2026-02-05

4. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to outline the way in which he is supporting Údarás na Gealtachta to address an ghéarchéim tithíochta sna ceantair Ghaeltachta; and whether he intends to use his powers as Minister for the Gaeltacht, under section 9(a) of the Housing (Gaeltacht) (Amendment) Act 2001, to devise and implement housing schemes in order to support Irish speakers to build, buy or renovate houses in Irish-speaking parts of the Gaeltacht. [9039/26]

The housing crisis in the Gaeltacht is having a specific damaging effect on these communities and our language. Tá an ghéarchéim tithíochta na ceantair Ghaeltachta ag cur todhchaí na Gaeilge mar theanga bheo i mbaol. It is putting our language in danger. Young people are being forced to leave. Will the Minister set out how he is using his powers as the Minister responsible for the Gaeltacht under section 9 to help Údarás na Gaeltachta to deliver homes and ensure the future of our language and our Gaeltachtaí?

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Hearne as an gceist. It should be noted that housing issues pertain to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The primary objective of Údarás na Gaeltachta is to ensure the Irish language endures as the main community language in Gaeltacht areas and is preserved for future generations. To that end, an t-údarás provides funding for a wide range of enterprise and employment development initiatives. The organisation also supports strategic actions relating to linguistic, cultural and community development. It is worth noting that Údarás na Gaeltachta will have a role, albeit a secondary one, in working with relevant stakeholders to support housing supply in the Gaeltacht. An t-údarás maintains a significant property portfolio across the Gaeltacht and wastewater infrastructure at various sites is part of that. As laid out in the Government housing plan, there are opportunities for an t-údarás to co-operate with relevant authorities to avail of that existing infrastructure through a strategic, plan-based approach, in order to fulfil the housing needs in Gaeltacht communities. I have had meetings with the príomhfheidhmeannach of Údarás na Gaeltachta and it is my understanding that the organisation is having discussions with local authorities. I have also asked it to engage with Uisce Éireann to avail of current infrastructure and identify where that very necessary infrastructure is missing. I will continue to have further engagement with an t-údarás in this regard. Although there is a challenge in terms of the scarcity of living accommodation in Gaeltacht areas, they also have one of the highest vacancy rates in the country. To that end, a dedicated vacant Gaeltacht homes co-ordinator was recently appointed in partnership with local authorities with Gaeltachtaí in their area, funded by an t-údarás, to aid communities in addressing issues of vacancy, facilitate access to various State grants and provide us with information on vacancy. Since my Department's schemes under the Housing (Gaeltacht) Acts were changed some years ago, the Government has established a number of new schemes under which far more generous grants are available than those available under the previous schemes. On that basis, the return of the grant schemes that were available under the Housing (Gaeltacht) Acts is not currently under consideration.

I thank the Minister for his response. I welcome the engagement on housing. While housing comes under a different Department, we cannot separate the future of the Irish language from the housing crisis in Gaeltacht areas. As the Minister knows, there is a particular emergency there. This morning, there were ten properties to rent in Connemara on daft.ie, while Airbnb had 573. Young people are being forced out of Gaeltacht communities. It was reported by the One Million Homes project this morning that 12,000 homes are needed in Gaeltacht areas. We have had presentations by the GAA about how it cannot field teams. Housing is the core issue for Gaeltacht communities. I have met with BÁNÚ and Conradh na Gaeilge, as has the Minister. More needs to be done. Údarás na Gaeltachta could be playing a much bigger role in ensuring housing is available for young people, thereby ensuring the future of our language.

I do not disagree with the Deputy's analysis in terms of rental properties and vacancies. We must work on this in a strategic way. I have met with the príomhfheidhmeannaigh of the local authorities in Gaeltacht areas on two occasions and will meet them again before the end of this month to discuss how we can work together. The appointment by an t-údarás of a vacant homes officer with a specific focus on Gaeltacht area is an important development. Following my meeting with the príomhfheidhmeannach of an t-údarás, we are beginning to identify where the sites are and whether an t-údarás has plans for those sites. In particular, I want to gain an understanding of the deficiencies in those sites in terms of infrastructure, especially wastewater infrastructure. That will allow us to start working with an t-údarás and Irish Water on a collaborative basis to address those deficiencies and then work with an t-údarás to develop the sites for housing purposes. I have also had meetings with the Minister, Deputy Browne, to ensure we get early publication of a housing statement for Gaeltacht areas focusing specifically on the challenges we all agree are there. We are very focused on that and I would love to get a quick result. We now have a pathway to some progress in this area.

I appreciate the Minister's focus on this issue. It is wonderful to see. I am one of the people coming back to the language agus ag foghlaim an teanga arís. Within that, people need to understand that while there is this great revival, the places where the language is alive, where we think of it as having its origins and being capable of being sustained, are, in fact, in serious danger. I have spoken to young people who are being forced to leave those areas. This is a particular emergency in Gaeltachtaí. I urge the Minister to do all he can to fast-track support and funding for an t-údarás and the local authorities in order that the young people who are cainteoirí na Gaeilge can stay in their communities and, from there, we can regrow the language of our country. The Gaeltachtaí are the heart and core of the solution. It is the contention of Conradh na Gaeilge and BÁNÚ that the future of the language is in danger if the specific housing crisis in Gaeltacht areas is not addressed. The market will not solve those housing issues because it is not profitable for the private sector. The State must lead on this and support these communities.

We are working with an t-údarás and, in particular, with the local authorities in the Gaeltacht areas, which are the planning authorities, to identify every possible opportunity and solution. The information will come through from the Gaeltacht vacant homes officer, the work of the local authority chief executives and the work of an údarás at both príomhfheidhmeannach level and board level. I want to ensure we bring all that work together, working with the Minister, Deputy Browne, to deliver on this major challenge. We want people not just speaking the language but using and celebrating it and getting involved in community organisations. The next question, from Deputy Conor D. McGuinness, concerning support for early childhood care centres, is central to that. The infrastructure is being put in place and we will make announcements in that regard in the coming days. However, unless there are people living in Gaeltacht areas, putting down roots and taking part in the community, that infrastructure will be for naught. I assure the House that this issue is a priority. It is not all in my control. I am working with the Minister, Deputy Browne, and with an t-údarás. We will work with the local authorities. Collectively, we can arrive at a solution.