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thank the Minister of State for facilitating this debate. Obviously, I roundly welcome the Housing Finance Agency (Amendment) Bill 2025. It sets out to do something very simple which is to increase the statutory borrowing limit for the Housing Finance Agency, which is critically important, from €12 billion … that limit was increased from €10 billion to €12 billion. This reflects the scale of lending that is taking place by the Housing Finance Agency but also the various initiatives the Government is supporting to try to deliver additional housing across the sectors, through the local authorities

glad to have a chance to mention a few issues this. Housing, as we all know, is so important. There is so much talk about it and so many people are not able to be housed. I understand the Bill is to borrow more money to build more … houses and to provide more housing. If this is the case, I welcome it. I have stated here in recent weeks that many people are leaving our shores because when they are between the ages of 25 and 32, they realise they cannot buy or build a house

would be hard to oppose the Housing Finance Agency (Amendment) Bill. It is increasing the finance available, which is needed. The key issue is that it is at low interest rates. I do not know if a portion of it is coming from the European Investment Bank … markets or a mixture of both. The Minister of State might outline that in his reply. We are in the middle of a housing crisis like we have never seen before. We really need to try to deal with it. The cost and speed of delivery

move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." The Bill intends to make an amendment to the Housing Finance Agency Acts 1981 to 2024. Section 1 of the Bill amends section 10 of the Housing Finance Agency Act 1981 to increase the agency's statutory borrowing … billion to €13.5 billion. Section 2 of the Bill sets out the Short Title, collective citation and construction. The mission of the Housing Finance Agency, HFA, is to facilitate the delivery of social and affordable housing in Ireland and to advance funds to local authorities, approved housing bodies

express my full support for the Government's plans to raise the Housing Finance Agency's borrowing limit from €12 billion to €13.5 billion. This is an important and vital investment in Ireland's future. It gives the agency the funding needed to help to deliver more social … affordable houses throughout the country. We are facing a serious housing crisis. To solve, it we need to use every tool available. Making sure the agency has enough money to do its job is one of the most important steps we can take. The agency is a public

thank the Minister, Deputy Browne. The Government's commitment to housing continues to be its top priority. Budget 2026 reinforces this commitment with unprecedented levels of funding allocated to housing. The Government is committed to delivering more affordable homes to buy and to rent. The capital funding being … return vacant and derelict properties to use. Unprecedented levels of capital investment will support the delivery of new homes for households on social housing waiting lists and for those who cannot afford market rents. The funding being made available in budget 2026 will ensure that the social housing

Government will oppose this Bill, but I welcome the opportunity to speak about the role of Government measures to support access to affordable housing and assist those aspiring to buy their own home. We continue to deliver the first affordable homes in a generation and are supporting increasing … supply in this area. Quarter 1 of 2025 has seen the continued strong performance of the various affordable housing pathways, with affordable delivery increasing by over 49% over levels achieved in the same quarter of 2024. This Bill proposes to put additional financial reporting requirements in place

join with other speakers in supporting this Bill mainly because it is further money being committed to providing for houses for the people that are on waiting lists for so long. I draw the Minister's attention to the work of the local authorities or county councils because … Deputy Gould that they should do more and I believe he is correct. They should be asked to do more. They were the housing authorities up to the time that the agencies came in, were able to apply for the money and took over their role. I want

working-class people, workers with rising costs and everything, were maybe left behind a bit and we need to address the issues of housing. People who want to build their own houses are having severe difficulty. I will start off with health. In Killarney, we have … charge running whatever business it is. You are not covered by public liability yourself. We could do a lot for housing. In Kerry, there are simple things. We cannot get planning because of this strict urban-generated pressure rule that is depriving so many people who are building

Social Democrats are happy to support this increase to the borrowing ceiling for the Housing Finance Agency. It is the correct thing to do, but it is limited. We would like it to be higher. We believe there needs to be a significant increase in the delivery … social and affordable housing beyond what is currently being delivered and financed. Many questions are being asked at the moment about housing and the Government's housing plan, what has happened to it and where it is. We heard earlier from the Taoiseach that the Government's plans

thank all the Deputies who have made contributions in the House over the last while. A lot of them summarised some of the challenges we face, including the need to urgently ramp up supply, quite well. There is clearly a common theme among Deputies' contributions, that … desire to make housing affordable, to increase supply and to reduce and eventually end homelessness. That has come through quite clearly. All of that will feed into the new housing plan, which is imminent. Many of those themes will certainly be covered. Obviously, a lot of those issues

parliamentary assistant, Ellen O'Doherty, for their work on this Bill. It is a privilege to bring this Bill before the House on Second Stage; it is my first Bill before the Dáil. It is very apt that it is the Developer Profits Transparency Bill. The issue that … hand and why we are bringing forward this Bill is that house prices are completely out of control. We have seen house prices rise year after year. We have seen a double-digit increase in prices whereby house prices are now completely out of reach for most ordinary

money. We have rising grocery costs, high energy prices – we are in the top three in Europe – a housing disaster that will have a long tail when it comes to its social and economic impact on citizens, and child poverty levels that challenge the rich country story … taxation choices made by Government as proposed in this Bill, the impact on working people and the measures proposed in the Bill on housing more broadly. In the first instance, I will refer to section 2. The only positive adjustment made to the personal tax code for PAYE

Páirtí an Lucht Oibre leis an mBille seo. This is not a complicated Bill. It makes a simple change to ensure that the Housing Finance Agency can continue to fulfil its mandate in the months ahead. This is something that we in Labour are broadly supportive … know the importance that the Housing Finance Agency plays as a pillar of Ireland's housing policy. By raising the agency's statutory borrowing limit, as this Bill does, we can ensure that it continues to play that role and continues to issue new lending approvals with

This legislation comes in the context of a severe housing crisis across the country not just now but for almost the past decade, people have been trying to find a home with little success, unfortunately. The Housing Finance Agency is about providing money for local authorities and other … agencies such as approved housing bodies, etc., to build houses and for higher education authorities. It is a body that is very useful in that context but money is not the only problem when it comes to building houses. It is a serious problem for private developers trying

State a good afternoon. This debate offers us a really good opportunity to recognise the really vital role the AHBs play in housing provision and in making housing a reality for so many people who otherwise simply would not have access to housing at all. In particular … consistently support marginalised communities, vulnerable people and people with additional needs and they prevent many people from simply being left behind. In a housing crisis where supply is always limited and market forces often move what supply there is towards profitable areas and thereby cater to the better

cuts to the richest in our society. Instead, the Government could be guaranteeing that working people and families had access to affordable housing, groceries and childcare. That would be the sign of a strong and functioning economy. It is increasing costs on workers and families while refusing … crony class at the expense of local communities and the taxpayers whom the Government has kicked in the teeth with today's budget. Housing is the biggest crisis facing all families across the State. The Government continually insists that housing is its number one priority but its actions

estate in Killarney who have received notices to quit from the property owner, the Cypriot property company Xerico Limited, which owns the 14 houses in the estate. I have asked the Minister what can be done for these families because it is very clear that these people … controls. Tenants cannot move. If they want to move to Killarney from Tralee, or vice versa, they will not be able to get houses there. We are shrinking the landlord market when we should be increasing it. Last year and the year before, I raised the issue

Department's budget package for 2026 sees some €11.275 billion allocated across my Department, Tailte Éireann and an Coimisiún Toghcháin. Housing capital investment has reached a record €9 billion. We have introduced a 29% increase for Uisce Éireann to advance water infrastructure and facilitate housing development. We have … State, Deputy Christopher O’Sullivan, will speak on in further detail later. They are some of the key highlights. Vote 34 on housing, Vote 16 on Tailte Éireann and Vote 23 on an Coimisiún Toghcháin are all under my remit as Minister and collectively, budget 2026 will provide

Government might not completely agree with the Bill, the core idea and proposal it contains is that there would be transparency in the housing market where the State is intervening and subsidising directly using taxpayers' money. That is a very reasonable proposal, which is why it is deeply … around their accounts? The Government opposing such a minor request for transparency is deeply disappointing. When we look at the scale of the housing crisis, one of the big issues is the profits that are being extracted and the scale at which they are being extracted

devastating consequences of the housing crisis have seeped into almost every aspect of our lives and are wreaking havoc in almost all aspects of our economy and society. No community has escaped its clutches and barely a family has not felt the brunt of its force. Fianna Fáil … will talk about shortly. The facts are stark. No matter where you turn, the situation is not improving and is, in fact, deteriorating. Housing supply is plummeting and prices have jumped by 36% in the past four years. In some areas, the increase has been as high

will invest in our future while securing the jobs, prosperity and stability of today. It will tackle the serious challenges of meeting our housing and investment needs. At the same time, we are preparing for tomorrow. This budget builds up our resilience and will help us to adapt … health. Our debt ratio is moving in the right direction and has almost halved since I delivered my first budget to the House in 2016. While we should reflect on this progress, of which I believe we can be proud, we also clearly understand that not everyone feels

very disappointing to hear that. We are in a housing crisis and housing emergency now for well over a decade. One could argue in some respects that we have been in a housing crisis since the 1990s. House prices have been on the rise, then … crash, and now we are back into rising and unsustainable house prices. There is still something fundamentally wrong with our housing system, our housing market, the way we treat housing and the way we understand housing. Other countries, for example, Spain, have a right to housing in their

equity and fund releases is being provided for megaprojects in water, energy and transport. Crucially, a significant element of Government policy in the housing market is to "crowd in" investment from the private sector. The State cannot, on its own, afford to build all the homes the country … needs. A successful partnership between the public and private sectors is essential in meeting the housing needs of our citizens. Funding on its own is, of course, not enough to get us to where we need to be. We have to make sure our systems and processes

best behaviour, although I had better not speak too soon. I appreciate that this is his first time introducing legislation in the House. It is an important day for him in that regard. I welcome everyone who is in the Gallery. I thank all Members for their contributions … Housing is a cross-sectoral societal challenge that has a real impact on people's lives. Solving this challenge is one of the Government's top priorities. Within that, we are placing a special emphasis on supporting home ownership and affordability for those seeking to buy or rent

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current estimate for housing completions in 2025 and 2026; the variance between those estimates and the published Housing for All targets; the latest national and regional house-price-to-earnings ratios; and his Department

Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage given the significant challenge that coastal community members face in competing for housing within their own communities due to national and international demand for second and/or holiday homes, if he will consider developing a scheme … provide affordable long-term State owned rental properties for coastal community members who are above the threshold for social housing support and cannot afford to purchase homes in their own community due to the competition for those houses as second or holiday homes; and if he will make

Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the increasing number of older persons who are falling into homelessness, particularly in Galway; the way in which he will support older persons in accessing secure and affordable housing … given that the number of persons reaching pension age in precarious housing situations will only continue to rise with the unaffordability of home ownership; if measures will be given in Budget 2026 to address this aspect of the housing crisis; and if he will make a statement

Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to encourage purpose built housing for older adults by designating it as a specific use class or housing typology, as has been done for purpose built student accommodation; and if he will make

Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the progress of the new voids programme, as promised in the Programme for Government 2025, to improve the turnaround of vacant social housing units and if AHBs are now being provided with … tenant nominations prior to housing completions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56597/25

Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider incorporating ‘EnergyCloud Ready’ standards into the design and specification of new social and affordable housing developments, ensuring that heat pumps, storage heaters, batteries, and smart water tanks installed in new builds … remotely activated to make use of surplus renewable energy; the way in which new-build housing can contribute to demand-side flexibility and the reduction of energy poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56767/25

Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware that local authorities are stalling applications to the social housing list by homeless individuals if they cannot provide a utility bill in their name or a sworn affidavit by people … allowing them to couch surf, though this might include tenants in social housing who may be reluctant to provide such an affidavit for fear of being found in breach of their own tenancy agreement; if he agrees that these are bureaucratic barriers unsuitable for homeless individuals

Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the full and final cost of a housing site (details supplied) including all site preparation, ancillary and constructions costs, security costs, landscaping etc; for a breakdown of these costs; the total cost per unit; the annual … cost of operating these housing units by the approved housing body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56972/25

Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the specific measures in Budget 2026 will support the building of houses in Gaeltacht areas; when he will publish the Guidelines for Gaeltacht Housing; and if he will consider establishing a dedicated Housing Unit in Údarás

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on if the office of the planning regulator is holding back housing supply in certain local authorities; if so, to detail which local authorities; when, and the way in which, the office … planning regulators is impacting their housing supply in this way. [56322/25

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are plans for the National Housing Agency to purchase a housing estate (details supplied) where all the tenants have received eviction notices to leave between February and June of next year

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a breakdown of the revised estimate subhead A3, local government housing, by Social Housing Investment Programme, land acquisition fund, development levy waiver and any other category for the 2025 allocation

Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider engaging with management of local authorities to examine the extent of uncompleted housing estates with infrastructural deficits beyond the resources of the local authority and available bonds; if his attention has been … drawn to the fact that there are people living in unfinished housing estates with sewerage overflowing and local authorities having the on-going costs of dealing with such matters; and if so, if he will consider setting up a fund similar to the mica re-dress scheme

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department is evaluating amendments to the housing needs and demand assessment process to assist with housing delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54818/25

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average construction costs incurred by local authorities, per house, in the construction of social houses. [55234/25

Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the use of online bidding platforms and countdown clocks in house sales; his views on whether they are a positive innovation in the housing market; if he will seek to ban or regulate

Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his Department’s plans to lower housing costs in Fingal; the way in which his Department plans to ensure that the first home scheme keeps up with the housing price increases that Fingal has seen year

Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the housing schemes in Ros a Mhíl and Eanach Mheáin currently owned by an organisation (details supplied); if funding will be given from his Department to ensure that these … homes will be used for social and affordable housing for the Gaeltacht community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53457/25

Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will ensure that the new housing plan makes it possible for Donegal County Council to construct affordable housing projects across the county. [53700/25

Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on plans to dramatically increase the supply of housing under the affordable housing scheme. [53566/25

Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of homes delivered and approved in County Laois under both the affordable purchase scheme and the first home scheme from 2022 to 2024 and to date in 2025; the proposed numbers … subsequent years; the measures being taken to expand affordable housing options for working households above the social housing income threshold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53590/25

Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason for the delays in having housing built on the OPW site on Jamestown Road, Inchicore and on the surplus lands of the CIÉ Works in Dublin 8, despite the site being identified … housing over a decade and a half ago. [54049/25

Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are any funding plans, such as the previous Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, to support local authorities in developing amenities where there have been significant housing developments, to ensure that we are not just … about delivering housing, but communities that families can thrive (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54224/25

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether any of the properties bought by the Housing Agency under the cost-rental tenant in situ scheme have been sold on to approved housing boards and have been converted to cost-rental tenancies. [52968/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has verified the claim by the chairperson of the Land Development Agency that 70% of income earners are priced out of the housing market in terms of both rents and house prices