Questions

595. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 710 of 22 January 2025, to confirm that no circular has been issued to local authorities with respect to housing assistance payment rates for separated parents with part access to their children, whereby the HAP rate is changed when the child turns 18. [2671/25]

596. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will expand the scope of the local authority energy efficiency retrofit scheme by including windows and doors, heat pumps and ventilation systems as they are outdated and faulty in many local authority houses and this will also extend the lifetime of these properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2693/25]

597. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on marine protected area legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2700/25]

598. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of the proliferation of log cabin/wooden residential structures for on sites, in back yards and gardens throughout the country arising from the housing crisis demand; if he will introduce whatever legislation is necessary to provide a reprieve for these dwellings and their occupiers from a requirement for plannin…

599. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will introduce a scheme of affordable housing and low-cost sites for towns and villages with a population of less than 10,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2746/25]

600. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will publish the ministerial brief he received following the recent formation of the Government. [2764/25]

601. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will bring forward an amendment to the Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022, allowing the increase in the cap to be applied retrospectively to homeowners already participating in the defective concrete block grant scheme. [2780/25]

602. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of homeowners who have availed of financial support from the State under the pyrite remediation scheme from the commencement of the scheme to date in 2025; the average amount granted to each of the homeowners under the scheme; and the average level of matching financial contribution by each of the homeowners who…

603. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on his engagements with his European counterparts, and the European Union, regarding assistance to alleviate the impact of storm Éowyn; the timeframe in which it was first considered to seek assistance; when a request for assistance was first made; if an offer of support was offered in advance of this; and if he …

604. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is in favour of tiny homes being built in Ireland; if he plans to update planning policy and planning legislation to enable same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2810/25]

605. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of people that have applied to Cork County Council for the tenant-in-situ scheme and the tenant (incremental) purchase scheme since 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2866/25]

606. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding available for the renovation or renewal of vacant commercial premises; if none exists, whether he is intending to introduce or expand any schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2905/25]

607. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will announce the funding allocations and sanctioned number of acquisitions that will be designated to local authorities under the tenant-in-situ scheme for 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2949/25]

608. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a schedule of special advisers attached to him, as of 29 January 2025; and the official grade and or title held by that special adviser. [3001/25]

609. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons in receipt of housing assistance payment in County Clare for each of the years 2020 to 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3037/25]

610. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of properties registered with each local authority for short-term rentals; the total number of applications of planning permission for short-term rental in each local authority; the total number refused and accepted, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3064/25]

611. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the timeframe for delivering on the commitment in the Programme for Government to extend the eligibility for the pyrite remediation scheme to include homes with damage category rating 1 with progression; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3065/25]

612. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason no tenant-in-situ cases have been approved in 2025 for Cork city; the number currently pending; and when these will be processed. [3077/25]

613. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is considering additional funding to local authorities such as South Dublin County Council, to enable the council to pursue in a more aggressive way the replacement of sodium bulbs with LED lighting (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3095/25]

614. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the short-, medium- and long-term future of the cost rental tenant-in-situ scheme and the social housing variation of same, given that the issue is causing a lot of anxiety among tenants in Dublin south west with South Dublin County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3098/25]

615. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of rate reviews that have taken place in Cork County Council in the past decade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3151/25]

616. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of derelict properties in Meath in the years 2019 to 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3181/25]

617. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are any new programmes planned, or being implemented, in Meath to address the current level of homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3182/25]

618. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the supports available to people who lost their home due to storm Éowyn and now have to find alternative accommodation while they rebuild, particularly in the context that emergency accommodation in Galway has been full for months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3186/25]

619. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department, or any body under its aegis, currently outsources cleaning services and/or service officer/security officer roles to private companies; the value and length of any related contract, by body, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3200/25]