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social emergency now. Just last night, the Government voted to allow vulture funds to bid against ordinary families who are trying to buy houses, further exacerbating the problem. Every single CSO release confirms the brutal reality out there. People are being priced out of their communities, the places … supply is the answer. If the typical home costs €500,000, ordinary people will still be locked out. This is not just a housing challenge; it is an affordability catastrophe. I ask the Tánaiste directly a very simple question that so many young people are asking

course I recognise that house prices are still far too high for far too many, but I also recognise that the figures - the very same set of figures the Deputy has quoted - show more home transactions last year than the year before, and more first-time buyers last … leader of Sinn Féin lodged her objection to 249 student beds in her constituency. When Sinn Féin comes in here, it is a housing emergency in the Dáil and it is a housing objection in the constituency

will continue to increase the funding to our disability services. The conversation we have to have alongside that is, as we develop more housing developments and more homes for people with disabilities in their community, so if, as you and your parents age and want your own independence … seen enough examples of it but I have seen some small examples of it around the country. As part of our new housing plan, we are determined to have that conversation. We should not just be having a conversation with developers about building social housing. That is important

image I am holding up is not a real image but an AI-generated image of the front of a house on daft.ie at the moment. Estate agents are more and more posting AI-generated false images on platforms like Daft. This is misleading. It is also predatory … time when the housing situation is so bad. The response from the advertising regulator, however, has been effectively that it is fine provided there is a tiny label at the bottom. I am very concerned about this practice because it is something we have seen in other jurisdictions

attention. A broader point I will make, while not taking away from the seriousness of the issue, is that people generally view a house before buying or renting it, obviously. That is not the point the Deputy is making, though. It is misleading to people, it can waste … should not all have to squint to find those things. It is also very bad practice. Just showing us what the actual house looks like is a much more decent way of engaging with people. I will engage with both the Minister of State with responsibility

north inner city and the David Attenborough mural off the South Circular Road. Thankfully, due to strong campaigning and advocacy in Leinster House, those enforcement and legal actions have been withdrawn. The problem is that the planning restrictions remain in place. That is a disincentive for artists … wonderful murals by Subset, the horse boy mural and the David Attenborough mural. In Cork, Asbestos has done iconic murals on housing. Caoilfhionn Hanton, who is from Waterford but now resident in Dublin, is an exemplar of the finest work we have. In fact, we are bursting

down, with water coming out on the floor. Flooding is a different animal altogether, in that the devastation can be evident in the house for years afterwards. It is a matter of what comes with the water and what is left over when it is cleaned out with … those who live in flood-risk zones. We often hear that we need to be sure about where we buy or build a house. We should remember that there are people living in second-, third- and fourth-generation houses that were never flooded until now. This is where

number of pipes were put in, maybe 12 in., 14 in. or 18 in. in diameter. Then it was decided to build more houses and buildings, which was good, but the pipes had to take more and more water from the new estates. This went … after talking about - and I am over 6 ft - and to be looking out a window and seeing the water higher than the house you were born, bred and reared in or the house you built. Is that what Irish people who want to go down

that impacted the topography of the area we now look to develop, particularly at a time of crisis in housing. This also highlights an important area, namely, that we measure twice and cut once and that when we are dealing with planning and housing, the importance of having … part of the heritage of the area and how is that interwoven with new developments. The Laytown-Bettystown district has seen massive housing development over the probably the past 27 to 30 years. It is about how it goes forward when there will be a sense of, pardon

train services. We all know the impact but I am not sure this Government necessarily cares or understands it. I will give the House an example of the human impact, if I may. Earlier this week a man in Dundalk was in touch with me. He works … most of the working week, with a full five-day return on the cards. He moved to the Dundalk area for more affordable housing. The understanding was that he could work remotely and that the arrangement would continue. I ask the Minister of State to listen to what

constituents are deeply concerned about the imminent closure of Perrott House, a mental health care facility in Skibbereen. This residential care facility, which was staffed 24 hours, had been home to many long-term residents and provided them with essential programmes like horticulture, music, poetry … well as access to the local library, church and shops in Skibbereen. The HSE continues to deny Perrott House is closing but with two patients left in this once-great facility the writing is on the wall. I looked at the HIQA reports from

legislation, and one of the reasons there will be problems is that we have not had proper deliberation. The second reason these Houses have cause to be concerned is that this Bill is locked in with the EU migration and asylum pact. There could well be infringement proceedings … points the Minister has made regarding the approach, the Minister has a responsibility, as do the Government and the Department, but these Houses have responsibilities as well. One of the difficulties I have with the approach that has been taken is that we are being denied the full

State may exercise the options or discretions under Protocol 21, but any such exercise should be subject to the prior approval of both Houses of the Oireachtas. The decision to opt in and be bound by the migration and asylum pact measures was approved by this House … Union. This amendment also attempts to reframe the aspects of the separation of powers already defined in the Constitution. With respect to the House, it is well established that the executive authority of the State to determine policy in respect of migration is vested under the Constitution

amendments Nos. 1 and 11 would both require that the Minister carry out reports and administrative matters and lay these reports before the Houses before the Act or provisions thereof can be commenced. It is a long-established precedent that the commencement of an Act cannot be made … contingent on an administrative matter external to the Houses, and that is to say contingent on a matter that is outside the control of the Houses themselves. As this is in conflict with the general principles of the Bill as read a Second Time, the amendments must

being ruled out of order. It would be appropriate if the Minister of State could give an indication as to how exactly these Houses are to have any faith whatsoever that Tusla will be in a position to carry out the obligations that are placed … brought forward amendment No. 11, which would have called on the Minister prior to the commencement of the Act to lay before the Houses of the Oireachtas a report on the capacity of the Child and Family Agency to discharge its statutory function. That report would include

damning indictment of how Government has got it so wrong in the past. I am from a constituency where we have seen significant housing growth in the last 30 years. Our population in Kildare has doubled from 120,000 in the 1990s to 250,000 right … have yet to see a mobilised effort, a demonstration or a protest at any of the hundreds of housing developments that are proposed. That needs to be said tonight because, ultimately, the narrative and the discourse about what is before us tonight and what has happened over

have to be very careful on that. I have said here before that I have been very disappointed by people in this House, on this side of the House and that side in particular and, dare I say it, a few scattered around the place also. When … elected to this House, you have to have conviction and you have to stand up for what you believe in. We all know this system is horrendous. We all know the profiteering and that the private nature of how this has been done has been horrendous

overwhelming public interest and that there is an overwhelming public benefit. That is why we funded about €16 million into Hampson House to facilitate decanting but also provision of a first-class service now in terms of outpatient facilities, antenatal clinics and all of that. The Government … behind this project but An Coimisiún Pleanála is independent, as all TDs would want. In this House no one has ever suggested it should not be. However, I hope the Deputy will back us now when we bring forward a critical infrastructure Bill. I hope

very serious issues. There needs to be stronger co-ordination between local authorities, section 39 bodies and Government Departments, particularly the Department of housing and the Department of disability. I am placing it on the agenda of the next Cabinet subcommittee meeting with a view to creating … enough. The HSE will say it looks after moderate to severe disabilities. There has to be a continuum of care, of sheltered housing and of supported housing, depending on the needs of a given individual

this opportunity. Following on from successful discussions at the Government industry forum last July, I have established an offshore wind energy clearing house with the aim of tackling barriers to the timely delivery of offshore wind energy. This clearing house provides a forum where barriers to the development … supports and enhances the efforts of the existing offshore wind delivery task force, chaired by the Minister, Deputy Darragh O’Brien. The clearing house has met on two occasions, and its next meeting will take place later this month. The programme for Government also committed to taking decisive

Deputy McCormack said Offaly is leading the way. It is a powerful set of statistics. Everybody in the House is probably not aware of the degree to which Offaly is becoming a powerhouse. Bord na Móna is a big factor here. We will have further developments on that … Offaly more generally. This is something that is potentially very positive and we should keep at it. Deputy O'Meara raised the rural house guidelines. I have been pressing the Minister in that regard. I said earlier that unit in that Department

slating the really important issue of the situation regarding bluetongue in Ireland and giving me the ability to be able to address the House on it today. Bluetongue is a viral disease caused by bluetongue virus, which can cause severe clinical signs in ruminant species such as cattle … been spreading across Europe and Great Britain and was found in Northern Ireland in December 2025. First and foremost, I assure the House and public that there are no public health risks associated with bluetongue. Bluetongue does not affect human health or food safety, and meat and milk

thank all colleagues in the House for taking the time to engage in what is an important debate and asking a number of questions I would be happy to answer. I acknowledge the presence of hill farmers from Galway and Roscommon, as well as the president of Macra … extensive not just in Wexford but nationwide. It was not surprising that I unfortunately had to announce an additional case in this House today. That will happen because the more testing and tracking and surveillance we do, the more chances there are of being able to find

Government will peddle it out again, that we need to attract more international capital. Nobody objects on this side of the House to international investment in the construction of houses and apartments. What we do have an objection to, what we do call out and what … driving up prices. Will the Minister explain to me why we need investment funds buying second-hand homes. How does this deliver more housing supply? The answer is that it does not. It just drives up prices, plain and simple. Home ownership is collapsing under Fianna Fáil

Housing remains the single biggest emergency that families and communities face in Ireland. It affects every aspect of our society, from families languishing on council housing lists for 16 years and more, never sure if the dreaded eviction notice is going to land, to teachers, nurses, doctors, gardaí … expense of workers, families and struggling home buyers. It happens because the Government allows it to happen. In less than five years, house prices have gone up by nearly 50%, with vulture funds competing with ordinary people and driving up prices. While facilitating investment funds in buying

Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will clarify whether planning applicants for strategic-scale developments such as large data centres must disclose existing put and call options, or agreements for sale, under which the applicant company or the land will

Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has considered statutory conditions, on planning permissions or grid and gas connections for data centres, that prohibit their use for military or intelligence purposes by any foreign state; and if he will make

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of representations or motions received by his Department since 1 January 2025 from local authorities, including Cork City Council and Cork County Council, seeking changes to planning law in respect of premises

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the Retail Planning Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2012) are to be reviewed, or a national planning statement prepared, to address the proliferation of premises for the retail sale of nicotine inhaling products in cities

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether there is planning measures under consideration in respect of premises for the retail sale of nicotine inhaling products that would allow planning authorities to have regard to the over concentration of such premises

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the examination by officials in his Department of whether amendments to the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended, are required to enable planning authorities to object to or refuse premises

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide the necessary funding to carry out major improvement works to all group water schemes in County Kerry in order to allow Uisce Eireann to take in charge these schemes as a matter of priority

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide the necessary funding to carryout major improvement works to the Kells group water scheme in County Kerry, and for the taking in charge of the scheme by Uisce Eireann; and his views on whether

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a detailed progress report on the provision of the long overdue wastewater treatment facility in Beaufort Village in County Kerry; if the necessary funding been provided for delivering this scheme; and his views

formal transfer of responsibility for the regulation of Owner Management Companies and the Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011 to the Department of Housing, Home Affairs and Migration will be fully completed; the specific reason for the prolonged timeline given that the necessary legislative amendments have already been enacted

draw and competition operators or of any prosecutions initiated or convictions secured; if he has received any reports relating to commercial operators offering houses, vehicles, cash and other prizes exceeding the statutory limits applicable to lottery permits; the measures being taken to ensure compliance with existing legislation

vape shop identified by the Minister of State with responsibility for public health; whether her Department has engaged with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on such a definition for planning purposes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [75280/26

Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the progress of a review of HAP limits. [74518/26

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of homes purchased with assistance from the first home scheme, broken down per year from 2022 to date in 2026, in tabular form. [74564/26

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of cost-rental homes delivered nationally, broken down per year from 2021 to date in 2026, in tabular form. [74562/26

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of residential properties purchased in the State by persons who were not ordinarily resident in Ireland in each of the past five years, by county; the number of such purchases that were made

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to set out the rules for the allocation of cost-rental tenancies for both new schemes and for individual properties in existing schemes where tenancies are terminated. [74705/26

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the interim fire safety scheme, the fire detection and alarm safety scheme and the retrospective payments scheme for people living with defects including applicant numbers, approval numbers, funding allocations, drawdowns

Deputy Daniel Ennis asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the development of the child and family homelessness action plan. [74695/26

Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the adopt a monument scheme will open to new applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74925/26

progress made by the interdepartmental group examining their long-term use; whether the potential transfer of these units for permanent social or affordable housing is being actively progressed; and when a final decision is expected. [74792/26

development (details supplied); whether discussions have specifically addressed the potential transfer or repurposing of the units for permanent social or affordable housing; the outcome of any such engagement; and the next steps envisaged. [74804/26

Affairs and Migration whether the planning regularisation and necessary modifications required to convert the Heywood modular accommodation development in Clonmel to permanent residential housing have been assessed; the estimated costs involved; and the anticipated timeline for completing such an assessment. [74799/26

undertaken a specific assessment of the potential to repurpose the modular accommodation development at Heywood, Clonmel, County Tipperary, for permanent social or affordable housing; and the outcome of such an assessment. [74795/26

Migration the nature and extent of engagement between his Department and Tipperary County Council regarding the future use of the Heywood modular housing development in Clonmel; and whether the council has been invited to consider taking responsibility for the development. [74797/26