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Government, which includes 50 Bills for priority publication and drafting during this Dáil session. There are 14 Bills at various Stages across both Houses of the Oireachtas. These include legislation that will amend the Mental Health Acts, amend the law on defamation and provide for sufficient and effective … access to cash. I will work with all Members to progress legislation through both Houses of the Oireachtas. This aims to advance important legislation around updating employment and equality Acts, the national cybersecurity Bill, licensing of professional home support providers and legislation on housing. All Government Departments were

Curragh Camp is the jewel in the crown of the Defence Forces, as I and many Members of this House and the Upper House have said many times. The first thing anyone who drives through the Curragh Camp will notice is dereliction and the closed premises … they are finding it difficult. The issue facing them is whether to continue in the Defence Forces, yet I know of 83 derelict houses in the Curragh Camp

very worrying thing is beginning to happen in this House where there is a basic lack of respect for the mandate of people who sit on this side of the House. Deputy Connolly has come in here and said that I do not have the trust and respect … triple lock. We told the Irish people before the election. We do not need any caustic remarks that if people in this House do not like the way we vote somehow or other we have lost the trust and respect. I would not accuse Deputy Connolly of losing

Security Council. In response to Deputy Boyd Barrett, I have been very clear and have given specific examples on the record in his House as to where I would have liked to see Irish troops being able to assist in various missions that are in line with military … neutrality but they could not because of the current reality. I put them on the record of the House. He can go back and scrutinise them and check them out. Those are the examples. I have a longer list I can provide to him as well. I have

supporting life-saving and protective measures for women, children and those displaced by conflict by working to repurpose damaged buildings for social housing use and to provide housing repair solutions to vulnerable war-affected populations. In addition, I am pleased to tell the House that Ireland has established

commiserate with the people of Ukraine who have gone through so much and I welcome the visitors to the House today. I do not know whether they are still here. They are welcome to the Dáil to see what the people here are saying and thinking about … billion or so to accommodate these people. All I ever asked for is that the same concessions they have related to renting houses be given to Irish people who are homeless and having severe difficulty accessing homes or houses. We must remember that the cost of fuel

light. I also want to bring to the Minister's attention how we are treating our elderly when it comes to downsizing for housing. We are talking a lot about elderly people downsizing and the fuel poverty that is there. What are we doing about retirement villages? What … retirement homes for no reason. People are ending up having to get a huge amount of care from care services. People in large houses are having to depend on families. We are always talking about changing the housing situation and allowing people to downsize

Motion re Gender-Based Violence, selected by the Independent and Parties Technical Group. Thursday's business shall be Statements on the Housing Commission Report (to adjourn after 3 hrs 22 mins). Proposed Arrangements for this week’s business: In relation to Tuesday’s business, it is proposed that … which may be taken earlier than 7.24 p.m. and shall in any event be taken on the adjournment of the Statements on the Housing Commission Report; and 2. the Statements on the Housing Commission Report shall be interrupted and stand adjourned after 3 hours and 22 minutes

issues involved. Recently, an elderly constituent had to have very complex dressings done quite regularly and no public health nurses called to the house. The woman is disabled and had to struggle to get a taxi to a local clinic even in bad weather, as was recently … pneumonia and is about to be released only this week with no guarantees still that public health nurses would call to her house. Those are the consequences of what falls upon those who have a disability or who struggle with one. This is not to ignore the many

driver test so that they can commute for work. A considerable issue I have encountered is that of commuting for housing. People are now waiting for more than seven months even through we are told it should be a ten-week period. As the Minister of State knows … Galway city within the scheme's limits, which means that many people have to move out to more rural areas to access housing. I met a homeless woman this week who had been waiting six months to get a driver test, which would enable her to go further

just add to what Deputy Ó Broin has said and Deputy Hearne about the failure of the senior Minister to come to the House. It now seems he is hiding and that he is scared to actually talk about housing. It is ridiculous. There is no doubt … truth is out now. We know now that the Government came up 10,000 homes short, home building is declining and the housing crisis is deepening. All that is left in the public is an air of desperation as the Government tries to distract from the failures

young Blanchardstown is in Australia. I will be parliamentary here. This Government has just given a massive "F you" to young people on housing. The Government has the brass neck to not have the Minister here and then to send the Minister of State, Deputy Troy, somebody … admit that he did not declare his own property interests, is a major landlord and has profited off the housing misery and housing crisis by selling homes to local authorities and not declaring them. It is an absolute insult

People who are profiting from the housing crisis are coming in to answer about it. It is unbelievable. Not everyone had a chance to buy a gaff when they were 20, like the Minister of State. He said he was not a person of privilege … rents go up even more. I want to finish by speaking about the public sector. It has been said it cannot resolve the housing crisis but of course it can resolve the housing crisis. It has done it before. Please do not kowtow to the idea that

many years never more so than now. It is a great idea and I thank the Government. This is a real attempt at housing people that can happen very quickly. In tandem with that, many people are being denied planning permission in respect of sites at their parents … generated pressure. "Urban" to me means town or village. These people never lived in a town or village. They lived in their parents' house in the country. Why are they being disallowed planning permission? These people will cost the Government nothing. They want to build the houses themselves

disorder today. I preface my remarks by saying my overriding consideration in dealing with this is to maintain the efficient running of the House. We need to get on with the business of administering the affairs of the State rather than arguing endlessly over how we administer … affairs of this House. The public will not thank us for doing so. Deputy McDonald has made a complaint that the Taoiseach accused her of "telling lies". The essence of the Taoiseach's response is that he did not make such remarks. He says he accused the Deputy

have been asking every week since the publication of the 250-page Housing Commission report - commissioned by the Government - for a debate on that report and the Government has run away from it every single week for nine months, and again this week. Can we finally have … debate the Taoiseach says he wants on the Housing Commission report that the Government published? Of course, we know he does not want to debate it because it tells the truth about the Government's failed housing policy, how its targets are completely inadequate

teachers and mental health professionals that those impacts are still being felt in our classrooms and communities. When we add in the housing crisis, there is a devastating impact on thousands of families and a ticking time bomb in terms of the mental health of so many … provision to deal with the psychological impact of the failure of the previous Government and, indeed, some of its predecessors to provide adequate housing and put services in place to deal with the overall deterioration of mental health services. Unfortunately, we currently have a system that is under

conversation every single time I went canvassing - and I am sure it was the same for others - was inappropriate, poor and unsuitable housing. All parties put forward different proposals to solve the ever increasing, complex problem but in reality, what is happening at the moment is that … people throughout the country who have hundreds of thousands of euro mortgage approval but are outbid every time they go to view a house. The inappropriate policy of this and the previous Governments is doing immeasurable damage to the children and young people of Ireland who are living

disappointed I see the Government benches are so empty today but equally those who waxed lyrical not so long ago in this House, who chastised the Government in their speeches, I see their benches are also empty for what is the biggest crisis facing this country. While … agree we need to fix the housing crisis, the plan put forward by the Labour Party - I thank my colleagues in the Labour Party for bringing this motion forward - is based on what I regard as bad ideas. The Labour Party wants to remove the private investor from

clear that there are billions of funds in Europe for housing. Any funds that are available, we would seek. However, housing competence within Europe has been at a low level. This is the first Commission with a housing Commissioner. As we have heard in various reports, the European

same policies that caused the 2008 financial crash. At the weekend, it was tax breaks for developers, whom the banking inquiry, the Housing Commission and many others found to be instrumental in blowing up that bubble. There was also a proposal to lift the rent pressure zones. This … morning, in the Government's countermotion on housing, it states it is engaging "with domestic lenders to ensure that the banking sector is appropriately using its lending capacity to support the development of new housing nationwide" and developing "new financing sources, especially for brownfield sites and small builders

give effect to the decision by the Government to increase the maximum number of Ministers of State from 20 to 23. As the House will be aware, the number has remained unchanged for the last 18 years, since 2007, when Minister of State numbers increased from … Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) (No. 2) Act, which allowed for the appointment of Ministers of State from among Members of either House. Section 2 of the 1977 Act provides for the delegation of functions to a Minister of State. A Government order may be made on the request

alternative source of employment. I recall very well former European Commissioner Michel Barnier, who was negotiating at that time, addressing this House. I met him afterwards and he looked me straight in the eye. I told him I was concerned about the future of the sector. He said … will provide an example. When we were in opposition I led out on introducing the rescinding of a statutory instrument laid before the House. I did so within 21 days and got it overturned. Unfortunately, for some reason not known to me, that was overturned some time after

State construction company, which would take years. It would take years. Let me be clear: our central objective, in any review of housing policy, will be to increase supply and to unlock and address all of the levers of supply which are open to Government to ensure … drive affordability for young people and to address the severe housing shortage that is there. We will not deliver on housing unless we have a significant uplift of supply across our economy. That means the role of the State will be strengthened. It will be strengthened when this

Wicklow development plan. Extra train carriages are a priority. On agriculture, we need to devise a new strategy to eradicate TB. On housing supply, the national planning framework needs to be finalised and is preventing much-needed house building. It is based on outdated population targets. Recently … Blessington, only 20 miles from where we are standing here, a planning application for 335 houses was refused because the national planning framework was not up to date. We need to allow headroom in our zoning - that headroom was removed by the planning regulator - because not all land

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures his Department is taking to ensure that zoned residential land is brought forward for development in a timely manner; the actions being taken to support and challenge local authorities in identifying and activating undeveloped

Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage with regard to the croí cónaithe scheme the number of people who have applied, been approved, and been drawn down in Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48041/26

Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline recent funding under the Local Authority Waters Programme; the funding allocated to Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48186/26

Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the long-awaited sewerage schemes for the villages of Broadford and Cooraclare in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47825/26

Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on proposals to provide for developer led water and wastewater infrastructure to allow for the construction of homes. [47896/26

Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage with regard to the croí cónaithe scheme the number people have applied, been approved, and been drawn down in Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48042/26

Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of local authorities that have a dedicated “Local Authority Renewable Strategy or Wind Energy Strategy” as part of their County Development Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline his efforts to tackle dereliction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46880/26

Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which the new short-term letting regulations will return vacant homes to the rental market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48050/26

Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline his plans to expand the help-to-buy and the first home schemes for young first time homeowners new into the market; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has assessed the impact low car parking provision in high-density residential developments; its effect on community relations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46879/26

Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the meaning of “operational security” in the context of refusing to provide geographical information on vacant National Parks and Wildlife Service enforcement posts; whether the term is defined in any Department or NPWS policy document; whether

Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the development of guidelines relating to backyard modular or compact dwellings; when he expects these guidelines to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his engagements with representative countryside, conservation and rural stakeholder organisations, farming organisations, hunting associations and game management groups, regarding proposed EU restrictions on lead ammunition; if he will outline Ireland's position at recent meetings

Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a scheme will commence to relocate nine families, living in defective concrete block homes away from a location (details supplied); when his Department officials will consult with the homeowners on the design

Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the State will meet the 2030 target of 36,500 social homes retrofitted. [43417/26

Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if, in light of the revision of I.S. 465, he will direct that all appeals currently before the Defective Concrete Blocks Appeals Boards continue to be determined and issued without delay, given that appellants have

Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the engagement that has taken place between his Department, infrastructure providers such as Uisce Éireann, and local authorities in relation to the long-term planning of water, energy and transport infrastructure required to support future investment

Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on measures being taken to tackle vacancy and dereliction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48080/26

Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on affordable home delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48067/26

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of a recent case where residents of an apartment complex have been made homeless following a fire (details supplied); if his Department is considering additional protections for tenants made homeless

Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps his Department is taking to assist elderly and disabled tenants such as a person (details supplied) to find suitable accommodation following the Government's new rental legislation that caused a spike in eviction

Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will examine the merits of bringing the local authority audit system under the remit of the Comptroller and Auditor General. [48287/26

Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the measures he is taking to tackle homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48095/26

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on LIHAF-funded projects in Cherrywood. [48320/26