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about obligations around blockages and the unfairness on people who have an outflow or drain in their garden. People who have bought their houses from the council but who find that sewage is coming up in their garden suddenly find that they are responsible for the whole sewerage … line. That is a continuous problem. People are not informed when they are buying the house that this is one of their duties, even though they are not the ones who are at fault or are creating the problem. Just because it lands on their doorstep

programme for Government clearly states that the Government will build 300,000 houses over a five-year period. The truth is that Uisce Éireann cannot produce 50,000 connections in a year. If we consider the funding allocation, Uisce Éireann has €10 billion for the next ten years … into the Shannon pipeline. That means that only €2 billion, or 20%, is committed to the roll-out of new connections. In a housing crisis, I am concerned about the funding allocation. This should be prioritised. The targets for housing in the programme for Government should be built

during elections, but then he treated Ireland people so disrespectfully on St. Patrick's Day by bringing that thug to the White House, which I referenced before. We have moved a long way since those days of live exports and people thanks to the policies of the Lemass … same time, it is a wake-up call because we do not know whether there may be a rebalancing in the House of Representatives and the US Senate two years from now and the Democrats bringing a little bit of common sense back into it. As the long

does not build houses. Let us not conflate the two. It is important to prevent homelessness but that scheme does not build houses. The focus has to be on how we get houses built faster and as quickly as we possibly can. I note that Deputy Hearne

absolutely focused, however. As far as I am concerned, it is a crisis. Young people need to be able to afford to buy houses and be able to rent houses at affordable prices. That is the Government's agenda and we have already allocated an additional €800 million … first two months of this Government over and above what the provision was for housing

Trump Administration gets to bully its so-called allies and get everything it wants. To that end, it is vital that across the House, we see what the proposals from the EU are before they come into being. This is not a situation where the US holds … more or less, every country in the world, with the likes of Russia and North Korea being spared at this time. While this House has seen significant divides in recent months, indeed a lot surrounding the issue of democracy, this is now a time to come together

applied to anyone wanting to build a new home. I am talking about people building a home for themselves, not looking for houses from the State. The Government has taken punitive measures. As for the bailout, I called it at the time and voted against … panels. The best of land is being gobbled up and used. What are we going to do? We must look after our own house first and then we can work with the American people and the US Administration. They have been good to us always and we have

Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence, Minister for Finance, Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, and for Transport, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Minister for Tourism, Culture … importance this Government is placing on the delivery of infrastructure as the key enabler for regional development, economic development, delivering on our housing commitments, meeting social needs and meeting our climate objectives. A significant measure is the establishment of a dedicated infrastructure division in the Department of Public

improve the pipe system but Uisce Éireann will not process their applications for grants. I am not the only TD in the House with this issue. I have spoken to TDs on the Minister's benches who tell me they have the very same problems everywhere. The truth … water because they will be priced out of it. That is totally unfair, particularly for people who live in rural areas where houses are often a bit more dispersed. There needs to be recognition that if people are to be provided a people, it has to be affordable

people who protested very strongly against water charges at the time. The problem we have is that very little is recognised in this House regarding people who do pay for water. In agriculture, the farmers pay for water. I paid for three connections. My son is paying … problem and where I could at least listen to the argument as to how we will stop it is that somebody in a housing estate, and no disrespect to people there, could turn on a tap and walk away because there is no responsibility as such. There

meet safety standards. Without improvements, the health and well-being of our constituents is on the line. We all know we need more housing but if infrastructure such as water treatment or wastewater treatment plants are not fit for purpose and cannot cope with increasing demand, this will … affect housing supply. That has happened in many towns and villages across Ireland holding up housing developments. We need investment in water services through general taxation or Apple's €14 billion, which the Government did not want to take. While communities in Meath struggle to get basic water

wasting time. I do not mind him dismissing us. I am quite used to being dismissed by Members on that side of the House. However, when he uses that language in this important debate, he is also dismissing whether intentionally or otherwise the tens of thousands of people … What are the real threats facing our economy and our society? Over the weekend, Davy stockbrokers complained that the impact of failed Government housing policy on our economic competitiveness was a bigger threat than Trump’s tariffs. I am not saying I agree with that but that

engagement recently with the Central Bank on the specific issue the Deputy has raised, which is the issue of tax-based support for housing. The issue in the Irish housing market and so many of the social and economic difficulties that it is now causing are caused … priority aim of Government policy. I will continue to work with my Cabinet colleagues to ensure that any further interventions in the housing market are appropriately calibrated, represent the best use of public money and boost the supply of homes in the public and private sectors. A range

absolutely support all of the excellent work that the Minister for housing is doing in looking at what further measures can be put in place to lead to more homes being built. Regarding the Deputy's question, I support looking at ideas that will make more loans … more support available in our economy to lead to more homes being built. However, the Minister for housing and I do not want to see anything happen that leads back to the return of levels of lending and commercial practices that only create further difficulty. The Minister

Department has responsibility for. We have said we are going to engage in a review. Deputy Howlin was an excellent Member of this House. He did an excellent job in the role I am in. He brought forward the Bill in question, which has not made … through this House. That is why we are undertaking a review of the statutory framework which the former Minister, Deputy McGrath, advanced. What we are doing is trying to draft that legislative framework in the context of the legislative programme. We will then fulfil the programme for Government

this level of accountability is refused. The Minister has not even answered the question that was put on today's Question Paper. Farmleigh House, for example, is another project we in Aontú have been researching. It was bought and refurbished for some €52 million. Over the past … years, it has received approximately 70 delegations that have stayed there. That is an average of three per year. Farmleigh House is empty for approximately 48 weeks a year. In the past ten years, only two delegations, on average, have visited annually. This means that it is costing

fundamental importance. It is very clear from the contributions both today and yesterday that this issue moves and impassions many Deputies across the House. All of us will agree that we must continue to provide opportunities for young people to contribute to society in a productive and meaningful … this area but that they also had expertise and experiences themselves before they entered and indeed have gained some since entering the House. We have heard from now-elected TDs who are legal experts, who were involved in various football clubs and GAA clubs and who worked previously

sent loud and clear to Uisce Éireann. Whether it is water supply or water treatment, if we are serious about dealing with the housing crisis and ramping up construction of houses, then we need to have that infrastructure in place. Uisce Éireann has a body of work … have put the funding behind it. It now needs to start making sure these projects come to fruition, that we can see houses being built and that areas like Kildare have basic water supply

There is a growing need for low-cost sites. It will help in addressing the housing crisis. It might not be the only solution but it will give young people a chance to secure their first home in every part of the country, especially in my county … Minister mentioned about introducing a maverick. I hope he or she will be successful. It will require something like that to address the housing crisis. We need to free up planning permission for our own people who are landowners' and farmers' sons and daughters. As I said before

task ahead of him and I wish him the best of luck in his role. I urge everyone from all sides of this House to work together as we see in the committees. We are here for one reason, which is to work for the Irish people … demand for homes is dramatically exceeding supply. This is according to a new report from the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland. Its recent housing market monitor said that 75,000 homes can be completed in 2025 and 2026 but this is well below the targets the report says

thank the Deputy for raising what is a key infrastructural issue in terms of facilitating the construction of thousands of houses but also in terms of the broader economy. The existing Uisce Éireann strategic funding plan, which was from 2025 to 2029, was approved last November. That committed … saying to Irish Water is that there will be further investment but, parallel to compliance obligations, there has to be increased capacity for housing. We also, I believe, have to look at the option of working with the private sector in terms of water supply and wastewater

Ireland today and having the ambition to have a safe and secure home. It is almost impossible due to Government failings in housing. Imagine being a young person waiting for appointments with mental health services or disability services and being failed. Imagine being a young person … provision for additional needs and being failed. I take the opportunity to express my solidarity with the parents who are sleeping outside Leinster House tonight for 24 hours to raise awareness that their kids are not getting special education places this year. The Government needs to redress this

young adults under 21 reoffended within three years. That is an appalling recidivism rate. Unfortunately, it reflects poorly on us in this House and in this society. We need to deal with that. Many years ago, when I worked in this House as an adviser, I visited … path that results in a positive, constructive approach to society. That is what we want for all our young people. We in this House have to be willing to invest in the products that will bring about those dividends and in policies that will ensure young people have

goods and services without the individual's consent. This includes technologies or software designed primarily to replicate somebody's image or voice. This House will be very much aware that artificial intelligence presents incredible opportunities in healthcare and the provision of public services. I am proud … that people are aware of the challenges of deepfakes and they understand the harm these can cause. It is also essential within this House, along with dealing with it from a legislative perspective - it is welcome we now have a Minister of State for artificial intelligence - that

years of this democratic Parliament, the Opposition decided it would seek the Ceann Comhairle's head. Having broken every single rule of this House, having shouted down business, having started to chant and abuse others, having refused even to allow the democratically elected chairperson of this House … trying to manufacture a claim that it was actually the Ceann Comhairle who behaved inappropriately and that she is the person in this House who should be attacked. The arsonists are demanding that we censure the fire brigade. Let no one be in any doubt that there

Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will provide funding for a georadar study of the heritage site at Brownshill Dolmen, County Carlow, similar to the survey completed at Newgrange passage tomb in 2022; and if he will make

Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 1055 of 9 June 2026, whether this Parliamentary Question may be taken as a formal request for those Excel versions (details supplied); if not, the reason; the email address or other

Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 201 of 19 May 2026, and further to the statement that the relevant financial reports are published on his Department's website, whether he will provide the Local Authority Regional Homelessness

Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Questions No. 201 of 19 May 2026 and 1032 of 9 June 2026, whether any of the regional expenditure figures for homeless services provided in the reply remain subject to change

Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total cost of engagement with a company (details supplied) in each of the years 2020 to 2025, across his Department, by project, year and value; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to state the number of requests for increased SHIP, CALF and CAS funding requests in 2025, where construction costs changed after initial cost appraisal, with a breakdown by local authority Area; the number approved

Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 572 of 16 June 2026, the plans to formally recognise estates with known pyrite issues; and if these locations have been set aside for an extended period of time. [49200/26

Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the rationale for limiting eligibility under the Fresh Start provision of the local authority purchase and renovation loan (LAPRL) scheme to applicants who have lost ownership of a previous home due to relationship breakdown, insolvency

Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the provision does not extend to applicants who were required to sell or leave a previous home due to it no longer being suitable for a family member with a disability or additional needs

Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider reviewing or amending the eligibility criteria to ensure that such families are not excluded from accessing the scheme on this basis of disability or additional needs (details supplied) [49223/26

Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the Local Government Task Force Report will be available to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49227/26

Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage following the passing of the Dáil motion extending the defective concrete block scheme to County Meath, if all or part of the county is included; if not which parts are included; when householders in County

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage the number of wind energy projects currently within the planning system in the State; the total generating capacity in MW associated with these projects; to provide a breakdown by county, stage in the planning process including

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage the number of wind energy projects that have received planning permission but have not yet commenced construction; the total generating capacity in MW represented by these projects; the length of time elapsed since permission was granted

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage the number of solar energy projects currently within the planning system in the State; the total generating capacity in MW associated with these projects; to provide a breakdown by county, stage in the planning process including

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage the number of solar energy projects that have received planning permission but have not yet commenced construction; the total generating capacity in MW represented by these projects; the length of time elapsed since permission was granted

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the expenditure that has been incurred by the Electoral Commission and his Department in relation to constituency boundary reviews and local electoral area reviews during the past ten years, broken down by year. [49405/26

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the public funding that has been provided since 2020 to programmes aimed at increasing participation by underrepresented groups in political and public life, including women, minority ethnic groups, disabled people and young people, broken down

Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of extending the retirement age for retained firefighters in line with the State pension age of 66; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49416/26

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the 2014 European Commission infringement proceedings against the State for breaches of the Urban WasteWater Treatment Directive. [49441/26

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the 2024 European Commission infringement proceedings against the State for breaches of the Urban WasteWater Treatment Directive. [49442/26

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of developers who have applied to provide water and wastewater infrastructure under the November 2025 DPI initiative. [49443/26

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the issue of legacy developer provided water and wastewater infrastructure schemes that have not been taken in charge by the local authorities or Uisce Eireann. [49444/26

Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of domestic wastewater treatment system inspections carried out in each local authority area in each of the years 2023, 2024, and to-date in 2026; and the failure rate identified in each year. [49452/26

Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of private wells identified as contaminated due to malfunctioning domestic wastewater treatment systems in the past five years. [49455/26