Questions

591. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing units secured under Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2024, broken down by local authority and by year; the number of those units that were agreed as social housing, affordable purchase, and cost rental; the number of those agreed units, under each category, that have been completed and delivered to o…

481. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the rationale for limiting eligibility under the Fresh Start provision of the local authority purchase and renovation loan (LAPRL) scheme to applicants who have lost ownership of a previous home due to relationship breakdown, insolvency, or bankruptcy. [49220/26]

482. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the provision does not extend to applicants who were required to sell or leave a previous home due to it no longer being suitable for a family member with a disability or additional needs who plan to obtain a derelict home but do not have the funds to start the work and refused mortgages through the bank as one parent is…

483. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage is he aware of concerns that this may represent an unintended gap in the scheme, adversely affecting families with genuine housing need arising from disability-related circumstances (details supplied) [49222/26]

484. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider reviewing or amending the eligibility criteria to ensure that such families are not excluded from accessing the scheme on this basis of disability or additional needs (details supplied) [49223/26]

323. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to comments reported in the media that the Government intends to relax planning rules around rural one-off housing, if he will clarify the specific changes being proposed; and when these measures are expected to be introduced. [46517/26]

324. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in view of statements noted in the media regarding a move towards a more flexible approach to rural housing, whether the local needs criteria are to be revised or relaxed; and the way in which this will impact individuals and families seeking to build homes in rural areas. [46518/26]

325. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans for a more unified national approach to rural housing planning, as referenced in recent media reports; and the way in which consistency will be ensured across local authorities in the application of such policies. [46519/26]

326. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures being considered to provide greater flexibility to planners in assessing rural one-off housing applications, as indicated in public commentary; and when updated guidance will issue to planning authorities. [46520/26]

585. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the operation of the capital assistance scheme (CAS) in County Mayo; the total number of homes delivered to date under the scheme, broken down by client group older persons, persons exiting homelessness, people with disabilities and other priority cohorts; the number of CAS projects currently approved, in construction or…

587. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the breakdown of funding provided under Traveller accommodation programmes, including Traveller housing grants, to Mayo County Council over the past five years and to date in 2026; the proportion of that funding drawn down and spent; the number of Traveller-specific housing units delivered, refurbished or upgraded over that period;…

591. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will detail the cost to the State/ total amount paid out on the housing assistance payment HAP in each of the past fifteen years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45760/26]

592. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will detail the cost to the State/total amount paid out on the Rental Accommodation Scheme RAS in each of the past 15 years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45761/26]

593. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will detail the cost to the State/total amount paid out on the provision of emergency homeless accommodation in each of the past 15 years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45762/26]

1019. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review the income thresholds applied under the social housing assessment bands, specifically the disparity between Mayo band 3 and Galway band 2, in light of evidence that Mayo band 3 thresholds are significantly lower; and if he will take steps to ensure greater consistency, fairness, and responsiveness to local housin…

1027. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total amount of commercial rates income collected by each local authority in the State for each of the past five years; the figures for gross rates billed, rates collected, collection percentage, and arrears for each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41634/26]

1066. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the Government intends to introduce legislative or regulatory changes requiring planning permission for the conversion of hotels, apartments or guesthouses into emergency accommodation; the mandatory community consultation, and minimum safety standards for such facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42380/2…

1121. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of people with physical impairments currently on housing waiting lists in emergency accommodation or living in inappropriate or institutional settings; the steps being taken to increase the availability of accessible housing; and if he will ensure that housing policy aligns with the State’s commitment to independent liv…

732. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will examine the potential for supporting domestic reed harvesting for thatching, given that Ireland has abundant natural reed beds, yet thatchers are forced to import reed due to lack of capacity and support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40173/26]

216. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons in the State currently receiving a pension for having worked as retained firefighters. [26565/26]

227. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of retained fire fighters employed in the State. [26564/26]

592. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the grant system for the repair and conservation of thatched buildings was last reviewed or updated; whether the scheme applies solely to domestic dwellings or if commercial heritage buildings such as hotels, pubs, guest houses or tourism-related properties are eligible for support; if he will consider expanding eligibility an…

593. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the rationale for excluding commercial heritage buildings such as pubs, B and Bs, restaurants, hotels and tourism properties from eligibility under thatching grant schemes; when this policy was last reviewed; if he will consider expanding eligibility in light of the urgent need to sustain demand for the craft; and if he will make a…

336. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of local authority owned houses currently lying vacant in County Mayo; the reasons these properties remain idle; and the steps being taken to bring them back into use as social housing, particularly in light of ongoing homelessness and housing shortages. [35805/26]

337. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of five council owned houses in Swinford that have been lying vacant for approximately two years; the reasons refurbishment works have not yet been completed; and when these homes will be made available to families on the housing list. [35806/26]