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probably because they have been too busy doing their jobs. We are at one with regard to the need to establish a housing activation office. I very much welcome the plans brought forward by the Minister, Deputy Browne, this week to get that up and running. It derives … from the Housing Commission and many proposals put forward by opposition TDs in advance of the last election to break down silos, second expertise and bring in utility companies. That is the decision, and the only decision the Government has made. As the Taoiseach said in this House

purchased and closed in 2024, with an additional 38 homes bringing the total to 173 homes agreed and approved by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage at the end of last year. This saved 100 children and 134 adults from becoming homeless, equal … City Council's homeless prevention measures. This year, the Government provided €20 million. From that, €5.5 million has already been spent on 135 houses purchased last year and a further €12.7 million is needed to complete the purchase of 38 homes by the end of last year

said he is working closely with others. Annette Hawkins and her child will be homeless next week. She has been living in the house for 21 years and the Minister of State and his Government will be making her homeless next week. Jason Cashman, another man, is going … homeless next week. He would have been homeless in February but the landlord let him stay there because the landlord thought the house was being bought. We have 33 families who are going to be homeless between now and the summer. Where are they going

patients. It is an issue of dignity for staff. We need to retain our doctors and nurses, which is linked to the housing issue and housing crisis. We need to give proper, quality employment and housing to staff and provide a quality public service

derelict properties on the main streets the Deputy spoke about have been converted into productive residential units for people on the social housing waiting list. We also have the THRIVE scheme, through the town centre first scheme, which is utilising ERDF EU regional development programmes to rehabilitate publicly … that as much as possible because I agree with Deputy Brennan that at a time of such need and want in terms of housing, we have to be seen to be delivering in respect of vacancy and dereliction and the quickest way to do so is to focus

Land Development Agency will get more equity and support to build more houses. That will happen but that is not the full story. We have to do much more. The bottom line is we have made a step change in the past three years. From approximately … houses built in 2019, we are now building approximately 30,000 plus. Housing for All targets were exceeded but everybody said they were not high enough

return to the Government's housing tsar and the proposal to pay this individual €430,000. Paying somebody a salary of almost €500,000 to take up the responsibilities of the housing Minister is cracked, to tell the God's honest truth. Most people who jobshare take home … More importantly, I asked him to justify that salary for people who are struggling hard and many of whom cannot afford housing or rent. He failed to do that. Having had the night to sleep on it, I ask the Taoiseach to come to his senses

committed to meeting the need for affordable homes for purchase and rent across the country. In Dundalk, we have had no workable affordable housing scheme available to the people of Louth as yet. We have three sites identified at which the LDA says it can build … real action on making this a reality. Dundalk is a thriving town and a home of very important economic growth for the country. Housing is key to unlocking more growth in the area. I want the Government to make Dundalk and towns like Dundalk a priority by ensuring

adoption and application of a proposal for an amending regulation of that insolvency regulation and to move this motion in the House today. Deputies will be aware that if Ireland wishes to take part in an EU measure with a legal basis that falls under Title … Functioning of the European Union, the Oireachtas is required to give its approval under Article 29.4 of the Constitution. The measure before the House is one relating to judicial co-operation in civil matters. This proposal for an amending regulation has its legal basis in Title

welcome the opportunity to come before the House to discuss and seek approval for the final draft revised national planning framework, which was approved by Government on 8 April 2025. As already outlined by my colleague the Minister, the approval process for the finalisation of the revised national … plans and thereby provide medium- to longer term certainty around the status of those lands. As regards identifying locations for future growth and housing development at scale, it is critical that planning for these opportunities is aligned with the phased infrastructure investment that will follow. Greater clarity

communities are battling for school spaces, access to a GP and gardaí, and left dealing with outdated and inadequate public transport links. The housing crisis is impacting all communities, rural and urban. By every metric, it is getting worse by the week. The draft framework marks a slight … change in how power or funding is distributed. For years, rural Ireland has been neglected rather than supported. The current approach to rural housing is a case in point. It is often restrictive, inflexible and dogmatic. If a young family wants to build a home in the community

particularly in Limerick. This would allow us to maximise the benefits of increased compact growth, which is vital in solving the housing crisis and meeting our transport goals. Regional cities outside of Dublin cannot continue to suffer as Dublin expands at an unsustainable pace, with infrastructure … restore the homes of thousands of people. It is not just in Donegal; there are people in my constituency. The shortage of housing in Gaeltacht areas is being made worse by the problem of holiday homes and short-terms lets. Senator Cosgrove yesterday spoke in the Seanad about

framework, a crucial step towards Ireland's sustainable future. It is imperative that we address the acute infrastructure challenges in the areas of housing and transport. West Cork suffers from inadequate sewerage systems, particularly in areas like Dunmanway, Goleen, Shannonvale, Rosscarbery and Ballydehob. This makes even basic housing … board what I am going to raise regarding infrastructure in Dunmanway. The fact is that people are not allowed to develop a house in a town as big as Dunmanway. That can is kicked down the road at every meeting we have

insurance premiums. However, we have serious concerns about key elements of this Bill. This Bill is based on the recommendations of the in-house review of the defamation Act 2009, published by the Department in March 2020. This took place two years before the Supreme Court judgment … Irish Aviation Authority where Mr. Justice John MacMenamin delivered the lead judgment. Our view in the Labour Party is the in-house review and the Bill are out of date. Some of us are familiar with conversations regarding personal injuries. Judicial guidelines had to be introduced

appointed as Minister for Justice to speak on the Defamation (Amendment) Bill. I was not, as is apparent, Minister for Justice when the House debated Second Stage. It is important that I, as Minister, acknowledge the difficult role the Oireachtas is trying to perform when it comes … comes to the protection of one’s good name, the only remedy that people have is through the defamation legislation. We in this House are all aware of situations that arose when a prominent member of An Garda Síochána had scurrilous and calumnious allegations made against

Government built fewer houses last year than the year before, and the indications are that it will fail to meet targets again this year and build less. The evidence is there for all to see in growing costs and in the levels of homelessness. All the evidence … salary envisaged? I want the Taoiseach to explain how he stands over that. More importantly, why is he double-jobbing his Minister for housing? He has a full Cabinet Minister for housing

proposal for a so-called housing tsar will be one of the most egregious of this Government. The details in the programme for Government stated it would be under the Minister for housing but it is emerging that the pay would come from the Department of Finance … probably still will not have them in two weeks, we think there is an urgent need for clarification on the floor of the House this week

landlords and developers profit. Can we have a debate on housing in this House or will the Taoiseach wait and delay the housing plan

local workers like gardaí, teachers and nurses. We heard it at the GRA conference yesterday and at teacher conferences over Easter - housing is a key recruitment and retention issue. They need to be able to secure affordable accommodation that is accessible to the communities they serve. We already … Mulhuddart and Hollywoodrath. There is an opportunity here involving a development in Ashtown called Rathborne Wharf that is under construction, with 326 social houses and 399 cost-rental homes funded through CALF and CREEL. It is located right beside the train station and near the Navan Road, with

been in care all her life. When she reached 18, she had to leave foster care. She received no supports and no housing plan. She is now homeless and has mental health difficulties. She feels totally abandoned. Another mother is totally distraught. Her 14-year-old daughter … there are no supports available to her. The problems are made worse by the fact that the family is living in appalling housing conditions. Their private rental property has a hole in the roof and there is damp and mould in the house. Another parent is from Kinsealy

been 14 years, seven months and five days waiting. She is still in pain. She and her mother will be outside Leinster House at 12 noon tomorrow. I am reaching out and asking the Minister to meet them and look at the details, which are self-explanatory … frightening that we are talking about scandal after scandal. This is my third term in the House. I feel very privileged to be here. However, between the mother and baby homes, the vaginal mesh issue, the unnecessary hip operations on children and the Grace case - we will

support the publication of the final report and further communications to patients and families.". I welcome the opportunity to address in this House the issues raised by the Deputies tabling the motion. However, I wish we could have this debate following the publication of the report. The reason … that I cannot verify or stand over and that may be correct or may not be correct. Nobody on that side of the House knows the answer to that either. They do not know whether the facts they have asserted in this House are accurate. They

Lowry Independents group vote against a Sinn Féin Bill that would have permanently banned water charges. In my few short months in this House I have seen Minister after Minister duck questions about a referendum on the public ownership of water. Water must be protected as a public … inadequate sewerage system. I could give the Minister of State a litany of similar failures across Waterford. I imagine colleagues across this House could do the same for their own constituencies. Homes, businesses and schools are frequently left without water with no notice. Water quality is often impacted

There is an absolute necessity for that. We know the impact it is having on residential building as well as on existing houses in towns like Dundalk, where I live. As well as impacting on future residential developments, there will be an impact on industrial units. Large industrial … with our wastewater system. We do not have adequate capacity. Recently, an Bord Pleanála refused to give permission for a development of 500 houses on the basis of the insufficient capacity. As the Minister of State is aware, in the Haggardstown area, temporary initial water treatment systems

town of Fermoy. Ballyhooly has had ongoing significant problems with water outages and burst water pipes. I have raised the issue in the House on multiple occasions. There does not seem to be proper due intervention from Irish water to fix the problem in that community … Cork. This cannot be allowed to persist. It is worth acknowledging the impact that the capital works are having on the lack of housing delivery in rural constituencies. I am from the constituency of Cork East. It is a constituency with eight major towns and a huge cluster

Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to review the fresh start principle within the local authority purchase and renovation loan scheme, in light of cases where families had to sell a previous home due to the disability-related needs of a child

Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the published assessment criteria for the community heritage grant scheme; the process by which applications are assessed and refused; the review or appeal mechanism available to unsuccessful applicants; and whether, as the Department funding

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to take into consideration the importance of Killarney town as an international tourist destination, the importance of the town to County Kerry's economy by re-establishing Killarney Town Council as a matter of priority

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to acknowledge the importance of the tourism industry by ensuring that planning applications in respect of all those involved in short-term lets are given favourable consideration in County Kerry; and if he will make

Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a breakdown of all artefacts, historical objects, archival materials and heritage items acquired by the National Monuments Service in each of the years 2023 to 2025 and to-date in 2026, including the nature

Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total monetary value of all artefacts, historical objects, archival materials and heritage items acquired by the National Monuments Service in each of the years 2023 to 2025 and to-date

Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the policies, procedures, governance arrangements and approval processes that apply to the acquisition of artefacts, historical objects, archival materials and heritage items by the National Monuments Service; and if he will make a statement

Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to detail all acquisitions of artefacts, historical objects, archival materials and heritage items by the National Monuments Service with a value in excess of €10,000 in each of the years

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is concerned that the increase in notices of termination recorded by the Residential Tenancies Board during Q1 2026 may lead to a further reduction in rental supply; whether he intends to introduce measures aimed

Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the assessment that has been undertaken of the State’s capacity across housing, health and education services to meet current and projected migration levels; and how this is informing overall migration policy. [50275/26

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to report on improved grants to support local authorities and approved housing bodies; the estimated funding allocated; the number of grants that have been awarded and the amount spent to date (details supplied) [48842/26

Minister for Transport to provide an update as to when he expects legislation regarding the transport security force to come before the Houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48781/26

including a location (details supplied) in National Broadband Irelands Intervention Area to ensure access to fibre broadband for this property, given the houses surrounding this property are included in the Broadband Roll; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49189/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether a review was undertaken on the adequacy of current inter-agency arrangements between the HSE, the EPA and Uisce Éireann for drinking water incidents; if not, the reason no such review has taken place

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the level of public funding received by each political party under provisions relating to the promotion of women's participation in politics since 2020; and the reporting that has been provided on expenditure of these

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding his Department's plan to review income limits for those in receipt of HAP payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48802/26

Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the updated Wind Energy Guidelines will be published.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48850/26

Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when Ireland's planning framework for wind energy development will be brought fully into alignment with current European Union environmental obligations and jurisprudence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48851/26

Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the plans within the new guidelines for enhanced protections for peatlands, blanket bogs and other environmentally sensitive habitats; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48852/26

Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the plans for the introduction of comprehensive cumulative impact assessment requirements for large-scale wind energy developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48853/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department has issued any national guidance or minimum standards regarding reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities who are unable to access the Choice Based Lettings systems; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding that is available to Tipperary County Council for Traveller-specific accommodation; the funding drawn down by Tipperary County Council for Traveller-specific accommodation for the past five years, in tabular form

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of active RAS tenancies currently in operation and the full year cost of those tenancies to the exchequer, by private RAS and AHB RAS. [48961/26

Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on a 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; when

Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to review matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); if the issues raised will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49034/26