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State to come back in, because he mentioned the rate card for 2024. This is a big Government scheme. Will he inform the House what the rates in the rate card are? He will not, because there is damn all transparency in this. He is telling everybody that … that, under this Bill, the Minister would prescribe a maximum amount in regulations and that those regulations would be brought back to this House so that, for the first time ever, we would have a little bit of democratic oversight of how public money is being spent

pressure on people, particularly young people, and that is why we are working very hard to increase supply. There were 36,000 house completions last year. The most effective way to deal with rent prices and moderating them is by means of supply. The Deputy knows that … what is Sinn Féin's response? It is to oppose housing applications and to oppose apartment construction. Its leader has now opposed the most recent development in her constituency, of hundreds of apartments. If you add it all up, she now has a fairly unenviable record

councillor, is the Rathmines primary care centre. It is being co-located on a site where Dublin City Council is building age-friendly housing that will be supported by an approved housing body. I emphasise the impact on the community it is located in. I ask that

there will be 24,896 SNAs. Clearly, there was no proposal to make SNAs redundant. It is disingenuous of any party in this House to say so. It is useful to speak to the role of the National Council for Special Education in this area. The NCSE … undertakes a robust process to ensure that reviews are based on the care needs of an individual school because, as Members of the House are aware, SNAs are allocated to schools, and not individual children

fact that supports were going to be taken from children. It has been said on a number of occasions in the House over the past number of weeks that cuts were going to take place. The Taoiseach refuted that on each occasion. At budget time, I welcomed … take that, so naturally there will be cuts. There are so many lessons to be learned from this. All of us in this House have to learn from this. We have abruptly tried to make a decision on taking provision of services from children. That should never ever

Minister went into reverse gear at the last minute last night in the wake of threats of large protests. Members of this House and councillors, certainly Independent Ireland councillors, have received emails on this issue from various parents all over the country, including those in my own constituency … Department has certainly gone, given the way SNAs have been treated. Rebuilding that trust takes more than a half-winged apology in the House this evening. As one Deputy said, the Minister did not even have the courtesy to say "sorry", put up her hands

have heard a lot today from all sides of the House. I know there are Government representatives who respect the role of SNAs and have engaged with them. We have heard a lot about the various things they do. So much of this hinges on the idea … they are able to engage fully with their education. In all those contributions, I do not think anyone on any side of this House would say that we should go backwards or that we should constrain the SNA to the role they used to have at the outset

move away from the first-come, first-served model that gives rise to rampant data centre expansion that has displaced the delivery of housing and transport and led to the hiking up of energy prices for households. The Commission stated, "In areas with long waiting times for grid … Minister's officials will agree with that. The Secretary General of the Department has said that there are difficult choices to make between housing and AI. Instead of prioritising the corporate bottom line, I want the Minister to prioritise ordinary people who are going through a cost

home energy upgrades, including heat pump installations. The SEAI and I held a briefing last Tuesday attended by many Deputies across the House, which they found useful. These changed grants will be very impactful. I encourage all to make sure their constituents are informed of these new Government … reintroduced and done on an individual basis. The new recently announced heat pump system grant will reduce costs associated with a whole-house heating system upgrade. The new maximum grant is €12,500 and that encompasses the existing maximum of €6,500 for the heat pump

appreciate that. Possible solutions for the housing estate have changed many times. Initially, the heating system was fed by biomass. It was then changed to gas but then the invasion of Ukraine sent gas prices through the roof. It is a deeply inefficient system in places … that the easiest solution is not to replace the communal system with another communal system but to move to individualised solutions within houses. I am agnostic once there is a scheme that is affordable for the individuals and that works out as a better system environmentally

authorities for the identification, assessment and planning for renewable energy development within their jurisdiction. Furthermore, I have been advised that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is at the early stages of preparing a new national planning statement on solar energy under the Planning and Development … task force, officials from my Department will continue to work closely with both the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and the Department of housing on these ongoing reforms, which will act to support and facilitate the deployment of solar, which is critical to the decarbonisation of Ireland

travel long distances or consider private treatment because the public system cannot see the patient within a reasonable timeframe. I call on the House to take this genuine request and insist that the HSE prioritise additional funding and workforce supports specifically for orthopaedic services at the South Infirmary … patient should be forgotten while waiting for care. We owe it to the people of Cork to act urgently. I ask the House to address this matter tonight

really appreciate the sentiment the Minister of State has delivered before this House. There is an opportunity here for the Government to send a clear signal that for people who are working and contributing to our society and who want to accumulate a security buffer or a cushion … decide not to tax the capital gain or you can decide to allow people to accumulate more. We have to acknowledge in this House that we do not have the same stock exchange here in Ireland that we once had. Our stock exchange is weak and companies

costs, which are very significant for many apprentices, transport costs and so on. We have got a major problem in delivering on our housing goals. We are failing significantly. We are tens of thousands short of what we need annually in terms of houses to put roofs over

spoke to him again this morning. One of my staff in the Oireachtas has a disability. I have raised this issue in this House previously. We, as policymakers, should have people with disabilities as close to us as possible, but we cannot avail of the wage subsidy scheme … would love some pressure from the Minister, Deputy Foley, as well. Táim fíorbhuíoch as an airgead sin. Táim ag iarraidh St. Michael's House, St. Joseph's Hospital, St. Francis Hospice and Beaumont Hospital i mBaile Átha Cliath Thuaidh a lua arís. These institutions and their hard-working

work it is doing. The Minister of State, Deputy Higgins, the Minister, Deputy Foley, with the support of the Department of housing, the Minister of State, Deputy Cummins, and the Minister, Deputy Browne, and the whole of Government will have to look at how we can have informed … conversations about housing solutions, about community supports and about additional residential places where they are required. I will ask the Minister of State to directly update the Deputy after she has that engagement

with the childcare sector this week. This is certainly something we intend to examine as a Government. We all know in this House that there is huge demand for childcare places. We need to support our childminders and help them to remain viable and in the sector … there is also the matter of the Valuation Act, but the Minister for children, Deputy Foley, is engaging with the Minister for housing to seek clarity on how childminders who care for children single-handedly in their own family homes can avoid being disadvantaged. I thank the Minister

isolated improvements can fix; it is a responsibility which sits squarely on the shoulders of the Government. In 2024, the Cookstown Lane social housing development was opened in Kilternan. All 22 homes on the estate were filled with families who had been on the social housing waiting list

across the constituency. Over 800 homes and premises were badly damaged. Many people's homes were destroyed and needed very significant reconstruction works. Housing estates were overrun by flood water in the town of Midleton and many other areas of east Cork including Rathcormac, Mogeely, the village … families and people - human beings - in the constituency was absolutely devastating. I want to provide feedback to colleagues in the House. I am anxious for us to do everything we can, in the political system, as the public looks on. On this side of the Chamber there

pitches for water attenuation schemes because these areas are becoming quite built up. My constituency of Dublin Rathdown is an area of high house building, which is what we need, but we are losing many potential water absorption areas. In conjunction with installing these flood mitigation projects … well in the past few weeks, if our flood mitigation systems fail, so too does much of our vital infrastructure. That includes our housing and transport systems

that our day-to-day lives are affected and shaped by the water around us. I have had to go into people's houses and kitchens, like the Minister of State, that have been affected by flooding, and they are some of the toughest days I have ever … sitting on the fence, backing both horses and talking out of both sides of their mouth, but then you meet the people whose houses are flooded, whose businesses have been lost to this and who cannot get insurance. There is a stage in all of this where

should be no need to bring this issue, which is the annual crisis of school place shortages in Dunshaughlin, County Meath, before this House. I thank the parents who contacted me and my colleague Councillor Fionnan Blake. I also thank Councillor Blake for his hard work on this … their ABCs, but surely this is the ABC of government, management, planning and of delivery. These children did not fall from the sky. Houses were built and the community is expanding. The need for local services is apparent. They are literally in county development plans, which have

enrolment has increased by 40 children in the past year due to construction in the area. A new development of 58 houses is nearing completion in Louth village but, again, the correspondence from the school states: It is highly likely that we will once again reach developing school … cupboards and staff room (which in no way is fit for purpose). • Our school building, originally built for 5 classes, is expected to house currently 8 classes, and come September it will most likely be 9 classes. That is before I go near what the parents are sending

wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Colm Burke - To discuss the recruitment of paediatric dermatology consultants to the south-west region. Deputy Catherine … port listing status for Killybegs in line with new regulations. Deputy Louise O'Reilly - To discuss funding for provision of community-based housing for adults with disabilities in Dublin Fingal West. Deputy Joanna Byrne - To discuss funding for the breakfast club for St. Paul's Senior National School

constituency colleague, Deputy Boland, we have been working with a number of groups in our area to try to secure long-term housing solutions for persons with disabilities. This morning, I want to focus specifically on one service. It is an organisation known as Remember Us. I will … Some work is going on. I know Remember Us has ambitious plans in terms of establishing a small community of appropriately sized houses but it goes back to the foundation and the reason Remember Us was founded. It is about inclusion. It is about people with disabilities being

Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the definition of “betterment” under the defective concrete blocks scheme; whether upgrades such as triple glazing and heat pumps are formally excluded from grant eligibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30665/26

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are solar panels in place on the rooftop or within the grounds of his Department building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30700/26

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has a solar panel policy in place in relation to the installation of solar panels on all buildings operated and owned by his Department; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has a solar panel policy in place in relation to the installation of solar panels on all buildings operated and owned by agencies under the control of his Department; and if he will

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the merits of installing solar panels on all buildings operated and owned by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30755/26

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the merits of installing solar panels on all buildings operated and owned by agencies under the control of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30777/26

Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total allocation of funding to each State agency under his Department’s remit, broken down by the allocation to each agency, for each of the past 15 years, in tabular form. [30798/26

Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total spend on consultancy firms by each State agency under his Department's remit, broken down by the allocation to each named consultancy firm, for each of the past 15 years, in tabular form

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding any buildings operated and owned by his Department that have solar panels in place to support the energy demands of the building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30846/26

Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the Government is not represented at the Public Planning Inquiry in Omagh into the Curraghinalt (Dalradian) Project, the proposed gold mine in County Tyrone given the profound cross-Border implications of the matter. [30874/26

Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will ensure that an owner management company cannot prevent an owner of a duplex home, with their own roof and attic from installing solar panels; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether fire service personnel who assist in cross-Border co-operation in the 26 counties can receive recognitions/awards in this State. [30898/26

Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of the current and upcoming funding streams available under his Department and associated bodies for the conservation, restoration and protection of built and archaeological heritage sites; if he will outline the application processes, eligibility

Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to respond to matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); to clarify the policy changes in relation to the criteria for the capital advance leasing facility scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures being undertaken in order that householders in the Fingal County Council jurisdiction whose homes have pyrite can get financial support with the remediation of those homes; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the awards or recognition that can be presented to members of the Fire Service; and whether any of these can be presented to those working in the Northern Fire Service who engage in cross-Border operations

Migration whether consideration has been given to expanding access to legal representation for Irish citizens in areas currently excluded or limited, including housing disputes and tribunal-based matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29660/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the additional in-house public system capacity, measured in theatre sessions, outpatient clinics, or equivalent activity, that is planned to replace activity currently delivered through third-party insourcing; and the timelines for delivery of this capacity

cost-effectiveness analysis has been conducted between third-party insourcing, outsourcing via schemes such as the National Treatment Purchase Fund, and direct in-house provision; and if so, if she will provide a summary of findings. [29811/26

supplied) concerning ageing parents who continue to provide full-time care to adult children with intellectual disabilities, particularly in relation to planned supported housing and unmet need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29064/26

Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality how her Department is working with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Department of Health, as well as local authorities and the HSE, to ensure that adults with intellectual disabilities can access homes

Disability and Equality if a formal cross-departmental structure is in place between her Department, the Department of Health and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to support the delivery of residential placements for persons with intellectual disabilities in north Dublin; the timelines or targets

each of the past five years, and planned for the coming three years, to support the delivery of small-scale community based housing for persons with intellectual disabilities, both at a national level and, specifically, for the north Dublin area; and if she will make a statement

Disability and Equality if her Department will examine the way to make the large number of unused childcare facilities built as part of housing developments viable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29188/26

Innovation and Science the way in which his Department plans to address construction labour force shortfalls and the impact that will have on housing delivery; if he will consider a State construction company to increase investment in training and apprenticeships, attract skilled labour home from abroad