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welcome the establishment of the offshore wind energy clearing house. This shows how important the Government thinks energy security is and how important it is that we achieve it. As we all know, Ireland is dangerously exposed when it comes to energy. We are still far too reliant … central to the transition, but we must match ambition with delivery. There are huge opportunities for Ireland to scale up. Will the clearing house be expanded to look at all renewable energy options, including how we can scale up and de-risk renewable energy generation, produce things like

that not everybody is chasing the same supplies and creating inflationary impacts and so on. Deputy O'Rourke also mentioned the clearing house. It is properly resourced, and the feedback has been both good and positive. I outlined earlier who is on it and who attends its meetings … that, there is renewed confidence now. I am hearing from industry that there is a real sense of confidence, because of the clearing house, that the Government is really driving this and trying to remove the barriers and roadblocks. In response to Deputy Heneghan, I have spoken

autumn of next year. The Minister has done a number of planning statements on a number of issues to do with housing, which took priority, not least the planning exemptions. He is now looking at rural planning guidelines for housing also. Deputy Ó Murchú raised Cork port

first phase of this plan in terms of what went right, what went wrong and how we can do better. In this House, and in many parliaments across the world, the question we always have to ask ourselves is: how can we do better? For rural Ireland there … make sure our elderly people can access this service as well. Another thing that needs to be considered is how we are delivering housing in rural Ireland and where there are blockages. A significant issue I see is that young people are not able to build using shared

experience of communities like those in Dublin South-West. The purpose of this consultation is to listen. With regard to one-off housing - or the lack of it - on the Bohernabreena west side of the mountain and the Rathfarnham east side of the mountain, barely any planning permission … hand, and a community cannot thrive if either is unreliable. The consultation process must take account of a number of themes. One-off housing and the issues around this, as mentioned by all previous speakers, apply as much in rural south-west Dublin as they

poverty. I would need a lot more time to be able to deal with the wastewater inadequacies, the failure to deliver on housing, particularly in Gaeltacht areas, and the rural planning guidelines. We have been hearing about a report that was checked by the Attorney General. There … later in 2026 but we need to see it now. We know the issue for young people, which is that they cannot build houses where they are from and in the Gaeltacht there are particular issues for Irish speakers

Dunboyne College of Further Education will actually increase inbound commuting. Another key action is the land use review and the RSES, strengthening coordinated housing, employment and infrastructure such as adequate water supplies for Dunshaughlin and Skreen. The revitalisation and regeneration of towns such as Dunshaughlin to better serve … vast rural hinterland of south east Meath is also key. Similar to Austria, France and Japan, pairing workforce and housing support with transport and SME zone planning is important. Expanding the remit of the LEO to include non-exporting enterprises, including care and retail businesses, would be most

private roads. They are public roads that were never taken in charge by the county council. There could be ten to 20 houses on each of these roads. We only got €1.2 million again this year. I raise the issue of planning in Kerry for people to build … house for themselves. These people want nothing else but planning. They will do the rest of it themselves. They are being denied that day in, day out for year after year. It is very sad. The other thing that is very important in rural Kerry

wish everybody in this House a happy May Day this Friday. I particularly extend that to the staff in Leinster House who work so hard to allow us as representatives to do our jobs and work so hard. Of course, many of the staff here are union members

retail, contributing to the economy of every city, town and village in Ireland. As the Deputy will be aware, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht developed the town centre first policy, which was launched … cross-government policy that aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres. In March, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy James Browne, launched the vacant over-the-shop grant, which will provide funding

robust engagement with the representatives. However, that is a very rare opportunity for political questioning. As a TD, as any Member of this House will know, if we put a question to the Minister for housing who has ultimate responsibility, the first line of every parliamentary reply

raising this important issue. Rattoo Round Tower, national monument No. 55, is a national monument in the ownership of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and is maintained by the Office of Public Works. In recent years, as the Deputy outlined, an ongoing programme of repairs … after the winter. Upon completion of the repairs, as previously advised, the OPW will issue a full report to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, as required under the terms of ministerial consent. The OPW intends to introduce a new interpretation service at Rattoo Round Tower

relation to guidelines. I am aware that operational guidance has issued to Department for Work and Pensions staff on pensions, universal credit and housing benefit so that all deciding officers would be absolutely aware and would act in that respect. The Department for Work and Pensions as also … issued guidance to local authorities, as they administer the housing benefits. I am hopeful that this will support increased numbers of applications from the United Kingdom. I acknowledge that, whilst the legislation might be there, the guidelines are absolutely there. It should be a put through to encourage

those organisations to be able to look after the most vulnerable in our society. The Before We Die campaign was in the Houses yesterday to highlight the lack of funding to deal with the need for proper housing and residential care for older people with intellectual disabilities when

related funding for voluntary organisations. The description was fairly stark. They talked about a systemic failure in the State's provision of housing and care for adults with intellectual disabilities and about overreliance on emergency placements, where parents were living in a perpetual state of near or actual … profit settings. They argued that their sons and daughters had a right to be heard, to be planned for and to be housed. Centrally, they said this means funded plans for children with intellectual disabilities when their parents pass on and proper, ring-fenced funding for section

through the capital plan that I mentioned earlier. We are also investing in better collaboration between the HSE and the Department of housing because local authorities have a role to play here also in terms of providing and building houses and homes that can become respite and residential

thank the Deputy very much for raising this important matter. I acknowledge that, as he rightly reminded the House, this is not the first time he has raised this issue here, and directly with the Minister for Health as well. There has been a welcome and renewed policy … focus in this House and from the Government on the importance of HRT treatment and accessibility to the free HRT programme. I thank my colleague the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, for the work she has done in getting this programme up and running that is helping many women

thank Deputy Moynihan for raising this pertinent issue, which is one that resonates with many of us in the House in many regards. I am replying on behalf of the Minister. It is the policy of the Department of Education and Youth, in accordance with the principles … provision of enhanced supports in mainstream schools for students experiencing literacy difficulties. The Minister hopes to be in a position to update the House on this soon. The Minister and the Department of education will continue to consider the findings and recommendations of the inspectorate report

purchase homes, LDA-sourced or -built affordable purchase homes are delivered in partnership with local authorities, funded by the Department via the affordable housing fund and sold through the local authority affordable purchase scheme. Under this scheme, newly built homes are made available at a reduced price … purchase these homes at the open market value. These homes are made available at a sale price of at least 15% below comparable housing market prices. Since 2022, the LDA has delivered over 400 affordable purchase homes through partnership arrangements with local authorities, on State lands or sourced

legislative proposals in line with the principles of the Bill. I assure Deputy Ó Murchú, and all those who contributed in the House, that the Government will proceed with this Bill as quickly as is possible. There is a very clear bit of work that is needed … whoever else. Once again, I commend Deputy Kenny for his work on this Bill, and for introducing it here. I beg the House to pass this timed amendment to come back to it in 12 months

this is probably my first time to agree with everything that has been said in the Chamber, from both this side of the House and the other side of the House. A timed amendment is appropriate and necessary. I thank the Government for engaging me on this crucial

with the Minister for Climate, Energy, and the Environment, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Minister of State at Housing, Local Government and Heritage almost a year and is still not published; — the Government has not fully met its legal obligations under the Climate … used this date to speak for and act for environmental protection around our planet. It is appropriate, therefore, that on Earth Day this House supports the motion I am proposing and delivers a powerful message. The energy crisis is the climate crisis. On behalf of the Green Party

Minister of State knows, housing is the number one social crisis currently affecting the State and the cost-of-living crisis is the most immediate economic challenge. However, climate change represents an existential challenge, not just in this country but across the entire planet. We can see every … That is imposing enormous pain, particularly at a time of a cost-of-living crisis. Then, of course, there are others in this House and outside it who want to minimise, if not outright deny, the fact that climate change is real. They want to simply continue

insane that that has not happened to date. Europe is operating with hypocrisy in sanctioning Russia but not Israel. I remind the House that the suspension of the EU-Israel association agreement does not involve sanctions. Rather, it is the revocation of a privilege. Israel enjoys a preferential … torture when it comes to those individuals is a precedent that I am not willing to tolerate and one everyone in this House should be enraged at. If we start coming after migrants, we are going to see various other groups in society targeted quite quickly after that

Irish context. Increased oil and energy prices are connected to it. That needs to be recognised, particularly when we are debating in this House. We need to acknowledge that increased fuel and energy costs are Europe wide and worldwide. They do not affect Ireland alone. The Government … energy, but there is a need to accelerate the energy transition. My perspective, and I think that of most people in this House, is that we must do it in a sustainable and renewable way, including onshore and offshore wind and solar energy. We must prioritise renewable energy

Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will sign an activity requiring consent in respect of three bogs (details supplied) to allow families to cut turf providing them with fuel for the winter; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how three bogs (details supplied) were designated special areas of conservation when the statutory instrument for each one was signed well after the required timeframe set out in Article 4, section (4) of the Habitats Directive

Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when it is planned to establish the proposed new Countryside Forum for Nature; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35147/26

Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the unilateral suspension of the Sustainable Hunting of Wild Bird Stakeholder Forum; if he will arrange for the reconvening of the forum and/or the appointment of a new chair

Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what stakeholder groups or organisations have not yet been contacted in relation to any review of their Memoranda of Understanding with his Department; the reason for any delay in commencing such engagement; the timeline for completion

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to confirm that he brought a memo to cabinet on 21 April 2026 on the retrospective funding of OMCs who have already funded the remediation of celtic tiger era building defects. [35187/26

Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to clarify his recent statement that the Department plans to review all existing Memoranda of Understanding it holds with external organisations; whether it is applicable to every MoU agreed with his Department; whether he can confirm

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the review of Memoranda of Understanding currently held between his Department and stakeholder groups or organisations; the criteria being used to assess existing agreements; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the transfer of functions including responsibility for the Multiple Unit Development Act and the Property Services Regulatory Authority from the Department of Justice; Home Affairs and Migration to his Department

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the eight pathfinder projects due to receive retrospective funding for building defects remediation; including a detailed update on where each pathfinder project is at; and the funding that has been

Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of properties that have been transferred or purchased from the Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency to his Department in each month since January 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of IPAS applicants that are housed by his Department in residential properties (that would be described as family homes) currently, and for each month since January 2024, in tabular form; and if he will

criteria applied to "stable relationships" and dependent relatives; the measures in place to prevent chain migration and additional pressure on housing and services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34509/26

Affairs and Migration for an update on the transfer of oversight of the Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011 legislation to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34567/26

functions including responsibility for the Multiple Unit Development Act and the Property Services Regulatory Authority from his Department to the Department of Housing; Local Government and Heritage. [35257/26

Ballyvollane Primary Care Centre with the developer of the facility in view of the urgent need for this facility due to the large housing developments in construction in the area and the fact that planning permission was granted for the facility in December 2025; if a lease

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether any direct financial supports are available to individual families of children with additional and high sensory needs for home-based adaptations, including the development of sensory gardens or therapeutic outdoor spaces at a private residence

Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a person (details supplied) employed by Tailte Éireann will receive the agreed salary outlined in their employment contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33815/26

Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the report of the Local Democracy Taskforce, which was presented to him on 4 March 2026, will be published; whether he accepts that withholding the report until an implementation plan is finalised is unreasonable given

Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update of progress on the recommendations contained within the 2024 DHLGH report "A review of the future of the Rental Accommodation Scheme" in particular, if he will report on the recommendations

Deputy Máire Devine asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if an assessment has taken place on the additional infrastructure required for the population within a site in Dublin south-west inner city with several large residential construction projects (details supplied); and if he will make

Deputy Máire Devine asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps that will be taken to address the additional needs for infrastructure for large residential construction projects in Dublin south west inner city (details supplied), for example water, waste and power capacity; addition of primary

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 increased traffic congestion in areas with significant uptake

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 minimum garden size where they will be permitted; if there

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 concerns of overlooking; and if he will make a statement