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propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 9, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on housing last met on Wednesday, 3 September, and will meet again in the coming weeks. The committee works to ensure a cross-government approach to the implementation of our commitments regarding housing policy. Housing … first home and help to buy schemes. However, we know that we must do more and that the scale of delivery of housing needs to be significantly increased in the coming years. This is why we have prioritised a range of far-reaching measures and the deployment

site and modern methods of construction. We are driving that because that will also be key in accelerating the construction of housing. On the rezoning issue, there are legislative options available to the Minister to mandate - he has already instructed, but to go ahead and get it done … Minister and me and CEOs of county councils to drive that agenda. Deputy Bacik raised the issue of homelessness and the new housing plan. The new housing plan will be published within the next number of weeks. It made sense that we would get the national development plan

division. The context in which we discuss migration is the overall failures of this Government and successive Governments, particularly in areas like housing, economic inequality, tackling deprivation and addressing wage inadequacy. We cannot look at migration in isolation. The Minister talked about the long history of emigration from … managed has to take into account our needs in terms of workers for key sectors such as health but also challenges including the housing crisis and the capacity of public services, as well as a humanitarian response to those who are fleeing war and persecution. The international protection

antisocial behaviour, as people who have served in politics at local and national levels know, has resulted in the ruination of communities, housing estates and neighbourhoods. That is the result of a small minority of people who are intent on creating havoc. This is a time when housing … without the resources to deal with the behaviour, particularly when it is carried out by young people. Despite the best efforts of housing officers, tenant liaison officers and other officials, local authorities are almost afraid to tackle the issue given the hoops to which they must jump

That is something we are pushing strongly. We will get to a situation where that happens and that would release some housing, in particular, across rural Ireland. Deputy McGrath is correct. Cork City Council was probably one of the first councils to develop a very innovative approach … funding. In any event, it worked well. That should continue all over the country as an option because we have not used existing housing stock optimally. We have to continue to look at ways of incentivising the utilisation of existing housing stock. Airbnb has absorbed an awful

research by Economic and Social Research Institute shows one in five children, over 225,000, live in families below the poverty line when housing costs are accounted for; — the cost-of-living crisis is deepening with annualised food price inflation in August up by 5 per cent; — Ireland … payment - to address the shocking rise in child poverty; — a ban on the eviction of children into homelessness, and legislation to prioritise the housing needs of homeless families; — the removal of the restrictions introduced in March 2025 on the Tenant in-Situ Scheme so it is demand

Government and beyond; — the Government is investing almost €6.8 billion in 2025 to support the delivery of social, affordable and Cost Rental homes, housing supply has increased significantly with almost 32,800 social homes delivered between 2022 to 2024; — Budget 2025 provided an allocation of €303 million … delivery of high quality transitional and emergency accommodation for individuals experiencing homelessness; — the Government recently announced that an additional €50 million for housing acquisitions will prioritise families in long-term homelessness; — the Government has committed €325 million to support a second-hand acquisitions programme in 2025, allowing local

Communications and Sport and responsibility for the Property Services Regulatory Authority and the Property Services Appeals Board was transferred to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Housing. This is not quite the final element, but it is nearly the final element, of the transfer of function … secondary legislation to amend primary legislation. Primary legislation will therefore be necessary for the final transfer functions. Deputies will recall that the House has previously approved Further Revised Estimates to take account of these transfers. The most recent of these was in June relating to the transfer

alleviate the issue in respect of housing. We have repeatedly stated that the most effective way of getting people off the homelessness and housing lists is to ensure a greater supply of housing in our society, and available housing. Although the Deputy can criticise the Government … respect of it. Between July 2020 and the end of quarter 1 of 2025, 48,939 social homes were added to the social housing stock. That is a very significant number and cannot be ignored. Also, more than 13,100 homes were brought back into use under

creating a national rent pressure zone, ultimately including the entire country. The bottom line is that we need more supply of houses. We need a significant and substantial increase in the supply of housing. That is the key. Without additional supply we will have a very challenging rental … tenants in Irish society. It is not a return to a free for all. The reforms were informed by a review by the Housing Agency, which did an analysis of the rental market for us, in particular of the rent pressure zones. The agency made recommendations on which

This means that, in the 14 years that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael in one shape or another have been in charge of housing policy, tens of thousands of children have been forced into homelessness. The impact on these children is enormous. It has impacts on their physical … think this is blaming the victim of Government policy because child homelessness is not complex. It is a direct result of bad Government housing policy. There is a refusal to provide an adequate supply of social homes, particularly for those in or at risk of homelessness

means of a cross-government approach. For example, this includes focusing on targeted measures in relation to homelessness and housing. The additional €15 million that I allocated to my Department in the past few weeks for a second-hand acquisitions budget is a clear and unambiguous reflection … ring-fenced and targeted at acquisitions that support families, primarily those larger families with children, to exit long-term emergency accommodation into housing. Together with income supports and measures relating to homelessness and housing in budget 2026 and beyond, I will continue to concentrate on expanding the vital

homes with multiple generations all under one roof. The Minister may not be the Minister for Finance yet, but his party has the housing portfolio and he is the TD for Dublin Bay South. Across the communities that the Minister and I represent, multiple generations and branches … family trees are crammed into one tiny space because of the housing crisis and disaster. At the hardest edge of the crisis are those children in housing insecurity, who are facing the awful prospect of eviction. The thought of that resonates with all of us. Families

Minister of State, Deputy Brophy, will jointly open this debate with me. It is particularly welcome that we are discussing in this House the issue of migration. It is an extremely important national and international issue that requires policy decisions and the expression of values by political leaders … such as ourselves in this House. When we are discussing migration it is important to note that we are not simply discussing emigration or immigration; we are talking about both. If it was the case that we were here 60 years ago and the topic of migration

thank the Deputy for raising this matter in the House today. As he is aware, capital acquisitions tax is a tax on inheritances or gifts on an amount over a particular tax-free threshold. It is a beneficiary-orientated tax, which means it is payable by the recipient … circumstances of the case, some of which do not require that any specific family relationship applies. One such exemption is the dwelling house exemption. Where a person takes an inheritance of a dwelling house, that person may be able to avail of the dwelling house exemption. I know

people coming out to demand action on funding for the Irish language and the Gaeltacht as well as action on education, the housing crisis and language rights. The turnout speaks to, on the one hand, a moment for the Irish language of a renewal or resurgence from below … turn funding has grown significantly over the same period. Does the Government agree that Foras na Gaeilge needs to be properly funded? The housing crisis is right across the country, but it is particularly acute in Gaeltacht areas. The figures are striking. There are approximately 1,000 Airbnbs

country are here today. I very much welcome the motion before us, brought forward by the Labour Party. I also welcome the housing Minister here today. Housing is fundamental when it comes to child poverty. The rates of child poverty have doubled in the past year … five children across Ireland is below the poverty line. The rate is increasing every year. The Minister is no doubt aware that housing is one of the biggest contributors to this. The knock-on consequences for children waking up in a hotel room and going to school

states that they can place them wherever they like within their farms? This could be within 2 or 3 metres of someone's house where there is shadow flicker. They can also be placed near a school. The World Health Organization, WHO, said it should be 1 metre … metre for every 4. If an application for a wind turbine is successful and if someone wants to build a house within 3 km of a wind turbine, the wind turbine owners can object. What are their objections? They are that these wind turbines may cause shadow flicker

what each Deputy said, but I listened very carefully. It is apparent that there are a couple of things that everyone in this House agrees on. It is worth emphasising that. There is a benefit in having this debate. If this Chamber does not debate contentious and divisive … listened carefully to the views that were expressed here. One of the aspects of the debate that is agreed across the House is that racism is unacceptable. We saw it in the attacks that were perpetrated on members of the Indian community. As I said to the Indian

children, which is unacceptable. If offenders face no accountability or consequences, they become emboldened and continue such harmful behaviour. I can tell the House about parts of my constituency where a feral gang goes in and out of an apartment complex and have literally taken over the common … drugs problem seems to affect many of our more vulnerable members of society. Unfortunately, the problem is found more in areas with social housing than in other areas. Drugs affect all of society but it is very much concentrated in areas with social housing. There is a connection

know the level of homelessness is at record highs. The key to tackling homelessness and the housing crisis is ensuring increased supply, but the number of planning permissions for new housing is falling and house prices and rents are rising. We were originally led to believe the Government … housing plan would be published over the summer. It was then delayed, and now it is said it will be later this year. When will the Government's plan be published? Specifically on the Land Development Agency, a report from the Department of Finance has found the agency

that clearly. People in rural parishes and urban estates will not measure this plan by the glossy brochure launched in the Mansion House. Rather, they will measure it by whether their son finally gets his spinal surgery, their daughter finally gets access to a speech and language therapist … real challenge is creating jobs in every town and village and helping small local businesses to employ disabled people with real support. Housing is central to dignity. The strategy is tied to the national housing plan, but housing for disabled people has been kicked down the road

over recent weeks, I have been acutely aware that there are 20 Irish participants on board, including colleagues from this and the other House, all of whom are motivated by the entirely understandable desire shared by many people around the world and this country to urgently address … safety of people aboard has to be a priority of the international community and the collective priority of those of us in this House. I returned last week from UN General Assembly high-level week in New York, where the Middle East was a central focus

worried about how they are going to pay their car insurance. A great number of people in the areas I represent have dropped house insurance because they cannot afford it. I will leave the Minister of State with this. I know a girl who applied for Cork City … Council housing. She was being interviewed to get a house. Does the Minister of State know why she was refused a house? It was because she drove a car without tax or insurance. She did not have the money for them. Not alone could

Government should have stricter control of any proposed increases in premiums. We know that increased construction costs have a large effect on domestic house insurance but increases of 20% year-on-year appear to be over the top and unwarranted. Businesses can succeed or fail depending … reimbursed by the insured. This means the insurance company never loses. Controls that exist need to be tightened up to ensure that house, car, health and business insurance in general are affordable to the public. Even if not legally required, it is desirable that insurance cover is availed

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on proposals to review planning laws in relation to permitting the installation of cabin-type accommodation in back gardens to temporarily house family members who cannot source housing elsewhere in view … current housing crisis; if he will confirm that permissions will be granted solely to accommodate family members with strict criteria to preclude exploitation of the relaxation of rules for profit; if he will indicate when the review will be completed and published; and if he will make

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current percentage of Ireland’s total housing stock that is in public, affordable, or cooperative housing; how this compares with European peers such as Austria, Denmark, and the Netherlands; and whether he intends … adopt best practice models to expand non-market housing options. [47951/25

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if south Kerry in conjunction with an organisation (details supplied) where the organisation has access to lands locally, can be used as a pilot area for the development of cluster type housing and community housing with … services in order to provide urgently needed housing in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44720/25

Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether a person who has recently been approved for social housing can have their payment transferred under the housing assistance payment, notwithstanding they are currently in receipt of emergency rental supplement as this payment was approved … before they were approved on the housing list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45955/25

number of people both at risk of poverty and in material deprivation; if he is aware that 'consistent poverty' fails to account for housing costs; if he will consider using both 'material deprivation' and 'at risk of poverty after housing costs' as alternative measures for future national child … will ensure all research commissioned on the topic of child poverty utilises both 'material deprivation' and 'at risk of poverty after housing costs' when measuring poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50375/25

Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage , further to Parliamentary Question No. 276 of 1 October 2024, if he has engaged with the Housing Agency to ensure that it is actually adhering to this guideline (details supplied); if he is aware that … affected homeowners in Donegal, who have had their Government-approved engineer’s recommendation for remediation, overruled by the Housing Agency, have escalated their cases to the EU Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50862/25

Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when additional funding will be provided in 2025 to Cavan County Council for the housing aid for older people grant, the housing adaptation grant for people with a disability and the mobility aids grant scheme. [51088/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage given the Summary Social Housing Assessment 2025 for Cork city, the current net need figure; the number of households who remain without social housing support; the steps he is taking to accelerate delivery in high

Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on his plans for further funding of local authorities for the housing adaptation grant schemes and increasing housing adaptation and mobility and access grant amounts to cover the cost

Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has reviewed the affordable housing scheme and issues arising from it; if any further affordable housing is due to come on stream in county Louth in the next 12-months

Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will detail the plans to deal with the change in CAS funding now being part of the overall local authority social housing acquisition fund and not as easily accessible for disability approved housing

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has assessed the impact of bulk-purchasing by State housing agencies on market prices for new homes; the number of homes purchased directly from developers by approved housing bodies and local authorities

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to detail the proportion of newly built housing units in 2024 and 2025 that were purchased by State agencies or approved housing bodies, as opposed to being made available for private sale; and his views

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average cost per unit of new build social housing delivered in 2024 by social housing investment programme, by type (details supplied), in tabular form. [48022/25

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to urgently amend the National Planning Framework and the Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines, 2005 as county development plans are aligned with these national policies which prohibits many applicants building a family home on their own land … details supplied); if he will accept that the current guidelines are most unreasonable and if he is serious about trying to address the housing crisis that these amendments must be introduced as a matter of extreme urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48132/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the means by which his Department is addressing the role of high housing costs in driving child poverty; and whether he accepts that housing affordability is now a primary driver of deprivation among families. [48348/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether Cork City Council and Cork County Council will receive proportionate infrastructure funding to deliver on regional housing targets, given the concentration of new housing spend in Dublin. [48388/25

Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the role the newly established Housing Activation Office will play in assisting local authorities to meet the housing targets set out in the Revised National Planning Framework; and the way in which this will accelerate delivery

Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way his Department is working with other Government departments and agencies to address labour capacity constraints in the construction sector; and the measures being considered to ensure that workforce availability does not become a bottleneck … achieving housing targets under Housing for All. [48567/25

Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the implementation of the Modern Methods of Construction Action Plan; and the way these innovations are being integrated into public housing delivery under Housing for All. [48570/25

Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of households currently on the social housing list in counties Sligo and Leitrim; the number of households on the social housing transfer list in counties Sligo and Leitrim; and if he will make

Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the legislative observations made by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission in relation to the general scheme of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024; if he is aware … under Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 regarding the proposals contained in the general scheme of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024; if the steps or actions have included the preparation of any human rights and equality impact assessments

Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to increase the income thresholds for social housing, as many working families who are not on high incomes are excluded from applying for social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44855/25

Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if, in respect of the Housing (Sale of Local Authority Houses) Regulations 2015 and the tenant incremental purchase scheme 2016, a council tenant can purchase the property they currently reside in if it is an apartment

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department conducted an assessment of the impact of family reunification arrivals on demand for social housing and emergency accommodation; and if additional housing units have been earmarked for this purpose. [45566/25