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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 Joe Cooney - To discuss the need to provide funding to local authorities for the refurbishment costs … tenant in situ scheme houses. Deputy Jen Cummins - To discuss the DEIS plus appeals process Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan - To discuss engagement with the Before We Die Group, and plans for ramping up residential placements nationwide. Deputy Pat Buckley - To discuss the urgent need for a person (details

take up half the footpath. If the Minister of State imagines streets like in Stoneybatter, there are rows upon rows of small terraced houses that either do not have back gardens or have gardens that are too small to house the wheelie bins on days when they

that the Ministers are getting together and that a plan is going to be in place, but it takes time to build these houses and deliver these units. If the plan started this year, it would be a couple of years before we saw those units being turned … entire country. It was a pitiful amount. What these people are asking for is their right, as they all have a right to housing. Some of them are well capable of living independently. Some require round-the-clock care. It is that diverse a cohort. There

want to acknowledge that the Deputy, in bringing this Bill before the House today, is motivated by public health concerns and reducing the impact of alcohol harms on our society. The Government shares that motivation. However, the Government is opposing this Private Members' Bill, which seeks to amend … back to the Minister with his concerns about the issues raised here today. I thank Deputy Rice for bringing the Bill to the House

Here we are, and there is a sense of déjà vu for me because this is my fourth time to come to the House to ask for additional funds to facilitate repairs to the roads following that storm. I am totally frustrated. I genuinely feel that … Tullow on Sunday. I came back at dusk. There are unmarked roads with potholes on them. Somebody has to stand up in this House and be accountable for the lack of action on this matter. It may not be Deputy Brian Brennan, but as sure as night follows

households and business are facing at present. It provides us with another opportunity to tease out the respective positions of parties in this House in that regard. It would be remiss of me not to remind Government that just two weeks ago, Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Independent … have seen the fallout from that in recent years and the consequences for households, businesses and citizens. We do that by ensuring that housing is safe, secure and affordable. We create a resilient economy by investing in education at all levels, from early years right through to fourth

report speak for themselves. The Taoiseach's climate Minister may spin a good spin and he sought to blag on housing figures as housing Minister

Department of justice has them on the roof; it would be great to see them on Government Buildings as well. Constantly in this House I have raised the issue of private wires and the current system of energy. I was elected to this House seven months after

residential zoned land tax be abolished for county councils because it is encouraging them not to purchase land and not to hit their housing targets. It contradicts everything we are trying to do to improve housing

admire the Minister’s suit. I recall it was a tradition for a while that the summer properly started in Leinster House when former Member Bernard Durkan broke out his cream and grey suit. Perhaps the Minister – another Kildare TD - is now taking up that mantle … tribune of summer in Leinster House

other cities as well. That needs to be addressed. On the skills side and apprenticeships, I remain concerned. We have a housing crisis and it continues to escalate. We are not going to resolve that without ensuring there is adequate throughput of apprentices on the craft apprenticeship side … need to look at how to bring more people into apprenticeships and into the wet trades, which are badly needed during this housing crisis. That needs particular examination

Deputies for their contributions today. This has been a thoughtful and wide-ranging discussion, and it also reflects the shared understanding across the House that the pace of change we are experiencing is both significant and accelerating. Ireland has transformed profoundly over recent decades. We have built … also to thrive. Debates such as this form part of that process with acknowledgement of the importance of continued engagement across this House and the value of bringing different perspectives to bear on a shared set of challenges. I look forward to continuing that engagement in the time

member of the justice committee and am aware that there is legislation pending in this area. Hopefully, that legislation will get through the Houses of the Oireachtas sometime this year because it is important that we get the regularisation of outdoor seating areas on a permanent footing … agenda. The Government needs to get serious about this. The Government often accuses those of us on this side of the House of not bringing forward any solutions. I brought this forward as a solution. I gave it to the Government gift wrapped and it kicked it down

population increase in the last ten years has been quite phenomenal as well and is having an impact on the housing situation. Migration - and I mean this in a general sense, not casting any aspersions - has had an impact on housing also. One only has to look

struck by the Taoiseach's boastful approach regarding the so-called metrics on housing. Those metrics are record and skyrocketing rents, record evictions and record homelessness. Last year, the State spent almost €500 million on emergency accommodation. Over the past decade, almost €5 billion has been spent … Taoiseach going to be honest? Where is this honesty he is bragging about? When will he honestly accept that his approach to housing is driving crisis after crisis? When will he have the honesty and integrity to accept that and change course

said to the Deputy last week that the Minister for housing was considering this and would be coming back to the Government with proposals to increase the threshold. Three years ago, we did it. In 2023, it went up by approximately €5,000. I would support the increase … threshold at which people would be entitled to social housing

meantime, I will highlight again a loophole that becomes more attractive now. It concerns overcrowding and refurbishment. Overcrowding complaints still fall under the Housing Act 1966 and the 2019 housing standard regulations, and not the new legislation. The definition of "unsuitable for habitation" is quite broad

adapt at a time of historic challenge for our economy." That was what the then Minister for Finance, Pascal Donohoe, told the House last October. That budget still raised day-to-day spending in 2026 by over 6%. That is lower than the 8% to 9% increase … little to significantly benefit from the higher 40% tax bracket. These workers feel that these adjustments fail to help with them housing and living costs. Can we argue for wider tax credits and perhaps the creation of a middle tax band, rather than just pushing

deal with this matter. Some Europeans who have come here have an entitlement to emergency homes without being entitled to local authority houses or social housing. There are issues here. The Deputy can attack us for even mentioning what I referred to. She cannot attack us just

major infrastructural projects in transport, water and energy, which will support our continued development, notably in enabling the delivery of much needed housing at scale, but also to improve competitiveness and sustainability. In the coming years, we will see over €24 billion NDP funding invested in key transport … programmes across our country, along with €12.2 billion for the water sector to support water quality, rural water services, unlock housing and upgrade water and wastewater infrastructure. In energy, the landmark investment of up to €18.9 billion approved by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities in its price

will be found. My view is that the funding will be there to enable DART+ South West to happen because a lot of housing will depend on it as well. All of the development plans along that route envisage very substantial housing projects but they cannot happen

response to Deputy Boyd Barrett, I presume that the 1,000 housing units are being sold on with a view to development for housing

first mooted as part of the Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy. This is something that could really affect us in terms of housing, balanced regional development and attracting in foreign direct investment, FDI, because our unreliable bus network in Limerick undermines confidence and the modal shift that … minute walk to the local secondary school. It is a 30-minute walk to the local primary school. We have had hundreds of houses built out there in the past couple of years, which I welcome, but there is no bloody bus. Delaying this further means that this

have spoken to him and the powers that be after he mentioned the need for more buses to get me into Leinster House early in the morning - looking at the N7. I spoke to the NTA last week about this and it is examining the issue. Perhaps … something I have raised on previous occasions with the Minister. I thank the Minister for the good news he has brought to the House today. It is to be hoped the people of Athy will hear more good news in the coming weeks on hourly train services

existing routes. The so-called ghost bus problem in Dublin, in particular, is one I have raised on multiple occasions in the House. It impedes and undermines public confidence in public transport as buses disappear. Passengers see them on the app and screen and then they simply disappear … tightened. Reliability must come before expansion. We also need increased frequency on Sundays, which I have raised on previous occasions in the House, and integrated ticketing. Third, there must be far greater urgency on rail and on Luas. The greater Dublin area transport strategy provides for the extension

Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline 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; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which the new Towns and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund will support towns in Kildare North that were previously outside the URDF thresholds, such as Kilcock, and those that have been approved

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the work of the Local Democracy Taskforce; when the report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37503/26

Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will reverse the decision not to proceed with regenerating the Oliver Bond flats; if he will prioritise repairs and regeneration of dilapidated Dublin flat complexes; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to set out the specific statutory provisions currently used to restrict or prohibit private domestic turf cutting by households, including in cases involving claimed traditional or inherited turbary rights; and to provide the number of instances

Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will commit to funding targeted support hubs for children and families impacted by the defective concrete crisis, given that children and families are experiencing significant trauma, psychological distress and instability as a result

Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will expedite the approval and funding process for a regeneration project (details supplied); to address the urgent living conditions of residents; if he will commit to a clear timeline for the commencement of works

Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of new homes commenced in Waterford in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36678/26

Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures he is taking to ensure there is adequate public greenspace, playing pitches and playgrounds in growing communities in County Meath; the measures his Department is taking to support the delivery of same

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of reported cases in each of the past five years where individuals or households were prevented, stopped, or directed to cease private domestic turf cutting; to provide a breakdown of these cases by county

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when will revised rural planning guidelines be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37501/26

Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he supports proposals to review local authority tenants’ rents every one-to-two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37232/26

Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the Programme for Government commitment to establish a new procedure for large developments where developers can engage with Uisce Éireann and Local Authority Planners to ensure that services can be delivered

Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage will he expedite revised Rural Planning Guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37564/26

Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the review of the 2006 wind energy development guidelines; when new guidelines will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27608/26

Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the tenant-in-situ scheme in 2026; if there will be an increase in funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37544/26

Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the actions that will be taken to promote a site (details supplied) and the other extensive archaeological sites in the immediate area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37565/26

Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will carry out a review of the licensing system in relation to the Government’s plan to allow landlords to rent out modular units adjacent to the principal private residence under the proposed revised

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will re-introduce a development levy waiver for new builds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37504/26

Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the work undertaken to date as part of the Developer-Led Wastewater Services Infrastructure Initiative since its implementation in March 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the specific legislative, regulatory or planning barriers identified by his Department that continue to limit the delivery of higher density apartment and duplex developments in existing urban areas, particularly in Dublin city and suburban locations with

Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the status of planned reforms to the planning system to ensure that appropriate childcare facilities are planned for and delivered as part of new residential developments; and if he will make

Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if consideration will be given to amending the provisions relating to Section 42 licences under the Wildlife Act 1976, issued by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, to allow for their use not only

Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a breakdown of the target of the 7,500 affordable purchase and cost rental homes for 2026; the reason only 935 affordable purchase homes were delivered in 2025; and if he will make

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 system/septic tank systems; when