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provide it and other utilities with the certainty that comes with multi-annual funding is a huge threat to our ability to deliver housing at scale. It is fashionable and it might sound good to come in here and have a right go at Irish Water … need to start to consider it, fund it and think about it as a vital utility to allow us to reach our housing targets. What I mean by this is to commit it the funding to deliver on the housing targets beyond 2029 on an ongoing multi-annual

when they look to develop new homes, and I know this is a key tenet of the Minister's campaign on the housing issue, often hit brick walls when it comes to accessing the network or infrastructure. I spoke to one developer who had to invest €1.4 million … upgrade Uisce Éireann facilities or else wait three years before he could build 180 houses. Another developer had to invest €1.3 million as Uisce Éireann would not intervene, and there were 500 houses involved. Luckily these developers went ahead and invested the money but, unfortunately

people from the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael backbenches since coming to office, particularly about initiating developer-led infrastructure and facilitating future housing development. It is a no-brainer that many of us have called for for many years. Once in a while, it is good … talk about the Arklow wastewater treatment plant, which was built for €130 million or something like that to build a couple of hundred houses a year, whereas we are looking for a treatment plant in a village that is a seven-minute drive from the city centre

cannot be built because communities are waiting years, and sometimes decades, for water treatment plants. This has left developers, local authorities and approved housing bodies unable to meet housing demand. In the middle of a housing crisis, that is simply unacceptable. In other areas, the situation is even

State and the Minister, Deputy Browne, in particular for the initiative to work with developers on wastewater and to accelerate the delivery of housing. That is something that we would have raised in Meath in various meetings with Uisce Éireann over the years. I also commend the water … communication. We have some serious water issues in Dunboyne and Trim in County Meath at the moment. I refer in particular to one housing estate in Dunshaughlin called the Willows. Communication on the part of Uisce Éireann is absolutely key. I remind consumers to sign

take Questions Nos. 19 to 28, inclusive, together. The Department of the Taoiseach's annual report for 2024 was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas in October of last year. I hope everybody has read it. The report sets out the work of the Department … full range of domestic policy issues and on European Union and international affairs; and co-ordination roles in various cross-government initiatives, including Housing for All, climate action, child poverty and well-being, migration, the national digital strategy, the national risk assessment, the well-being framework, policing reform

They want more housing. They want more affordable and social housing and to enable people to either buy or rent at affordable prices. We need to get supply up. I think some of Deputy Boyd Barrett's policies would depress supply. That is where we differ. We need … what the Deputy has articulated over the years would depress supply. It is not possible to do it all through social housing. We need private sector investment as well as public sector investment on a huge scale. Turning to what Deputy Murphy talked about, nothing can come before

they have mushroomed. We have seen the scandals in County Laois, in The Residence for example, not too far from my own house. We have seen the Drumneen situation and that is an unfolding story. We have seen difficulties in Kilminchy Lodge. Some private nursing homes have been … basic requirements. Homes being adapted to meet people's needs is obviously important. I want to pay tribute to the housing section of Laois County Council. In my experience, any money that is granted is matched by the council in terms of alterations for stair lifts and extensions

opportunity to speak on the Health (Amendment) (Home Support Providers) Bill 2025. It is long awaited. Initially, it was due before the House five years ago. Repeated delays in its publication have had a detrimental effect on carers and the people who require home care support. This Bill … further delays could push the implementation of this out to 2030, which would be another unacceptable delay. As we have heard throughout the House, we have a population that is ageing and we need to evolve with that. We need to ensure that the sector is regulated

begin in the same way all the other speakers have begun, by commending Deputy Ward on the Bill he has put before the House this evening. It is important that we can have a debate on nitrous oxide. Regrettably, everyone in this House is aware of the prevalence … offence under two different pieces of legislation creating uncertainty as to which should be used for prosecution. I also draw the House's attention to the proposed penalties in the Bill. Under section 14 of the Bill, for the utmost serious offence of illegal sale on indictment

difficulty for them in meeting the needs of their local communities. Certainly, in order to develop thriving communities, if we are developing new houses, we have to make sure we are developing the recreation and sporting facilities to be able to match that as we go forward … something on which I will be intensively engaging with the Minister for housing, Deputy Browne, and his Department to make sure we have an integrated and co-ordinated approach as we develop and meet the real challenge we have in housing and, equally, ensuring that sporting facilities

exceptional needs, albeit under the same sort of general heading, there is the moving-in payment for people when they are allocated a house. There is a problem with that. I will give an example. Katie and her family got an allocation due to a transfer from … moving in allowance. She is delighted about her new place and just moved in yesterday, but all that was in the house was two mattresses and a fridge. That is where she, her kids and her partner had to sleep. You cannot apply for the moving in allowance

rentals as possible, cost rental and indeed in the private rental market, particularly those mom and pop landlords who have one and two houses, of whom there are about 85% in terms of those who have the market share. It is critical for a functioning economy that … important that would continue. In relation to the changes that the Deputy mentioned, I understand that the Bill is coming before the House shortly. It is critical that if there are any issues or unintended consequences, we can put forward amendments in relation to that. The pre-legislative

along with the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste, has brought in a number of local authorities and continues to do so with regard to housing and zoning. This is setting the trend that we need to be more ambitious to ensure we underwrite the infrastructure for the growth … State, Deputy Cummins, in the coming weeks. We want to ensure that local authorities take responsibility and this will be important for housing. We have to hold the feet of the local authorities to the fire, and we are unambiguous in saying this, in respect of housing

reset about how we think of AI, the potential it brings and the power it has as a technology. Oftentimes in this House, we have looked at the positive benefits and positive potential of AI as a new technology. However, this is a point for us to reset … make sure that the balance is perfectly set back towards governments steering and regulating the overall direction of the technology. In this House, we have explored the potential of AI already regarding healthcare, the improvement of diagnostics, early detection and personalised care, and assisting in administrative support

well served by community mental health teams. There are six adult community mental health teams, one in Maryville, New Ross, two in Carn House in Enniscorthy, one in Tara House, Gorey and two in Summerhill in Wexford town. There are also two CAMHS teams and there are plans … beds. That is the nub of the issue in Wexford in general. Indeed, this has been raised with me by the Minister for housing, Deputy Browne, on several occasions and by other public representatives in Wexford. I want to give a shout out to Mental Health Ireland which

Government and Uisce Éireann to deliver basic infrastructure, including in parts of my own constituency in Donegal. In one community, 40 houses have no running water. There are people who rely on wells as a source of water this year. That is a disgrace … communities and the natural environment that this community depends on. As a consequence, what do we have? We have blocked development. Hotels, social housing and private housing cannot go ahead and local services cannot expand. My colleague talked about accountability for Uisce Éireann. It does not exist

country, it would be astonished. As a councillor in the past and as a TD since I was elected to this august House, I have had to deal with Irish Water on a number of issues. One leak that comes to mind was where a pipe in Wexford … State utility company. Only highlighting by myself and others got these issues somewhat resolved. However, when the owner of a new single house built in the heart of Wexford town was forced to pay €33,000 for a single connection for a single one-off house, Uisce Éireann

previous years. What has changed? In Knocksedan Demesne, an estate in Swords where a new phase is being built, we cannot get the houses connected. I contacted Uisce Éireann on 21 March 2025 and did not receive a full answer until 30 October 2025 to a question regarding … houses being connected, which is apparently a key priority of the Government. The issue has still not been resolved as of 14 January 2026. I received a response in October because there are good people in Uisce Éireann who are trying to work hard and resolve issues

with Montenegro by the end of our Presidency and make significant progress in the accession negotiations with Albania, Ukraine and Moldova. As the House is aware, antisemitism is a growing scourge around the world. It must be stamped out wherever it arises. The European Council reflected … assess progress and discuss further actions at the next formal meeting of the European Council in March. Before concluding, I am sure the House will join with me in expressing full support for Denmark and our solidarity with the people of Greenland. The future of Greenland

Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I hear these comments about this being unusual and this being strange but we can look at record of this House from when Panama was invaded in 1989 and Noriega was removed. It was a very different story in this House, so we see precedent … like the individual, will jest and pick out and attack everything but we have to question who is paying other people in this House given what they are saying and where their support is coming from and what is behind it. I move to the Mercosur deal, which

working with Deputies to progress the Bill because some more work will need to be done on it as it progresses through the Houses. On the surface, the Bill does look technical, with the 23 sections and key provisions about introducing the licensing framework, new safety permits … time, 70 unlicensed LPG networks were serving apartments. The complexes varied in size from three apartments to 60 apartments, and from three houses to 64 houses, with pipelines. They were all operating outside any regulatory framework. That is obviously unacceptable given the safety concerns. Strengthening safety regulation

secure, affordable, decarbonised and future-proofed, but we need to accelerate renewables. The private wires legislation is due to come to the House this year and I am looking forward to going through that Bill and working with colleagues across the House, but if we are going … done we need to increase our offshore and onshore renewable energy. We need to get rid of the NIMBYism I see across this House and the electoral cycle thinking. These are things that are constantly said but they are true. That is why I am calling for reforms

look forward to what I think, based on what I heard, will be the Deputies' support in progressing the Bill through the House. The Gas Safety (Amendment) Bill 2026 will make crucial and long-sought changes to our regulatory regime for natural gas and liquified petroleum gas, protecting … more quickly. That is why the Minister is adamant that the Bill will now get a fair hearing and move quickly through the Houses. A Deputy identified that it was published just last Friday. It is legislation of significant importance. Some peripheral issues were raised that

real conflict going on in Europe right now. I know the Deputy does not mean this but I am struck in this House that we always end up with the US as the big baddie. We have spent precious little time on Iran in this House for quite … struck me that Iran has been invisible in any discussions on the Middle East if you go through all the debates in this House, bar the Minister, Deputy O’Callaghan, raising it on a previous occasion on the Order of Business, I think, in the previous Dáil

Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of affordable purchase homes in Balbriggan, Skerries, Rush and Lusk which have received funding approval, approval in principle or other approval from his Department; the number of homes involved in each project

Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of cost rental homes in Balbriggan, Skerries, Rush and Lusk which have received funding approval, approval in principle or other approval from his Department; the number of homes involved in each project

Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department is considering applying a rent pressure zone to older persons' accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71780/26

Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage For a breakdown on the parameters around the fresh start criteria to be eligible for a Local Authority Home Loan and if a voluntary surrender of prior home, without insolvency and/or bankruptcy currently does, or potentially

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will clarify whether a person whose local authority tenancy remains in place throughout a custodial sentence has an entitlement to return to that dwelling on release whether this entitlement is affected

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether any assessment has been undertaken of the extent to which increases in local property tax receipts since 2021 have resulted in additional local authority services or have instead contributed to maintaining existing levels

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the proportion of Local Property Tax paid by a homeowner that represents a net additional contribution to the funding of local authority services, as opposed to funding that would otherwise have been provided through

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether increases in local property tax receipts result in any corresponding reduction in Exchequer funding to local authorities under the current funding model; and, if so, the mechanism by which such adjustments are calculated. [71902/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of additional revenue raised nationally through increases in the local property tax local adjustment factor in each of the years 2024 to 2026; whether this revenue is additional to the local authority

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what proportion of local property tax receipts retained by each local authority constitutes additional discretionary funding available to that authority; and what proportion represents funding incorporated into its baseline or otherwise replacing. [71899/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the proportion of local property tax collected within each local authority administrative area that is retained by that local authority; whether any portion is transferred, redistributed or otherwise adjusted through the national LPT funding model

Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of Starter Home supports delivered in 2026 to date under each of the first home scheme, the vacant property refurbishment grant, the starter homes purchase scheme, cost rental and help

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total amount of Local Property Tax collected nationally in each of the years 2021 to 2025 and to date in 2026; the total amount allocated to local authorities; the total amount redistributed through equalisation

Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to the Budget 2027 Expenditure Report published on 6 October 2026, which states that €1.01 billion allocated to the starter homes programme will contribute to the delivery of 8,500 new starter homes

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to PQ69374/26, the timeline for delivering of the National Planning Statement in relation to onshore wind energy development; if it will be delivered in 2026; and the year this is projected to be delivered. [72067/26

Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends on amending the legislation governing the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) to enable CRU to accept complaints made in good faith by residents associations where Uisce Eireann’s services have

Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he intends to repeal any provision of legislation; or whether he will introduce legislation enabling him to review the scope, prioritisation and progression of individual projects where it appears that there are or will

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to clarify the programme A subheads included in the €948 million allocation referred to on p128 of the budget book; and to provide a breakdown of the funding allocation and units to be impacted under

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to clarify which programme A subheads are included in the €1,010 billion allocation referred to on p128 of the budget book; and to provide a breakdown of the funding allocation and units

Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider a review of the commercial rates for an industry (details supplied). [72090/26

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to clarify which programme A subheads are included in the €3.016 billion allocation referred to on p122 of the budget book; and to provide a breakdown of the funding allocation and units to be delivered

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to clarify which programme A subheads are included in the €586 million allocation referred to on p122 of the budget book; and to provide a breakdown of the funding allocation and units to be impacted

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to clarify which programme A subheads are included in the €750 million allocation referred to on p122 of the budget book; and to provide a breakdown of the funding allocation and units to be impacted

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to clarify which programme A subheads are included in the €1.01 billion allocation referred to on p122 of the budget book; and to provide a breakdown of the funding allocation and units to be delivered

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to PQ PQ69374/26, to outline the engagements he has had with DCEE on this matter; to provide the dates on which his officials met with officials from DCEE on this matter since taking office