Parliamentary questions

685. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on his Department's discussions with the Northern Executive Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir on collaboration between both administrations on water quality issues in Lough Neagh and surrounding environment; the actions that have been agreed; and if there is …

686. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which the effectiveness of the Land Acquisition Fund is assessed in terms of its contribution to housing delivery; the number of housing units enabled on lands acquired through the fund; and whether any review of the Fund’s impact or design is planned. [14927/26]

687. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the implementation of the recommendations of the interdepartmental group on coastal change management, and the work of the steering group charged with addressing the recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14945/26]

688. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 do not apply to local authority dwellings; whether any review of this position is underway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14998/26]

689. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he is taking to ensure that the forthcoming National Planning Statement on Short-Term Letting provides a workable and proportionate framework for small coastal towns where tourism is a key part of the local economy; whether a multi-year derogation will be made available for homeowners who commit to app…

690. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the funding application for the Cork city homeless hub (details supplied); the reason for the delay in a decision; the timeline for funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15017/26]

691. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of retained firefighters by each local authority area for each of the years 2021 to 2025 inclusive. [15107/26]

692. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of projects submitted to date in 2026 by each local authority seeking support under the Housing Activation Investment Fund. [15108/26]

693. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps his Department is taking to ensure that local authorities provide transparent eligibility and allocation rules for cost-rental accommodation; the consideration being given to adjusting income thresholds to be eligible for cost rental; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15137/26]

694. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the options available, if any, for individuals with disabilities who work full time and as a consequence earn too much to access the housing adaptation grant for older people and people with disabilities; but who require immediate adaptations to their home in order to remain independent; and if he will make a st…

695. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the number of social housing units currently owned or managed by each local authority, and the most recent figures available for additions to the social housing stock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15174/26]

696. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the most up-to-date average cost of delivering a new-build social housing unit in each local authority, including any relevant factors affecting cost variations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15175/26]

697. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide details of the annual maintenance and upgrade expenditure on social housing by each local authority for the past three years, including the average annual maintenance cost per unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15176/26]

698. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated total asset value of the existing social housing stock nationally; the methodology used to determine that valuation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15177/26]

388. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department is aware of the “Global Biodiversity Loss, Ecosystem Collapse and National Security: A National Security Assessment” published by the UK government recently; the steps being taken to address the biodiversity crisis to strengthen Ireland’s national security in the wake of this assessment; and if…

389. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the implementation of the 59 recommendations from the Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13960/26]

390. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the projects that local authorities have applied for to-date under the Local Biodiversity Action Fund 2026; the breakdown in the details and the cost of those initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13961/26]

391. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps being taken by his Department to address ‘unfavourable’ conservation status of 90% of Ireland’s protected habitats, according to the “The Status of EU Protected Habitats and Species in Ireland, 2025: Summary Report”; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13963/26]

392. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the cessation of turf cutting compensation schemes as the payment period concludes for many applicants; if a replacement support is being considered; if so, the details of any such support or supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13431/26]

393. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the National Flood Forecasting and Warning Service; the amount expended on the development of the service to date; the schedule of the persons and entities that have contributed to its development; and the date on which it is targeted to go live for the general public to access the service [13446/26]

394. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the date his Department decided to conclude centralised monitoring of the ‘room for a student – local authority tenancies scheme’ after December 2024; the analysis or performance metrics informed that decision; whether any formal submission, briefing note, or internal recommendation supported that decision; and w…

395. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the administrative costs incurred by his Department and local authorities in developing, promoting, and operating the ‘room for a student – local authority tenancies scheme’ between December 2023 and December 2024; whether any value-for-money review has been conducted; and whether the cost per additional room del…

396. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the formal reporting framework now exists, if any, to provide his Department with ongoing national oversight of the scheme’s performance; whether any standardised reporting template has been issued to local authorities; and the way he satisfies himself that the scheme remains operational and effective across all …

397. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will request an update from the DCB Appeals Panel to provide the number of appeals made to 31 January 2026; the numbers of decisions made; the average waiting time for those decisions, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13476/26]

398. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the grant supports to sink wells are eligible for houses that have been built prior to 2007, and have been connected to Uisce Eireann/Group Water Scheme up to now, but the house is experiencing significant and ongoing water outages because of its location/elevated site or poor water pressure due to its posi…