Parliamentary questions

498. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his Department’s expenditure on beauticians, make-up artists or hairdressing professionals, stylists or personal shoppers, specifying if such expenditure was on a contract or retainer fee basis, in each of the years 2015 to 2025, in tabular form. [37017/25]

499. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on a review of planning regulations in relation to a new and separate exempted development threshold for stand-alone nutrient storage, in view that the thresholds and conditions associated with the exemption are practical and enable farmers to make the necessary investment to deliver the requi…

500. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his expenditure on media training in each of the years 2015 to 2025; the firms contracted to provide training; and the position or grade of those availing of training, for example, Minister, Secretary General, principal officer and so on. [37052/25]

501. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his Department's expenditure on media consultancy in each of the years 2015 to 2025; the consultancy firms involved; and the nature of each contract, in tabular form. [37070/25]

502. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the croi cónaithe cities scheme, by a list of the schemes that have or are coming to market under this scheme; the cash value of the CCC subsidy being applied to the purchase of the homes in each of these schemes; and the way in which the grant and attached clawback is being applied. [37084/25]

503. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of the considerable expense that homeowners have to incur to be admitted to the pyrite remediation scheme; if he will provide details of any supports available for homeowners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37120/25]

504. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the specific environmental and infrastructural factors that led to the River Tolka’s consideration as a heavily modified water body; whether alternative restoration options will be considered prior to its designation; the reason the river’s ecological potential was assessed as ‘poor’ with ‘medium confi…

505. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans for an ‘above the shop’ living refurbishment grant by topping up the vacant and derelict refurbishment grant so as to help make spaces above retail premises liveable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37171/25]

506. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide the cost to the exchequer of the first home scheme (aka shared equity scheme) in each of the years since its creation in 2022, in tabular form; and an estimation of the cost for each year from the last year for which final numbers are available until 2030. [37192/25]

507. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide the cost to the Exchequer of the croí cónaithe scheme in each of the years since its creation, in tabular form; and an estimation of the cost for each year from the last year for which final numbers are available until 2030. [37193/25]

508. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide the cost to the Exchequer of the housing assistance payment in each of the years since its creation in 2014, in tabular form; and an estimation of the cost for each year from the last year for which final numbers are available until 2030. [37194/25]

509. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to address long waiting times for allocation of social housing (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37195/25]

510. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures his Department is taking to address record homelessness figures across Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37196/25]

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 o…

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, t…

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. [37…

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. …

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…

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]