John Cummins

I thank all Deputies for their contributions and for their genuine advocacy and work in this area. I recognise the real hurt and anger right across the country of homeowners who have been impacted by legacy defects as a result of defective concrete blocks. I want to put that on record. As the Minister of State, Deputy O'Sullivan, and the Minister, Deputy Browne, have said previously, the Governme…

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." On 19 May this year, the Government approved the publication of the Housing and Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026. This Bill is structured in three Parts, the two substantive elements being Part 2 and Part 3, which deal with amendments to the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 around eligibility for social housin…

It is good to get an opportunity to mark National Biodiversity Week in the Dáil and to reaffirm the Government’s commitment to the protection and restoration of Ireland's natural heritage. A wide range of issues were raised and highlighted by Members. I acknowledge the great work being done in communities across the country but also that some areas need more attention and focus. Just this morning,…

I move: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "notes that: — the Government is fully committed to tackling high rents and ensuring an increase in the supply of affordable high-quality rental accommodation through continued significant capital investment including cost rental and other means and in a manner that respects the security of tenure for renters by ensu…

He cannot say that.

Maximum parking rates for new residential developments are addressed at a national level in the sustainable residential development and compact settlement guidelines issued in 2024 under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. The specific planning policy requirement, SPPR 3, of the settlement guidelines sets out graduated maximum car parking rates based on proximity to urban centres …

I thank Deputy Lahart. I and the Department are aware that this is an issue. At the same time it is important to point to the fact that there is a graduated approach to parking, as set out in the Planning and Development Act and the guidelines associated with it. It ranges from one space per dwelling in a central or accessible location to two per dwelling in a more peripheral or intermediate locat…

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I know it is an issue for his constituents and the constituents of other Members across the House. I am more than happy to engage with him in a proactive manner in relation to it. If he has some suggestions that he can bring forward I am more than happy to hear them. It is important in the context to note the cost of providing basement and underground ca…

I move: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "notes that: — the Programme for Government commits to continue and accelerate Social Housing regeneration schemes in Dublin, and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage continues and commits to support regeneration projects submitted by Dublin City Council (DCC) that do not result in any significant…

Large-scale redevelopment projects are progressing, transforming communities-----

-----and improving living conditions for residents. The Department of housing is fully supportive-----

-----of regeneration proposals submitted by Dublin City Council, which do not result in any significant loss of homes-----

-----or when loss of homes cannot be avoided, such decisions are fully justified. Furthermore, over €230 million per annum of Exchequer funding is being provided to local authorities under the planned maintenance and voids programmes, the energy retrofit programme and the regeneration and refurbishment programme, all of which are proving vital in the refurbishment and maintenance of local authorit…

A Leas Cheann-Comhairle-----

-----I can respond to the motion that is before us if the Deputies want to give me the respect I gave them in the Chamber.

If the Deputy wants me to respond to the motion, I will but-----

-----but if he does not want to hear what I have to say-----

Am I allowed to respond?

I would appreciate the same respect that I accord the Deputy in this Chamber all of the time.

I do not shout across the Deputy. I listened to him; I would appreciate if he could give me the same respect.

Thank you, a Leas Cheann-Comhairle. As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted by the other side of the House, local authorities do generate significant rental income that should supplement central government funding in the area of maintenance because nobody in this Government wants to see anybody living in substandard accommodation.

Dublin City Council is working closely with the Department to determine the best solution for each complex, be that demolition and rebuild resulting in mixed-tenure communities or, where appropriate, deep retrofit and remedial works. Mention has been made of local authority staffing and while it should be noted that the operational responsibility for staff lies with Dublin City Council and the chi…

-----are both currently on-site. Construction has recently begun at An Droichead Órga in Inchicore, at the former St. Michael's estate next to the historic Richmond Barracks.

These three regeneration projects will revitalise their communities and deliver over 2,000 mixed-tenure homes, including cost-rental, affordable purchase and social housing once all phases are completed, with the support of Exchequer funding of over €460 million. This is clear evidence of the significant investment that Government is making-----

-----in the regeneration of Dublin city, which is in stark contrast to the motion before us. The Department has funded Dublin City Council to the tune of €120 million for social housing regeneration projects completed in recent years, refurbishing or rebuilding 345 homes, including 72 homes at Dominick Street east-----