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conscious that everyone in this House has, to a large extent, contributed to the occupied territories Bill. As the Deputy knows, Deputy Lahart did an excellent job chairing the committee that did pre-legislative scrutiny on that Bill. The report is now being published. That was necessary … order that pre-legislative scrutiny would be done and for it to be progressed through the Houses of the Oireachtas. Notwithstanding the fact that it has not been enacted yet, it still has been extremely impactful in our negotiations with other countries. I know from the Chief Whip

thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to address the House and provide an update on the provision of school transport. This is a hugely important issue, particularly for children and young people with additional needs and their families, many of whom require school transport provision to support … were received for a particular service despite repeated efforts by both the Department and Bus Éireann to procure a contractor. I assure the House, however, that Bus Éireann’s school transport team is working extensively to ensure transport arrangements are put in place as soon as possible. While

focus is on rural schools and I am quite enough of a rural TD. However, I live in a town and in a housing estate of 500 houses with, give or take, about 1,000 cars. I am not saying there is a child in every house

relay the story of Jade Black and her son, Rocco, to the Minister of State. Rocco is 16 and attends St. Michael’s House. They live in the north inner city in the middle of my constituency of Dublin Central. Four days before returning to school … taxi for this child had been there since 2018. Jade is able to drive her son every day to St. Michael’s House. She also has to take another child with her, who lives close by. That child is reliant on a wheelchair, but the car cannot take

which to pursue this work. An early learning and childcare planning matters working group, with officials from my Department and the Departments of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Education and Youth was established in 2024 and has met on a number of occasions … population and are fit for purpose, and balancing the need to ensure sufficient provision for children and families, regardless of the size or housing type of the development, with ensuring that buildings are effectively operated as intended. In parallel, planning is under way to ensure the views

happy to get the Deputy more information on it but we have commissioned consultants to assess the condition of the housing stock and identify what might be suitable for conversion or refurbishment versus what does not make sense to work on from a value-for-money point … point about those who previously served is a good one. He will be familiar with the work of ONE. I think it has housing facilities in his county. It is eager to do more and I think to do more in Cork. I am happy to work with

Department rightly pointed out that policy choices must be made, and we are making them. Certainly, that is why we are investing in housing, the grid and water infrastructure. These are the three pillars that will support sustainable development in this country. The idea that data centres … businesses and communities with more green renewable energy. The CRU is independent. This review includes a medium-term outlook in terms of balancing housing and climate targets. It is about how we can ensure houses are delivered and our economic development is not staggered

they do not have the money. It turns out that the people who most need the retrofitting and the upgrading works to their house to bring them to at least a B2 standard cannot afford the money that is needed. For example, heat pumps cost anywhere from … scheme done. They are pensioners. They are not that old but they are retired. They could not get the scheme done in their house because they did not have the additional money to do it, but their neighbours across the road in an identical house could

Visa and permission decisions exceeded 150,000. These routes are essential to our economy but we also need to be honest about capacity. Housing, schools, GP numbers and transport cannot expand by magic. As a small, open economy, we should prioritise sectors that are mission-critical to both … competitiveness and community well-being, healthcare, elder care, and house building, in particular, so that migration actively helps us clear the most pressing bottlenecks. The programme for Government commitments remain clear: reduce reliance on hotels; develop State-owned capacity; require contributions from applicants where appropriate, in respect

Water, I appreciate that cities and large towns will have to take a certain level of priority in terms of the numbers of houses delivered, but I am worried about our smaller towns and rural villages being left behind. In Ballycommon in north Tipperary, 34 houses could … live, we have not seen a private development since the mid-2000s. The council cannot build and new businesses often cannot connect. The housing estate that has developer-provided infrastructure cannot be taken in charge by the council because there is no capacity in the system. These

Last week, the Minister for housing, James Browne, approved significant equity loan funding for the development of 85 new cost-rental homes in Belmayne in Dublin 13 in my constituency. As the Taoiseach knows, many renters find themselves earning too much to qualify for social housing … This project and funding, therefore, is very welcome and I would love to see far more of these projects and certainly more affordable housing as well. On cost rental, is it possible for the Cabinet committee to look at a pathway to ownership in the context of this

acknowledgement that disability is not just the concern or responsibility of one Department but extends to many more, including health, transport, education and housing. However, we need to see the ambition from the Government to match the implementation of this strategy. This can be a turning point … have recently seen that many local authorities, including the council in my own county of Kildare, have paused new applications for the housing adaptation grant scheme. As we all know, this scheme has been key in supporting older people and people with disabilities to continue to live

backed by urgent action that tackles waiting lists, makes inclusive education real, lifts the crushing cost of disability for families and ensures housing, transport and healthcare are designed for everyone. The strategy can offer great hope instead of hopelessness but we need to replace exhaustion with confidence. This … whole-of-government commitment to remove barriers in education, work, health, housing and transport and in community life. As a legislator but also as a father and a neighbour to families in my east Galway constituency, I urge the House to fully embrace and follow through with this

disability are too often denied independent living opportunities, but they are just another cohort of people who have been impacted by our housing crisis. Some 13% of adults aged over 25 within the home have a disability. A disability allowance payment is simply not sufficient to support independent … living given the cost of housing. Funding for housing adaptation grants has already run out in Limerick so necessary conversion works cannot be commenced. This is an absolute scandal. We also have a problem in this State when it comes to providing a guarantee of rights to people

disability services, with a particular focus on improving the delivery of services for children with disabilities.". I welcome the opportunity to address the House this evening to provide an update on special education provision which is a topic of particular importance to children and young people with additional … will know what the need is earlier in the year. We will know the figures and I can confirm to the House that the Department and the NCSE have met patron bodies in recent weeks. Throughout the summer, we have been putting building blocks in place to make

children of her own but her younger cousin lives with her and acts as her carer. She intends to leave the house to her cousin. However, if she does, she fears her cousin will have to sell the house in order to cover the capital acquisitions tax bill … elderly people who do not understand what capital acquisitions tax is. There is a fear out there, especially in the current climate where houses are so scarce. Family members are actually terrified and do not know whether they can will their properties back to their kids, cousins

Department of Health, as the Deputy noted, have any remit over planning regulations. Planning regulations lie within the remit of the Department of housing, which has responsibility for the implementation of the planning Act 2024, including the design and implementation of planning regulations under the Act. Neither … million this year. This is an increase of 47% or €35 million since 2020. The HSE has purchased an additional building, Hampson House, to extend capacity. Hampson House was officially opened in January this year. Over 100,000 outpatient and ambulatory patients are expected to attend there annually

development plan is continuing. We have approximately €20 billion to allocate across critical areas in our economy. We know with the Department of housing that continued investment in public infrastructure for housing is central to this process. We have set out the priority areas of housing, energy, transport

thank the Deputy. The Taoiseach and I visited Midleton and met the people there. I always say in the House that from start to finish, a scheme takes 11 years. It is very hard for people to accept this, particularly when their houses and businesses have been flooded … areas, I would say we are looking at approximately two to three weeks. I am probably the only Minister in the House who is under heavy demand. I am everywhere and anywhere but I like to visit people and to see the problems first hand. I am familiar

thank Deputy McCarthy. I know the pressures he is under as an elected representative, as is everyone in this House. I was in this role before and I know the run of the Department but there are still constraints that do not allow us to deliver the schemes … good place and working together. This is not about politics. People have water up to their knees in their houses and are scared for their lives. We should not use this as a place to beat Government up. Rather, we should work together in the House to deliver

capacity of 24,000 population equivalent with an expansion possibility to 36,000. This can cater for over 10,000 new houses. When these houses are built, the State will recoup much more than the €140 million investment. VAT on new houses, development levies, and the taxes

universal one-off measures. The Social Democrats have asked us not to do that and to do targeted measures. I am telling the House that this Government will deliver a budget in October. We will set out the parameters of that budget in the summer economic statement, which … development plan next week a very significant increase in capital investment. It will enable a significant upward shift in investment in water, energy, housing and areas under pressure from a supply point of view like childcare and disability services. It is not about giving anybody a lecture

have a little bit of decorum in how we speak in this House. The Deputy has spoken for three minutes. I am just looking to reply. The Minister, Helen McEntee, has done more than any Minister in the history of our State in terms of domestic, sexual … social welfare payments, particularly for our older citizens and our pensioners, to help them live with dignity. We have taken major steps towards housing reform, including around planning by taking the planner out of the back garden in terms of exempting a number of things people might want

fundamental difference between the Government and the Opposition is that we are action-focused and get things done on housing. I do not like to put this to the Deputy but I have seen nothing in the Labour Party's policy proposals on housing that would build anything … three years. I put the more fundamental point to the Deputy that if we want to get to 50,000 or 60,000 houses a year, we need about €20 billion, made up of public sector and private sector finance. No one on the Opposition side has come

Government outlines a commitment to reduce costs, minimising red tape, reforming our planning system and promoting direct delivery. Because there is a national housing crisis, I believe the Government needs to urge local authorities and planners to actively support individuals applying for planning permission. People feel disconnected from … contact with local authorities for planning, allowing applicants to consult with a dedicated individual for guidance and support. To effectively address the housing crisis, we must adopt a more collaborative approach to planning. This means ensuring that the processes are not only accessible, but also welcoming and supportive

individuals to be treated as first-time buyers will be considered as a provision for the help-to-buy scheme, similar to other housing supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56713/26

being considered for inclusion in Budget 2027 to support middle-income families, including changes to income tax bands, tax credits, childcare supports and housing-related tax reliefs; the principles that will guide the Government's decisions in this regard; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Peter Roche asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will review the help to buy scheme to reflect rising house prices in counties such as Galway, where the median asking price has increased substantially over the past year; and if he will make a statement

consideration has been given to increasing the amount of funding allocated for strategic infrastructure projects in Galway East, including projects intended to unlock housing delivery and regional economic development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59063/26

Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation his engagement with the Minister for Housing and Uisce Éireann from a point of view of delivering on infrastructural deficits through the NDP; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the status of the NSAI root cause analysis under the Housing Implementation Fund to identify constraints on the agrément certification process in 2026; when it will be completed and published; and if he will make a statement

teacher allocation; her views on whether this rigid system is outdated now that children are more transient than in the past given the housing crisis and the transfer of Ukrainian refugees in and out of school catchment areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter

Iran by the USA and lsrael, he will consider introducing a programme to instal PV panels on as many as possible of the houses in the State to reduce dependency on fossil fuels; if the estimated cost of doing so is between €2.1 and €5.4 billion

asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance to consider altering the criteria for the help to buy scheme to allow non new-build houses to be included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54310/26

Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will introduce a programme for the installation of water harvesting devices in as many homes in the State as possible to offset the effects of droughts and floods caused by climate change

Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if as part of Budget 2027 he will consider bringing forward a scheme run by the SEAI to increase the number of residential water butts as a water saving measure; and if he will make

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of SHD applications which were remitted back by the High Court to An Coimisiún Pleanála for consideration and decision which remain undecided; the timeline for decision on these applications; and if he will

Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position on advancing legislation on ReNure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54312/26

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether consideration has been given to establishing a national register of homes affected by defective concrete blocks, including properties that are not eligible for the existing remediation schemes; whether such a register could be used

Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether consideration will be given to extending the RAS pilot to cities outside of Dublin namely Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54343/26

Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the implementation of the 23 recommendations contained in the Review of the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) published in January 2025; the number of recommendations fully implemented to date; the timeline

Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the timeline for the full completion of the Cork City Northwest Quarter Regeneration Plan. [54358/26

Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the timeline for the enactment of Killala Garden; and the plans for residents who remain in homes throughout these phases. [54359/26

Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether any funding application or feasibility study has been supplied on regeneration in Blackpool, Cork. [54361/26

Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the Tarry Path regeneration in Mayfield in Cork. [54362/26

Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage given the regional capacity allocations for solar deployment, the way in which the Regional Renewable Energy Strategy will be implemented at local authority level; the methodology that will be used to decide which allocation is made

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to urgently investigate the algae formation on Lough Leane and Muckross Lake, Killarney, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54435/26

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the proposed exempted development regulations for residential dwellings; when the regulations are likely to be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54489/26

Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of retained firefighters serving each fire station in County Clare compared with the approved establishment. [54529/26

Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of emergency call-outs attended by Clare fire service, by station, in each of the past five years. [54530/26