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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

State, Deputy Canney, on whose behalf I am closing this debate, for outlining the detail of the road transporters support scheme to the House. This scheme is vital to support our overall economy and trade. It is vital to support the businesses that will receive support under … many people working in the industry that were put on the record by Deputies. It is a clear indication that everyone in this House values our hauliers and our bus and coach operators and the role they play in wider society, as they should. After all, these

Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Housing will next meet. [28757/26

Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Housing will meet next. [30468/26

Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the engagement he has had with University College Cork and Munster Technological University Cork on the housing crisis and the impact on student accommodation in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34346/26

aware that under Building Momentum that 3% was set aside for local bargaining; the reason his Department is blocking political staff in the Houses of the Oireachtas from local bargaining despite the 2022 agreement which linked staff to public service pay agreements; the reason his Department is refusing

Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of public houses, broken down by county, that applied for and were granted Increased Cost of Business and Power Grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35275/26

Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to provide details on the number of public houses, by county, that applied for and have been granted various Local Enterprise Office Grants in 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; and if he will make

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the implementation of the EU Birds and Habitats Directive; to detail any enforcement or infringement communications received from the EU on this; to confirm if Ireland is on track to meet

Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will confirm that the Commission for Regulation of Utilities already has the legal authority to set enforceable statutory timeframes for Uisce Éireann to issue connection offers and complete connection works; if he will direct

Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider directing the CRU to introduce statutory maximum timeframes, such as six weeks to issue a connection offer and six weeks to complete works, along with automatic compensation for breaches, in order

Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of confirmed Asian Hornet nests identified in Ireland in 2025 and to date in 2026; the counties affected; and the actions taken to eradicate them; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is grant aid available for septic tanks in close proximity to char habitats, given that char fish are a protected species (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35342/26

Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he has examined the feasibility of increasing the retirement age for firefighters to 65 years (details supplied), including any engagement with representative bodies and local authorities; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost and the implications that would arise from extending the voluntary extension of the retirement age to 65 for retained firefighters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33994/26

Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the establishment and meeting frequency of the five working groups (details supplied) committed to in the October 2024 Ministerial Action Plan on planning resources; if he will list the specific recommendations

Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in view of the commitment to 'significant resources in the 2024 Action Plan, to provide a breakdown of the way in which the funding secured in Budget 2025 has been allocated specifically to frontline planning posts

Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide the latest workforce data for the local government planning sector, specifically identifying the percentage of current senior and executive planners eligible for retirement within the next five years; the way in which

Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of planners who have been reassigned or recruited to ACP from local authorities since January 2024; the measures in place to backfill these critical vacancies at the local level, regarding the transition

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the research that was carried out by his Department prior to the recent changes to planning regulations for modular homes, specifically in relation to the potential for a loss of privacy for neighbouring homes and residents

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the research that was carried out by his Department prior to the recent changes to planning regulations for modular homes, specifically in relation to the potential impact on the work of local authorities and their county

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the engagement that was had with architects and town planners prior to the recent changes to planning regulations for modular homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34113/26

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the engagement that was had with senior management within local authorities prior to the recent changes to planning regulations for modular homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34114/26

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the mechanisms that are in place for local authorities to raise concerns related to recent changes to planning regulations for modular homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34115/26

Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 358 of 27 November 2025, for an update on the number of affordable homes being provided in the Wexford part of the Wicklow-Wexford constituency; and to specifically outline

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the protection a small landlord has when a difficult situation arises (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34217/26

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide further information on the shared accommodation scheme pilot for young people in Cork City referenced in Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030 and in the National Youth Homelessness Strategy