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that of the school community with the Minister for Education and Youth, Deputy Naughton, both on the ground locally and in the House, has been important. I compliment Deputy Neville on his hard work because he has been instrumental in bringing this matter to a positive outcome. Providing … admission that is based on the school’s admission policy. I am pleased to be putting positive news on the record of the House today. I again thank the Deputy and the local school community in Leixlip who have engaged in a constructive and successful campaign

many of Ireland's most significant national monuments, currently numbering approximately 780 sites nationwide, which are under the ownership of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. In this context, it is important to note that the OPW does not have a general role in acquiring national … monuments; rather, it is responsible for the conservation, maintenance and management of services of those sites where guiding services exist. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage is a relevant decision maker when the State is considering taking a property or monument into the care

very positive and is something I would actively encourage him to do. In my constituency, we had a similar situation whereby Lucan House, which is the former residence of the Italian ambassador to Ireland, was going to be put up for sale on the open market. We have … open on Saturday and it was great to have so many people there enjoying the atmosphere and the stunning grounds. The house itself will soon be open to the public. There is precedent for local authorities taking the lead on this, obviously supported by national Government. There

citizens resident outside of the State and those in Northern Ireland is a sensitive topic and requires thorough and respectful dialogue across this House. I commend Members this evening on their contributions and note that until recently, it was mature and constructive debate, which is a debate … Constitution and voting rights and other matters was important, and the detailed 2017 options paper on the matter prepared by the Department of housing, planning, community and local government and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, considered a range of policy, legal and logistical matters that need

branch reform of the system. Data, in this instance, is linked entirely to families and children. There is also a link to housing policy. Take the example of Meath County Council and those presenting for emergency housing accommodation. It took three years, but I kept asking

will make this point to the Deputy. Thirty-six thousand houses were built last year. Supply is the key here. Labour keeps opposing measures that will add supply. The Deputy talks about an eviction ban. She said it would slow down homelessness. It would slow down supply … slow down supply. Be in no doubt that supply is the key. We need to get to 50,000 houses a year

need to build more houses. Labour's policies would actually reduce housing supply. There is no question

area. This is about getting the balance right. The balance at the moment is not right. In Cork South-West, there are housing estates with almost nobody living in them full-time any more. The amount of short-term lets is out of control. The Government has been … Taoiseach recognise the importance of people needing a home? In his response previously, he spoke of all of these different measures of housing success. Does he include the number of homeless people? In Cork South-West, people are contacting me. They are being evicted and have nowhere

will engage with the Minister regarding what is the latest position on that. I think what the Deputy is suggesting is that a house would be built adjacent while the existing house is being repaired

public expenditure also to deal with the post-2026 period to ensure a reasonable wind-down of supports. For the benefit of the House, Shannonbridge power station represented 18.5% of Offaly's rate base at the time. That is very significant and needed an exceptional response. Commercial rates … that does not ever get acknowledged because people are either saying we are not doing enough on climate change or others in the House are against any notion that climate change is even happening. Bord na Móna has been a very commendable

have substantial provision for pensioners in our social protection frameworks. We allocated an additional €2 billion. There is a sense in the House that we can literally allocate billions more to everybody. We do need some conversation around targeting. I think targeting is important for pensioners as well … increase in the child support payment for children aged over 12, bringing it to €78. There is a danger in the House that we are going to lose the importance of targeting in the political debate about the cost of living

gcearta agus a roghanna. We are concluding the legislative process relating to this Bill after 45 hours of debate across both Houses. I published this Bill in July 2024 and brought it to Second Stage that September. I was pleased to see the level of interest … Bill in both Houses. We had many hours of productive debate on the provisions of the Bill. I thank every Deputy and Senator who took the time to speak on the Bill and to propose amendments. The purpose of this Bill is to introduce a more person-centred

more years for them to realise the scale of the problem. Sean says it is almost like an earthquake took place underneath the house. Another victim noted that on seeing the report, an official commented that the house was pretty much made with river mud. These blocks were

purpose. It is not sufficient for people who need help. There are no stage payments. There are a lot more social houses in Fingal compared with places on the western seaboard. I see no reference to these types of dwellings or a specific plan for social housing, because

contributions. I welcome the support for the designation of parts of Fingal and County Wexford. I will work with all sides of the House to ensure this decision is now acted on promptly, if supported. I commend the motion to the House and look forward to further engagement

This time last year, households were already labouring under the pressure of grocery price inflation, the housing crisis and Trump's threatened tariffs. Since the outset of Trump's illegal war on Iran and in the Middle East, and with no end in sight to Russia's bombardment … bills. These are the highest levels on record. Homeless figures are the highest on record. Grocery prices are rising week on week. Insurance, housing and education costs are all up. What has the Government done? It has withdrawn energy credits without putting any cushion in place for households

voted to repeal the eighth amendment, to take abortion access out of the Constitution and into the hands of the legislators in this House. It was the culmination of decades of campaigning by committed activists all across the country. Many people across this House, including the Taoiseach, were

achieving the maximum consensus possible before proceeding with change. The Social Democrats' legislation will give an opportunity for that to happen in the House. I have spoken to the Minister about this and she will engage constructively with the legislation the Social Democrats will bring to the House

that is important, given the trauma that many people are still going through. I appeal to people on all sides of the House to allow the legislation to reach Second Stage, to allow it to at least be debated. An argument is often made in this House

this side of the House, as the Deputy will be aware, it is a vote of conscience on matters of this nature. Life or death matters are votes of conscience. We will examine the legislation. There will be debate around the area of fatal foetal abnormality. There … amendment and the debate around the changes that occurred, which were debated during the referendum campaign. I think everyone facilitates debate in the House, or at least they should, from First Stage into Second Stage. We should allow people to examine the Bill in detail and come

general practice, especially in counties in which need is acute? The Taoiseach knows that we in County Laois have a quota of houses to build over the next seven years, and rightly so. In Portlaoise alone, that number is 5,000 houses. I ask the Taoiseach to come

should be a veterinary practitioner in charge and in ownership of all of these practices. I understand that every political entity in this House supports this Bill. It is coming back before the agriculture committee. Will the Taoiseach ensure its quick progressions through these Houses

system that was meant to care for them. That is not what people voted for. There is an argument often made in this House that we must leave the legislation as it stands because it reflects what was put to the public in the referendum. This argument does … kind of scrutiny. Ireland voted to take abortion out of the Constitution and into the hands of legislators in these Houses. No legislation is set in stone and no law is beyond improvement. The public know that. The legislation also explicitly included a mandatory review after three years

purposes to amend the Local Government Act 2001; and to provide for related matters. It gives me great pleasure to introduce to this House my first Bill, the Local Government (Cities) Bill 2026. The purpose of this Bill is to provide that the municipal district area that includes … County Council and Meath County Council, with no overall cohesive plan for the area. We have two councils with no holistic plan for housing, infrastructure, transport, employment, and community and sporting amenities. This has proven to choke progress and stifle the growth of the largest town

constructive discussions at the Government industry forum on offshore renewable energy that I hosted last July, I established the offshore wind energy clearing house. The offshore wind energy clearing house is chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach and members include: Secretaries General from

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the policy framework governing the granting, revocation and review of outdoor seating or street furniture licences by local authorities, including those relating to licensed premises; whether his Department has issued any guidance to local authorities

Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of vacant or derelict hotel and guesthouse properties in each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34354/26

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current average processing times for Section 49 cases within Tailte Éireann; the number of such cases currently on hand categorised by length of time awaiting assessment such as zero to six months, six to12 months

Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware that there can be a significant gap between grants awarded by the local authority and the actual cost of adaptation; if he can outline the supports that are in place

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding any mechanism in place within his Department that allows for civil servants to transfer on secondment to an equivalent role within the European Union, without negatively impacting their pension and other employment rights

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when will there be a decision made on the protected disclosure that was submitted by a person (details supplied). [34498/26

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the National Parks and Wildlife Service have given consideration to acquiring the 1,500-acre land parcel for sale in Aghavannagh, County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34565/26

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on measures taken by his Department to improve water quality in Ireland, specifically, actions relating to Lady's Lake in Wexford, the Blackwater River and Lough Carra; and if he will make

Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of BER exempt domestic properties in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34638/26

Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether there are any mechanisms in place to prevent spurious or incorrect BER exemption claims on domestic properties; if there is any oversight or monitoring of domestic properties which claim BER exemptions; and if he will

Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department is currently reviewing the mandatory retirement age for members of the Fire Service; the stage that review is at; when he expects further information or recommendations to be available

Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department is examining the introduction of an extension scheme for firefighters approaching the current retirement age, similar to the system available to members of An Garda Síochána, whereby personnel may apply to continue

Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if any proposed changes to the retirement age for firefighters would require legislative or regulatory amendment; and if so, the expected timeframe for such changes to be drafted, approved and enacted, should this be proceeded

Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the new National Planning Statement on Solar Energy; and to provide a timeline for its publication. [34750/26

Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is to be a review of local election boundaries in advance of local government elections in 2029; and a timeline for any such review. [34818/26

Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is any update on the expected publication date of the Taskforce on Local Democracy report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34837/26

Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the supports, remedial measures or discretionary arrangements that are available to a person who purchased a vacant or derelict property but was not advised by the local authority or any relevant State body at the time

Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a review and redrawing of the local electoral areas for the State's local authorities is expected to take place; whether this will occur in advance of the 2029 local elections; and if he will

Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department plans to introduce regulations surrounding the transparency of money paid to property management companies by residents who feel as though their money is not be administered correctly. [35054/26

Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 717 of 28 April 2026, if his Department has assessed the cashflow impact on applicants arising from the requirement to complete all works and submit all receipts before any payment under

Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 717 of 28 April 2026, if his Department has examined the feasibility of allowing drawdown of Croí Cónaithe grant funding on the basis of a completion certificate issued by a qualified

Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 717 of 28 April 2026, if his Department has consulted local authorities regarding administrative or operational challenges associated with the current Croí Cónaithe grant payment process, including the requirement for applicants

Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 717 of 28 April 2026, if he intends to review the design of the Croí Cónaithe grant process in light of motions passed by local authorities, including Mayo County Council, requesting

Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when announcements will be made in relation to the Community Heritage Grant and the overall budget available for this scheme in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35072/26

Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the basis on which the current levy arising from public expenditure overruns is being calculated and applied to his Department’s Vote; whether any categories of expenditure, including pay, pensions or staffing-related costs, are exempt