Parliamentary questions

627. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to ensure that a person (details supplied) receives a prompt and adequate response from the property agents to their request for a detailed breakdown of the fire levy charges. [37618/26]

628. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can ensure that student accommodation located in rent pressure zones is not subject to inflating service charges, as an alternative to rent increases, as providers are restricted in increasing rents in these areas. [37628/26]

629. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the breakdown of the €373 million allocated under the 2026 Second-Hand Social Housing Acquisitions Programme; how this compares in percentage terms with the €290 million drawn down in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37629/26]

630. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which the €150 million is ring-fenced to support households exiting long-term homeless accommodation will be allocated among local authorities; the criteria that will apply; the number of exits from homelessness that are projected under this funding stream in 2026; and if he will make a statement on t…

631. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to detail how the €50 million allocated to approved housing bodies for the provision of accommodation for elderly persons, persons with disabilities and care leavers will be distributed; the output targets associated with this allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37631/26]

632. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which the €157 million available at the discretion of local authorities may be utilised, including for tenancy sustainment and tenant-in-situ acquisitions; the oversight mechanisms in place to ensure value-for-money and alignment with national housing priorities; and if he will make a statement on the…

633. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the criteria that will govern access to the contingency fund of approximately €16 million; the way in which local authorities may apply for additional allocations; whether this funding is expected to be fully drawn down in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37633/26]

634. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to explain the rationale for authorising local authorities to commit up to 30% of their 2026 base allocation for acquisitions that may only complete in 2027; the way in which this multi-annual approach supports pipeline planning and delivery certainty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37634/26]

635. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the eligibility criteria for tenant-in-situ acquisitions retained from 2025; and the justification for the additional condition disallowing such acquisitions where a household has refused a reasonable offer of local authority or approved housing body accommodation following receipt of a notice of termination; an…

636. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the assessment that has been undertaken regarding the balance between reliance on second-hand acquisitions as a last-resort measure and the delivery of newly built social housing; whether projected increases in social housing construction are expected to reduce future reliance on acquisitions programmes; and if …

637. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current and planned development works at the Martello Tower at Meelick, County Galway; the proposals to extend the existing public walkway to provide safe and direct access to the Martello Tower; the plans to provide an accessible viewing point of the River Shannon from the top of the tower; the current stat…

638. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the regulations and guidelines being considered relative to the development of on shore wind farms; and if an indicative timeframe will be provided for their implementation [37644/26]

639. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the role his Department has on the Developer Provided Infrastructure (DPI) Steering Group; the number of times this group met in 2025 and to-date in 2026; the role his Department places in oversight on this Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37680/26]

640. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing estates that have had issues resolved via the Developer Provided Infrastructure (DPI) Steering Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37681/26]

641. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if landlords with tenancies in place prior to 1 March 2026 will continue to retain the right to terminate a tenancy under section 34 of the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004 to 2025 where vacant possession is required to carry out remediation works to dwellings affected by defective concrete blocks; and if he will…

642. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures that are in place to ensure that landlords are not placed in a position whereby tenants remain in dwellings deemed unsafe due to defective concrete blocks or where substantial remediation works pose a health and safety risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37711/26]

643. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the protections and supports available to tenants residing in dwellings affected by defective concrete blocks where remediation works require temporary or permanent vacation of the property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37712/26]

644. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if specific guidance has issued, or is planned to issue, to landlords, tenants and the Residential Tenancies Board regarding the interaction between tenancy protections introduced from 1 March 2026 and the operation of the defective concrete blocks grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37…

645. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will bring forward the necessary regulations that will allow for side-by-side construction of homes under the defective concrete blocks grant scheme to allow some families to remain in their defective home while a new home is built on an adjacent site. [37729/26]

646. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update for defective concrete blocks regulations for side-by-side construction; when they will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37734/26]

647. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of defective concrete block grant recipients that have applied for the increased remediation option grant in each county that the grant scheme operates; the number of those recipients who have been awarded the maximum 10% increase; the number in each county who have received less than the 10% and thos…

648. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the social housing stock condition surveys, with a breakdown by local authority of the number of surveys undertaken; the percentage of the local authorities stock that has been surveyed to date; the methodology being used for the surveys; the data his Department is collating; and whether …

649. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on recent developments at an organisation (details supplied); and if he is satisfied that the funding provided by his Department is being managed in an appropriate manner. [37772/26]

650. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current planning laws regarding the development of quarries; the plans to reform these; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37817/26]

651. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of reports received by the NPWS concerning alleged unlawful habitat destruction in each of the years 2021 to 2026 to date; the number of incidents inspected or investigated; the number that proceeded to enforcement action or prosecution; and a breakdown of data by region. [37922/26]