John Paul O'Shea

The question is to ask the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the means by which the transition of the new AI office to a fully independent statutory body will be managed.

If that is okay with the House.

Deputy Gogarty now.

Thank you, Deputy.

The Deputy will be allowed to come back in.

Let the Minister of State respond, Deputy.

Question No. 7 in the name of Deputy Seán Fleming is being taken by Deputy Séamus McGrath.

Deputy, please let the Minister of State respond.

We are out of time.

Please, allow the Minister to answer.

11. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the delivery of affordable and social housing in Cork city and county, including the expected number of units to be completed in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53206/25]

I ask for an update on delivery of affordable and social housing in Cork city and Cork county, including the expected number of units to be completed in 2025. Perhaps the Minister of State will make a statement on the matter.

It is good to see that those figures are quite high and strong, that Cork City Council has a target of 592 houses this year, and that Cork County Council has 683. This will bring in the bones of 1,200 new social houses into the system in Cork city and county for 2025. I very much welcome that almost 2,100 units are in the pipeline between Cork city and county. It is important that both local auth…

Yes indeed there are many projects right across Cork North-West that are at an advanced stage of development. Fingers crossed that with the Minister, Deputy Browne, and the Ministers of State, Deputies Cummins and O'Sullivan, we will see many more projects opened in the coming years. I also want to mention the affordable housing targets that are set out as part of Cork City Council and Cork Count…

In a minute, Deputy.

The Minister to respond without interruption, please.

The Deputy to respond.

Could the Deputy please have respect now?

I thank the Deputy.

I thank the Deputy.

I thank the Deputy.

We now move to contributions from Members. Sinn Féin has 15 minutes, which is being divided between a number of speakers. First up is Deputy Joanna Byrne.

The Deputies from the Labour Party are dividing their time.

The next group is the Social Democrats, who are sharing time. The first up is Deputy Gibney.

87. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans for phasing out the means test entirely for the carer’s allowance during the lifetime of this Government, as per the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51028/25]