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must give an opportunity to those on middle incomes. They are caught between social housing and being able to afford to build their own homes. I believe the modular home is a solution. Low-cost sites are an incentive there as well to help these people … solutions. It is much cheaper and much faster to put in place. We need to get the ball rolling in addressing the housing crisis

Deputy. I am also grateful to him for raising the issue of Iran. It is not raised nearly often enough in this House. The brutal, disgusting repression we have seen of the brave Iranian protesters should be called out, as should the heroism of those protesters … have a better future for them, their children and grandchildren. It is an aspiration shared by every political party in this House and by the people of Ireland. We stand in solidarity with the brave protesters of Iran and will work at all levels, nationally and internationally, through

very tricky. This is not good practice and I am surprised at the Minister for behaving in this way in this House. This is so diverse. It includes pepper spray, community service orders, counselling records on sexual offences, sex for rent, changes to bail, remote hearings, electronic documents … court, DNA analysis, issues with outdoor seating for public houses, face coverings and an issue I truly welcome, namely the disregard of convictions relating to consensual same-sex activity. That is as diverse as you can get. It is crazy to do a Bill like this

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 Peter Roche - To discuss access the supports for persons with an end-of-life medical card. Deputy … Cummins - To discuss core funding for Ballyfermot youth service. Deputy Michael Cahill - To discuss allowing allow for modular housing and low-cost sites. Deputy Barry Heneghan - To discuss the NTA proposed merger of the 130 Dublin Bus with the 80 bus. Deputy Erin McGreehan - To discuss the delivery

taking this debate on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Browne. I acknowledge the Bill brought forward by Deputy Nash. The principal purpose of the Bill, as outlined in the explanatory memorandum, is to establish a new body, within the current local … March 2024, the farming for water European innovation partnership, EIP, project was launched. This initiative is co-funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and is managed by LAWPRO in collaboration with other agencies

dealing with this on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Browne. I thank Deputy Nash for introducing this Labour Party Bill. I also thank him and Deputy O'Rourke for their contributions to the debate this evening. While the Minister welcomes the genuine … billion up to 2030 to support the delivery of key strategic projects to deliver the additional water services capacity required for the new housing targets while prioritising public health and safeguarding the environment. The Government has already commenced future planning for the water quality sector that will

rural Ireland and rural economies. People with flexible work can move back to their towns and villages. This reduces the competition in the housing and rental markets in our big cities. People can spend more time in their localities and more money in their local economies. Multinationals … their cars. I would have liked more time on this. It is an important topic and one that I hope many across the House will support

congestion on our roads is one of the many symbols of a decade of complete failure by the Government parties to ensure enough housing for its population. People must move farther and farther out of the main urban centres where they wish to hold their jobs because they … have a Government trumpeting an increase in jobs but, on the other, there has been a stark failure to plan for the associated housing and public transport needs. Most crucially this morning, the Minister of State has failed to recognise the solutions we are trying to bring

Kilmacud stops. Those who have to drive may live less than 10 km from the city centre but they have to leave their houses at 7 a.m. or before to be at their desk by 9 a.m. This is without even touching on no-show buses that leave … local businesses. We need a real right to remote and flexible working, which is why I will soon by introducing legislation to the House on this issue. It will address the gap highlighted by today’s motion that the right to request remote and flexible working

decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1993. As he will recall, the first part of that process was the historic State apology issued in both Houses of the Oireachtas in July 2018 for the way in which this State and this society treated their LGBT+ citizens. The second element … only because of who they are, of who they love and loved, and when. That is plain wrong. Will the Minister update the House, nine years on from the initiation of the original legislation in my name, as to what the status of that proposition

thank Deputy McGrath for his question. Like every other Deputy in the House, the one demand he wants to see met is to see more gardaí in his constituency. I know everyone in this House wants to see the same. That is a good reflection on An Garda

world for 2025 by The Economist. This did not warrant a mention in any of our media or here in this House. It shows the extraordinary progress we have made but we cannot take this huge success for granted. One of the main factors in future economic success … resources and is especially crucial for our young people. Finally, does the Minister agree with me that all Members of the House have a duty to speak the truth about the Irish economy and not engage in continually bashing our country

women and girls strategy committed to advancing reproductive healthcare and related leave entitlements. However, deliberations on two Private Member's Bills in these Houses to provide for that statutory leave have stalled in both Houses. The Government said that it needed more time to develop its own plans

ongoing horrors we are seeing in the Middle East to what has been happening in Sudan. I think what is important in this House is that Ireland reasserts our values, the things that have always been important to us when it comes to dealing with conflict and with … called to account. I find it somewhat odd hearing certain people calling on representatives of the Government not to attend the White House on St. Patrick's Day although they felt it perfectly acceptably to attend the Maduro presidential inauguration. I do believe that has to be called

that was raised was that Ireland and the Taoiseach for some reason should not participate in the annual invitation to visit the White House or indeed engage in a full programme of the United States. This is an opportunity. As others have said, we have heard very important … Oireachtas representatives and office holders like the Ceann Comhairle. Now is exactly the time when our Taoiseach should go to the White House and maintain that constant invitation. We do not just go when times are easy; we go when times are difficult too. Equally, we will

European partners. The situation in Greenland is of great concern to Ireland and to EU partners and to Members all around this House. Last week I spoke to the Danish Minister for European Affairs, Marie Bjerre, and I assured her that Ireland stands fully behind Denmark on this … millions without electricity during harsh winter months that are without comparison to Ireland. We cannot imagine the coldness of people's apartments and houses in many parts of Ukraine at the moment. Ukraine has been forced to declare a state of emergency in the energy sector

Leitrim, where there are towns where the wastewater system is at maximum capacity already. Even if planning permission is given to build 50 houses in places like Mohill, Drumshanbo or other towns, they cannot get a letter from Uisce Éireann saying that they can go ahead with that … moment it cannot supply enough of it for everywhere else. This particular group scheme has not got one pump because all houses on it are kilometres below and with gravity it flows to everybody. The running costs of it are negligible. Yet, Uisce Éireann refuses to give

Dáil before that the water in my hometown of Mallow is destroying every single washing machine, kettle and shower head in every single house in Mallow because it is hard water. What I always get back from the Government is that it is not bad for you. That … softener at source to prevent hard water destroying these utensils in homes. Do not tell people to put a water softener into their houses because it costs about €3,000. The average working family of a mother, father and a couple of kids cannot afford this

position to engage with developers on this initiative. I have been contacted by some developers who want to build houses that are badly needed in a housing emergency. Do they contact Uisce Éireann, the Department or the local authority? How quickly will this be up and running? Perhaps

develop, that have areas to develop and where people want to live. I will say another thing about Irish Water. The Greenfields housing estate in Kilkenny is serviced by an antiquated system that is just completely broken down. Irish Water will not provide the turn-off valves that … necessary to control the water should there be a burst pipe. Very recently, there was a burst pipe. A house gets flooded and who do the people turn to? Their local public representative or TD. What we get from Irish Water is just static. There is no sense

purpose any more. The extent of development of building in Dublin, while welcome from the point of view of providing housing that is much needed, means there is absolutely unbearable pressure on that system now. One of the great and easily solved problems is that when it rains … where it is unsafe to swim, or even for animals to run around. It is totally unacceptable. Nobody can tell me in this House how many times that happens per year. We know it will happen several times this week, but nobody could tell

water and not sewage. Meanwhile, the beautiful village of Aughrim has long needed a new wastewater treatment plant to support future development in housing. I have been working with some local business owners for some time on the issue and thankfully there is progress. Uisce Éireann has confirmed … west Wicklow. In County Wexford, both Ferns and Camolin urgently need new wastewater treatment facilities. Existing plants are at capacity, blocking desperately needed housing developments and also affecting local school numbers in Camolin National School and putting additional pressure on the River Bann and local waterways. Camolin residents

feels a bit like Groundhog Day here today. In February of last year, in one of my first contributions to this House, I spoke about water outages in Kildare North. Indeed, I had a Topical Issue on the very same issue in June of last year. I hate … were no teams on site. It took more than 24 hours to get the issue resolved. What we are dealing with here, with housing estates in particular, are young families and people with disabilities who need access to water. Having certainty of access to water is critical

State manages it plays a crucial role in delivering on any number of policy plans for the future. Whether it be housing, education, or immigration, no policy can be fully formed without considering the water infrastructure that is available to support it. The Government has shown consistently that … preserve and protect our water infrastructure and to boost it where possible. Last November, I warmly welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage that a developer-led approach would be adopted when it comes to progressing wastewater treatment plants, particularly in rural areas

goes on because it is like a scam. That is all you can call it. I keep saying that. If a farmer's house is not in order and his cattle house is leaking raw slurry into the river, he is put out of business, he is closed

Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 1686 of 29 July 2025, the amount of funding drawn down by Dublin City Council for Traveller-specific accommodation and services in 2025 and to date

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to reduce vacancy and dereliction in Gaeltacht areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22988/26

Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he or his Department have engaged with any stakeholder groups from sectors (details supplied) examining issues related to the insurance and mortgageability of homes with building defects; and if he will provide details of such

Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether consideration is being given to introducing a structural risk classification system for residential properties that includes a rating scale to assess structural condition and associated lending or insurance risk; if so, the current status

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage regarding the tenant-in-situ scheme, if he proposes to increase the level of funding allocated to Dún-Laoghaire Rathdown County Council to support this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of properties purchased under the tenant-in-situ scheme at a national level since this scheme was launched, broken down by local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the obligations on Uisce Éireann to notify the public and relevant authorities where a discharge incident has occurred or is suspected; and whether there are statutory or policy requirements governing such communication. [24205/26

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on conservation and restoration efforts of the Iveagh Market, Kilmainham Mills and the Rupert Guinness Theatre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24285/26

Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to amend the Exempted Development Regulations; what will be included in these changes; when he expects that the changes will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24288/26

Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide details of the external validation group for the fire service; the current membership of the group; when the group was established; when each member was appointed to the group; the maximum duration of time

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of tenant-in-situ acquisitions funded by his Department in each of the years from 2018 to 2026 with a breakdown by local authority and the total for each local authority

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on issues raised in regard to short term lets (details supplied) a; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24377/26

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on issues raised (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24382/26

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on whether section 28(a) of the Fire Services Act 1981, offers sufficient cover for homeowners in instances where it is deemed the fire brigade acted negligently in causing damage to property

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding any review of section 28(a) of the Fire Services Act 1981, that would create greater protection for people who have experienced damage to personal property due to the actions of the fire

Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the delivery timeline for each phase for St. Kevin's Site in Shanakiel, Cork [24422/26

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will clarify the position of people residing in 'Niche Living' accommodation who are not called tenants (details supplied) but they are ineligible to apply for HAP or other rent supports; the rationale

Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether any artificial intelligence tools or systems are currently being used within his Department or in agencies under its remit; the purposes for which these tools are being used; whether any departmental guidance or governance

Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of Government funding provided to environmental NGOs (details supplied) in each of the past ten years. [24508/26

Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the value and duration of contracts and service provision arrangements his Department and all bodies under his aegis have or had with a company (details supplied) in the past ten years to date

Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to increase preventions and exits from emergency accommodation for families who have been evicted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24590/26

Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the tools, schemes, programmes, and policies funded by his Department to support preventions and exits from emergency accommodation for families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24591/26

Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a list of the NGOs that have received Government funding from his Department in the past five years. [24634/26

Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which his Department determines the market rent valuations used for cost rental designations. [24733/26

Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which access to amenities provided as part of the scheme in cost rental schemes is ensured for tenants. [24734/26