Parliamentary questions

103. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans for delivering affordable housing in villages and rural communities in County Waterford such as An Rinn, Ardmore, Lismore, and Bonmahon, that are experiencing pronounced housing pressures and demographic cliff edges, if not addressed. [48180/26]

104. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current number of vacant homes officers in each respective local authority; his plans to provide funding for the recruitment of additional vacant homes officers where needed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48275/26]

105. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on engagement with lending institutions regarding the potential expansion of the first home scheme to include first-time buyers purchasing second-hand homes; the progress made to date in this regard, any timelines for decisions or implementation; the expected impact such an extension would…

106. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his response to the latest monthly housing commencement figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48047/26]

107. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to ensure transparency in the home-buying process; if he will deal with artificial bidding wars, gazumping and ghost bids; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47822/26]

108. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 652 and 653 of 19 May 2026, the basis on which his Department refused to identify geographical areas where funded NPWS enforcement posts are vacant, citing operational security; whether any written policy, risk assessment, legal advice or formal security assessment underpin…

109. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to review housing assistance payment limits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48096/26]

110. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the changes now needed to the enhanced defective concrete block grant scheme in view of the publishing of the NSAI’s new standard I.S. 465:2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48147/26]

111. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on Land Development Agency plans for Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48274/26]

112. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an overview of the projects approved in Offaly under the first call under the Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48044/26]

113. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider introducing a specific scheme of investment in water and sewerage services in smaller towns and villages which would enable housing and other developments, taking into account that such locations have in most instances good infrastructure in areas such as education, sport and community facil…

114. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if all local authorities are working off a national differential rent scheme; if not, the different schemes being operated currently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47583/26]

115. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will take immediate steps to strengthen local democracy by reconstituting boroughs or corporations similar to the structures that once operated; and if he will consider Kilkenny city as a pilot project. [48286/26]

116. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social and affordable housing units built in Dublin south central in 2025 and 2026. [48284/26]

117. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the Programme for Government commitment to earmark certain cost rental units for key local workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47675/26]

118. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he considers council rents to be too low at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48201/26]

119. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the interaction his Department has had on the increase in rents for social housing tenants by South Dublin County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46878/26]

120. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures his Department is taking to monitor whether local authorities are actively seeking out and registering all derelict properties within their areas to ensure that action can be taken to bring these properties back into use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48002/26]

121. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his expectations for new build social housing in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48065/26]

122. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on his progress toward delivering affordable housing in Dublin west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47674/26]

123. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an updated on the affordable purchase scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48092/26]

124. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on widening the income limits for qualification for affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48304/26]

125. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline any plans for the development of affordable housing in Arklow, County Wicklow. [47895/26]

126. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of local authority home loans issued, by county in 2023, 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; the number of LAHLs, by county that have been refused for the same periods; the average household income by county, for those who have been refused a LAHL; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48244/26]

127. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an outline of his Department's current actions and future plans in the area of biodiversity which is within the remit of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48204/26]