Parliamentary questions

649. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the impact labour shortages are having on the cost of delivering social, affordable, and cost-rental housing; the cost assumptions used in Delivering Homes, Building Communities; and the measures planned to stabilise costs. [63922/25]

650. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of construction workers recruited from abroad in the past two years; the number expected to be required to meet the 2030 housing targets; and the supports planned to increase international recruitment where necessary. [63923/25]

651. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of small and medium-sized construction firms currently active in residential building; their expected contribution to housing output to 2030; and the supports being provided to expand their capacity. [63925/25]

652. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated labour hours lost due to planning delays, procurement delays, and infrastructure bottlenecks in the past two years; and the reforms planned to minimise workforce downtime. [63926/25]

653. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the labour cost inflation assumptions used in Delivering Homes, Building Communities; the expected annual labour cost increases to 2030; and how these assumptions affect projected housing costs. [63927/25]

654. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of homes expected to be built using modern methods of construction and modular delivery from 2025 to 2030; and how these methods will reduce reliance on traditional labour capacity. [63928/25]

655. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total projected cost of delivering the 303,000 homes targeted in Delivering Homes, Building Communities; the projected annual expenditure to 2030; and the sources of Exchequer and non-Exchequer funding that will be used. [63930/25]

656. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the borrowing capacity of each local authority in 2024 and 2025 for housing construction; the level of borrowing approved for Cork City Council and Cork County Council; and the number of housing units this borrowing is expected to support. [63932/25]

657. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the loan-to-cost ratios applied in affordable purchase schemes; the financial criteria participating households must meet; and whether these criteria will change under Delivering Homes, Building Communities. [63933/25]

658. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total funding allocated to the Land Development Agency in 2023, 2024, and 2025; the number of homes delivered in each of those years; and the expected annual delivery from the LDA to 2030. [63934/25]

659. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the financing structure for cost-rental homes under Delivering Homes, Building Communities; the average subsidy per unit; and how these subsidies ensure rent levels remain below market rates. [63935/25]

660. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the assessment undertaken on the financial viability of private-sector delivery under Delivering Homes, Building Communities; the risk of reduced private output due to construction inflation or interest rates; and the contingency measures in place. [63936/25]

661. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total Exchequer cost of the first home scheme to date; the number of households supported; the average State equity share; and the projected annual cost of the scheme to 2030. [63937/25]

662. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding allocated for vacancy and dereliction activation in 2023, 2024, and 2025; the number of homes activated with this funding; and the expected annual activation figures to 2030 under Delivering Homes, Building Communities. [63939/25]

663. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the annual targets to 2030 for the delivery of housing designed for older people, including age-friendly, supported, and right-sizing units; and the expected delivery for Cork city and Cork county. [63940/25]

664. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of wheelchair accessible and fully adapted social housing units delivered in 2023 and 2024; the annual targets to 2030 under Delivering Homes, Building Communities; and the regional distribution of these units. [63941/25]

665. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of households on disability-related social housing waiting lists in Cork city and Cork county; the average waiting time; and how the new strategy will reduce these waiting times. [63942/25]

666. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of households assessed as high medical priority for housing; the number accommodated in 2023 and 2024; and the targets for addressing this group under Delivering Homes, Building Communities. [63943/25]

667. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding allocated in 2023, 2024, and 2025 for housing adaptation grants for older people and people with disabilities; the number of grants awarded; the average turnaround time; and whether funding will be increased to meet rising demand. [63944/25]

668. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of supported housing units planned for delivery nationally to 2030; the expected annual output; and the specific projects planned for Cork city and Cork county. [63945/25]

669. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures in place to support older people who wish to right-size; the number of households who availed of these supports in 2023 and 2024; and whether additional incentives are planned under the new strategy. [63946/25]

670. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the share of new social housing units completed in 2023 and 2024 that meet universal design standards; the expected rate of compliance to 2030; and whether the Department plans to increase universal design requirements. [63947/25]

671. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of households with disability needs currently accommodated through the housing assistance payment; and whether the Department plans reforms to ensure disability-appropriate housing is prioritised over temporary supports. [63948/25]

672. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the BER standard required for all new homes delivered under Delivering Homes, Building Communities; the number of A-rated homes delivered in 2023 and 2024; and the expected annual share of A-rated completions to 2030. [63950/25]

673. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the additional construction cost per unit arising from current climate and energy-efficiency standards; the cost assumptions used in Delivering Homes, Building Communities; and whether these costs pose delivery risks for social and affordable housing. [63951/25]