Ken O'Flynn

621. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware that people registering for a postal vote due to disability or illness are required to have their application form certified by a doctor, and that many doctors charge a fee for this; if he accepts that this fee acts as a barrier to people with disabilities or long-term illnesses exercising their right to vote; and if he will consider measures to remove this barrier, such as providing the certification service free of charge or exploring alternative verification methods. [49728/25]

644. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has assessed the impact of bulk-purchasing by State housing agencies on market prices for new homes; the number of homes purchased directly from developers by approved housing bodies and local authorities in each of the past five years; and whether measures are being considered to ensure first-time buyers are not crowded out of the market. [47947/25]

645. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to detail the proportion of newly built housing units in 2024 and 2025 that were purchased by State agencies or approved housing bodies, as opposed to being made available for private sale; and his views on the implications for first-time buyers. [47948/25]

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]

647. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has updated its estimate of the annual number of new homes required to meet demographic demand and household formation, given CSO projections and the current shortfall in supply; and the measures being introduced to close this gap. [47950/25]

648. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current percentage of Ireland’s total housing stock that is in public, affordable, or cooperative housing; how this compares with European peers such as Austria, Denmark, and the Netherlands; and whether he intends to adopt best practice models to expand non-market housing options. [47951/25]

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. [47954/25]

659. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in light of the second confirmed Asian hornet nest in Cobh, the immediate and medium-term measures being funded for surveillance and nest eradication in Cork Harbour and adjacent districts; the guidance being issued to beekeepers and the public; and the KPI targets for the detection-to-destruction time and survey coverage that will apply in Q4 2025. [48108/25]

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 affordability challenges in new housing estates.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48133/25]

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 area, storage and private open space standards now applicable after the July 2025 amendments to Section 28 guidelines, by local authority. [48139/25]

668. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the means by which his Department is addressing the role of high housing costs in driving child poverty; and whether he accepts that housing affordability is now a primary driver of deprivation among families. [48348/25]

669. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the assessment that has been made of the impact of rent inflation on child poverty; and the policies that are under consideration to alleviate this. [48349/25]

670. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether Cork City Council and Cork County Council will receive proportionate infrastructure funding to deliver on regional housing targets, given the concentration of new housing spend in Dublin. [48388/25]

679. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will commission an assessment of an area (details supplied), with a view to placing it on Ireland’s tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage Site nomination, in recognition of its unique natural, cultural and historical significance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48602/25]

680. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has engaged with Cork City Council regarding the motion previously passed by the Council requesting an area (details supplied) be advanced for UNESCO World Heritage Site recognition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48603/25]

681. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has carried out, or will carry out, an ecological survey of an area (details supplied) in view of its distinctive biodiversity, flora and fauna; and if the findings will be used to support heritage recognition, including possible UNESCO designation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48605/25]

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]

697. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in view of the proposed stricter thresholds on legal challenges to planning decisions, the measures his Department will put in place to ensure that communities in Cork city, Glanmire, Mallow and Blarney have adequate statutory avenues to participate in planning, and that environmental and heritage concerns are properly safeguarded. [48862/25]

712. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the timeline for the Cork Events Centre project, including the expected dates for the publication of the prior information notice, the call for expressions of interest, the formal tender, and the anticipated award of contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49192/25]

713. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current estimated cost of the Cork Events Centre project, including construction, consultancy, and procurement phases; the amount expended to date; the measures in place to prevent further cost overruns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49193/25]

714. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the membership and remit of the newly established Cork Events Centre Project Development Board; the frequency of its meetings; the way in which responsibility is allocated between the local authority, Government Departments, and external consultants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49194/25]

715. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures being taken to ensure full compliance with European Union procurement law and State aid rules in respect of the Cork Events Centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49195/25]

716. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the proposed operator model for the Cork Events Centre, whether public, private, or hybrid; the criteria being applied in the procurement of an operator; the means by which the public interest will be safeguarded in the contractual arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49196/25]

717. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the demand and market analysis carried out to determine the scale, design, and financial sustainability of the Cork Events Centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49197/25]