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636. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department remains committed to the development of retirement villages as a viable long-term solution to housing the increasing elderly population of Ireland; if so, to provide an updated indication of the Government's financial support towards their development; if he plans to introduce legislation…

637. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on whether the Government remains committed to the identified objectives for retirement villages development as stated in 2019's 'Housing Options for our Ageing Population' report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47780/25]

639. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a stage 1 application for a 27-unit housing infill scheme at a location (details supplied) was submitted by Limerick Council in May 2025; if he will provide an update on this application; and the reason for its delay. [47803/25]

646. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to publish the average price paid per unit by approved housing bodies and local authorities when purchasing newly built homes; the way in which this compares to the average private market purchase price; and if value-for-money assessments are being undertaken before these acquisitions are approved. [47949/25]

649. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps being taken to streamline zoning and planning approval for housing projects; whether delays are contributing to inflated costs and restricted supply; and if consideration will be given to legislative changes to accelerate delivery. [47952/25]

650. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if her Department has conducted research into the impact of housing unaffordability on young adults and families, including rates of emigration, household formation delay, and reduced fertility rates; and if she will commission an interdepartmental report on the social consequences of ongoing unaffordability. [47…

660. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total amount of funding allocated by his Department to each local authority under the housing adaption grant scheme in each of the past five years; if the allocations by his Department were categorised whereby specific amounts were ring fenced for priority 1, 2 and 3, applications; if it is a matter for e…

662. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review the help-to-buy and first home schemes in view of reports that many first-time buyers cannot afford new homes in developments such as (details supplied) even when availing of these supports; and if she will outline whether changes are planned to scheme thresholds or eligibility to address afford…

663. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will publish the number of hectares newly zoned for residential use following enactment of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2025; the Department’s projected number of housing units unlocked in Cork City and County for 2025 to 2027 as a result of these changes; and the minimum apartment floor are…

672. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps that have been taken to ensure that local authorities respond positively and proactively to the objectives of the National Planning Framework; and if he will outline how the revised framework is being integrated into local development plans to support sustainable growth, housing delivery, and balanced r…

674. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the mechanisms in place to monitor local authority compliance with the objectives of the Revised National Planning Framework; and if performance indicators will be used to track progress on housing, infrastructure, and sustainability goals. [48552/25]

675. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the risks that have been identified that may impact the timely delivery of the National Planning Framework; and the mitigation strategies being pursued to ensure alignment with housing, infrastructure, and climate targets. [48565/25]

677. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on labour market forecasting related to housing delivery; and the way current and projected shortages in construction trades are being addressed. [48568/25]

685. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social housing applications currently under appeal in Westmeath County Council. [48729/25]

687. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 1138 of 8 September 2025, if a reply will issue specifically to the question, which was not answered in the reply and asked him to confirm that he has received a request from Leitrim County Council for funding to deal with historic structural issues around the unfinished …

691. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the circumstances under which a section five requirement can be waived in relation to applications for the vacant homes scheme; if he will reconsider or expand these circumstances in view of the current housing crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48741/25]

694. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has undertaken any analysis of the impact of the housing crisis on youth emigration, given that 94% of students cite accommodation costs as a major burden; and to outline measures being taken to ensure affordability for those under 25. [48782/25]

698. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of occasions on which officials from his Department met with Dublin City Council regarding the regeneration of Pearse House in each of the past three years; and the timeline for approval of the revised stage 2 plans for phase 1 of the regeneration. [48872/25]

706. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the legislative observations made by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission in relation to the general scheme of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024; if he is aware of the Commission’s recommendation (details supplied); the steps or actions his Department h…

754. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the way in which current child poverty reduction targets are being aligned with housing-adjusted poverty measures; and the steps being taken to address the persistence of child poverty rates at recession-era levels when housing costs are taken into account. [48417/25]

755. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection if additional supports, such as an enhanced qualified child allowance, targeted housing subsidies, or expanded childcare supports, are planned for households in or near poverty particularly affected by housing costs; and the timeline and funding plan for such measures. [48418/25]

756. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the indicators and timelines being used to measure progress against the reduction of housing-cost-adjusted child poverty rates; and when her Department will next report such progress to the Houses of the Oireachtas. [48420/25]

141. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he has met with the Minister for housing to discuss what impact the constrained grid is having on housing supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46025/25]

1106. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views regarding the rationale for removing the 5% minimum requirement for artistic and cultural spaces in future large scale housing developments; if he has concerns that this decision will have a negative impact on future residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44486/25]

1114. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average cost of a social housing unit delivered in 2024 by local authorities broken down by the cost per unit size, such as 1 bed, 2 bed, 3 bed and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44517/25]

I move amendment No.1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: notes that: — while it is acknowledged that the horse and greyhound racing sectors do not qualify for sports capital funding, they are unique in Irish sport in that they are supported by the State through their own ring-fenced statutory fund; — payments into the Fund have increased from €68 million in…

I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to take part in the adoption and application of the following proposed measure: P…

What we are talking about here is a €12 billion fund to effectively raise the walls of Fortress Europe. Fortress Europe, with its militarised borders, plans to spend some of that money to pay so-called third countries with dubious human rights records and records of repression of opponents, such as the repression of the Kurds in the case of Turkey, to take some asylum seekers that come to Europe. …

I thank the Deputies Ó Snodaigh and Ó Murchú for their good wishes. I acknowledge the input of Members of this House, including those I just mentioned, on matters concerning the audiovisual sector in recent years, including through the examination at the Committee on Budgetary Oversight. My officials have directly engaged with all relevant representative bodies in the sector, including those repr…

This Government has been an absolute disaster when it comes to building homes. It is by far the biggest failure of this Government over the past while and it is hitting families massively and especially young people hard. House prices are now eight times the average earnings and the average house price sold last year was €426,000, an amazing figure. The average rent currently for a two-bedroom ho…

I welcome all the people in the Public Gallery and thank them for all they have done in campaigning for victims of sexual violence and change. I am pleased to speak in strong support of this Bill and thank Sinn Féin for bringing it forward to the floor of the House. My colleagues in the Labour Party will also be supporting it. This legislation is not just a legal reform; it is a lifeline for surv…

We know that AHBs are crucial if we are to have any hope of meeting our housing targets, particularly in terms of social housing delivery, but we also know they are approaching the limit of their borrowing capacity. A workable solution has been proposed by replacing the CALF loan element of AHB social housing with a Government-backed CALF equity grant support. It is the same level of funding as a …

I think the emphasis on new builds is welcome across the House. I particularly welcome the emphasis on local authorities and indeed the approved housing bodies directly building social homes, which is critically important. Of course, to achieve the targets we need a combined approach. There will also need to be continuation of turnkey and, of course, the delivery of social housing through the Part…

I am glad to inform the House that I inhabit the real world and most of the parents, teachers and people in the real world I speak to are concerned about children online and age verification. While Deputy Gibney might not think it is as important an issue as I do, as I said at committee it is important. Deputy Ó Snodaigh will recall that the last time we had to use the Government's data set for a …

I thank Deputy Coppinger for raising this really important issue. I also thank those in the Gallery for being here today. Domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is a global epidemic and it is an epidemic in Ireland. We should call it out for that. We should acknowledge the advocacy and bravery of those who come forward and seek to bring about much-needed change in this area. It should not be s…

As State support has been drawn down on these houses, I believe the Minister of State can intervene and that we need to intervene. I visited the site in Ringfort last Friday and blocks were being delivered to complete works on the boundary wall. This site is nearly complete, which begs the question why the developer would continue to work on the site if it is going to liquidate it. Yesterday we at…

The bottom line is the population is growing exponentially and has grown. The pressures are enormous. We need to build at scale and at pace. The housing plan has substance in it in terms of proposals to do that. We did not wait for it. We decided straight in to do, for example, the national planning framework to get more land zoned for housing. Deputy Cairns will have problems with that on the gro…

I thank the Deputy for raising an important issue. We fully acknowledge that. My understanding is that Dundrum House Hotel had not been operating as a hotel since 2015, so I do not think it ceased being a hotel because of the decision in 2022 to use it for, initially, the beneficiaries of temporary protection following the war in Ukraine. I understand the first initial use of Dundrum House Hotel w…

Hat-trick. I am doing a Troy Parrott. On a serious note, insecurity and instability now lie at the heart of the financial engine of the State and at the heart of this Government in general. That matters because a government that lacks stability cannot offer hope. All of us feel the need for hope among the people and the communities we represent - people who feel the reality of the housing crisis …

This Government is a record breaking Government for all the wrong reasons. There have been record rents, record house prices and record numbers of people who are homeless. The average price of a residential property sold in 2025 was €426,000. I could not believe the figure when I saw it. It is eight times the average income at the moment. The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment is now more th…

Today, the Government launched its housing plan. To be honest, the failure to date and the failure to mention any additional funding in the plan for voids leaves me with huge concern. I have raised this specific issue on a number of occasions in the Dáil. My council in Limerick is probably one of the better ones in dealing with voids, but it still cannot deal with the voids if it does not have fun…

What I am hearing from the Taoiseach is that Housing for All was a success, yet we have over 16,000 people registered as homeless. By any measure, the Government's housing policies have been an abject failure. There are unprecedented amounts going into housing, but where are they going? They are going to developers on foot of the policy of this Government in respect of turnkey acquisitions as oppo…

We have over 190,000 workers in the construction sector. That is up by about 45,000 since 2019, so there has been huge work done in terms of the human resources requirement for house construction. I was on a housing site last week in Ballyvolane in Cork. They are now building the houses within a nine-week timeframe because of the infrastructure work that went in there about two years ago. Up to 80…

The key to this is housing supply. Our initiatives since the beginning of the year have been designed to get more houses built more quickly. The rate of increase is in decline, but that is not enough. We need far more supply to deal with the rental issue. Some positive news is that the percentage of first-time buyers has been steadily increasing, as I said, from about 23% of all household buyers i…

I raise the issue of rural planning. For over 20 years, I have worked in rural planning and sat through and made amendments to four county development plans. We need to do more to support people from rural areas to build a house in their local area. This is a contribution to the housing challenge. Unlike new houses elsewhere, there is no requirement for Government infrastructure or a cost to the S…

I wish to point out something to the Minister. While I welcome the payments that have been made, they fall very short. I refer, in particular, to the cost of disability or the failure to address the cost of disability in this legislation. There is a disconnect between the Departments of Social Protection and housing. The Minister will know that many of our constituents in Mayo - I refer to those w…

I thank the Deputy for the question, which is important and timely. It was an issue many of us in this House as constituency TDs were grappling with in trying to support our communities in the run-up to and the aftermath of the horrific Storm Éowyn, which had a devastating effect on many parts of the country, most particularly perhaps the west and north-west. As the Deputy knows, the Minister for…

I thank the Tánaiste. It is unusual we are 100% agreed on both sides of the House that this needs to happen. This is a health emergency and under Covid guidelines we were led to do an awful lot of things under health emergencies. We had John Wall with us yesterday as a patient safety advocate. We have an emergency. Why can we not use emergency powers and legislate that this happen now? We have the…

We need to complement the State investment in housing with a market that is viable and can work. The Labour Party has attacked builders and developers in relation to the VAT cut. That is all about having viability in the market. If we are serious about delivering housing and more apartments, we must have a viable market to deliver more homes. Many families and workers across our economy want to se…

We are absolutely fronting up to our responsibilities. I welcome any constructive suggestions on policy but a lot of the policy that is coming from the Opposition is just for more spending. The State has fronted up to that question when it comes to the national development plan - over €100 billion of spending in the next five years. The strategic focus is on infrastructure, housing, water infrastr…