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committed to delivering social, affordable and cost-rental homes at scale and to continuing accelerating housing supply across all tenures, with overall capital funding available of almost €6.8 billion for the delivery of homes in 2025. This will further increase the availability of affordable homes … rent, securing a sustainable housing supply and building vibrant, liveable communities. Last year's dip in new home completions was certainly disappointing but we remain optimistic that the building blocks we have put in place will bear fruit and that with the appropriately targeted action by the Government

communities. Therefore, it will be critical to deliver compact and sustainable growth patterns, and any allocation of land in relation to updated targets will need to reflect the potential of brownfield land, including infill sites, the conversion of existing buildings and the reuse of vacant and derelict buildings … greater regional balance is the overall development of both urban and rural areas in Ireland, with a particular policy focus on delivering strengthened and diversified rural communities, consistent with Government policy. This extends to the Gaeltacht areas across the country, where promotion and protection of the Irish language

will: Invest additional capital in Uisce Éireann to support reaching our new housing targets. We will prioritise water and waste water infrastructure to deliver the capacity to facilitate housing development in our towns and villages. I have one more very important quote from the programme for Government, which … community in keeping people in their home area. It is also in relation to our housing delivery. While I welcome these very clear commitments in the programme for Government, I hope we will be able to work through them and deliver on them. It is one thing

build a home in the community they grew up in, then the State should support that. We need real investment in the basics in housing, connectivity, accessible public services and a planning system takes into account the needs of rural communities. A future in which rural communities thrive … regeneration funds and youth services are not luxuries, but the difference between vibrant communities and places drained of opportunity. This framework is silent on coastal and fishing communities. That silence is damning. These communities are being hammered by EU quotas, underinvestment and the loss of young people

being told it is a priority. If we are to see that it is a priority, we have to actually see building work being delivered. I specifically ask the Minister of State to go back with this. I have raised it on a number of occasions, including … time its leadership gets up in the morning is "What are we doing to contribute to ensuring that people can live in homes in our communities

provision of housing by accelerating supply and increasing the affordability of homes; — the increase in new homes, as well as measures such as the First Home Scheme, the Help to Buy scheme, the Local Authority Home Loan, the relaxation of social housing income eligibility limits, and the introduction … struggling to purchase a home, by bridging the gap between their financial resources and the price of the home, through a range of schemes including the Help to Buy, First Home Scheme, Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme and the Local Authority Home Loan; — consider the best means

about the kind of people and communities we build. Too often, especially in north Dublin, as I have seen time and again, including in the examples of Belmayne and Clongriffin, we have built thousands of new homes but we do not have public amenities to match them … short walk or short cycle of their homes. That is not an aspiration but a requirement. Planning is the most powerful tool we have. It is proactive rather than reactive. It looks ahead and is a framework that delivers, not just for housing but for better communities

from criminal activity, the presence of community gardaí delivers huge results. I have seen it across my home county of Wexford where community gardaí working assiduously on the ground are making a real difference in their communities. Investment in community gardaí is a no-brainer when it comes … criminal activity. I wish to highlight the example of Ferndale, an area in my hometown of Wexford. Even though I have referred to community gardaí, I believe this is a cross-agency matter. I agree with my colleague Deputy Kelly in that regard. A number of years

Storm Éowyn devastated entire communities. Households, businesses and farmers suddenly had their access to essential power, heat and water cut off. Many were waiting weeks for it to be restored. People could not wash, turn on the lights or heat their homes. For some, the lack of water … most vulnerable would not be left behind. These reassurances proved to be demonstrably untrue. It seemed that the Government was not interested in delivering the type of supports people needed. If the intention was to leave no one behind, will the Minister justify why a staggering two thirds

example, national policy objective 12. It reads: “Ensure the creation of attractive, liveable, well designed, high quality urban places that are home to diverse and integrated communities that enjoy a high quality of life and well-being.” That is absolutely fantastic. How could we argue against that? However … issue for us as a country is not writing these documents but rather implementing them and seeing them delivered. To date, we have not seen the development of communities. I only have a few minutes, so I will use this opportunity to talk about my constituency in Wicklow

then, it was an innovative plan. Today, we must double its ambition. Setting objectives is one thing, but delivering them is another. We speak of building 50,000 homes per year until 2040. That is achievable, but it demands radical change in efficiency and execution. People are asking … there is an over-reliance now on State intervention. That is not sustainable. Even when homes are built, purchasing them remains out of reach for many. They are seeing development in their communities but they cannot access those homes. Planning must prioritise viability, not just density targets

investing in our youth, we are investing in the future of Ireland. We are building a society where young people can achieve their potential, positively impact their communities and escape cycles of crime. Funding for youth justice services has increased substantially from €18 million in 2020 to just … unfortunately all too aware of the immensely damaging impact these organised crime gangs can have on communities. This is yet another key step as we strive to deliver on our commitment to criminalise those who target some of the most vulnerable in our society, namely our children

positive way forward. The Probation Service delivers restorative justice directly and through several community-based organisations that receive referrals at specific points in the criminal justice process. The service currently provides funding to five community-based organisations to provide dedicated restorative justice programmes. In Budget 2025, the Probation … youth policies and towards the promotion of community and local development. This approach echoes the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act, which the Minister commenced this week. It is important to understand how the strategy is being delivered so that we can change our approach if needed. This