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think you are? Do you have some moral superiority over everybody else? You do not have moral superiority over anybody else in this House. Everybody in this House is at one in terms of going after anybody who would generate and disseminate child abuse material, and the legislation

thank the Ceann Comhairle. I have noted the requests for a debate on flooding and on housing. There will be five hours of housing debate on Second Stage of the Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026 this week: 204 minutes today and a further 102 minutes tomorrow

will alert the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, to this issue because it is a specific one in terms of the approved housing bodies, Sophia Housing and the Department. It is frustrating when a site has been identified and there is the prospect of getting it off. There

five-year life cycle, tangible and substantive progress is being made in implementing commitments across all areas in the programme. For example, housing is a key priority of the Government. We have agreed regulatory reform, tax reductions and an investment of €275 billion over ten years, the largest … history of the State. We are targeting the construction of 300,000 homes including 72,000 social homes and 90,000 affordable housing supports. We have agreed reforms to rent pressure zones, strengthening the rights of tenants and stimulating increased investment and development activity. We have reduced

effective and may lead to a temporary rise in rents. I am buoyed, however, by the progress being made across government in the housing market. As we now know, housing delivery is ramping up at an unprecedented scale and solutions put in place by this Government are bearing

grow supply, rents will remain high and pressure will remain unbearable. I also commend the Minister on recognising something many in this House have been slow to acknowledge, namely that a rental market where rents cannot be reset between tenancies becomes one that people exit. That … corporate landlords, not vulture landlords or not large investors but ordinary people, such as a farmer who bought a small house years ago for retirement income, a couple with one rental property to support a mortgage or a widow who rents out a property

that? The people of west Cork are going to lose their income. They are crying in my offices. They are crying without a house because the Government cannot supply them with one. God almighty, what is wrong with you? I had a lovely girl in front … said that she had not and that she could not sleep with the worry. Another woman told me she cannot get social housing because she and her partner both work. She was crying in my office on Saturday because they cannot get a home. We have a serious

real terms, to cuts, as if they are fools who cannot account for inflation. That is the crux of the issue before the House. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, alongside the chairperson of Bord Bia, felt that they could take our farming families for fools, that they could … capacity to chair any board, let alone one that cannot function without our farmers. Sinn Féin's motion offers the Members of this House a choice. Do they hear the anger of our farming families? Can they understand it? Will they acknowledge it and respond

joint committee and to working in the very collaborative way we have done for the past year. Members on all sides of this House have delivered. While not everyone is of the same perspective regarding the approach I have taken, we have largely delivered for our agriculture sector … major matters like TB reforms and fixing issues with ACRES. I have had support from around the House in doing those things. I have also been held to account, which is only right. I have also had support on the nitrates derogation and the steps I took

also mindful that the role of animal wardens and animal welfare officers in our local authority system remains under the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, but it is better co-ordinated. There is a huge opportunity for us, working together across this House, to identify ways

absolutely accept the Minister's commitment to these issues. With animal welfare, everyone in this House has something to do with animals, whether they are domestic pets or agricultural animals. I think the prosecutions in the Department focused particularly on agricultural stock, and obviously there is a food … between an Old English sheepdog and a black Labrador. We still talk about that dog and there are pictures of him in the house. These animals are so important and they are part of all of our lives. Animal welfare, as the Minister has acknowledged, is more than

taking this question on behalf of my colleague, Deputy Eoghan Kenny. Will the Minister inform the House of the steps his Department has taken to investigate the significant overspend on the new SUSI IT system, and will he make a statement on the matter to the House

wish to briefly underline the importance of apprenticeships in the context of the very significant investment the Government is making in infrastructure and housing. If we are serious about delivering on our housing targets, retrofitting programmes, transport projects and wider public capital investment, we must ensure we have

future campus on the Cathedral Road is progressing and I am glad to be able to inform Deputy Smith and the House that I was successful in progressing it to the next stage of development. It is at pre-tender project design planning, procurement and supply stage … very much hope to be in a position to update Deputy Smith and the House on further progress on it in the near future

situation where rents are at record levels, where the numbers of adults living in their childhood bedrooms are at record levels and where house prices are at record levels. Almost 17,000 people are now homeless. That is a terrible indictment of the Tánaiste's and Fine Gael … success. Will he admit that he has broken his election promises? Will he explain why the Government has ripped up its annual housing targets? Why does it not have annual targets anymore

According to the Central Bank, we need 50,000 to 60,000 houses a year in order for the Government to meet its 2030 targets. There is not a hope in hell of reaching the housing need that has been agreed on by many bodies, including the Government

opposed it, and we got the social housing. We said there should be more social and affordable housing, and we got the 100% because we opposed

remains the position. We now need to see how we can accelerate flood relief schemes. I am not just saying that today. The House will remember that we published the accelerating infrastructure task force report just before Christmas. We will be bringing to this House a critical infrastructure

this carefully. I think we would all agree there is a need to make sure we get the best use out of the housing stock that exists in our country, particularly in a housing emergency. We all share that view. We do not want an unintended consequence. This

number of houses in Mayo represents 3% of the overall national housing stock. Despite this, according to a recent GeoDirectory report, the proportion of dereliction in Mayo represents 14% of the national rate. That is extraordinary. Dereliction is a scourge on our towns and blight on our communities

some of the drafting work relating to the Bill when I was in the Department. I hope that it transits quickly through these Houses. We have to consistently ask ourselves if our child protection laws and practices are effective. We must acknowledge that real progress has been made … final point I will make is that I was always conscious of the criticisms about Tusla that we often hear in this House. Where there is an organisation looking after the most vulnerable of children, it is essential that it is open to criticism and open

allocated 95% of this. The funding will support the delivery of a wide range of projects in our cities and regions required for housing delivery, safeguarding public health and the environment and, crucially, the capacity required for new housing targets. The Government is committed to making sure that

raise the proposed development of an equine therapy centre at the Toghermore House site located in Tuam. Toghermore House is owned by the HSE. It previously hosted a number of mental health support services until these services were relocated to a separate facility in Tuam in 2023. Since

providing the necessary supports for people with disabilities throughout the country, including those in Galway. I advise the Deputy that the Toghermore House site at Tuam, which is owned and operated by the HSE, is under review. In 2024, a HSE feasibility study was conducted. Following on from … planned between the parties before the end of January 2026. At present, the HSE continues to utilise facilities on the grounds of Toghermore House for a number of services, including the national counselling services, mental health services, quality and risk, paediatric outpatients, HR and administration support. In addition

Shea. That is appreciated. I did have to laugh when the Taoiseach used the word “incoherent” about my contribution. It is his housing policy that is incoherent. It is his measures on renters that are incoherent. Let me give him two examples. In Galway this week, with … fact will create different classes of renters and will diminish protections for many. They lack coherence, as indeed does the Government's housing policy. When will we see real protection for renters and real delivery of homes at scale

Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on an inappropriate use of an acoustic device, with implications for animal welfare ( details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27691/26

Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when and the progress that has been made with regard to the boundary changes passed for local government local electoral wards. [27419/26

Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the use of hemp-based construction materials, including hempcrete, has been assessed as part of sustainable building strategies; if any pilot schemes or supports exist for its development in Ireland; and if he will make

Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 680 of 20 January 2026, whether there is an update on the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme as the payment period concludes for many applicants; if a replacement support

Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when OMCs that have applied for payment under the interim fire safety scheme will receive funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27683/26

Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a compensation scheme for OMCs with apartment defects will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27684/26

Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will examine the case of a person (details supplied); if he will advise if this person is entitled to claim a pension on retirement at 58 years-of-age; if the person

Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware that fire fighters who transferred from the retained service to Dublin Fire Brigade were entitled to buy service for pension purposes at the time of transfer; if he is aware

locations for new IPAS centres, including in Mullingar, Athlone and the Midlands; and the extent to which factors such as local service capacity, housing availability, healthcare access, and school places are taken into account. [27605/26

Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the current number of supported residential housing units available for adults with intellectual disabilities; the number of additional units currently planned or in development, by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27562/26

respect of unmet residential support needs; the steps being taken to move from crisis-based emergency placements towards planned, long-term supported housing in line with the objectives of a campaign (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27563/26

third parties (details supplied); the title and final cost of same; and whether the report is published and or laid in the Houses of the Oireachtas. [26861/26

same, if applicable; to provide a breakdown of where costs were incurred; and whether the report is published and or laid in the Houses of the Oireachtas. [26880/26

update on the Israeli Settlements (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025 and when it is expected to come before the Houses of the Oireachtas for first stage. [25294/26

Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she plans to expand Ireland House model in the United Arab Emirates. [25528/26

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she plans to invite the minority leader of the US house of representatives to Dublin for a bilateral meeting. [25934/26

third parties (details supplied); the title and final cost of same; and whether the report is published and or laid in the Houses of the Oireachtas. [26853/26

same, if applicable; to provide a breakdown of where costs were incurred; and whether the report is published and or laid in the Houses of the Oireachtas. [26872/26

which he will address the opportunity costs that this places on the wider system and the potential impact to critical infrastructure such as housing, transport and other critical infrastructure. [26217/26

third parties (details supplied); the title and final cost of same; and whether the report is published and or laid in the Houses of the Oireachtas. [26847/26

same, if applicable; to provide a breakdown of where costs were incurred; and whether the report is published and or laid in the Houses of the Oireachtas. [26866/26

third parties (details supplied); the title and final cost of same; and whether the report is published and or laid in the Houses of the Oireachtas. [26849/26

same, if applicable; to provide a breakdown of where costs were incurred; and whether the report is published and or laid in the Houses of the Oireachtas [26868/26

which students without cars be expected to travel between Mayo and Galway; if the NTA has considered the context of the housing crisis, forcing students to commute; and the alternative transport that will be provided at student-appropriate hours. [25474/26

third parties (details supplied); the title and final cost of same; and whether the report is published and or laid in the Houses of the Oireachtas. [26862/26