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authority on working with developers in some cases and, in many others, on its own, albeit with the support of the Department of housing. I understand that only five estates have had their water and wastewater infrastructure taken in charge by Uisce Éireann. Despite the best efforts … council, there seems to be an unwillingness by Uisce Éireann to play its part. Meanwhile, many residents in these housing estates have been left in limbo. Local authorities are becoming more and more frustrated, as they no longer have their own water and wastewater sections. Will the Government

employed are walking away. I have seen people who have left and gone to Canada and Australia. The cost of living and of houses are both high over there too, but they can run a business, have employees and abide by the relevant legislation. They are able … goes on for this Government, the only answer it seems to have is to get PwC or some of the other big finance houses involved. There are only a couple of them and they have tentacles in everything. We had them as well. I remember when these companies

insert “and Youth”. I will speak broadly as I know this is the first time the Bill has been back in the House with this Government and this is the first time I am taking it as Minister. I am pleased to be before the House to progress … survivor-led consultative forum, along with other relevant reports and submissions. Subject to the completion of Report and Final Stages in the House, it is my intention to progress the passage of the Bill through the Seanad in the coming weeks to enable the delivery to survivors

which he should not have been exposed. For many years, the O’Farrell family have sought a public inquiry. In fact, this House voted on 14 June 2018 and 10 July 2024 for the establishment of such an inquiry. The Seanad voted for one on 13 February … March 2008. His repeated offending and the State’s response to his consistent breach of court orders and sentences merits repetition before the House. It is an illustration of the havoc and, as we know, tragedy that can derive from the actions of a recidivist offender

shocking, disturbing and deeply upsetting for families across the country. It confirms what we have known and what we have said in the House for some time, that unnecessary surgeries took place on children. We know what happened and now we need to know why that happened … questions without getting direct answers works. I ask the Ceann Comhairle to think about that in the context of the functioning of the House. It would be far more beneficial for us and for the families affected if we could pose our questions and get direct answers from

come to the committee where we can do more back and forth. It is important Deputies have the opportunity to contribute in the House and, as I always try to do, I will answer as many questions as I possibly can, recognising there is some duplication in those … correct way. There are good reasons for this but I wonder about the interplay over time and it is something the House should reflect on more broadly. To answer a question asked by Deputy Rice, it is the case that explanations were advanced by surgeons which were discounted

wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Shane Moynihan - To discuss the growing demand for a secondary school in Newcastle. Deputy Albert Dolan … provision of early learning service provision and after-school care provision in Kildare. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness - To discuss the impact of the housing crisis on rural communities, as highlighted recently by GAA officials. Deputy Thomas Gould - To discuss the closure of Southdoc Blackpool, County Cork. Deputy Darren

straying into the housing area. I am putting the issue into the context of a city where we have a massive housing crisis. I do not exaggerate. People have been on a waiting list for 20 years. We jump for joy when someone gets a house after

going away any time soon. Much time has been wasted over the last five to ten years when we should have been developing housing, but it is never too late to start doing the right thing. It needs to be focused on keeping rural communities alive because … major focus of the next rural development policy, but he can understand a little of my cynicism when we passed in this House a number of weeks ago the national planning framework, which had zero ambition. It had so little to say about rural communities, rural development

unit in the Department of public expenditure and reform to drive infrastructure delivery will be really important. For similar reasons the housing activation office is also important. As I said earlier, we cannot get into "pen pals international" where State agencies just keep writing letters to each other … need to second people from the ESB, Irish Water and the local authorities, and get them around the table together in a housing activation unit and ask, "How can we get that site over there which could have homes for young people who want

from Blarney, Louise Ahern, Pat Egan and my brother, Marc Kenny. This is the first time most of them have been in Leinster House and I wish them a fantastic day. I welcome this debate. It is seriously important but with this debate, I would appreciate that … year in the school. It will favour children from more affluent families as well. I have stated on the floor of the House previously that, as we are all well aware, we have vocational schools across the country that have 100-year-old infrastructure in place. I know

thank colleagues right across the House for their contributions, not just during the discussion this afternoon on making Ireland's education system a world-class system and making sure every child can reach his or her full potential. I welcome the opportunity to speak on this issue … peers thanks to the substantial investment in special education over recent years. Over 20 years ago, I chaired the education committee in the Houses of the Oireachtas. At that time, we discussed provision in mainstream education. We have embraced that over the past two decades. A large number

could be two years after we introduced this Bill before his Bill will get to the same stage. I do not think this House has the time to see a duplication of work on bringing RTÉ under the remit of the Comptroller and Auditor General, particularly when … want to work in collaboration with people around me for the greater good. If we did not have this Bill already before the House and ready to move to Second Stage, I would be happy to wait for the Government’s Bill. The 1990 Broadcasting Act, introduced

wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin - To discuss the closure of the Gorey and Courtown meals on wheels . Deputy Robert … discuss substandard water and wastewater connections at Ellen's Court, County Dublin. Deputy Brian Brennan - To discuss discrepancies in the rate of housing assistance payment limits between local authorities. Deputy John Brady - To discuss the future of the Greystones Media Campus. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí - To discuss

Independent Ireland brought this motion before the House in order for the Government to see common sense. Independent Ireland recently received the chairmanship of the Committee on Budgetary Oversight. The first thing the committee will look at is the cost of healthcare in this country and the value … support services, including ensuring adequate funding for home support hours and addressing workforce shortages. I do not believe there is anyone in this House who values what carers can do. I mentioned the National Children’s Hospital and the overspending on hospitals. If there is a shortage

never been harder to rent a home, buy a home or get a council home. We are in the middle of a housing emergency. It is a crisis that requires emergency measures but there is absolutely no sense of urgency from the Government. I have never seen … blames everyone else for its failures. It is the Opposition's fault. It is the local councils' fault. Now, the Taoiseach's housing Minister is blaming the one modest protection that renters have; the rent pressure zones. In an interview with the Irish Examiner, the Minister for housing

just putting it to the Deputy because I have watched over the past three or four years on housing. All I get is an antipathy on the Opposition side towards any private sector funding in housing. If they maintain that position, we will not deal with the housing

With others in this House, and I am quite certain people right across the entire country, we share the horror of what we have been seeing going on in Gaza and across the Middle East. The denial of humanitarian aid to citizens is, as the Taoiseach rightly said … Hamas and have now spent 587 days in captivity. There are short-term challenges but our obligation, when we talk in this House about what more can we do, is to illustrate what that can be. Yes, the immediate ceasefire has to be our top priority and every

privilege to address the House today to mark National Biodiversity Week, my first since being appointed Minister of State with responsibility for nature, heritage and biodiversity. This week continues to grow in reach and impact, with over 350 events happening nationwide. It is a time not just … themselves to the care of our natural environment. Their passion, knowledge and sense of responsibility are both humbling and inspiring. In 2019, this House declared a climate and biodiversity emergency. The 2020 programme for Government responded with the most ambitious nature commitments ever made by an Irish Government

farm my uncle had, there were meadows and bees but I never thought too much about biodiversity. I grew up in a housing estate in Leixlip. We were out and about and parks were just for playing football. When I became a councillor, it started hitting home … they might seem small but they can change behaviours. Someone like me is talking about it a number of years later in Leinster House and continuing on that same message. When I first heard it, I would not have necessarily known about it. At the same time

refugees under this scheme have never been landlords before. It is not true that this scheme will interfere or has interfered with the housing market because nine out of ten of hosts never would have been landlords. I do not understand why this argument is being made consistently … surveyed might also be open to hosting other refugees. Given that we know this scheme is costing the State a lot less than housing refugees in State accommodation would, it is important to note that it is being cut off as an option. Also, we know there will

should continue to help Ukrainians as long as this is part of an overall EU arrangement. People raise issues about the pressure on housing. The Government's failure to build houses has added to that. It is also the case, as I referenced in the Dáil, that while … found not to have leave to remain. Many people in that category are still in the country and putting pressure on our housing and accommodation services. In that context, there is a balance to be struck. As I said in my midnight plane to Georgia speech, many

people hosting beneficiaries of temporary protection. As provided by the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022, the draft order laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas cannot be made law until a resolution approving that order has been passed by each House. Therefore, approval of the motion … proposed by Deputy Carthy. The draft order being considered cannot be law until a resolution approving the order has been passed by each House. Therefore, approval of the motion by the Dáil today is essential to ensure the level of monetary contribution under the ARP scheme

youth affairs functions have been transferred to the Department of Education. The Revised Estimate of Expenditure for Vote 40, which is before the House today, provides for the transfer of the corresponding financial allocations. Accordingly, it reflects the fact that €2.046 billion associated with migration functions is transferring … diverse groups at risk of discrimination. While the youth affairs area has transferred to the Department of Education, I would like the House to note that my Department retains important child and youth participation functions. These include a grant scheme to enable city and county councils to create

Under Standing Order 35(3), I would like to propose an amendment to the Order of Business that the Minister for housing come into the House and take questions on the housing emergency. It can no longer be called a crisis; it is an absolute disaster. Commencements

Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has reviewed the current criteria around the T-test (subsurface percolation test), which assesses subsoil permeability for an on-site wastewater treatment system (e.g., a septic tank or treatment plant) as part

Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider publishing a partial SAC management plan to cover salmon restoration actions for this environmental emergency given the Boyne salmon stocks only achieving 10 percent of its conservation limit, a qualifying interest

Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 620 of 27 January 2026 and 200 of 18 February 2026, the circumstances or criteria that apply in order for an SAC management plan to be published

Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of WTE biodiversity data specialists employed by National Parks and Wildlife Service as of 29 June 2026, in tabular form. [50945/26

Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide the date on which the vacant above the shop grant scheme became operational; the date on which applications first opened; the date on which the first application was received; the date on which

Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide the number of applications received under the vacant above the shop grant scheme; the number approved; the number refused; the number deemed invalid or withdrawn; the number currently awaiting decision; the number

Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide the amount of funding allocated under the vacant above the shop grant scheme in 2026; the amount committed; the amount drawn down or paid to date; the remaining balance available; and whether funding

Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total Exchequer funding provided for the vacant above the shop grant scheme in 2026; the total amount committed and paid to date; whether the scheme is a new standalone scheme or a continuation

Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether every local authority is fully operational in administering the vacant above the shop grant scheme; if not, to identify the local authorities that are not yet fully operational; the reasons therefor, whether a local

Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide the average processing time for applications under the vacant above the shop grant scheme; the number and value of grant payments made to date; the estimated number of residential units expected

Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to examine the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51006/26

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current status of the proposed transfer of responsibility for the regulation of owners' management companies and apartment management from the Department of Justice Home Affairs and Migration to his Department; the actions taken to-date

Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the supports that are available from the Government and State agencies for old age pensioners in vulnerable positions whose mortgages and properties were bought by private equity funds and are now being evicted by such funds

Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide details of projects approved from the €650 million allocated to his Department to support improvements in water quality as part of the €3.15 billion of the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to concerns that local authority planning policies relating to residential driveways and the protection of mature trees may, in some cases, create unintended barriers to the installation of domestic electric

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will direct his Department to publish the 2017 review into Donegal County Council planning matters by a person (details supplied) with all personal identifying data completely redacted; if not, the specific legal provision that

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the exact date his Department last sought legal advice from the Attorney General regarding the release of a report (details supplied); the specific conditions or legal benchmarks that must be met before this document

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has exercised his Ministerial discretion to weigh the public interest in transparency against the privacy rights of individuals named in a report (details supplied); his Department's definitive timeline for resolving this matter

Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department has received any reports regarding governance or financial concerns relating to a facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51241/26

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the annual cost of the defective concrete blocks grant scheme, the pyrite remediation scheme, and the interim remediation scheme in each of the years 2024, 2025; expected total cost in 2026; the number of properties

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average market price of a derelict property in 2024, 2025; the estimated price for 2026; the number of properties that remain derelict in each year; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of hectares of land zoned under the residential zoned land tax that are currently undeveloped; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51267/26

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated full-year cost of funding National Parks and Wildlife Services in 2024, 2025; the estimated cost in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51355/26

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider adding public art as planning exempt under the revisions of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (details supplied). [51361/26

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average cost (both CREL and all-in cost) of the delivery of a cost rental home in 2025. [51389/26