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change the title of the Bill and make other consequential amendments required to take account of the changes above. I thank the House for the opportunity to discuss the motion to introduce amendments to the Central Bank (Amendment) Bill 2025 on Committee Stage which will ensure that … year periods, having regard to factors such as residential property prices, and may increase the amount by order, subject to approval by both Houses of the Oireachtas. The amendments also include standard provisions on the administration of the scheme, including the payment of expenses in accordance with public

initiative and something that was well supported along the way by the Irish Cancer Society and other Deputies and Senators across these Houses. It is one of those evenings when we can all say a job has been well done. It shows the utility of this House … doubt that experience influenced her commitment to bringing this legislation forward. We always try to be the messengers of the people in this House and time and again in my nigh on 30 years as a public representative - almost 16 years in the Oireachtas and as a member

Bill today. Many people spoke about the insurance industry, maybe in derogatory terms, and sometimes they deserve the criticism they get in this House but, to their credit and in fairness, they did introduce a voluntary code on the back of the work that then Senators Ardagh, Gavan … talk about legislation and you wonder what the tangible benefits are for the people whom we are so honoured to represent in this House. There is very tangible benefit for cancer survivors. I thank Deputy Ardagh for her advocacy and for pushing this to the fore at every

momentum is very strong, with 8,000 permission in quarter 4 of 2025, which is up by close to 20%. Some 20,000 houses were granted permission in 2025, which is the highest number since 2009, and there were 8,400 commencement notices in quarter … since 2019 and 12% year on year. The HBFI loan book grew 25% in 2025. We allocated €1 billion to the housing infrastructure investment fund. Residential planning permissions in Dublin exceed 78,000 units. Some 24,246 apartments are under construction or on active sites across Dublin. There

saying. They were last revised about three years ago, maybe a bit longer, and I think the threshold for qualification for social housing went up about €5,000. I know the Minister for housing is reviewing this. I have spoken to the Minister about this. There are quite … incomes that would not enable them to get mortgages and so on and who are above the threshold for social housing. I believe it needs to be reviewed upwards

those things, which are very welcome, there is a shortfall in the grants by comparison with what is needed. For terraced houses moving from E1 to H2, somebody would still need to find €37,000. It is €39,000 for a semi-detached house … detached house. It is a huge amount of money. What can households do? The cost of living is so expensive, but it can be reduced if we go to renewables. It is like a cycle that people are stuck in. They do not have the money upfront

involved the renovation of an old apple store on the grounds of the nature reserve. The renovation allowed for original features of the house to be retained, including its unique stonework and beautiful limestone slab floor. Alongside these conservation works, through funding approved by Government, my Department … have the opportunity to publicly reaffirm my commitment, that of my Department and of Government, to continue working with colleagues across this House to ensure that due consideration and supports are given to biodiversity. Scientific monitoring and data analysis is required to inform national priorities, statutory functions

structures in the wildlife and conservation sectors. As the Minister of State knows, this is an issue I have raised previously in the House because I believe meaningful stakeholder engagement is crucial if we are serious about delivering biodiversity objectives. The most recent NPWS strategic action plan committed … review of the memorandum of understanding agreed with the National Association of Regional Game Councils, NARGC. I last raised this issue in the House in October. It was announced that a review of the memorandum of understanding with the Department would take place at that time

tank, which is drawn out of constantly to the treatment plant in Killarney. Moyvane is a satellite village of Tralee, and not another house can be built there because the sewerage system will not take an extra house as it is over capacity. Many of our towns … Government now. It must start on the ground, and maybe people do not like talking about sewage, but we cannot build houses if we do not have waste treatment plants and if places like Kenmare are still waiting for water. These are the things that have

thank my colleague, Teachta Ó Broin, for bringing forward the motion. The Government's housing record is not just a failure; it is a disgrace. In County Clare alone, 125 notices of termination were received by the RTB in quarter 1 of 2026, compared with … couple living in a car who are expecting a baby any day now. This is the brutal reality of this Government's housing policy. Instead of standing up for ordinary workers, families, renters and students, this Government continues to side with institutional investors and big, corporate landlords

housing situation in Kildare has reached a point of crisis. The overwhelming majority of cases raised by constituents who come into my office looking for help relates to housing. New figures show that in the first quarter of 2026 alone, the RTB received 250 notices of termination … compared to the same period last year. Nationally, evictions rose by 50%. These figures are a damning indictment of the Government's recent housing policy. Renters are being squeezed to breaking point – forced back into their parent's homes, driven abroad and, in far too many cases, pushed

difficult to escape the conclusion that the Government does not want to solve the housing crisis, and that it is serving the interests of people who profit from it. The worse it gets, the more those people profit. Why do I say that? The consequence of the changes … evicted - they are being evicted on the ground that they are overcrowded. It is a very sick development in an already disastrous housing crisis with record levels of homelessness and eviction that landlords are evicting people in order to get up to the market level, on the ground

March 2026 are a damning indictment of this Government and the previous Government's effort to address of the housing emergency. A record 17,517 people were living in homeless emergency accommodation, including 5,571 children, which is another shocking record. The record shows that evictions result … exclude carer's benefits from rent determination. We also need to legislate for the right of tenants to remain in situ during house sales. Emergency legislation, as the Minister of State will know, is provided for in Bunreacht na hÉireann and by precedent, which was in the Financial

thank the Deputy for raising what is a very important matter, namely, the urban regeneration of Oliver Bond House. I did meet in the last couple of hours with the residents of Oliver Bond House and the Oliver Bond regeneration forum. The meeting was very much an opportunity … action to carry out the regeneration work there, because people are living in a completely unacceptable situation. The conditions in Oliver Bond House are, in terms of the residents’ health and the environment, totally unacceptable, as I said, in respect of how people are living there

Minister talked to colleagues earlier about policy. I launched a policy to return vacant, boarded-up homes to use in housing families. This is the low-hanging fruit and I still cannot understand why the Minister, his Department and the other Ministers in the Government do not tackle … return of 2,200 homes, with local authorities receiving only €11,000 per unit when there are more than 4,500 houses boarded up and vacant. Why is the Minister not being more ambitious? This is a fundamental disagreement. He will not fund local authorities to return those

welcome Deputy Heneghan's genuine interest in housing solutions. There is no one fix for solving our housing crisis. Supports for people to reuse existing properties to be able to get the homes they need in their local communities are important, and this is something the Deputy … passionate about as well. We will continue to engage right across the House. I will always listen to any proposals to see where we can make changes and continue to evolve our policies

current role. At any stage was the consideration of using open market value a concern about the potential impact of an affordable housing scheme on surrounding private market houses? Unlike cost rental where there is a deliberate Government policy - which I support - for cost rental to moderate private … deliberately avoided with affordable purchase so as not to have any impact or to moderate rising private market home prices in neighbouring housing estates

local authorities to the same level they would have been funded if the individual was paying this. I am conscious, however, of those houses that are already there. Some people might be paying for sites, if they do not have one they can get from a family member … This is one way in which we could help those people, many of whom I am representing. While we are talking about rural housing and one-off houses, I would also like to acknowledge the work the Department is currently doing and the constant engagement the Minister

acknowledge the Deputy's concern for people who live in social housing. I visited County Louth recently. I acknowledge the fantastic progress of Louth County Council in terms of delivering social homes, but I also recognise that it has a very large social housing list and faces … within the county and the wider region. I have met with the Simon regional homelessness group. I have also met the directors for housing in Counties Monaghan and Louth to see how we can start to target specific supports to County Louth. The two major towns

Minister will always be welcome when we are talking about the opening of social housing in County Louth. The problem is that we need to see a lot more of it, The issue relating to Fulacht Fia or any of the other schemes is the huge numbers … people on the waiting list and of people who believe they may have a chance of getting a house. Unfortunately, the hopes of many will be dashed. To return to the issue of retrofitting, Louth County Council has at times showed a capacity to be able to retrofit

outset, while respecting the rules of the House in relation to by-elections, let me say that I absolutely deplore, condemn and abhor any racism directed towards any candidate in this democracy. I want to be very clear in relation to the comments of the former Taoiseach: they … play a positive role in our country. I take up the opportunity the Deputy has afforded, as I hope will everyone in the House, to recognise the very positive contribution those people make to Irish society and the Irish economy. Having people come here to work or study

raise the possibility of having nuclear energy in Ireland. As people across both sides of the House will be aware, I am bringing forward legislation to remove the prohibition on generation of power by nuclear fission. I would like to get an idea from the Tánaiste, the leader … coalition partners in government, of his views on whether this is possible. As we are in the House and it is being discussed by Members on both sides, Ireland now has the most expensive energy market in the European Union. We need to ask ourselves

sustainable and competitive footing over the long term and will be particularly valuable for SMEs, which often do not have in-house expertise in areas such as digitalisation or decarbonisation. It also amends the Industrial Development Act 1995 to allow IDA Ireland to enhance its property and infrastructure … overridden by the statutory confidentiality obligations contained in the Industrial Development (Enterprise Ireland) Act 1998. I commend the Bill to the House and look forward to engaging with Deputies on the matters to which it relates on the floor of the House today and on Committee and Report

provided that the then Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform could make orders enabling line Ministers - justice, defence and housing - to make regulations regarding the retirement age of uniformed services. Regulations were made in August 2024, with the consent of then Minister for public … fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage supports fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters

legislation as it relates to Palestinians. I fully understand, and I share, the depth of feeling of many people in Ireland, in this House and in the Gallery about the ongoing suffering in Palestine. People want to see action. They want to see accountability. They want to know … motivate this Bill, that I do not believe this legislation is the most effective or legally sustainable path forward. The Bill before the House would, in practice, amount to a blanket prohibition on trade in all goods, and certain services, between Ireland and Israel. In effect, it amounts

Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans for affordable housing in County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11694/25

Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will review the case of a person (details supplied) who is renting elsewhere while reconstruction works are ongoing on their house, covered by the defective concrete blocks grant scheme, to release funding

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing units that have been bought by individuals or companies from outside the EU for each of the past five years, by the nationality of the companies and individuals who bought the property

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing units bought by investment funds in Ireland for each of the past five years. [11831/25

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if, given the pressure on the Irish housing market, he will consider banning the purchase of Irish properties by individuals and businesses from outside the EU for the next five years. [12045/25

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on proposals to address the gearing challenges identified as a threat to future borrowing levels by approved housing bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12124/25

Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the Housing Finance Agency reviewed its interest rates in the period 2022 to date; to provide details of any adjustments that arose from any such review; the criteria on which a decision to adjust rates

Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will introduce minimum BER standards for the private rented sector and for social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12638/25

Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many applications under the cost rental equity loan scheme are under consideration by his Department or relevant agencies; the number of housing units associated with each application; the location of each; the value of funding

Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many applications under the capital advance leasing facility are currently under consideration by his Department; the number of housing units associated with each application; the location of each; the requested funding level; the date

Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many applications under the capital assistance scheme are currently under consideration by his Department; the number of housing units associated with each application; the location of each; the stage of the process each

Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the budget allocation for the capital assistance scheme in 2024; how much was used; how many housing units it supported; the allocation for 2025; the current available amount outstanding, in tabular form; and if he will

Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware that the housing crisis is causing particular concern for victims and survivors of domestic abuse; if there are specific resources available to local authorities; if he will outline these resources

Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether turbary rights are assigned to a property with a dwelling house or to land without a dwelling house; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11955/25

Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in a case where turbary rights are linked to a dwelling house, the person or body that validates that there is a dwelling house attached to the turbary rights; and if he will make a statement

Sport and Media the precise date on which his Department officials were made aware of the National Gallery of Ireland's inability to house its newly purchased €125,000 scanner; who was informed; the consequences there will be; how the scanner has been stored since purchase; the cost … storage; the plans his Department has to house an operating scanner; if this is part of a larger building programme for the gallery; and if so, when this will commence and be completed. [10185/25

Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to list the social and affordable housing projects that have been approved since 1 January 2025 and to provide a breakdown by delivery stream (details supplied), in tabular form; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when an assessment will be carried out on a home (details supplied) in County Donegal that the Housing Agency has determined meets the damage threshold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9912/25

Ireland to purchase an x-ray scanner in 2017; what plans had been discussed with the Office of Public Works on the housing of such a scanner in advance of the purchase and what became of these plans; if the cost of housing the x-ray scanner

Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department is considering retrospective adjustments for early applicants under the enhanced defective concrete block scheme who met the grant cap whose engineering fees were deducted from the €420,000 cap; the measures being taken … insure that early movers are not penalised as previously stated by the then Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage; the reason a homeowner who does not meet the cap has fees reimbursed but a homeowner that meets the cap does not; and if he will make

Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No.125 of 19 February 2025, the policy rationale for the 2023 Payment and Availability and Capital Advance Leasing Facility financial assessment circular; and the impact this has had for development financing … approved housing bodies since its introduction. [9070/25

Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will update legislation and or provide further guidelines or funding to assist local authorities in the taking in charge of housing estates and residential developments from private developers, in particular with reference to legacy

Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason a person (details supplied) was removed from a housing list. [9124/25

Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will reconsider the recent directive to local authorities around housing aid grants for the elderly whereby funding will not be provided for the replacement of an old oil boiler (heating system) with

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding a review being carried out by his Department into the qualifying criteria for cost rental housing; if the income limits can be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter