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thank colleagues for their contributions to this debate. I acknowledge and welcome the fact that the majority of the House will be supporting the order to extend the ARP until 2027. It is important to acknowledge that this was a very innovative and successful mechanism, introduced back … with the ARP. As has been indicated, we are now going to extend the scheme until 2027, subject to the approval of the House. We will also be discussing with colleagues the proposed further reduction of the payment back to its original statutory limit of €400. The Minister

being given to people who do not necessarily need it. Retrofitting needs to be targeted, as outlined in the amendment, to address more houses. There should be an assessment of the position of people who live in rural Ireland on a county-by-county basis … older people do not want to move out of their houses for a deep retrofit. They do not want to have the hassle of it and they do not have the money to expend on it. They continue, therefore, to use solid fuel and oil. While the warmer

This dies off after that period of time. It does not give a Minister the ability to extend but I can assure the House that I will bring any extension to this to Cabinet and that decision will be made by Cabinet. It is not something we would … were to extend it, that would be a matter I would bring back to Cabinet and we will inform the House in that way. I will not be accepting the amendment

targeted supports for those who need them most? The Government, having spent weeks and weeks reviewing the situation, has come into this House and done the bare minimum. It is extending the fuel allowance for a few weeks but it barely scratches the surface of what is required … elderly people from 13% to 19%. That is not me saying that; that is the Parliamentary Budget Office. The Taoiseach comes into this House today, when people desperately need real support, and all he has to offer them is a measure that excludes hundreds of thousands of households

they pass away and are asking, "Where is the plan?" They are saying there should be a plan, a framework. The number of houses being delivered, supported housing they need, is pathetic. They give me a figure of one transition for 2026 so far, with thousands of people

group some weeks ago. This is on the agenda of the next Cabinet subcommittee on disability. I have spoken to the Minister for housing, the Minister for disability and the Minister for Health. What is needed here is a concerted, collective approach. I acknowledge that the current situation … system. The bottom line is that we need people joined up together and we need to have supports if someone gets housing. There is a varying continuum of need, so some will need less support, some will need substantive supports and so forth. This is an issue

Department of the Taoiseach's statement of strategy 2025-28 was approved by the Government on 7 October 2025 and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 10 December 2025. The statement of strategy outlines the Department’s vision, mission, values, core responsibilities, key activities and policy … mission. The policy priorities outlined in the statement of strategy, which align with the commitments contained in the programme for Government, include housing; infrastructure; disability; children and education; economy, trade and competitiveness; climate action, environment and energy; health; justice, migration and social affairs; EU and international affairs; Northern

victims support group to brief Members of the Oireachtas on 1 May 2013. Just days later, on 8 May, he stood in this House during Leaders' Questions and called directly on the Taoiseach for a cross-Border public inquiry. He spoke of the courage of Michael Gallagher … families who have fought so bravely for truth and justice. Deputy McGrath has never wavered in that support and today the House should acknowledge his work on behalf of the victims. Justice delayed is justice denied. The families of Omagh have waited long enough. I support the passage

timely, coming just a week after Daffodil Day when people across the country showed solidarity with those affected by cancer. People across this House showed the same solidarity by wearing daffodils and meeting local cancer survivors and advocates here in Leinster House 2000. I am very conscious that

attacks on Iran, then the timeline must make sense. Is this simply a date chosen for administrative convenience? The Minister owes this House a clear and unambiguous explanation. People deserve transparency and honesty. There is another issue, which goes beyond Government policy and strikes at the heart … costs fall. It certainly cannot expect the public to swallow the idea that price increases are immediate but price decreases require time. This House should not tolerate it, the public will not tolerate it and the Labour Party condemns it in the strongest possible terms. The Government

Gannon very much for his question. I am concerned about overcrowding in the Dóchas Centre, the female prison in Mountjoy. To make the House aware of some statistics regarding the centre, as of yesterday, there were 223 women in custody in Mountjoy, 29 of whom were on mattresses … Government to develop further prison spaces between 2026 and 2030. The projects that I have got approval for include an extension to Rowan House at the Dóchas Centre that is expected to accommodate 50 female prisoners. There has to be some recognition that more spaces are required. That

believe that a lot of people in County Clare have been housed through the accommodation recognition payment scheme. From what I can see, it is working well and I have not heard of any major issues from house owners or tenants. It is important that we have

carried out within my Department. Obviously, there is collaboration between Cuan and a series of stakeholders, whether local authorities, the Department of housing and housing agencies. Between them the objective is to try to identify and ensure there are refuges or, indeed, safe homes, which

when discussing the issue of women fleeing domestic violence that we do not present the solution as being removing the woman from the house and putting her, long term, into emergency accommodation in a refuge or a safe home. That cannot be the long-term solution. Refuges … would like to see more women using them. I will be discussing this with Cuan but, ultimately, it is a matter for this House and the Seanad to determine whether new legislation is required. My own view is that it is not required. What is there in terms

comes to child sexual abuse images and online images. Certainly, it upsets a number of people in my constituency and Members in this House as well when we see people with large volumes of vile images being used and circulated, and walking away with a suspended sentences … appreciate there is a precedent with the Loving case. We all are aware of that in this House. What I am getting at is whether the Minister is prepared to introduce legislation to circumvent this because District Court judges are saying they are stuck because of the precedent

homes right across our country. I have been on many sites with it in recent weeks and months. We do live in a housing emergency, of that there is no doubt, but it is important to quote the report in the round. I note that … with quarter 3 of 2025. We also saw the number of tenancies increase during that year as well. We have debated in this House before the unintended consequences of a no-fault eviction ban, as Deputy Hearne envisages, and we saw the outworkings of that in quarter

seek clarification. I see the Minister of State with responsibility for housing is here. A month ago I asked a question about the exemption for modular houses at the back of properties. I note that in the media in the last week they are saying that the regulations

Tomorrow we will all collectively celebrate Daffodil Day and we will support the Irish Cancer Society. I see many Members across the House donning the daffodil today. In Galway last year, 1,332 people were diagnosed with cancer and in 2024, sadly, 531 people died at the hands … this disease. One thing we in this House can do is try to alleviate some of the pressures people face when they are battling cancer. I want to ask a very simple question. Has this Government any plans to tackle the financial burdens that arise when somebody

Tairgim: "Go léifear an Bille don Dara hUair anois." This is an important Bill, and I am happy to bring it to the House on behalf of the Minister. The main aim of the Bill is to implement the European Media Freedom Act, EMFA, in Irish law. EMFA … framework that will further strengthen our existing protections for media freedom and pluralism. The Minister looks forward to working with all in this House as we debate these issues in the coming weeks. There is an urgency in respect of this Bill

what we are dealing with in the world at this point in time. As Deputy Byrne said, all parties across the House will need to work together to ensure that we get the best system we can. It goes without saying that we need to ensure that … cannot publish what it wants and any lunatic cannot just start spouting. We even have an occasional bit of lunacy in this House. It happens occasionally and I want it to be called out when it happens

countries, along with Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Denmark and the Netherlands, that have been consistently rated as good by RSF. In the past Freedom House used to conduct the world press freedom index which, again, always found that Ireland had a very good reputation when it came to press … focus of this Bill. This legislation is deserving of support and I am very happy that it has been brought before the House

required standards, and it referred five private operators to the Garda National Vetting Bureau. We know that a large proportion of those housed in special emergency arrangements are separated children seeking international protection and that is specifically why we raised these issues with the Minister, Deputy O’Callaghan … Department is burdening an agency under the control of her Department with significant additional responsibilities. She has a responsibility to inform this House whether she is satisfied that Tusla and her Department will be able to deal with the additional responsibilities that are coming their

really appreciate the Minister of State taking time to come to the House this evening. I acknowledge that this issue does not come under the remit of her Department. The work done at Kildare town train station is very welcome but the new car park is already full … well, as proposed previously by the Labour Party. Unfortunately, the Government voted down those proposals in a recent motion I brought to the House

will be able to excavate and identify burial grounds. We need to be honest with people in this regard. Just so the House is aware, on foot of the Government’s action plan for survivors and former residents of mother and baby homes, the former Minister for housing

Browne, in respect of it. I know that he is bringing forward proposals that will allow a builder to build up to 40 houses for, I believe, fewer than 120 or 150 people and that Uisce Éireann will then be obliged to connect them. I will raise … matter with the Minister. It sounds like it is essential that we get those houses constructed in Ballycommon so that people can live within their community

Minister for Health whether a formal options appraisal was conducted following the October 2024 fire risk assessment of the Daisy Unit, Heather House Community Nursing Unit to assess remediation, partial closure, or continued operation with mitigation measures; and if so, to provide the outcome of that appraisal. [32733/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any residents displaced from the Daisy Unit, Heather House Community Nursing Unit following its closure in February 2025 were relocated to alternative facilities; the number of residents affected; and whether any impact assessment was carried out in relation

asked the Minister for Health to provide the exact whole-time equivalent staffing complement currently assigned to the dementia-specific unit at Heather House Community Nursing Unit, broken down by grade, including nursing, healthcare assistants, and all support staff. [32743/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether a final, formally approved workforce model has been signed off for Heather House Community Nursing Unit; if so, the date of approval; and if not, the reason a unit is reopening in advance of such approval. [32744/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to confirm whether the current staffing levels at the dementia-specific unit at Heather House Community Nursing Unit are fully compliant with HIQA standards for residential care settings; and whether any risks or variances have been identified. [32745/26

whether full funding has been formally approved and allocated for the complete staffing complement required to operate the dementia-specific unit at Heather House Community Nursing Unit at full capacity; and if not, the shortfall. [32746/26

Health to outline the clinical specialties and procedures in which third-party insourcing was utilised prior to its reduction; and whether equivalent in-house capacity now exists in each category. [32886/26

Health to provide a comparative cost per procedure between third-party insourcing, outsourcing via the National Treatment Purchase Fund, and direct in-house provision for the most common procedures. [32890/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to provide details of the main contractor and any subcontractors engaged in the Heather House, Community Nursing Unit refurbishment project; the procurement method used; the contract value awarded; and whether the contract includes specific provisions relating to fire safety

Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Social Protection in light of Louth County Council’s decision to pause housing grant applications from 1 May 2026, whether there is a Department of Social Protection scheme available for people whose oil or gas boilers have irretrievably broken, where

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport whether the periodic review of in-house aviation expertise recommended by the Air Accident Investigation Unit in Safety Recommendation IRLD2021029 of the Rescue 116 Final Report (Report No. 2021-008, published 5 November 2021) has ever been conducted; (details

Minister for Finance if a review of the maximum payment ceiling under the help-to-buy scheme is planned in light of current house price levels; and if so, when this review will take place and whether consideration is being given to increasing the maximum relief available. [31723/26

agreed and widely used system that acts as a unique identifier for each non-Government organisation, charity, voluntary/community organisation or approved housing body to enable traceability of public funds; and if not, if plans are underway to develop such a system. [31736/26

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a homeowner letting a room in their own principal private residence as a short-term holiday let, will be impacted by regulations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of Dublin City Council's application for funding under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund for works in the Clongriffin, Belmayne and surrounding areas; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the implementation of Part 3, Chapter 5, Section 48 of the Planning and Development Act 2024, which requires that local authorities prepare a strategy for allotments and community

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the new rural planning guidelines will be issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31674/26

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the length of time it takes Tailte Éireann to process land registrations when all the relevant documents are submitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31679/26

Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Bill 2024; the results of the retrospective costs pathfinder exercise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31807/26

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if an emergency funded plan will be introduced in the next budget to address the urgent housing and care needs of ageing parents caring for adult children with intellectual disabilities. [31597/26

Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the current level of funding allocated to disability housing supports; and whether additional ring-fenced funding will be committed to address the growing crisis in provision. [31598/26

Brabazon asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if a statutory register of need for people with intellectual disabilities requiring supported housing will be established to ensure accurate identification, recording and forward planning of demand. [31599/26

asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether all young people with intellectual disabilities are provided with a personal transition plan for housing and care supports by age 18; and if not, the steps being taken to ensure this occurs from age 16. [31600/26

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measurable targets and key performance indicators that are currently in place for the delivery of housing and care supports for people with intellectual disabilities; and whether timelines for delivery will be published. [31610/26

Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he would consider purchasing the land at Lugnaquilla, County Wicklow on behalf of the residents of County Wicklow, noting the importance of this land; and if he will make a statement on the matter