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State knows well, most cattle reared in County Clare are on pasture for seven or eight months of the year before being housed and fed silage concentrates or hay, although the latter is less common these days. This produces a superior quality of animal. There are Bord … reared in the South American system, where rainforests are being felled en masse, artificially creating pasture where it never existed, and cattle are housed for month upon mouth and fed with grain and concentrate, fattening them artificially to get a higher market price. None of that sits congruently

early intervention and putting in those supports. At the children's committee recently, we had the area-based childhood, ABC, programme, Archways, The House in Cox's Demesne from my own constituency, Northside Partnership and even the ISPCC. They all spoke about the number of referrals seeking supports … there and that we do what we can for those who are being groomed by criminal gangs. The legislation we see in this House must be put out in the world and enforced in respect of those who bring young people into criminal gangs and force them

processed these regulations. As Members will know, this is the second time these regulations have been brought before the committee and the House in the space of a few short weeks. They were originally presented as a single regulation. When the Minister of State responsible came before … future, in official communications from the Minister or his juniors, that is outside of Standing Orders? I do not think anybody in this House would see any of those requests as unreasonable

will copper-fasten and benefit every job and every potential future job in the country and will underpin the building of 300,000 houses and their connection to the grid and the electrification of the public transport system. It is a major decision by the Government. The Government … budget measures more generally. Retrofitting has grown significantly over the past number of years and is making a real difference to many houses. A deep retrofit can save over €1,100. Approximately 228,000 upgrades have happened now in terms of homeowners. Some €1.5 billion has been allocated

there are interim solutions we brought forward, along with the changes to the minor works scheme. I say to every Deputy in the House that I need local authorities to work with me and my Department, and not come to the House to blame the OPW, although

constituency between Shanowen Road and Collins Avenue there are proposals to build new apartment developments. While the additional new housing is incredibly welcome, unfortunately the under-utilised industrial estate there is currently occupied by Santry Boxing Club. Would the Taoiseach agree as well as powering ahead with … provision of new housing, Dublin City Council needs to have a more proactive strategy of making land available to sports clubs so they can avail of programmes like the sports capital grant? Santry Boxing Club is an amazing local facility and will be a great facility for those

liveable and should have culture as well as venues where people can meet, socialise and enjoy themselves. Will the Cabinet committee on housing and local government discuss the issue of The Complex, a very important cultural space in our capital where artists are currently housed but have been

benefit the north west with significant advantages for people travelling through that region. There are many other infrastructural deficits that we see, with housing being the major one that captures everyone in every part of the country because it is the father and mother of many … problems, for example in the health service and the education system. People cannot get housing. They cannot get places to live in. The reason developments cannot take place in many of the regions, including the north west, is that we do not have the water or wastewater infrastructure

real awakening as to what is going on in the real world. I will move on to wastewater. We need more housing in west Cork and the wastewater is in an absolutely scandalous condition. We have Shannonvale, which was brought up by Councillor Daniel Sexton last week. There … What frustrates me is what people are genuinely saying when I meet them. They say they have two great incomes coming into their house but they cannot survive. There is something wrong when you hear that and when people honestly admit they have two good incomes coming into

part of the lives of people on medication who live at home. It is even essential for first aid responders who come to houses looking for people, as they know what they have taken. The main point in the debate is that the blister packs … want the Government to allow them to put up a modular unit on a small piece of ground at the back of their house so they can take care of them. These are the same people that are taking care of their own family because the Government

hope the Deputy will understand that I will not comment on his remark regarding former Members of this House who are unable to explain their rationale or whatever. However, as he asked, I will bring this to the attention of the Minister for Health, as it has been … principle of equal treatment and ensure that those who gave so much during the pandemic are supported to recover. I reassure the House that the Department of Health will continue to work closely with the HSE, staff representatives and with colleagues across Government to ensure these supports

direct results that has had. We see it particularly when storms hit or when people want to be able to build housing, providing housing or be able to attract jobs to areas. The state of our infrastructure has been horrific. I have a number of questions in relation

documented challenges of lengthy development timelines, fragmented processes and rising costs. These have all been identified as major barriers to achieving Ireland’s housing, energy and climate objectives. The report is evidence-based. It is built on the research and analysis of my Department, the views received during … infrastructure nationwide. Together, these actions will ensure that the record investment under the national development plan translates into faster, more efficient delivery of housing, energy and transport infrastructure, supporting Ireland’s economic growth, climate commitments and Delivering Homes, Building Communities. This will benefit every county and region

west is being prioritised in many of the projects set out in the sectoral investment plans. There is the social and affordable housing delivery we want to ramp up in the context of the housing sectoral plan that the Minister, Deputy Browne, has published. The transport sectoral plan

documented challenges of lengthy development timelines, fragmented processes and rising costs. These have all been identified as major barriers to achieving Ireland’s housing, energy and climate objectives. The report is evidence-based. It has been built on the research and analysis of my Department, the views received … critical infrastructure nationwide. Together, these actions will ensure the record investment under the national development plan translates into faster, more efficient delivery of housing, energy and transport infrastructure, supporting Ireland’s economic growth, climate commitments and Delivering Homes, Building Communities. This will benefit every county and region

question relates to the recently published Government infrastructure plan and the steps that will be taken by Government to work more closely with housing developers and builders, big and small, on essential infrastructure for housing. What reforms will be introduced under the accelerated infrastructure delivery plan to enable

developers to deliver new, stand-alone wastewater treatment plants to bolster the service provided by Uisce Éireann to support increased levels of housing. Both of these activities are planned for completion in quarter two of 2026. It is explicitly committed to that any developer-led infrastructure will comply … with environmental and technical standards and integrate with public systems, where appropriate. The Department of housing will lead on reforms relating to water infrastructure while the Department of Climate, Energy and Environment will lead on energy-based measures. Both Departments will work closely with utilities, local authorities, regulatory

heard from the Minister, Deputy Browne, about wastewater treatment plants and the work on advancing that, which will be critical to improving overall housing supply. It will not be solely Irish Water but it will be something that will enhance wider water infrastructure across the State. Similarly, there … help. I am working with both Ministers in order that these reforms are advanced in 2026. Both will help in terms of overall housing supply but also in building greater investment in job opportunities across the State

cailleadh i rith na seachtaine. He was a former Minister for Justice - I note a flag is at half-mast over the House today - a former TD for Longford-Westmeath and a former Senator. He was a great advocate in the Dáil for the people of Longford … past number of years, particularly in relation to health and social protection for those who are the most vulnerable. He outlined to the House, and I will use the opportunity to spell out again today, the supports the Government is giving to the least well

will agree that it is important that these discussions be allowed to take place without feeling pressure from anybody, including anybody in the House. The advisory committee on small public service vehicles is an independent body, established under the taxi regulations of 2013. Its primary function … greater degree of clarity. The Minister is on Government business abroad at present, and I am sure that when he returns to the House next week, we will have greater clarity in this regard

Kerry County Council is now building no rural cottages. It is building hardly any houses at all. It was doing great work. People got houses built on their lands

Dublin Mid-West, Kildare and the greater Dublin area require for rapid and frequent public transport, but is also key to unlocking housing supply, as per the South Dublin County Council development plan and those of other local authorities across the country, to increase the capacity of that … make sure we prioritise the delivery of DART+ South West because it is long overdue and is needed to achieve our housing delivery targets and to provide people in Dublin Mid-West with the necessary transport infrastructure they need

homeless accommodation. Five of them will have been in homeless accommodation for over three years. This year, the Government will spend €21 million housing these families while there are hundreds of boarded-up council houses in Cork that could be turned around. These are places where children could

development plan budget to allow for those sites to progress, and to be identified and serviced, with facilities where necessary. The local infrastructure housing activation fund, LIHAF, was used in the housing sector and the technological sector student accommodation programme is under way. The Deputy might be interested

Deputy on mentioning it. The question is about expanding apprenticeships and trade-focused education. He specifically mentioned north Dublin. To meet our ambitious housing delivery targets and offshore renewable energy developments over the next decade will require a skilled workforce. Apprenticeships are central to supporting these demands … supplying skilled workers for housing developments, construction and the renewable energy sectors. The programme for Government sets an ambitious target of 12,500 annual apprentice registrations by 2030, with two thirds of those in craft and construction. This reflects the vital role construction plays in infrastructure and economic

Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will consider liaising with Kildare County Council to upgrade Naas fire station to a full-time station or ensure that it is manned full-time during certain hours of the day given

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update made on the Programme for Government commitment to earmark certain cost rental units for key local workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26324/26

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the review of the 2001 planning guidelines for local authorities on early learning and childcare settings, in order to increase childcare supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the plans in place to reinstate town councils to places such as Killarney, Tralee and Listowel in County Kerry; the length of time before they are reinstated; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of affordable homes completed by each local authority in each of the years 2021 to 2025; and the number scheduled to be completed in 2026, in tabular form. [26405/26

Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of dereliction levy orders made by each of the 31 local authorities across the country; the total sums collected for 2024; if figures are now available for 2025; and if he will make

Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of households that have accessed the domestic wastewater treatment systems grant schemes since their inception; the number of households that have availed of each specific grant scheme, in tabular form (details supplied

Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware that the current structure of the domestic wastewater treatment systems grant under the National Inspection Plan prevents households from applying proactively for the grant; if he will consider reforming this scheme

Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider integrating septic tank grants into existing home upgrade grant frameworks such as the SEAI's grant system to reduce administrative duplication for households; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total funding allocated in 2026 to youth specific homelessness services, including family mediation supports and other targeted interventions, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26532/26

Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has carried out a needs assessment to determine the level of long term resourcing required to address increasing youth homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26533/26

Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will commit to a successor youth homelessness strategy given that the previous youth homelessness strategy 2023-2025 has now ceased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26534/26

Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social homes that have been delivered in the Athenry-Oranmore local electoral area since 2020; the number that are new builds; the number that are acquisitions; the number that are leased

Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social homes that have been delivered in the North Conamara local electoral area since 2020; the number that are new builds; the number that are acquisitions; the number that are leased

Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social homes that have been delivered in the South Conamara local electoral area since 2020; the number that are new builds; the number that are acquisitions; the number that are leased

Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department or NPWS is engaged with Coillte with a view to acquiring land owned by Coillte to aid conservation efforts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26747/26

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline any plans to streamline the process for homeowners living in architectural conservation areas to install rooftop solar panels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26837/26

Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide the web link to his Department’s Q1 2026 published report of purchase orders-payments over €20,000, in line with the FOI model publication scheme requirements; to confirm the date on which this

Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the industrial relations dispute within Tailte Éireann concerning the non-implementation of a pay agreement which was agreed between Forsa, Tailte Éireann and Government Departments following the merging of Ordnance Survey Ireland into

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of inspections of rented accommodation that have taken place in Dublin City council, Fingal County Council, South Dublin County Council and Dun Laoghaire and Rathdown County Council for each of the years

Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the HSF funding applications will be announced for County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27030/26

Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an estimate of the total volume of data currently stored by or on behalf of the State by his Department in data centres in Ireland, data centres outside of Ireland but within the European

Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current system of proactive market surveillance of concrete construction products, being undertaken by the State; to detail the types of testing now required to ensure such products are fit-for-purpose prior to being placed

Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a breakdown, by county of the number of proactive market surveillance inspections carried out in relation to construction products, for the years 2024 and 2025; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide the number of inspections conducted which included testing of aggregates as part of the inspection process for each of the years 2024 and 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter