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chultúr. I welcome and support the motion. It is of vital importance to the Gaeltacht and the Irish language and culture. Difficulties with housing in Gaeltacht areas is of course part of the housing emergency that exists in the State, an issue that continues to undermine the very … society. Failed Government policies have resulted in 17,000 homeless people, along with almost 5,500 homeless children, exorbitant rip-off rents, skyrocketing house prices, large numbers of young people living in their childhood bedrooms and even larger numbers locked out of home ownership. The only

ráiteas i mBéarIa. My colleague, the Minister, Deputy Browne, has discussed in detail the suite of actions in the Government's housing action plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030, that will increase the levels of housing supply and housing choice across the country, including in Gaeltacht areas … What is committed in the Government's housing plan with respect to the Gaeltacht is clear. In addition to the range of housing supports that are available nationally and the clear focus on tackling barriers to delivery, a national planning statement will be prepared for housing

Constitution.” This is my first Bill to be brought forward in Dáil Éireann. The Forty-first Amendment of the Constitution (Right to Housing) Bill 2026 seeks to put a right to housing into Bunreacht na hÉireann. The housing crisis is the most serious issue facing our country … that it is the Government's policies that have created this crisis. I refer, for example, to the way it has turned housing into an investment asset and failed over and over to treat it as a human right. Housing is a human right. Is ceart daonna

leanfaidh mé ar aghaidh le mo ráiteas i mBéarla. The Government is not opposing this motion given the urgent need for housing and the Government's housing action plan, Delivering Homes, and Building Communities 2025-2030, which includes a range of actions aimed at increasing housing supply across … vacant and derelict properties back into use as homes, in addition to significant levels of capital investment in State-funded social and affordable housing. Under the croí cónaithe ready-to-build scheme, local authorities make serviced sites in towns and villages available to individual purchasers at a discount

increase of 20% year on year, the highest annual total since the dataset years began in 2011. Record level of social and affordable housing delivery have been achieved in recent years, with preliminary 2025 figures indicating further record levels of delivery. Since 2019, new-build social housing delivery … State has been tracking in and around 25% of the overall housing output, which is a very significant investment by the State in the provision of social housing. In conjunction with growing cost-rental delivery, it puts the State in a very strong position to meet, over time

Sinn Féin for bringing this motion before us this evening. I welcome the gentlemen from the Gaeltacht here too this evening. I know housing is a serious issue in Dingle. I have people onto me nearly crying trying to source a house to rent. It is a fact … that many people are going through this day after day. A lot of houses are taken up by tourists. The tourism sector is very important but I am telling the Minister that if we are serious about maintaining and preserving the Irish language, we need to build more

Taoiseach mentioned that there is a focus in the strategy on housing and on the delivery of affordable housing. In my area, the average house price is now €680,000. The limit for the first home scheme for affordable housing is €500,000. In other words … build, it cannot be more than €500,000. The Government's affordable housing schemes simply do not apply in Dún Laoghaire. Ordinary workers in Dún Laoghaire do not earn more because they earn in Dún Laoghaire. If you are a nurse, a teacher, a bank worker

with family roots in Loch an Iúir. I know the realities facing other Donegal islands like Tory and Inishbofin. They are living communities. Housing is not just about houses; it is about units and putting down roots. The value of a house needs to be considered in terms … what it brings to a community. It is about whether schools survive, services remain or Irish remains a language for daily life. Housing challenges in the Gaeltacht islands are often very much misunderstood. It is not just about speculation or luxury developments; it is about viability. In many

needs that have been identified. Again, that decision comes back to me, as Minister, to the Government and to this House. Our commitment is to ensure a process that recognises the suffering experienced, honours the voices of victims and survivors, and seeks a path towards truth and healing … third inquiry on which I want to update the House is the non-statutory inquiry into the historical licensing and use of sodium valproate in women of child-bearing potential in the State. The then Government approved the establishment of this inquiry in July 2023 in response

want to highlight a serious housing crisis, not alone on Oileán Chléire, one of our most culturally important and geographically vulnerable Gaeltacht islands, but also on all islands in west Cork and throughout Ireland. Cape Clear is facing a future on a knife edge, with homes in desperately … short supply and the long-term viability for the community under real threat. Despite the presence of dozens of vacant houses, families cannot find a single home to rent or buy. This small island has become a stark microcosm of the wider national housing crisis

Dáil on the modification and expansion of the buy and renew scheme. I am taking this question on behalf of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The Department has a number of schemes in place targeted at increasing the supply of social housing and working towards … ending dereliction. That is a key priority of the Government’s housing policy, Delivering Homes, Building Communities. We are all aware of the existing schemes in croí cónaithe around the vacant refurbishment grant. The Department is finalising specific details on the updated buy and renew scheme

protection currently benefitting from the scheme, where those beneficiaries of temporary protection have satisfied a means test, similar to those applicable for other housing assistance payments; — new applications, who propose to host a beneficiary of temporary protection in their property, which is also their own primary residence … beneficiaries of temporary protection arriving in Ireland. Sinn Féin has commended, and I commend again, all those who opened rooms in their houses to accommodate people fleeing war. Since then, however, the scheme has morphed into something entirely different. It has impacted on rents in the private rental

needs. It is not going to in any way stop us from driving forward with the renewable agenda. I outlined earlier in the House the degree to which we have made a lot of progress in terms onshore in this country and the degree of electricity generation that … however, the need is there. We will certainly see how we can progress that even further. Deputy Boyd Barrett raised the very high house prices in Dún Laoghaire in his constituency. I acknowledge that. It is a very significant issue. In an unprecedented way, we have provided

clear, accountable, credible and capable of acting decisively when the child's safety is at risk. That is why the motion before the House today is so important. Child protection services are, of course, necessary. The question is whether the system through which we deliver those services … families in crisis and make complex decisions every day in circumstances that require judgment, compassion and professionalism. Their commitment deserves recognition from this House. However, those who are on the front line of those particular professional services deserve something else. They deserve, above all, a system that functions

Within the programme for Government 2025, Securing Ireland's Future, a commitment was specifically made to continue to accelerate social housing regeneration schemes in Dublin. This commitment is reiterated in the new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities. Where local authorities propose the complete redevelopment of flat complexes … Devaney Gardens and St. Teresa's Gardens, my Department is making a number of funding channels available to local authorities and approved housing bodies for such regeneration, including the social housing investment programme, the affordable housing fund, the capital advance leasing facility and cost-rental equity loans

went back on it and eventually was purchased under a compulsory purchase order in 2019. In all that time since then, those two houses have not been brought back into use. The final nail in the coffin happened last year when there were significant changes … making them homes. I think we all recognise that and there is huge pressure for volume and to build lots of houses at the moment. I totally understand that but it is not acceptable that there are streets in our communities where the blight of dereliction continues. That

welcome the opportunity to raise the issue of the maintenance of social housing in Dún Laoghaire and Rathdown. I am a TD for the Rathdown constituency and there is often an assumption it is an affluent area only. I have to say I have made it my business … some of the homes to see for myself. I have genuinely been appalled at the standard of accommodation that some of our social housing residents live in. The key issue is that they are simply living in substandard conditions and I would like to get into some

thank Deputy Gibney for raising this important matter and giving me the opportunity to update the Dáil on behalf of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Critically, the management and maintenance of local authority social housing stock is, first and foremost, a matter for the respective … local authority, in this instance Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, in accordance with section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. This includes activating and funding pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, implementing a planned maintenance programme and carrying out responsive repairs. Local authorities must also ensure their tenanted

many circumstances, it is not just about the crude oil. What the Government has announced needs to be welcomed. Members across the House acknowledge the difficulty people have been experiencing, particularly commuters in Kildare North going to and from work. There has been an increase in public transport … demand and a need for private transportation, particularly for people living out of town and for people with young children. This House needs to acknowledge that public transport works for some people but it does not work for a lot. For example, a family might have

move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to introduce the Bill to the House. This Bill has a single purpose - to assist the Omagh Bombing Inquiry established by the Secretary State for Northern Ireland in February 2024 to investigate whether the bombing … made clear its commitment to facilitating and supporting the work of the inquiry to the greatest extent possible. The Bill before the House is another important step towards delivering on that commitment. The Bill deals with the taking of oral evidence before our courts and will sit alongside

under the remit of the Department of justice. It is currently not possible for a household that was previously on one social housing waiting list to carry over the time spent on that list when applying to another local authority. However, in line with a commitment … housing plan, a protocol to allow households fleeing domestic, sexual and gender-based violence to transfer time spent on a social housing waiting list to another local authority will be established and implemented this year. My Department has already engaged with local authorities and the County and City

different type of prescription in the time ahead. I say that genuinely with humility because I cannot predict - respectfully, no one in this House can, and I am not sure there are many people in the world who can - where the scale of economic challenge will … economic challenge. That is not looking likely, based on what we see now. We may well have to come back to the House at future moments and indeed in budgets in the time ahead and have conversations about further assistance and interventions to support our economy

November, with an Action Plan for Energy Affordability to be published in Q3 of this year.". I welcome the opportunity to address the House this evening on an issue that is weighing heavily on households, businesses and families right across the country. It is right that … commentary and in all our interventions should be to seek an immediate de-escalation. I think that is a view shared across this House. De-escalation is important for humanitarian needs, but also because, from an economic point of view, it would lead to the greatest level

Does the Minister accept that we have a serious problem in our housing market? We can look at it in terms of the gap between advertised sale prices and actual selling prices. We have a problem with that massive gulf and it is ordinary people - families and individuals … being squeezed on house prices, which are absolutely unaffordable. What is happening in the housing market can be seen on the Crazy House Prices Instagram page. People are highlighting it. This is going on right now. There is case after case of people being gazumped. There are ghost

time talking about everything other than the actual question, which relates to the currently tenanted flat complexes, such as Oliver Bond House, St. Michan's House and Pearse House, where the Department is preventing, blocking and delaying the approval of funding. Initially it was because the national planning … framework required that density be increased, and following the intervention of Dublin City Council and many of us on this side of the House that policy shifted. The current policy is that there can be no decrease in density as part of bringing these older flat complexes

Deputy Máire Devine asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which his Department intends to reconcile its requirement that social housing regeneration proposals should not result in a reduction in housing density with the current refurbishment proposals for Oliver Bond House in Dublin

Deputy Máire Devine asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on whether the smaller than national minimum standard two-bed units of 48 square metres planned for the regeneration of Oliver Bond House in Dublin 8 would contribute to the poorer mental health, negative … child development outcomes, and broader public health risks linked to inadequate housing space, including a reported 2.4 times higher incidence of respiratory illness among residence of Oliver Bond House compared with the wider practise population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22307/26

Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are plans to review or increase the income eligibility thresholds for social housing support administered by Wexford County Council; the housing options available for households, particularly working couples, whose incomes are marginally above … social housing threshold but cannot afford private rental accommodation and may be at risk of homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21272/26

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport whether his Department has assessed the potential use of modular housing to accommodate workers involved in major infrastructure projects such as MetroLink; whether this approach could help reduce pressure on the private rental market in areas experiencing acute housing demand … likelihood of such proposals proceeding; the process by which modular housing manufacturers can engage with his Department or approved housing bodies for delivery of units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18483/26

Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the action he proposes to take to address the growing housing deficit given that Government never met their targets for social and affordable housing delivery under Housing for All; if he will revise the targets contained

Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding levels to local authorities, by county, for the disability adaptation to housing stock scheme for council houses and adaptation grants for people with disabilities for private houses. [17607/26

Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will provide funding to Sligo and Leitrim and Donegal local authorities to carry out repairs to local authority houses that are occupied and also to return void houses to the housing stock

Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applicants on the social housing waiting list in County Clare, by municipal district; and the average waiting time for housing in each district; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of properties in County Clare registered or operating as short-term lets; the proportion of housing stock this represents in towns such as Kilkee; whether additional restrictions are being considered in areas experiencing housing

Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the social housing list for Arklow, County Wicklow remains so long; the reason a shortage of new social housing continues to exist; the measures planned to address this; and if he will make

Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when housing assistance payments were last reviewed; if he has considered reviewing and increasing the rate of housing assistance payments to reflect market rents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22731/26

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of funding applications submitted by Laois County Council under the Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund (HIIF) for the proposed roundabout at the junction of Dublin Road and Collier's Lane, Portlaoise, and the Borris … funding will be approved and construction can commence, given that these projects have been identified as critical infrastructure to enable the delivery of housing in Portlaoise and have been approved since 2009. [22997/26

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the actions a family can take when the family's income is higher than the limit for social housing, but not enough to buy or build a home with a mortgage, as house prices

Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average waiting time for social housing in Roscommon-Galway and the number of applicants currently on the housing list, broken down by need category, in tabular form. [22321/26

Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage the number of households currently on the social housing waiting list in Galway City and County Galway; the average waiting time for allocation of a social housing unit in each; and if he will make

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a list of all approved housing bodies (AHBs) in County Mayo, the levels of funding provided to each, either from central or local government, for each of the last three years; the number … these AHBs provided housing during the last three years for older persons and the quantum of such for each; and the level of funding, if any, provided to each AHB in respect of support services for older people resident in the AHB, in tabular form. [19177/26

Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of local authority housing units delivered for wheelchair accessible housing in the years 2024 and 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19280/26

Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can confirm that short- or long-term leases properties where the tenant qualifies for social housing, the property meets their housing need, and they have received a notice to quit are suitable for consideration

Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the level of funding provided to Galway City Council and Galway County Council in 2024 and 2025 for the delivery of affordable housing under the local authority affordable housing scheme; and if he will make

Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the unfair housing allocation caps for families who may be ten years plus on a housing list, being deemed over the threshold due to family members becoming working age or promotion or social

Deputy Gillian Toole asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when Part V will be amended to include housing for people with disabilities on local authority housing lists and private home buyers. [18184/26

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to allow for more one-off houses to be built to increase housing supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17486/26

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of applications for housing delivery office infrastructure which were received by close of deadline on 27 February 2026; the breakdown of those applications by local authority area, amount of funding requested … each application, and total number of housing units that would be activated by each application. [17921/26

Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the specific rules (details supplied) in applying for the Housing Adaptation Grant for Disabled People for people who wish to replace their windows and doors in the house; and if he will make

Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to detail underspend or funds returned to his Department by each local authority under Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability and Disability Adaptation to Housing Stock In each year from