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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

middle of a deep and escalating housing crisis. House prices, rents and homelessness are all rising. Social and affordable housing targets are being missed again this year. Tá an ghéarchéim tithíochta ag cur todhchaí na Gaeltachta i mbaol ach fós níl na treoirlínte pleanála Gaeltachta feicthe againn agus … itself objectionable. The measures it contains are modest, in some cases necessary, but it will not solve the housing crisis. It is deeply misleading for the Government to present it as anything close to a serious response. The real and immediate structural problems driving the housing emergency

Deputy Fitzmaurice for bringing forward this motion. We are six months into this new Government. There is no sight of the new housing plan until September. There are no new housing targets for local authorities. We expect that on Friday we will have record homelessness. There … raise the PPP withdrawal because it is really concerning. At the time, Government was told by many people on this side of the House that this was a flawed model and poor value for money. Instead of pursuing another funding mechanism at the time for these housing projects

Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009 which are aimed at combating terrorism and organised crime. Given the nature of these important provisions, the Houses of the Oireachtas has decided they should be periodically reviewed and that has happened on an annual basis. As Minister for Justice, Home Affairs … Migration, I am required to lay reports before the Houses of the Oireachtas on the use of the relevant provisions in the two Acts. Reports covering the 12 months up to 31 May 2025 were placed in the Oireachtas Library on 18 June. I will deal first with

want to focus on individual issues, initiatives and schemes. I will focus on the big picture in terms of the acute housing crisis we are in. To me the only solution is ramping up supply across all forms, whether new builds, reuse of existing buildings and better utilisation … over office, over shop and so on. That will help deliver where we need to be in terms of social and affordable housing delivery, cost rental and private purchase, which is sometimes not mentioned when we discuss housing. We have to provide options for individuals and couples

homes which we need to plan for in a sustainable manner. This will require more land to be zoned, as well as more housing from other sources, such as through tackling vacancy and dereliction to utilise our existing building stock and to assist with meeting our climate obligations … does not itself zone land and there must therefore be a further step to formalise the translation of updated NPF population and housing figures to the local level. The allocation of updated planning housing growth requirements on a local authority by local authority basis will involve a balanced

propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 14, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on housing last met on Monday, 31 March and is due to meet again this Thursday, 1 May. The committee works to ensure a co-ordinated approach to the implementation of housing policy. Housing supply … increased significantly over the past number of years. We now have the highest social housing build per annum in half a century, while the latest figures published by the CSO show that almost 6,000 new homes were completed in the first quarter of this year, a rise

thank the Deputy for raising this issue and providing the opportunity to update the House on this important matter. Modern methods of construction are a key measure to support the delivery of housing under Housing for All and the programme for Government and have the potential to boost … term used to describe a range of compliant manufacturing and innovative construction including modular systems as alternatives to traditional construction. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Government’s commitment to modern methods of construction has been clearly outlined in the new programme for Government

housing targets were missed last year by a country mile. The leaders of the Government promised before the election that up to 40,000 units would be delivered, but when we got through the election, we discovered that we just about built 30,000. The signs this year … social housing in particular, and indeed for housing delivery overall, are not very promising. Two areas that are really being left behind are cost rental and affordable-to-buy housing. The affordable housing scheme, as currently designed, is not working and it will not work in most parts

congratulate the Ministers on their appointments. I welcome this debate on the Housing Commission report. I read through the recommendations in the report and I welcome some of them. The overview at the start of the report, in particular, jumped out at me where the Commission states: Arising … from its wide-ranging enquiry, the Housing Commission has identified over several decades, there has been a range of interventions to do with housing. However, these interventions have not resolved the failures that are fundamentally systemic. That is key. There is a fundamental problem with the model

recognise the value of the report of the Housing Commission from last May. Of the 83 recommendations, approximately 65 are in train or at an advanced stage, which I welcome. Coming from the constituency of Dún Laoghaire where we have amongst the highest average property prices … where their friends and networks are. That is really important. Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, has advanced many initiatives to help with housing, certainly in terms of social housing. They have made a lot of inroads into the housing list. The council has, with the Land Development Agency

After two years of deliberations, the Housing Commission released its comprehensive report in 2024. The report contains 83 recommendations and hundreds of additional recommended actions that would be necessary to transform the housing landscape in Ireland. It is a significant report from a commission whose membership comprised academic … experts, economists and business professionals, all of whom are experts on the housing sector in Ireland in their own right. What is of great significance is that the commission did not only look at the housing policies and strategies of the previous Government; it looked at those

seems that every time housing is outsourced to the market, it causes problems. Whether that is for students, asylum seekers, people in nursing homes or people on local authority waiting lists, the answer from the Government always seems to be to outsource it again. Its idea … build more units, not to focus on social and affordable housing. The housing crisis is the biggest issue facing the State today and the failure to deliver sufficient supply, especially of affordable and social homes, has had devastating consequences for ordinary people. People are forced to live

devastating housing crisis is undermining the social fabric of Irish society. This housing disaster was created by the Bertie Ahern Government, which privatised social, affordable and public housing, handed over the housing market to the profit motive of the private market and stopped local authorities building houses … emigrate to Australia, Canada and the United States of America. It is shocking to see that the current Government is again placing housing at the mercy of the private market. That decision can only create additional misery into the future. The housing crisis is an emergency and needs

When I am out knocking on doors in Dublin South-West and speaking with constituents, housing is undoubtedly the issue that is raised with me most often. Whether it is young people stuck in a rental trap handing over extortionate amounts of their hard-earned income … community, I do not recall a single instance in which anyone has ever proposed more of the same as a solution to our housing catastrophe. The Taoiseach's comments in recent days will be extremely concerning to these people because not only did the Government seem

REIT or any others that Deputy McDonald announced I have. I have spoken to officials in my Department and in the Department of housing. I do not know whether the Deputy has been paying attention, but I take it she knows that the Department of housing last year … commissioned The Housing Agency. It did a review of the rent pressure zones, RPZs and asked the Housing Agency to conduct a specific review of them. I presume the Deputy knew that or else she is not paying attention and this is all a charade. The reason

units in Dundrum. She was at the event last week. It is a real demonstration of momentum in house building and of the role of the Land Development Agency. I do not believe we need two national building agencies. We have the LDA. We do not need … national construction agency alongside it, which the Deputy seems to be proposing. I will make a point on social housing because I have heard a lot of commentary. Even this morning, somebody said that only 9,000 were built last year. Since 2020, close to 60,000 social

thank the Deputy for raising this important issue concerning the housing needs of foster families and the manner in which those needs are considered by housing authorities. At the outset, I acknowledge the invaluable contribution made by foster carers throughout the country. Foster families provide safe, stable … first hand the commitment of foster families across the country. The allocation of dwellings and their suitability for households deemed eligible for social housing support are matters for individual local authorities. Neither I nor the Minister, Deputy Browne, has any role in such matters. Local authorities allocate dwellings

Introduction It gives me great pleasure to join with the Minister, Deputy Chambers, and the Government in presenting budget 2027 to this House. Today's budget is the second in this Government's term. No one budget can achieve all the things that a government wants … will continue to run budgetary surpluses for the remainder of this Government’s term in office. Today, I am informing this House that we are reinforcing this Government’s commitment to the Future Ireland Fund by investing an extra €1 billion into the fund next year. This will

apprentices will build the housing we need. Housing is the biggest social crisis facing our society today. Tens of thousands of working people are unable to put a roof over their heads. Tens of thousands of families are paying rip off rents and sky-high mortgages. Tens … thousands of people are languishing on council housing waiting lists and 17,885 people, including 5,830 children trapped in emergency homeless accommodation. There is an entire generation locked out of affordable homes, trapped in their parents' box bedroom or forced to emigrate. Nowhere is this Government

year plan. The measures aimed at accelerating electricity, gas and other strategic infrastructure are welcome. Without adequate infrastructure, we simply cannot deliver the housing that people desperately need. We also recognise the potential benefits of allowing approved apartment developments to be modified more easily. If sensible changes … receive the same priority if balanced regional development is to become a reality. The Government says that these changes will reduce delays, increase housing supply and improve legal certainty. Those are worthwhile goals. However, the real test will be whether more homes are built, infrastructure projects are delivered

issue on the ground, and it has been brought to his attention. The programme for Government and the Government's new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, commit to maintaining the right of social housing tenants to purchase their home. The aim of the tenant incremental purchase scheme … ensure the balance is always right. That balance is between increasing the scope for those who are in receipt of long-term housing support to purchase their local authority home and doing it in a way that does not unduly diminish local authority housing stock. As Deputy Maxwell

more, I have been very angry and upset about banks transferring loans to vulture funds. Whether it is a farm or a house, the receivers come and do their best. In many cases, they have succeeded in selling homes and property whose rightful owners ran into … bother. If a couple got into trouble, I always thought it would be a great idea if the Department of housing or whoever could pay off their mortgage, or whatever it is, and let the young couple or people in trouble rent back the house for a while

they will not face that market reset of rents. What is set out here is a recipe for the disaster and catastrophe in housing to become even worse. It is a recipe for rising homelessness. That is what this Bill is. It will cause increased homelessness … country. The Minister wants renters to be paying market rents. Of course, the assumption and market theory justifying the Bill, one which the Housing Agency set out as well and with which I disagree, is that we allow rents to increase and then we will see an increase

year to bring properties back into property stock. The cost of an average composite door now for a front door of a house is €2,500. That is what a person will pay. Most people have to go to the credit union for a loan … they are in private houses. There are then all the criteria and laws that are there. If a house is made vacant by a local authority or has been handed back to the local authority, the fire marshal goes in and says, "You have

Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if approved housing bodies must carry a sinking fund for repair of their housing stock; the solutions where such a fund may not be available for many urgent repairs; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing units delivered through the local infrastructure housing activation fund broken down by year in tabular form since 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16692/26

Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the implementation of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions Act) 2024 to earmark certain cost rental units for local key workers; the number of units his Department intends to earmark for key workers per year … location of the housing units; the cost per unit; the timeline for when these units will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17012/26

Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason that a package of social housing reforms, including a social housing passport to allow households move from one local authority waiting list to another which were in the Programme for Government for the 33rd

Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review the grant scheme for private wells at domestic dwellings to allow for houses where Uisce Éireann have acknowledged an inability to ensure a reliable water supply and service to the house

Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding streams, including capital assistance scheme, housing for all measures, or other capital programmes, which could be accessed by disability-led or family-led groups seeking to develop accessible, non-institutional housing models that

Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the planning, land-use, or local authority supports that will be made available to enable a community-based housing model that is neither a congregated setting nor a residential institution, but a fully integrated neighbourhood … within a wider housing estate supporting adults with intellectual disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14469/26

Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether housing for all targets include provision for adults with intellectual disabilities who can live independently with supports; if not, whether he will commit to reviewing this gap in view of ongoing reliance on unsuitable … housing options; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14470/26

Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an overview of the progress made to expand social housing provision since 2020; the priorities for further expansion under the latest housing plans; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the shift from an acquisition tenant in situ target approach in 2024 to a capped funding allocation in 2025 is intended to reduce social housing acquisitions overall; and if so, the alternative strategies … place to meet the housing needs of those threatened with homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14780/26

Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which the effectiveness of the Land Acquisition Fund is assessed in terms of its contribution to housing delivery; the number of housing units enabled on lands acquired through the fund; and whether

Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the number of social housing units currently owned or managed by each local authority, and the most recent figures available for additions to the social housing stock; and if he will make

Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the grant supports to sink wells are eligible for houses that have been built prior to 2007, and have been connected to Uisce Eireann/Group Water Scheme up to now, but the house is experiencing significant

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total annual population increase in each of the years 2022 to 2025; the number of residential housing completions in each corresponding year; and whether the Department has assessed the impact of net migration … housing demand projections to 2030. [13868/26

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether local authorities can fund attic conversations for their own housing stock from their capital funding to provide additional bedroom space for families experiencing overcrowding and who would otherwise have to apply for a social … housing transfer to a larger home. [13893/26

Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the Housing Finance Agency has plans or policies to cap or limit borrowing available to specific approved housing bodies (AHBs) or the AHB sector in general; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he expects the review of the code of practice for the Approved Housing Body (AHB) allocation process to be completed; to clarify the full membership of the working group undertaking the review, in light … previous statement that it comprises representatives of his Department, local authorities, the AHB sector and the Housing Agency; to set out the criteria and process being followed in conducting the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12544/26

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether coordination mechanisms exist between housing delivery bodies, local authorities and electricity network operators to align housing commencements with electricity grid capacity delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9716/26

Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans for affordable housing at a location (details supplied); given that there are plans to build further estates in the town and no affordable houses were made available for previous developments that are now under

tithíochta sna ceantair Ghaeltachta; and whether he intends to use his powers as Minister for the Gaeltacht, under section 9(a) of the Housing (Gaeltacht) (Amendment) Act 2001, to devise and implement housing schemes in order to support Irish speakers to build, buy or renovate houses in Irish

Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the construction cost assumptions currently used by his Department when approving CAS-funded housing projects; whether these assumptions differ for Dublin compared with other local authority areas; when these benchmarks were last reviewed; his views … whether outdated or insufficient cost ceilings are impacting the delivery of supported housing in Dublin (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7455/26

Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department has set any affordable housing delivery targets for each local authority, including Mayo County Council; if so, to provide the target figures for 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026; if not, the reason … local authorities are not being given clear, quantified affordable housing delivery targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8397/26

Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether Mayo County Council currently has any Department-approved affordable housing delivery targets; in the absence of such targets, the steps he will take to ensure Mayo receive clear, measurable affordable housing objectives per each town

Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the key performance indicators (KPIs), delivery benchmarks or performance frameworks which currently exist for local authorities in respect of affordable housing delivery; whether any sanctions, corrective measures or funding consequences apply where delivery is weak … absent; if he will commit to introducing mandatory KPIs for affordable housing on a county-by-county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8399/26

Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the specific affordable housing delivery objectives his Department has for large regional towns in County Mayo; whether the designation of a town as “eligible” for an affordable housing scheme carries any obligation to deliver homes within