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that there today. This is hugely important. There are young people employed in the sector. They are contributing to their local communities, building houses, rearing families and contributing to every aspect of daily life. We want to keep them there and, as I keep saying, we want … such time as it is addressed. I thank the Minister of State for his work. I put it on the record of the House that we are lucky to have

Margaret's and Donabate. This funding includes funding under the building acquisition measure of 2023 for the purchase of a former parochial house and coach house in St. Margaret's to develop a multipurpose community space. Funding was approved to support the development of the Floraville park

working family payment recipients, because they are in low-income families who need all the help they can get in what are housing and cost-of-living crises. I hope that if I can give the Minister three or four examples of what has been happening over … make a life for himself or herself but, for whatever reason, has come back under the roof again. They are in a housing emergency. Who is going to turn away their son or daughter? By putting a roof over the head of their son or daughter again, they

will forgive for being somewhat sceptical about the commitment. It is a little bit like the however many thousand houses the Government was going to build. That was an ambition as well. Ambition is not going to put money in the bank account of carers or bring those … ends. There is a need for a plan, targets and figures. I am asking for them to be shared with me and the House

ansin faoi bheith ag caint faoi dhaoine le míchumais, or people with disabilities. One of the things we could definitely do in this House would be to allow the wage subsidy scheme to be taken on by Deputies and Senators, in a sense that it would give people … Reynolds, has a disability. We tried to get the wage subsidy scheme but were told "No". If we could allow people in this House to employ people with disabilities in an easier way, we would have them closer to policymakers. That does not relate to my question

Bill in 2017. The fact is that the State is not doing enough in terms of directly building social and affordable housing. Most of the homes that the LDA delivered in recent years were turnkey units. The State is investing significant sums in housing

think it is uniform across the country. I have got to be very honest. I have a league table that the Minister for housing has published, which shows some local authorities well exceeding their council targets for social housing, including the county of Wicklow that I represent

promised 40,000 homes in the last election campaign. That was a complete and utter fabrication and now it is making its annual housing target disappear because it cannot stand over its record and it does not want accountability on it. Since Fine Gael took office, rents … house prices have soared to record levels, home ownership levels have collapsed and now more than 5,200 children are growing up without a home. That is more than the overall number of people who were homeless when Fine Gael took office. At the same, it has given

Tánaiste. Surely, you know where your Minister for housing is on the day he launched the housing plan

have taken a number of measures to try to increase supply. I am of the view that when you increase the supply of housing, there is a demand-and-supply effect. I also believe that we need to do other things in the here and now. That … Again, I would point to some reforms we have brought in that are bearing fruit. If we were having a debate in this House on this matter not that long ago, we would have been talking about huge backlogs in An Bord Pleanála, as it was then

saying that we are there, but the position is much better than it was. I am putting the House on notice that this Government intends to bring forward legislation in respect of the delivery of critical infrastructure in an emergency manner. I remind people at home that … have said this directly to it. We provided that funding on the proviso that there will be a link between it and housing supply. Uisce Éireann cannot be the answer to everything. It has to empower developers involved in small or reasonably small developments in rural and regional

that. We are encouraged by what we are seeing and by what the industry has said to the Government and to the Oireachtas housing committee in recent weeks. On the issue of serviced and zoned land, with the residential zoned land tax, which has not been without challenge … Minister, Deputy Browne, has issued section 28, which is basically to instruct our councils to zone enough land for at least 83,000 houses. This is not rocket science. You have to over-zone because, obviously, not every zoned site converts into homes. It took a little

practical to replace a working oil or gas boiler with a heat pump, particularly when it comes to the need for a sealed house. We can look to our counterparts in Europe to see what we can do to make heat pumps more attractive. Ultimately, however … have to face the reality that it is simply not economically feasible to roll out heat pumps to our older housing stock. As a result, we may need a realistic alternative. District heating is another key pillar that we need to accelerate in line with the programme

bring some insights to bear for my constituents. I am conscious that people with a science education are in a minority in the House, which is not always a bad thing. However, I wonder whether our education system is broad enough to arm all of us with … establish Ireland's position as a leading science nation. I affirm my strong support for the development of the sciences in the House

then the stronger our democracy and the better the outcomes will be for everybody. That is what it boils down to. Climate change, housing and the lack of investment in public transport often affect young people the most. Having the voice of young people in the political system … core areas that will benefit all of us. It will help to get more pressure to have the action we need on housing, the action we need on addressing climate, the action we need on mental health, and the action we need on investment in public transport. Getting

curriculum the things that need to be discussed. These are things that are being discussed anyway about education, climate, transport, health and housing. Young people are discussing these things in their own groups. They just need to be able to have a say in votes. It would … shame on all of our houses if we go beyond this without progressing this legislation to lower the voting age to 16. There are so many reasons we have to do the right thing here and the Minister of State knows

with me. They are from Confey College in Leixlip. They are only delighted to get the opportunity to come up today to Leinster House and see democracy in action. They have ideas. They care about housing. They care about climate change. They care about being heard. They have

Labour Party believes, that the voting age should be lowered to 16. This is something Joe Costello, who served in this House for many years, first introduced in a Bill as far back as 2006. This is a fair change but it is forward thinking, inclusive and necessary … into darkness. We would be giving young people a real say in their future. The political decisions we are making in climate, education, housing, healthcare and the future digital regulation of social media companies, these are all long-term issues that will affect us consequentially, probably

made. They are the ones who on the current trajectory are going to be forced to emigrate, because they cannot afford to get housing here. They are the ones affected by all of it and they are fully mature. I will come back to the point on maturity … agri businesses. The Government thinks that is immature and not taking the economy seriously. It thinks saying we should invest money in building housing that is affordable is immature because we do not understand how the market works. When it says young people are not mature enough

Deputy is Deputy Farrelly is not something "out there". It is operating well in European countries we travel to. The Minister for housing will meet other Ministers for housing in the days and months ahead at EU Councils who have been elected by 16- and 17-year-olds

they are 22 or 23. We need to bring down the voting age for exactly that reason. I have heard Members across the House talking about the progressive ideas of young people. That is something we need to encourage in politics, because young people will bring fresh ideas … fresh perspective and lived experience. My generation and the generation below me are the ones who are going to be going through this housing crisis and are dealing with the health crisis. As other Deputies have said, young people can be carers. They can go into the Army

others in welcoming so many students to the Gallery. It is great to see the engagement. You are more than welcome to Leinster House. As Deputies are aware, this Bill proposes to amend the Constitution in order to lower the age at which persons are entitled to vote … vote in elections to Dáil Éireann. Any Bill such as this one which proposes to amend the Constitution must be passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas, and a referendum is then held. In his earlier contribution, the Minister of State, Deputy Brophy, outlined the reasons the Government

thank both Ministers of State for their contributions to the debate, which I appreciate. I thank Deputies from all sides of the House for their important and meaningful contributions. There are a couple of things I would like to say in wrapping up. First, it is that … thanks to my friends in the Social Democrats for allowing me the time to introduce this Bill and to everybody across the House for thinking about what they would say and saying it so eloquently and respectfully. I also thank the young people and youth workers

launched in 2018 as one of the flagship elements of Project Ireland 2040. URDF is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Browne. It provides up to 75% funding for applicant-led projects to support a programme of significant transformational capital … library by Cork City Council. There has been a significant level of engagement between Cork City Council and officials from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in relation to the project. I understand a revised preliminary business case that will set out the council’s preferred

Stephen, on previous occasions, as has Deputy McDonald. I respect the Deputy's commitment to the issue. As I have said in this House before, no words of condolence or consolation to Harvey's parents are enough. It is an enormous trauma for any parent to go through … October setting out the range of types of inquiries available. The Minister subsequently attended the audiovisual room briefing, which many Members of this House also attended, to listen to the requests being made. There will be a meeting today between the Minister and the Tánaiste following

Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding his Department’s work on developing mutual aid agreements with European energy counterparts, as referenced in his Department’s Review of Storm Éowyn; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding TETRA being rolled out to generation sites as an additional contingency in the event of backup communications (Optel) failures, as referenced in his Department’s Review of Storm Éowyn; and if he will

Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding Uisce Éireann's installation of 30 new permanent standby generators and the purchase of mobile generators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22401/26

Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on Uisce Éireann's target to facilitate an additional 75 sites for mobile generator connectivity by the end of 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22402/26

Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason agricultural buildings and structures are not eligible for the vacant property refurbishment grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22436/26

Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage where it stipulates that agricultural buildings and structures are not eligible for the vacant property refurbishment grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22437/26

Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to consider extending the vacant property refurbishment grant to cover agricultural buildings and structures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22438/26

Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of whole-time equivalent members of staff in each local authority for the years 2022-2023-2024-2025, by county/city authority; if he will provide a schedule of local authorities that applied to recruit

Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress that has been made towards the achievement of a government policy document on the development of windfarms and solar farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23120/26

Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the intended timeline for the finalisation, introduction to the Houses of the Oireachtas and enactment of the Civil Reform Bill 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22180/26

Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will ensure that no Member of the current Houses of the Oireachtas has had their phone calls or other forms of personal or business communications listened to, copied or intercepted; and if he will

Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the current poultry housing restrictions introduced in response to avian influenza; the criteria his Department is using to determine when these restrictions may be reviewed or lifted

outline the process by which an adult with an intellectual disability who is already known to the HSE and on local authority housing lists can obtain an assessment of need for residential and support services; the steps a family should take where no such assessment has yet been

meant by the term “offer zone” as used by the HSE in correspondence with carers in the context of disability residential and supported housing services; the criteria for a person being considered within an offer zone; whether an assessment of need or service planning can take place before

intellectual disability from the family home to supported or shared accommodation; whether families are entitled to an advance plan setting out likely housing and support options; the timelines that normally apply; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21425/26

national policy in place to ensure that adults with intellectual disabilities living with ageing parents have a clear and timely pathway to supported housing; the measures being taken to avoid crisis placements where family care can no longer be provided; and if she will make a statement

Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of contracts issued to hotels and-or guest houses to accommodate Ukrainian people, including the total number of beds, by county, at end of both February 2025 and February 2026, in tabular form

County which have been purchased while being subject to the 10% and 15% stamp duty rates for multiple purchases of ten or more housing units for each year since 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21120/26

Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of residential properties in Galway City and County currently registered for short-term letting; the proportion of housing stock represented by such properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21123/26

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is concerned that the construction of the Shannon Pipeline by Uisce Éireann may have irreparable damage to the environment and agricultural land; his plans to reduce long-term risks; and if he will

Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if it is proposed to carry out a review of the local election boundaries with a view to addressing the anomalies that may exist; and if it is proposed to invite submissions to assist with same

Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage the plans to increase the income limits for cost rental applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21077/26

Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of vacant and derelict residential properties recorded in Galway City and County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21118/26

Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of projects in Galway City and County which have received funding under the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant for each year since 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21119/26

Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of homes in Galway City and County Galway purchased under the tenant-in-situ scheme for each year since 2023; the allocations provided to Galway City Council and Galway County Council for the scheme