Questions

511. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of purchase orders processed by his Department in 2023 that were not included in the published reports of purchase orders over €20,000; the number of purchase orders excluded due to their value falling below the €20,000 threshold, and the total combined value of those purchase orders; and the number of purchase orders ex…

512. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has ever conducted an analysis, audit, or review of local authority compliance with Circular Fin 07/2012 regarding the publication of purchase orders over €20,000; the last time such an analysis or audit took place; if all local authorities were found to be compliant at that time, and if not, to provide a list of …

513. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures he plans to take in relation to the transfer of lands from commercial State bodies to expedite the development of suitable sites in Carlow and Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37270/25]

514. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when new rural planning guidelines will be published for Carlow and Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37271/25]

515. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average waiting time to get a decision from An Bord Pleanála in each of the years 2021 to 2024 and to date in 2025; the single longest time an application had to wait for approval in each of the years; his views on whether these delays are acceptable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37272/25]

516. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will significantly increase the mortgage allowance scheme for those vacating a social house with a view to purchasing a property, as creating a strong incentive should free up additional social housing units. [37291/25]

517. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the taxpayer is funding An Bord Pleanála to assess the planning application for the now discontinued Sceirde Rocks Wind Farm Scheme (case reference 321697) in light of the correspondence the Department received on 25 April 2025 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37302/25]

518. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason that rough sleepers, who are homeless people by definition, are not included in the "Monthly Homeless Report" produced by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37319/25]

519. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if local authorities have received clarity on the process for drafting of development plans given the potential changes to be introduced on implementation of the Planning and Development Act 2024. [37370/25]

520. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline, in light of concerns for individuals and businesses who use and operate on inland waterways, the progress made in relation to Waterways Ireland byelaws for the inland waterways; and if he will provide an update on these byelaws. [37424/25]

521. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if any financial support is available for housing extensions where household income is over the financial threshold to qualify for a sufficient local authority housing adaptation grant for disabled people to carry out necessary adaptations for disabled persons to continue to live at home; and if he will make a statement on the ma…

522. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to revise the income eligibility limit for affordable cost rental in County Cork to match the household income limit that applies in Dublin, given the comparable cost of living and price of houses in both areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37428/25]

523. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide on update on the new proposed River Shannon, Grand and Royal Canal and Barrow Navigation bye-laws; if Waterways Ireland has provided any update in relation to fees and charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37445/25]

524. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what his department doing to ensure that The Apartment and Duplex Remediation Bill 2004 comes before the Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage for pre-legislative scrutiny in the Dáil autumn term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37449/25]

525. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views regarding the retail planning guidelines; if there is a timeline in place for the review of the guidelines; if he is conscious of the fact that the current guidelines are proving to be an impediment to the maintenance and expansion of a business (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37452…

526. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for details on possible costs for each local authority to employ an archaeologist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37474/25]

527. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to the publication of the Electricity Storage Policy Framework for Ireland in July 2024, the engagement that has taken place with his Department and the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management, local planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála in relation to addressing the safety and regulation concerns now…

528. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage with regard to cessation of turf cutting scheme applicants whose scheme is due to end this year, if the scheme will be extended; if not, if other compensation will be provided to these turbary right holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37611/25]

529. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans reduce homelessness each year from 2026 to 2030, to meet the Lisbon Declaration timeframe of working towards ending homelessness by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37693/25]

530. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to report on the timeframe for the development of a homeless prevention framework; whether it will have a budget line and resources dedicated to it in Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37694/25]

531. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to report on the collaborative work he plans to undertake with his colleague, the Minister for Health, on issues around health and homelessness and what shared resources will be brought forward in budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37695/25]

532. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if capital assistance scheme funding will be provided to an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37738/25]

533. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage given the ongoing housing crisis and the need to support families in mortgage-to-rent schemes in meeting their financial and social needs, if his Department has considered reviewing or amending current legislation and tenancy agreements to allow such tenants to sublet one or two rooms in their homes, provided that any such subtena…

534. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a breakdown on age, nationality, employment status of those in emergency homeless accommodation in Ireland; if his Department stores data on the number of whom suffer from substance abuse or drug addiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37782/25]

535. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of retained female firefighters within the State, and the fire station they are stationed to, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37790/25]