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free school meals, which Deputy Nash acknowledged as a good initiative, further roll-out of the free books schemes, a significant increase in housing spend - last year, the highest number of social houses were built since the 1970s - and a significant increase of 20% in the disability spend

thank and acknowledge the Minister for being here today. I have often spoken in this House about animal welfare, particularly puppy farms and the regulation of dog breeding. One of the things that we can agree on in this House is that Ireland is a nation

ability to bring those together and I am delighted I have the opportunity to do that and to work with colleagues in the House, including Deputy Whitmore. I was a member of the joint Oireachtas committee on agriculture from 2011 to 2016 when the then Minister, Simon Coveney … both trying to achieve the same thing. There are some constraints I would be happy to discuss with the Deputy in the House and on Committee Stage as well as we work through what is possible legislatively and legally and what is not. I have a clear determination

renewables for electricity generation. Last February, 50% of our electricity generation was renewable. I believe the Deputy is misleading the House in her political characterisation of the Government in respect of renewables. We have been driving renewables for quite some time over successive Governments. In terms of offshore … wind, I established a clearing house in my Department that meets with the industry, Departments and regulators to remove systemic potential barriers to offshore wind delivery. We have had a series of auctions. We have a number of offshore wind farms in the planning process. Surely the Deputy

absolutely committed to supporting regeneration projects submitted by Dublin City Council, including deep retrofit remedial works at older flat complexes. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is actively supporting viable regeneration proposals from Dublin City Council and will continue to do so. We are also continuing … invest heavily in regeneration across the capital city, particularly social housing flat complexes and estates, in a timely manner. I will raise the issue with the Minister as well

antisocial behaviour that is not acceptable in any other part of the city. These families and the people who live in Oliver Bond House have been let down by the Government. I am very disappointed. It beggars belief that it has even stated in response to Sinn Féin … Private Members' business today that it is going to work with Dublin City Council on Oliver Bond House, but it is not because it has just pulled the funding. There has just been a meeting where people were told, but it was in the media before the residents

specifics of Oliver Bond House, the Deputy said just today something happened with communication between the Department and the residents or the city council. I will engage with the Minister for housing on the matter

Will the Taoiseach address the position confirmed in writing by the Government, the Housing Agency and Donegal County Council that homeowners in the defective concrete scheme are required to agree to a remediation determination for their home without first being provided with full engineering evidence, including petrographic … material testing, on which it is based? The Housing Agency has confirmed it has no issue with sharing the engineer's report and stated it could be accessed through FOI or data protection processes. Donegal County Council confirmed the report is issued to the applicant once it receives

supported care homes in my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny. Supported care homes like Mount Carmel Supported Care Home, Callan, St. Fiacc's House, Graiguecullen and St. Lazerian's House, Bagenalstown, to name just three across the constituency that I have visited, provide a vital service to their communities

part of an independent foreign policy that has been prized by all parties and by people from every political perspective in this House, is that the Irish Government calls out breaches of human rights, whether they are by countries we have friendly relationships with or otherwise. That … Mariupol and other locations, attacks on civilian infrastructure, the direct targeting of civilians and the barbaric abduction of children. Sinn Féin and this House have been emphatic in our condemnation of this and the people of Ireland have responded commendably in supporting Ukrainian families and through contributions

bringing forward this motion here today. The issue of regeneration of inner city flat complexes is not new. I was actually in Henrietta House today, canvassing on behalf of Janice Boylan for the upcoming by-election, and you could not meet a nicer bunch of residents. One woman … this is so unfair for hardworking communities who have to live in these flat complexes, like the people I met in Henrietta House today. Do you know what is even more absurd than having to live in these horrific conditions? It is being asked to pay more

European Social Charter, which protects the rights of the family to social, legal and economic protection, including the provision of adequate family housing. Balgaddy in my area was part of this ruling. Méile an Rí, Tor an Rí, Buirg an Rí and parts of Foxdene Avenue were built … have witnessed water literally running down people's walls. South Dublin County Council has said it is committed to dealing with the housing maintenance issues in Balgaddy, and I acknowledge there has been some progress. However, residents will tell me it is simply not enough. They continue

chief executive, I assure the Chamber that my Department will consider all staffing requests that can add value to the delivery of housing in the city and across the country. With funding from my Department, Dublin City Council is delivering significant regeneration in Dublin city … extensive supports the Government is providing. Large-scale, mixed-tenure redevelopments are beginning to bear fruit, transforming their respective communities and delivering housing at scale. The Donore project at the former St. Teresa's Gardens flat complex, as well as the Montpelier development at the former O'Devaney

face. My God, this makes me so angry. He is dragging people back to tenements. My mam and dad were born in tenement housing in the city centre in Dublin and they left, they moved to the suburbs so that they could make a better life for themselves … minutes before he hopped on a plane and headed off on a first-class flight to California. The people in the flats are house-proud. If the Minister of State visited the flats, he would see that. He has been invited by Deputy McDonald

have listened for many weeks to the Taoiseach talking about how local authorities are well-resourced, lots of money going into the housing budget for local authorities and money having to be carefully spent. Hundreds of thousands of euro have been spent trying to get the plans … problem that will not go away because of construction defects, yet the Government continues to say plenty of money is going into housing. It is not going into flat maintenance or regeneration and it must. The reality is hundreds of flat complexes are old and in need

announced a capital-only plan called the Big Move 2. It committed to a "total regeneration of all existing social housing in the city centre [and this is the real kicker] within three to five years". I do not believe a single flat complex has been renovated … heading "Ten Big Moves". I can imagine a person in one of the flat complexes locally, like Greek Street, Henrietta Street, Ballybough House or Dunne Street would have looked at that and said it was great and that maybe within in three to five years they would have

family has and the intention is not for profit but for continuity, stability and giving the next generation a foothold in the housing market. We already have models that balance support with safeguards. The vacant property refurbishment grant, for example, requires owners to live or rent … ensuring the tax system remains fair, transparent and resistant to abuse. It would help younger generations put down roots at a time when housing affordability is one of the greatest challenges they face and, crucially, it would allow parents to pass on property without the fear of being

cost of running a house for one person is the same as the cost of running it for two people, especially in relation to heating and maintenance. That is where I am coming from in relation to the fuel allowance for the over-70s. There is that huge … whose basic allowance was the old age pension. His wife died. The income was cut in half but the cost of running the house was the same. In rural areas, we have quite a lot of properties that are not in great shape. They are extremely costly. People

families as shown by the figures I have provided. In relation to a targeted child benefit payment, I want to announce to the House that I am introducing a public consultation, opening next Tuesday, 5 May, and look forward to the input of Members of the House around

introduced what is either the largest or second largest package of supports in the EU. It was announced on the floor of this House around two weeks ago, and I am pleased to say it is having an impact. While diesel and petrol prices are still too high … have seen an increase in the application rate for these grants of 186% as a result of decisions made by the Minister for housing, Deputy O'Brien, and Government colleagues. Grants for windows, doors and heat pumps are all up hugely on last year. Since 2019, over

reason that I am conscious, based on what she has told me now and what she has said previously in this House, that there are parts of this that may require due process. There are very clear laws in this country, quite rightly, regarding rape, sexual assault, sexual … college. I will ask the Minister to come back to Deputy Coppinger directly. The final thing I will say is that this House has quite rightly taken serious action in recent years on the sharing of intimate images, or indeed even the threat of sharing intimate images under

thank the Deputy for raising this issue with the housing assistance payment. As he rightly says, the law is clear about people not being able to refuse a tenant on the basis of HAP. He is also right to highlight the fact that there are sometimes people trying … skirt the law in this regard. I will bring those comments to the attention of the Minister for housing. The second issue he raised about rent limits is important and I am pleased to tell him the Department has now undertaken a review of all the existing

calling round to people's houses in Dublin Central the other night and met a woman who said to me "Everything's going up. My rent is going up" - she is a Dublin City Council tenant - "The price of petrol is going up. Groceries are going up. Everything … people are really struggling out there. The Government's response suggests that it either does not get it or does not care. After housing costs, one in five people was at risk of poverty or lived in relative poverty last year, with over 300,000 people in arrears

because huge numbers of other people, who got nothing from the Government's concessions, have been crucified with the cost-of-living and housing crises and are angry about it. They are right to be angry because the fact of the matter is this Government, Fianna Fáil … income. Workers are subsidising the obscene profits and lifestyles of the rich and these people are profiteering off the cost-of-living and housing misery that ordinary working people are suffering. That is why workers need to take the lesson of the hauliers

This is a rip-off Government. The price of petrol, diesel, home heating oil, electricity, groceries, rents, house prices and childcare are all sky-high. The Government plays a significant role in jacking up the prices on all of those. It is hitting families really hard. I know … taxes, the Government is incinerating taxpayers' money with incredible waste. We see the jacking up of rents at the moment because of dysfunctional housing policy and the Government's immigration policies as well. Look at the semi-State ESB. It is making super-normal profits - €650 million last

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether any review has been undertaken regarding differing operational thresholds for access to emergency accommodation between local authorities. [36350/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the proportion of emergency accommodation capacity nationally currently comprised of hotels, bed-and-breakfast accommodation, family hubs, congregated facilities and supported temporary accommodation respectively. [36351/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether any national target exists to reduce dependency on hotel or bed-and-breakfast emergency accommodation. [36352/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether any assessment has been carried out regarding the long-term fiscal sustainability of hotel-based emergency accommodation provision. [36353/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the Department receives standardised monthly reporting from each homelessness region regarding accommodation-type utilisation and occupancy rates. [36354/26

Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a copy of the recent correspondence issued by the Minister for Public Expenditure; National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to his Department referred to in media reports (details supplied); if he will provide details

Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of the proposed planning exemptions relating to attic conversions; whether standardised provisions will apply in respect of dormer size, roof alterations such as hip-to-gable conversions, and the inclusion of side or front

Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the proposed planning exemptions for residential development will include attic conversions; if national standards will apply uniformly across all local authorities; and the extent to which individual councils will retain discretion in applying such regulations

Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the expected timeline for the introduction of new planning exemptions currently under consideration; when draft regulations will be published; and whether stakeholders, including industry practitioners, will be consulted in advance of implementation. [36434/26

Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will confirm, following remarks by the Taoiseach (details supplied), that it is the policy of his Department and the policy of Government to eventually eliminate all planning authorisations for the commercial extraction of peat

Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will introduce targeted supports for practising thatchers, including grant schemes or heritage-craft stipends, to ensure the continued maintenance of Ireland’s thatched buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a breakdown of spending on advertising which was funded or overseen by his Department, and bodies under its aegis, in each of the past five, including a breakdown by medium that

Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on when responsibility for property services and estate agents will be transferred to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36499/26

Health whether the Health Service Executive has examined the potential use of vacant residential properties for step-down care, staff accommodation, social housing partnerships or emergency accommodation purposes. [36261/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the Health Service Executive has conducted any assessment of the potential housing capacity represented by currently vacant residential properties within its estate portfolio; and if she will provide details of same. [36267/26

Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether representation for the disability service providers is provided for on the disability steering groups within each County Council; in particular, whether representation is provided for section 39A providers; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a copy of the promised 'An Overview of Local Authorities Differential Rent Schemes and Rent Reviews', which was due to be published early this year by the Value for Money Unit, Local Government Audit

Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will raise the income thresholds for the affordable home purchase scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35461/26

Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for Local Government when he will publish the report from the Local Government Taskforce. [35531/26

Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the spending, by year, to date on the Dublin Inner City Taskforce including projects funded by the initiative or because of it, in tabular form. [35532/26

Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline Ireland's intended position on any forthcoming EU REACH Committee votes concerning restrictions on the manufacture, sale, importation or use of lead ammunition; if consideration has been given to the potential implications for lawful

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total amount paid in respect of St John's House IPAS accommodation centre in Cookstown, Tallaght, for each of the past five years (2021-2025). [35525/26

companies or entities contracted to provide IPAS accommodation services at (i) Citywest, (ii) Red Cow, (iii) Crooksling, and (iv) St John's House Cookstown. [35527/26

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration following incidents involving breaches of house rules or behavioural issues in IPAS accommodation centres in each of the past five years, the number of individuals that were issued warnings, relocated to another centre, had reception conditions

Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the legislation under which his Department can acquire residential houses to be used to accommodate persons in need of emergency accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35665/26