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people, ease pressure on the private rental market and also give opportunities to people. We will follow up with guidelines for rural housing. We have a crisis with housing but we will never solve it if we criticise every single measure that a Government introduces, which the Social … Democrats have been doing for five years. I believe we have to explore every option to get more houses built

Connell Street area more generally, because it will have powers and capacity. The Government will not be found wanting in supporting housing provision in the area. There is, as the Deputy knows, quite a range of properties in private sector hands at the moment. That is an evolving … support living above the shop and to support mixed-use development. We are also committed to unlocking under-used urban space for housing and enterprise and then pulling everything together under planning, housing, transport and heritage, so that we get a consistent, one approach to the development

approach at any given site of the LDA. We have indicated to the LDA that it can do more than social and affordable housing and move into the private-provision area as well to get a broader mix. It is a very good development, with 779 homes. Many … developments are now coming under the aegis of the LDA. It really is the key national intervention in housing at the moment. Thousands upon thousands of houses are under its stewardship right now, and thousands more are in the pipeline. As it evolves, I see as flexible

next meeting of the disability committee, we will be looking specifically at that shelter issue. I have spoken to the Ministers for housing and disability. It will take a whole-of-government approach to make sure that we can provide adequate sheltered housing and supported housing for adults

thank Deputy Nash for his comment on the deemed disposal rule. I agree that there is, rightly, a lot of debate in this House about the rate of it. He made the broader point about the purpose it serves - or does not serve - any more. We need … financial resilience. The country has to be able to help ordinary workers, as they are often referred to in this House - everyday people - to build up their own financial resilience as well. My intention, to be very honest, in the first instance is to set up as simple

sure that the Minister and the Minister of State have not heard me this annoyed before because I tend to come into this House quite balanced, but today I am afraid I am not. I am not able to listen to the constant complaints from people because … child in this country, this is what the difficulty is. The Government has let people down. It has let people in this House down, it has let people outside this House down, and if there were another motion of no confidence, it would be about this issue

Exactly. What we can do is work with an approved housing body, AHB, to build that residential. The HSE is for delivery of healthcare and we try to make it work as well as we can but here are the things … Deputy is right about acquired brain injury and dementia but the HSE has to focus on healthcare and partner with bodies like approved housing bodies that are experts in building housing

thank Deputy Gallagher for raising this issue in the House. He represents a constituency and county that was very badly impacted by defective blocks. He has championed and represented the people in his constituency for many years, fought for the remediation scheme and continuously fought for the side … Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks (Amendment) Bill 2025 was initiated in Dáil Éireann on 2 December 2025, passed in both Houses of the Oireachtas and subsequently signed into law by the President, thereby becoming an Act, on 23 December 2025. A number of amendments came

ensure that tourism develops in a manner that recognises and complements the broader economic and social needs of local communities. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is currently finalising the national planning statement on the Planning and Development Act for short-term lets. That will establish … properties that are not suitable for long-term letting. We know that, but the Minister is continuing to work with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to ensure clarity can be provided and a lead-in time for operators can be agreed to so that

flooding. The Minister of State is familiar with it. In the last 15 or 20 years, there has been unprecedented development of residential housing there. In the current city development plan proposals, further residential zoning is earmarked. Recently, the Minister, Deputy Foley, announced €135 million for State … children. The Government's forward-planning unit has acknowledged the need to focus on areas where childcare places have not kept pace with housing development. We have built 157,000 homes nationally since 2020, but the community in Glanmire is feeling the strain of that housing development

legislation detailing the factors the Minister in my position will consider when designating particular projects. Obviously, I will be accountable to the House as to why a particular project is picked and prioritised. I always respect my duties to the House in that regard. I can already … political risk in how this will be managed in the House where Deputies will question why certain projects are not being prioritised over other projects. If this is how the Bill is used, it will undermine infrastructure delivery. The key element is that we have a limited number

Minister can consider in the context of designating projects. Anchoring decisions around those are important. I assure the Deputy and anyone in this House that any decision I make on designation will be fully in the public and national interest, yielding overall delivery. I will be accountable … House in that regard. Prioritisation always creates winners and losers in any scenario, whether it is capital projects or in a budgetary context. Trade-offs happen. For example, we have referenced programmes or projects in the energy sector. We have a programme of investment with ESB Networks

scale developments in respect of which people were sold the promise of sustainable living but, instead, residents who can afford to pay for housing or those offered places on choice-based letting, end up being trapped in a planning vacuum. The guidelines have slashed parking ratios … book it in advance. This causes issues because people who have designated spaces are seeing other people park in their spaces. Rented houses in which there are three people working in jobs that require them to travel means that vans are parked all over the place

will be even more difficult for people who are not doing this all the time. It is incumbent on the House to say that we want to pass legislation that people can access. When they cannot, it is a waste of everybody's time. Worse than that … electricity or producing products. I know that but I still think this is an example of how we repeatedly pass legislation in this House that is not accessible to ordinary citizens. It should be possible for a citizen to read this legislation. In fairness, that is possible with

agus Brian Sheehan. Bhí siad ag brú na ceiste seo chun tosaigh. They addressed TDs and Senators in the audiovisual room of Leinster House earlier this week. Throughout the process, they have been in contact with me and other spokespersons on this issue. Some of them are here … Profit, the Green Party and the Independent Catherine Connolly before her election as President indicates the groundswell of support and consensus across this House on this issue. Not alone was the Opposition united on the need for a disregard process, but the Minister, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan, indicated

Parliament at Westminster in England. At many times since then it was a capital offence, punishable by death. Most in this House know it was only decriminalised in 1993. Shockingly, military law still refers to the old 19th century criminal laws which state it is an offence … Defence Forces under the Defence Act 2007, although in 1993 the then defence Minister, David Andrews, affirmed in the House that it would not be considered in breach of the regulations of the Defence Forces. Let me be very clear. I unequivocally condemn every administration - British, Free State

important this is done quickly. While recognising the real achievement of being here and debating this Bill today on the floor of the House, this has taken a long time. It has taken too long. I hope, in the spirit the Minister and Minister of State have come … into this House and made commitments to move this swiftly, we see that brought forward. The reason we are here today with the Bill finally arriving at the floor of Dáil Éireann, despite the elapse of time, is because of the tireless efforts of a number of campaigners

locals are telling me - and I agree with them - that this is not being handled correctly. There is a huge investment in housing in this area. It is unprecedented. We all agree that we need housing. However, at the same time we must put together the surrounding infrastructure … there would be 0.4 of a car parking space per unit. We have seen this type of policy before, where people are allocated housing on the basis that they do not have a car, but they do have a car and the car parking overspills into neighbouring communities

originally came on an education, employment or tourism visa, but the fact he will not collate that makes it more difficult for the Houses of the Oireachtas to analyse whether there are areas in public policy that need to be addressed to ensure we have a migration system … that 80% of people who come as tourists from a particular state subsequently seek international protection and no Member of this House can say with certainty that it is downright false because we do not have the information because the Minister's Department will not publish

Donovan's public denigration of the League of Ireland and its fans in recent weeks. His solo run, plague upon all their houses, collective punishment, sneering and classist approach to the League of Ireland after the Dundalk versus Drogheda match was utterly shameful. The Minister had to utilise … this evening, I am a League of Ireland fan all my life and I am not a plague on anybody's house. My family hails from deep in League of Ireland history and none of them are plagues on anybody's houses. Neither are all the good people

supporting them through the capital grants, which I know will be coming soon. We can see in the areas where we are building houses - and in north Kildare we have been fortunate to have built houses and apartments - that we have been slow to develop the social infrastructure … basic facility. Deputy Boyd Barrett referred to the issue in the clubs in his area. While we are building the houses, we have other sports and facilities. As Deputy Clendennan alluded to, we must ensure we have multi-use facilities. Kerdiffstown has been a model. There are football

contributions have been made stand in very stark contrast to many of the other debates we have on the floor of the House. That reflects the fact that sport and football in particular brings out the best in everyone and brings people together. We have seen that here … today. Through many of the contributions from TDs across the House we have also seen the impact that taking part in sport has had on their lives. It has played such a fond part in their lives and has had a positive impact. One of the contributions that

acknowledge this is a deeply challenging period but it is also a period that demands that we work together in the House rather than against each other to ensure we protect the State and our people to the best of our ability. If we ever needed reminding … need to act robustly to protect jobs and futures to ensure we fund our key services and supports, to deliver safe and secure housing for our people and to invest proactively and sustainably to get costs down for ordinary people. This is our job. It is one each

people but refused to do so. Instead people have watched while it wasted countless billions and failed to deliver critical public services, housing and infrastructure, all while giving sermons about the importance of fiscal prudence. That is the backdrop to these protests. Life in this country has become … between heating their homes and charging their mobility aids. The pressure is relentless and it is draining. The cost of groceries, energy and housing have all skyrocketed with no end in sight. For many the fuel increases were a tipping point and these protests were

seen that some people are running from Government. People do not feel supported. I have seen the proposals and the reaction to the housing crisis. There is little or no affordable housing, long waiting lists, record numbers in emergency accommodation and spiralling rents but at the same time … Again, this was not true. Funding for local and regional roads in Kerry actually decreased by €2 million this year. It was said housing targets are being met - another lie. Energy credits were granted not because the Government believed they were effective in dealing with a cost

Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to raise the income threshold for social housing qualification in Tipperary from its current base of €30,000 per annum for a single person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement

Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will extend the temporary waiver in respect of development contributions to local authorities for those building houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5762/25

Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends to increase the income thresholds for social housing support in 2025 to bring them in line with general wage/income increases since they were last adjusted; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if plans to extend the temporary waiver in respect of development contributions payable to local authorities for building a house in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5876/25

Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he will consider increasing the threshold of the housing aid for older people grant to cover the cost of installation of non-fossil fuel heat sources, further to the changes in the criteria

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to list all approved housing body social and cost rental development proposals that are currently with his Department waiting initial approval, with a breakdown by local authority, number of units and length of time

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of staff sanction requests for housing staff currently awaiting decision with his Department, with a breakdown by local authority. [5995/25

Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider a waiver in respect of development contributions for houses being built in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6040/25

Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is any policy to ensure that approved housing bodies repair any damage done to neighbouring properties as a consequence of insufficient maintenance (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if any EU directive on oil boilers/boiler replacement is affecting those availing of housing adaptation grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6221/25

Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of appeals for County Clare have been assessed by the Housing Agency under the defective concrete block scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6301/25

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the actions he will take to ensure that single parent families that do not qualify for any existing housing scheme or payment can be supported in finding suitable accommodation; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance to outline the role of the housing unit within his Department making specific reference to their role in advising and informing the Minister on all matters related to housing including in year targets; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on funding for repair of void local authority houses (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5351/25

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to extend the temporary waiver in respect of development levies to local authorities for those building houses in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5386/25

Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will extend the temporary waiver in respect of development contributions to local authorities for those building houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5401/25

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will extend the waiver in respect of development contributions of €4,200 for new house builds, which has been a huge help to potential homeowners; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to consider the introduction of additional supports for middle-income public sector workers, such as teachers and special needs assistants, who do not qualify for social housing but remain unable to secure a mortgage

Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will publish a social housing Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4990/25

Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends to revise the income limits for social housing eligibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4991/25

Media if there are any plans for Údarás na Gaeltachta to be given statutory powers and resources for it to establish a housing section, to enable it to purchase land, obtain planning permission and provide necessary services in order to develop housing for Irish speakers. [4549/25

Brabazon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if there are plans to develop a Gaeltacht population and housing strategy for each Gaeltacht language planning area with clear, measurable targets to ensure the sustainable growth of the Gaeltacht communities and to ensure an appropriate … supply of housing to support that growth. [4552/25

Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the Housing Agency continues to downgrade the recommendations of engineers acting for homeowners under the defective concrete block grant scheme, applying the I.S. 465 when that standard is soon to be significantly amended

Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when legislation will be changed in order to facilitate the retrospective payment of the rate and cap increases to participants in the ‘enhanced defective concrete block scheme’; if the increases will be applied to the small … number of houses that have completed works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4149/25

Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of social housing properties acquired through the tenant-in-situ scheme and the cost rental tenant in-situ-scheme, respectively since their inception. [4420/25