Parliamentary questions

1131. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether their Department has assessed the public health and water-quality risk arising from the absence of a central national database identifying failed domestic wastewater treatment systems located near private drinking-water wells, groundwater sources, rivers or public water catchment areas; and if he will ma…

1132. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether their Department will review the adequacy of the Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems Grant Scheme, including the maximum grant of €12,000, eligibility criteria, drawdown barriers and whether the scheme reflects actual remediation costs faced by rural households; and if he will make a statement on the …

1133. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether their Department has received any reports, correspondence, briefings, notifications, risk assessments or other communications since 1 January 2024 concerning manganese exceedances in Cork City drinking water supplies; whether any concerns regarding recurring exceedances, treatment performance, public hea…

1134. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social homes approved, commenced and completed in County Kildare during 2025 and to date in 2026, by local authority area. [43747/26]

1135. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether consideration is being given to increasing funding available to local authorities for the remediation of long-term vacant and derelict properties in town and village centres. [43748/26]

1136. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures he intends to take in response to the continued increase in homelessness figures nationally; the additional funding that will be made available to local authorities for tenant-in-situ acquisitions and homelessness prevention measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43824/…

1137. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social housing units expected to be delivered in the Athy municipal district during 2026 and 2027; the number currently at design, planning and construction stages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43825/26]

1138. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department carried out any regulatory impact assessment of Regulation 2024/900 either before or after its adoption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43857/26]

1139. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the timeline for the introduction of the proposed amendments to the Planning and Development Act 2024 relating to rural housing policy and the operation of “local need” criteria; to confirm whether the forthcoming legislation will explicitly provide for persons in rural areas who, through no fault of their own, …

1140. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide on all actions and commitments relating to the NPWS set-down in the active Memorandum of Understanding between an organisation (details supplied) and NPWS, in tabular form. [43872/26]

1141. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on correspondence issued by an organisation (details supplied) to his Department on 30 April 2026 in relation to matters concerning engagement with his Department; when the organisation can expect a response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43873/26]

1142. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the preparatory work completed to date to facilitate the extension of the defective concrete blocks grant scheme to the newly included counties; the work that remains outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43876/26]

1143. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the local authorities in the counties being added to the defective concrete blocks grant scheme have been advised of an implementation timetable; whether staffing, training and administrative arrangements have been finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43877/26]

1144. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department has prepared a project plan for the extension of the defective concrete blocks grant scheme to the other newly included counties; if so, the key milestones and target dates contained within that plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43878/26]

1145. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated number of homeowners in County Meath and each other county approved for inclusion in the defective concrete blocks grant scheme who are awaiting the opening of the scheme; the measures being taken to minimise further delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43879/26]

1146. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the BER requirements for private landlords including when advertising rental properties, commencing new tenancies and undertaking rent reviews. [43881/26]

1147. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the publication of new planning guidelines for local authorities on the installation of roof solar panels on properties of architectural/ heritage value; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43907/26]

1148. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of dwellings currently awaiting a technical review of remediation options under the defective concrete blocks grant scheme; the average length of time such reviews have been outstanding; whether a formal technical review protocol has been established; who is responsible for conducting such reviews; a…

1149. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he will publish the criteria, methodology and decision-making framework used in technical reviews of remediation options under the defective concrete blocks grant scheme; whether homeowners are entitled to review and respond to technical assessments used in such reviews; and if he will make a statement …

1150. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when guidance will be issued to local authorities or technical reviewers regarding the assessment of foundation retention under I.S. 465:2026; whether a consistent national approach will apply to such determinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43977/26]

1151. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether homeowners dissatisfied with the outcome of a technical review of remediation options under the defective concrete blocks grant scheme have access to an independent appeal or review mechanism; if so, the details of that mechanism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43978/26]

1152. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the composition of any technical review panel or group involved in determining remediation options under the defective concrete blocks grant scheme; the professional qualifications represented on such panels; whether independent experts are included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43979/26]

1153. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the length of time between the triggering of the three-month review of the defective concrete blocks scheme and the expected completion; the longest period recorded to date in similar circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43980/26]

1154. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether applicants whose remediation options have not yet been finalised will be assessed in accordance with I.S. 465:2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43981/26]

1155. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether training or guidance has been provided to local authority staff, chartered engineers and technical reviewers in relation to the implementation of I.S. 465:2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43982/26]