Questions

434. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review the regulations included in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 to permit victims of domestic abuse to end a joint application and, with the agreement of a landlord and without delay, submit and secure a new application for the same property to ensure the victim, not the perpetrator, can stay in place;…

435. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review the regulations included in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 that prevent a joint HAP application from being split into two separate applications in cases of domestic abuse (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70962/25]

589. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of any proposals to provide homeless accommodation at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61111/25]

621. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on legislation to underpin the apartment defects remediation schemes; the timeline for its publication and progression; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61639/25]

1126. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the instruction to the NPWS to consider a suite of options for the control of Cherry Laurel; when he expects the NPWS to report back with a determination of the most appropriate measures; whether a public consultation will be held on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59812/25]

236. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the use of online bidding platforms and countdown clocks in house sales; his views on whether they are a positive innovation in the housing market; if he will seek to ban or regulate their use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54528/25]

535. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the transposition of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51100/25]

569. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 264 of 18 September 2025, to provide a timeframe for the completion of the prior risk assessment of cherry laurel and if it is expected to be added to the list of species of national concern; whether environmental NGOs and community woodland groups will be formally consulted in developing and i…

570. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the Housing for All commitment to introduce a minimum BER for private rental accommodation; the timeframe for its introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51726/25]

284. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the Programme for Government commitment to delivering a new above the shop grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50866/25]

264. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 1239 of 8 September 2025, the reason a comprehensive review of the entire List of National Concern under the 2024 invasive alien species is required when the purpose of the new list is to give EU Member States the discretion to add species where scientific evidence demands it; the exact process…

1182. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the interim remediation scheme for fire safety defects in apartments and duplexes; whether in the Minister’s view it is in compliance with national and EU procurement law; when homeowners can expect to be repaid under the scheme, and receive confirmation of this; and if he will make a statement on the matte…

1189. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on a development (details supplied) which has been purchased by an approved housing body but is awaiting the release of payment and availability-capital advance leasing facility funding by his Department; when he expects that the funding will be released so that the sale will be finalised, allowing the apartments to …

1239. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason cherry laurel (prunus laurocerasus) has not yet been added to Ireland's List of National Concern under the 2024 Invasive Alien Species Regulations, despite being recognised as a high-risk invasive species by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the National Biodiversity Data Centre, Coillte and the Citizens' Assembl…

1260. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a private landlord can be compelled to provide proof of ownership to a local authority when their tenant is applying for social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46550/25]

1461. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of the European Commission's concerns regarding the alleged non-conformity of Ireland's transposition of the Drinking Water Directive, as set out in the letter of formal notice it announced it was sending to Ireland on 17 July 2025 (INFR(2025)2106); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41484/25]

736. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department plans to designate hundreds of rivers, lakes and estuaries as 'heavily modified water bodies'; if this means the Department no longer intends to improve the water quality and environmental health standards of these sites and is essentially giving up on them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [307…

439. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to reduce the significant waste generated by campaign posters and cable ties during election campaigns; if he will consider a reduction in the number of posters a candidate may erect or consider designating certain locations for election posters, or any other similar measures; and if he will consider a colour-coded or tag…

834. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is satisfied that under Part L 1.3.4 of the current Building Regulations, which covers building envelope permeability, and it is stated that air pressure testing “should” be carried out on all dwellings on all development sites rather than “must”, if he believes air pressure testing should be mandatory on all dwellings; and i…

835. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if all dwellings built in 2023 and 2024 were tested by certified air pressure testers; if not, the percentage of dwellings tested; the guarantees those who have purchased dwellings that were not tested that air permeability is to the correct levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11002/25]

836. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the course of action that should be taken by those who have purchased a dwelling that does not comply with Building Regulations regarding air permeability because air pressure testing was not carried out in the first instance despite Part L 1.3.4.4 of the Building Regulations stating it should be; and if he will make a statement on…

837. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason air pressure tests are not linked to the MPRN, like the BER, to ensure all dwellings are tested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11004/25]

922. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the means by which he will encourage and incentivise local authorities to deliver a greater focus and budget on nature restoration; and the enforcement measures available should local authorities not comply with their obligations in this regard. [11930/25]

949. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to list the functions, roles and services that were carried out and delivered by civil service or State agency workers; the cost to the State of each contract since the implementation of the Building Momentum public service agreement, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12445/25]

496. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason a fully completed apartment complex is lying vacant for the past six months on the corner of Grange Road and Nutgrove Avenue, Rathfarnham; and if this development was included in his Department’s figures for housing completions in 2024, notwithstanding the fact that it remains vacant. [7262/25]