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that happened on the Jewish community in Australia. I also support the plea for funding for The Complex. Regarding the Cabinet committee on housing, across the country AHBs have signed turnkey deals that then collapse. In Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, there was a recent scheme that had the contract … developers. The homes are built, the deal collapses and the investor walks away. We want these small-scale developers to meet the housing targets. I have hundreds of people in my constituency looking for affordable housing, and this cannot happen

know the issue that exists in relation to housing, whether it is homelessness, the lack of supply, those who cannot get houses, whether from a rental point of view or a purchase point of view, and those languishing on social housing lists. However, we also have to look

have access to the courts on important matters of justice and rights. Such is the dire situation with the delivery of housing, offshore energy, transport projects and so on, which are key to our economic performance and the success of our society, that any plan that envisages … help to keep the Opposition honest. It is not just about keeping the Government honest but about having an informed debate in this House on agreed numbers. The post-budget analysis of the Parliamentary Budget Office, PBO, does not pull any punches. For this year's budget

acknowledge the Deputy’s ongoing commitment to this issue. I am aware that, further to an offer made to him in this House by my predecessor, the Tánaiste, he availed of an opportunity to meet with some of my senior departmental officials in the past two weeks … expect to have a detailed report from them in quarter 1 of 2026 regarding the matters the Deputy has brought before the House. This report will take due cognisance of the recent meeting he had with officials, as well as the views of the State Claims Agency

apologise for delaying everybody. I thank Deputy Ó Fearghaíl for raising this important issue. I welcome the opportunity to update the House on the subject of Western Sahara. As we have heard, the House is aware that since 1975, Western Sahara has been the subject of a territorial … Ireland considers the implication of the mission mandate renewal and efforts to resolve this long-standing dispute, I assure the Deputy and this House that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and I as Minister will continue to keep any relevant developments under review, including

there and that it is the interpretation, but it is not correct in terms of the scheme put in place by these Houses 25 years ago to provide for exactly this type of situation. It was to provide backup, succour and care for those people in that situation … also think we cannot allow bureaucracy to hold sway always. We must look at people in situations. That is what this House is about. It is about recognising the fact that people need support. This family needs support. They are not getting it from the State and that

concerned about the length of time before these flood scheme works would be completed and have asked my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy James Browne, with myself that consideration be given to relocation options. The Minister of State at the Department of Housing … explore a viable workable solution for the homeowners. Work on a possible option is progressing with the affected homeowners, the Department of housing, and with local government

development plan with social infrastructure. We have record levels of investment in transport infrastructure in the State of €24 billion. The Minister for housing, Deputy Browne, has also set out proposals for an infrastructure fund to try to complement housing delivery to support the broader infrastructure where there … significant housing development and having that enabling infrastructure. If we look at the overall capital allocation for education, for example, it is €7.5 billion over the next five years. This is to ensure we continue development of critical education infrastructure across the State. We have had record funding

Department, across the Government and across the House support secretaries and caretakers. Earlier this year when they went as far as industrial action, many people stood with them because they understood and accepted the importance of caretakers and secretaries to school communities. It is important that we give … that voice across the House, whether those speaking are in government or in opposition. We must give a voice to the issue because it gives a clear indication to us and the Department of the strength of support that secretaries and caretakers have across the House

knows that road very well - there is part of that road in Kerry where there is a very well-developed group of houses with a single entrance out onto a regional road. It is not a national primary or a national secondary road. There is no intensification then … thing you have to be able to do is flush the toilet, because unless you can flush the toilet, you cannot build a house. You cannot pollute the surface water and you cannot have run-off going into dykes. There are solutions there. Rather than being told

Minister of State from being here. She is from the relevant Department, and I appreciate it. That should be the norm in this House. It used to be. An exceptional piece of journalism was published last week by the Limerick Leader. The front page article spoke about … catastrophic failures in University Hospital Limerick, UHL, which we have discussed in the House. No other topic have I discussed more in my political career. The picture on the front page shows four young women. I compliment the journalist, Ms Sandra Quinn, and the Limerick Leader for what

European agenda that supports emerging industries, promotes ethical AI development and guarantees that citizens' rights remain at the heart of this digital transformation. Housing remains one of the most urgent challenges facing Ireland, and while our problem is acute, we must also recognise that right across Europe, families … struggling with the very same pressures. President von der Leyen referenced this in her state of the Union speech, noting that our collective housing crisis was tearing "at Europe's social fabric". As we take on the EU Presidency, we must ensure that Europe plays a decisive

well in excess of €5,000. The development levy waiver introduced by the previous Government was a super initiative. It helped to bolster housing supply and ensure a big pipeline of housing deliver. We saw some of the largest commencement numbers ever last year, with more than … that is paid is not specifically ring-fenced for a particular area. I am asking the Taoiseach, given that we are in a housing crisis, to consider the reintroduction of the development levy waiver for one-off homes in rural areas. This will facilitate young people

Government to urgently review social housing income limits. The situation is getting worse and worse. One of the biggest phenomena I am coming across is people who are on working family payment, a payment that has given to people precisely because they do not have enough income … income. There is a whole group of people earning between about €40,000 and €50,000 per year who are entitled to no housing support at all. They are knocked off the list because they get working family payment, a little pay rise or whatever, but their income

thank all Members of the House who have contributed with substantive points throughout the debate and discussion this afternoon on a significant and important topic in the times we live in. As the Minister, Deputy O’Donovan, said in his opening statement, the online safety of our children … case of non-compliance and continued non-compliance can lead to criminal sanctions for senior management. The Minister outlined to the House where we stand in terms of implementing the framework. Under the Digital Services Act, DSA, it is the European Commission that is the lead enforcer

Criminal Matters, a copy of which was laid before Dáil Éireann on 4th December, 2025. I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle and the House for facilitating this motion today. I welcome the opportunity to address the Dáil on Ireland's opt-in to an EU proposal … part in the negotiation, adoption and application of the measure. The exercise of this opt-in is subject to the approval of both Houses of the Oireachtas, with the three-month period for this proposal ending on 17 December 2025. Ireland can also accept a proposal

under Article 4 or left open the consideration, we could have adopted and moved forward at a pace that would ensure that the Houses of the Oireachtas could do their job, which is to scrutinise these measures properly. Instead, we have another proposal, another short deadline … told to take it or leave it. It is an absolutely disrespectful way of treating this House and treating the Irish people's House of democracy. For that reason, we will be rejecting the proposal this evening

that particular flour in that particular cake. It is the same flour. For every building material that may be used in a house, it is the same stone. The only thing that is different is the plastering, which is a sandstone. That is the difference. Everything else would … types of stone that are in the quarries. What I am trying to say to the Minister is that the amendment before the House seeks to remove "Blocks" only. If we were to interpret it through any law in the country, if a stone

Pyrite does not get talked about much any more here because when people access the scheme, the scheme is well managed by the Housing Agency, it is end-to-end and it does not place the responsibility on homeowners. What the Minister is proposing here, however, is exactly … would be sensible for the Minister to come back in relation to amendment No. 5 and lay a report before the House of the Oireachtas on transitioning this scheme to an end-to-end scheme that provides 100% redress. There are issues that need to be addressed around

totally wrong. I want to turn to the issue of retrospective payments. It is now many years since I went to a house in Ballycastle that was falling down completely. At the time, we did not really know what was happening. I said to the couple affected … rebuild the house and who had saved all their lives, that something had to be done with the house. I said the county council could not help them out but that I was sure that if they kept all their receipts and kept every record properly such that

would actually be the companies that were culpable that would pay for all of this. I ask the Minister to give the House an update on that. I understand it is a colossal case and it will be challenged. The Minister is a good person but we need … have seen, the common theme is deterioration of the concrete, crumbling and asymmetrical cracking. When I look at the gable end of these houses, I always ask the person if they got pumped insulation. They will say they did and when I ask when, they will say about

that there is an urgent need to increase capacity throughout the country. There is also an urgent need to increase affordability in the housing sector and to increase capacity in the private rental sector and the rental sector in general. This is obviously a very acute issue, particularly … introduced to try to oblige the Government to bring forward reports on measures. Because this is a tax measure, however, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has no remit in respect of it. I suggest continued consultation with the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance

remediation scheme is working and functioning. Homeowners, the Oireachtas and stakeholders will know how many applications are received, validated or referred to the Housing Agency, how long decisions take, which remediation options have increased and the outcome of appeals, which is very important. No one should have … anonymised form within 90 days, showing the facts, reasoning and outcomes. Homeowners are trapped in appeals that can last for years, while the Housing Agency hides behind claims of independence. We have the Housing Agency and the Appeals Board passing the buck from one to the other, while

Government Deputies would have addressed the fact that there are anomalies and the scheme is too restrictive when it comes to conjoined houses, detached houses and terraced houses. That was something that we were hearing and there was a need to address that. What this amendment does

point I am trying to make. I am dealing with a constituent at the moment who is in a semi-detached house. She has met the damage threshold but the house next door has not. If she can be included in the scheme and the house next door

Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the review of eligibility criteria and the identification of priority areas for grant aid schemes administered by local authorities to upgrade, repair or replace domestic wastewater treatment systems/septic tank systems

Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to consider reviewing the current mandatory retirement age of 62 for retained fire fighters (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69981/26

Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to consider reviewing the current mandatory retirement age of 62 for retained fire fighters (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70012/26

Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of the formal complaints mechanisms available to residents of emergency accommodation where they have concerns regarding the conduct of accommodation providers or staff (details supplied); if complaints can be made directly

Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his Department's plans to ensure that every local authority home still without attic, cavity or any other suitable insulation has it installed; and his plans to boost the BER rating for all local authority

Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of the concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding the decision not to provide an increased local property tax allocation to Kildare County Council for 2027; and the measures under consideration

Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide the list of household income thresholds for people who want to enter a mortgage to rent agreement, by county. [70105/26

Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider, as part of Budget 2027, increasing the funding available under the vacant property refurbishment grant and derelict property top-up grant; if an increase is being actively examined in light

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the number of applications for the EPA DPI register have been received to date; to provide a breakdown of the applications by local authority area; and number of homes

Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the criteria used in determining the regional property price caps under the first home scheme; whether a review of the cap applicable to county Carlow has been undertaken in the past 12 months

Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the mechanism in place for members of the public and legitimate operators to report suspected non-compliance with the safety requirements for commercially hired inflatable amusement equipment under the Planning and Development (Fairgrounds and Fairgrounds

Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures being taken to enforce the safety-certification requirements for commercially hired inflatable amusement equipment, including bouncy castles, under the Planning and Development (Fairgrounds and Fairground Equipment) Regulations 2025; the number of inflatable-hire

Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the cut-off year for eligibility for qualification under the warmer homes scheme has not changed since the revamped scheme was introduced; and when this date of before 1st January, 2006 is expected

Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the basis on which mortgage-to-rent caps are calculated; the current limit in each county: and if he has considered increasing the limit in County Monaghan. [70456/26

Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are plans for lands (details supplied) purchased by the Land Development Agency; when is it planned these lands will be developed and approximately; and the number of homes planned for these lands. [70641/26

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if consideration will be given to installing an automatic weather station or other appropriate monitoring equipment in the lower foothills of the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks, County Kerry to improve monitoring of local wind conditions

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when Ireland’s draft nature restoration plan submitted to the European Commission on 1 September 2026 will be made publicly available. [70649/26

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will ask Met Éireann to examine whether the existing weather monitoring network adequately captures localised wind speeds and severe weather conditions in the Laune Valley and Killorglin area, particularly given the surrounding mountainous topography

Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department monitors the geographic concentration of proposed and approved onshore wind energy developments; the number of turbines approved and proposed in county Kilkenny; and whether consideration is given to ensuring an equitable distribution

Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he will consider mandatory follow-up of sale-based terminations, including requiring the former tenant to be offered the tenancy back where the sale does not proceed. [70336/26

Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he is satisfied that communities affected by strategic infrastructure developments, SIDs, have adequate opportunities to participate in the planning process; and if he will outline any proposals to enhance public participation. [70347/26

demolish Cork's Detention Barracks on Rathmore Road given it now has proposed protected structure status similar to that of the O'Rahilly House when it was demolished. [70283/26

allowance on household means grounds where adult children remain living in the family home due to the lack of affordable rental accommodation and housing options; whether consideration is being given to amending the means assessment for fuel allowance in such cases; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to set out his plans to address the worsening homelessness crisis. [69619/26

Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider an emergency response to the growing number of people homeless in emergency accommodation and the very high estimates of those who are living in hidden homelessness; to outline the measures his Department