimhe. Cabhróidh sé leis an bhfiosrúchán a bheidh ar siúl. I welcome the opportunity to speak on the International Co-operation (Omagh Bombing Inquiry) Bill 2026. I strongly support this Bill, which is an essential step in honouring our commitment as t…

I join with other colleagues across the House in acknowledging the great work of all healthcare workers, including medical, nursing and administrative staff and others throughout the health service. They do fantastic work. This year will mark the 13th anniversary of the launch of Ireland’s first national cancer strategy and is an opportune time to reflect on the progress made since 1996 and to loo…

We will always work constructively with colleagues on housing. I acknowledge the Labour Party has brought forward constructive proposals in relation to housing in this Dáil and the previous Dáil. I have a different perspective in terms of the Government's position on housing. In our rental reforms Bill, we brought forward very significant protections for renters. We introduced security of tenure, …

Bhí mé ag éisteacht leis na Teachtaí go léir agus bhí mé ag scríobh agus iad ag caint. Aontaím le go leor de na rudaí atá ráite agus leis an méid a dúirt an Teachta Farrelly faoi Tusla agus an obair ar fad atá déanta ann. We have done all the work in that sense and completely demolishing it would be counterproductive. I commend Deputy O’Flynn. The motion goes to the heart of the most serious respo…

Deputy Whitmore outlined many examples. Last week, when International Women's Day was on, we could see so many jokes around why we needed an International Women's Day and if there was an international men's day. Deputy Whitmore has just pointed out exactly why we still need this day, when so many of us are still putting on our live locations when we are getting into a taxi or walking home. Intern…

As it is the first time I have addressed the House since the passing of my best friend and the person who got me involved in politics, I hope the House will allow me to say of Ellie: ar dheis Dé go raibh h-anam. Of the woman who wanted to get on the boat when I went to Palestine even though she had stage 4 cancer, I want to say: Ellie, thank you for believing in me and getting me into this House. …