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welcome the Housing Finance Agency (Amendment) Bill. The increases it will provide to local authorities and approved housing bodies is very welcome and we will support the Bill. While the HFA funding is a powerful tool in the housing crisis, I want to be clear that … important as the hand which wields it. Unfortunately, I think this Government is a continuation of the previous one when it comes to housing. The budget was an indication of that. It has really done nothing in housing. It had an opportunity to reduce the cost of construction

welcome the emphasis in the budget on capital investment in infrastructure and housing. There is a full allocation of €19.1 billion for infrastructure in budget 2026, which is an increase of more than €2 billion on the 2025 figure. I very much welcome this. When we have such … cross-city link, which will be a substantial public transport development in Galway city. I welcome the record funding of €7.2 billion for housing next year. I hope it can bear fruit quickly. We need these houses urgently. We should alert the local authorities again that the Government

removing the means tests for our carers. A big move was made yesterday in that regard. This is something that everybody in the House supports. Concrete action was taken yesterday in relation to that. We are reducing the rate of VAT relating to hospitality and hairdressers … poverty is a really good and sensible way to go. I do not think we ever have enough discussion in this House about jobs and the economy any more. It is nearly as if we take full employment for granted. We can never take full employment for granted

Government knew it was misleading people. In their election manifestoes, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael failed to mention that their big, bold housing idea was to give billions to developers and investment funds. Would those parties have been elected to government if they had led with that … their housing plans? I do not believe so. We need to be straight up here. As I said last night, this budget did not come about on the basis of evidence or radical new ideas. It is like something that was conjured up during a seance at which

This is the tenth budget I have had the opportunity to respond to as the Sinn Féin spokesperson on housing. In every single year, the Minister for housing presents a budget and tells us it will address and improve the housing situation across the State … months that follow, house prices, rents and homelessness rise, and social and affordable housing targets that are too low to begin with are not met. Of the ten budgets I have digested since first being elected to the Dáil, in respect of housing, this

people are homeless and there is no recognition or framework put in here with regard to how that crisis was caused. The Housing Commission said that we need a radical reset of policy, yet we are fiddling around adding more pieces to a jigsaw with no overall picture … overnight because people are utterly dependent on it now – but the Government is still using the language that people are being adequately housed in social housing. Such a twist of language leads to a huge problem of trust for people on the ground regarding what is being said

welcome the visitors in the Gallery. I congratulate my colleague Deputy Ahern on introducing his first of legislation in the House. It is a significant achievement and great to see. As we all know, housing is the biggest challenge facing the country. We need to consider all measures … Department could overcome the challenges - if the Minister of State thinks they exist - and draft legislation On the broader issues relating to housing, none of the Department's housing schemes are working. There are affordable houses in Cork city that cost €400,000. On what planet

division. The context in which we discuss migration is the overall failures of this Government and successive Governments, particularly in areas like housing, economic inequality, tackling deprivation and addressing wage inadequacy. We cannot look at migration in isolation. The Minister talked about the long history of emigration from … managed has to take into account our needs in terms of workers for key sectors such as health but also challenges including the housing crisis and the capacity of public services, as well as a humanitarian response to those who are fleeing war and persecution. The international protection

Knocknaheeny. When Knocknaheeny was built 50 years ago, perhaps because of the financial situation of the country, it was decided to build the houses 20% smaller with substandard building materials. That decision was taken. Now Knocknaheeny has been undergoing regeneration since 2000. The houses were 25 years … trapped, because that is what they will be. They will be trapped there. They will go from the box bedroom of their parents house into one of the Minister's “initiatives” to solve the housing crisis. I said to the Minister yesterday, and I said

Amendment No. 1 seeks to provide for the zoning of land for the particular use of affordable housing. The amendment itself appears to amend a wrong section of the Bill, as section 4 of the Bill amends section 45 of the principal Act, which deals with the implementation … zoning of land for a particular use or mixture of uses. Prior to making a development plan a planning authority shall prepare a housing strategy under Part 7 of the Act of 2024 for the purpose of ensuring that the corresponding housing development strategy makes adequate provision

Kilkenny and Durrow. I was looking at the problem of the wind farms that will be behind and in front of the 15 houses along a stretch of that roadway. The meeting was quite constructive but it struck me the cards are stacked against local communities. Deputies … right place but it was not and is not okay at that location, because of how close the windmills are to the houses, at the front and back. Taking into account the cabling and so on, it is a real issue. The community is faced with going

Opposition criticisms. We spent many months last year on planning and development legislation. It was the biggest Bill ever to come before the House and here we are back again amending it. The biggest issue I have with the Bill before us is the narrative it portrays, namely … that the housing problem across the country is because of planning permission issues and people objecting. These are not the reasons we have a problem with housing across the country. That narrative lets Government off the hook and Government conveniently continues to grab onto it as being

important that local authorities remain central to planning. They know the needs of the individual areas, not least the growing numbers on the housing waiting lists in each municipal area. It is only fitting that they retain oversight relevant to regional, spatial and economic development plans and local … area plans. In my own constituency of Mayo, I see first-hand the pressure council staff are under to cope with the housing emergency, as they try their best to provide housing and accommodation against a never abating stream of people in dire housing need. I will

impact of homelessness and unstable living conditions on children is catastrophic" were the words of the Ombudsman for Children on Tuesday at the housing committee. Let us go back just five years to May 2020 and there were 2,787 children homeless. In five years, there has been … adult homelessness long after they have moved out of homeless services. If the Government wants confirmation of the total failure of its housing policies, that statistic sums it up. The Tánaiste admitted yesterday homelessness is too high in Ireland and we have to work every

solution that is being brought forward in the same way that two weeks ago I brought a motion to the House to clear all the boarded-up vacant council houses owned by the State. The Government shot that down using the same amendment it is going to shoot … this motion down with today. We have a housing emergency. People are crying out for help. The Opposition is trying to be constructive. We are trying to help the Government. The Minister of State and I sat on the housing committee together and he listened at the same

many individuals. Instead of doing what is right, the Government is pushing ahead with a revaluation to reflect the runaway cost of housing. It is responsible for that runaway cost because we know it is not just evident here in the capital or indeed the larger cities. House … prices have spiralled completely out of control as a direct result of the failure of the Government's housing policy. It is planning to increase the tax on individuals. For many people, their house is not a clean asset. They will have a liability, a mortgage

Today marks another dark day for the Government's housing record. The original target for 2025 of 41,000 new builds has been binned. The Minister, Deputy Browne, has cut the official target by 20%, stating that possibly only 34,000 homes will be built this year. Last … homes would be built. Right now, the Government is going to meet half of that figure, based on the number of houses currently being built. I have submitted freedom of information, FOI, requests to every single local authority in the country, in order to understand the scale

have been contacted by Saint John of God Community Services regarding its approved housing body. It states that it has been privately renting a house in Meath since 2022. Four residents lived in the house, supported by staff. The owner of the property is selling the house … Saint John of God Housing Association was in the process of purchasing the house and intended to use CAS funding to do so. This would give permanent tenure to the four residents. However, due to changes, it cannot use CAS funding. There are another two houses

Government has supported, and will continue to support, a targeted second-hand social housing acquisition programme, which responds to the needs of the most vulnerable. The Government increased the 2025 budget for second-hand social housing acquisition programme from the €60 million available under Housing … needs locally. The clear focus of Government is to increase the supply of new-build social and affordable homes. Increasing the overall housing supply is key to addressing the housing challenge, particularly in preventing and ultimately eliminating long-term homelessness. The Government is also committed to supporting

Housing is the number one priority for this Government. It is the issue I hear most about when I meet people across Meath West. This concern is not limited to one age group. Our twenty-somethings are struggling to gain independence. They are stuck in expensive rental markets … expected, not out of choice but by necessity. This is not a uniquely Irish challenge. Across the world, advanced economies are grappling with housing crises. In Canada, cities such as Toronto and Vancouver are facing skyrocketing prices, despite significant state intervention. In Germany, rent caps introduced in Berlin

weeks ago, Cork City Council announced an affordable housing scheme. This will be delivered through the Department's funding and by Cork City Council. There is shock that it will cost just under €400,000 to buy one of these properties. For years people who cannot … mortgage and who do not qualify for social housing have been contacting my office and I have been telling them about affordable housing. Those people are now asking me: where is the affordable housing because for most families this is not affordable? To give an idea, the maximum

strong belief that all stakeholders responsible for delivering houses are not on the same page and do not share the one ambition. In this case, I separate out the banks. It is almost impossible for young people seeking their first mortgage to get a mortgage from the bank … build their own house or to purchase one. The mortgage approval rate may be high and may look impressive but when you look at the figures, there are the numbers drawing down mortgages and those just waiting because they have not been approved for enough or cannot afford

This man-made housing crisis continues to spiral out of control. We have once again, to the shame of this and previous Governments Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have been members of, reached record homeless figures. Over 15,500 people are now officially considered homeless, of whom over … what is described as hidden homelessness. They are those who have to sleep in their car or coach surf because of their insecure housing situation. An estimate of those affected by hidden homelessness suggests that in 2024 over 30,000 people were in this precarious situation. A great

going to start by saying there is nothing more insulting to families languishing on the housing list than the sight of an empty house. The Minister of State found a new insult when he stood up and said his policies are working … having more faces than Clerys clock when it comes to the housing crisis. Every single one of those boarded-up houses is a constant reminder of the failure of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael on housing. If they cared about families and children growing

long campaigned against the scourge of vacancy and dereliction in our communities. Vacant local authority homes are the low-hanging fruit of the housing crisis and constitute State-sponsored dereliction. The undisputed fact is that local authorities do not receive adequate funding from the Department to deal with … Fine Gael. There are 113 homes awaiting minor refurbishment, which cannot be done for €11,000. There are 115 units assigned to the housing maintenance team of the council awaiting minor repairs. Of these, 87 are eligible for €11,000 in voids funding and 28 are being funded

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if legislation is in place for a Government housing body to take over unfinished ghost estates after a certain period and to complete them as finished housing units for the people; and if he will make

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when affordable housing units for sale, will be made available to the general public in Killarney, County Kerry, where there is huge demand; the reason affordable housing has not been made available to the Killarney public

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when affordable housing units for sale, will be made available to the general public in Tralee, County Kerry, where there is huge demand; the reason affordable housing has not been made available to the Tralee public

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when affordable housing units for sale, will be made available to the general public in Listowel, County Kerry, where there is huge demand; the reason affordable housing has not been made available to the Listowel public

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when affordable housing units for sale, will be made available to the general public in Dingle, County Kerry, where there is huge demand; the reason affordable housing has not been made available to the Dingle public

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when affordable housing units for sale, will be made available to the general public in Killorglin, County Kerry, where there is huge demand; the reason affordable housing has not been made available to the Killorglin public

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when affordable housing units for sale, will be made available to the general public in Kenmare, County Kerry, where there is huge demand; the reason affordable housing has not been made available to the Kenmare public

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when affordable housing units for sale, will be made available to the general public in Castleisland, County Kerry, where there is huge demand; the reason affordable housing has not been made available to the Castleisland public

Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will examine the case of a family (details supplied) who are living in overcrowded accommodation, who are being removed from the housing list for being over the income limit, but have been turned … down for an affordable housing scheme due to insufficient income; if he will propose a solution for this family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20170/25

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when affordable housing units for sale, will be made available to the general public in Cahersiveen, County Kerry, where there is huge demand; the reason affordable housing has not been made available to the Cahersiveen public

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to review the housing assistance payment scheme in light of recent reports of a shortfall in the number of housing units available within it; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when additional funding will be allocated to local authorities for the housing aid and housing adaptation grants given that some local authorities have already closed some of these grants to new applicants. [20621/25

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of social housing new builds delivered in 2024 by delivery streams, SHIP construction, SHIP turnkey, CALF construction, CALF turnkey, CAS construction, CAS turnkey, Local Authority Part V, Approved Housing Body Part

Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has undertaken analysis of the comparative cost per unit per local authority of the provision of social housing in 2023 and 2024 through the various methods available to housing authorities, including Part

Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number and percentage of eligible applicants for the housing development and contribution waiver that have completed their respective housing developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21226/25

Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of houses that are eligible for the housing development and contribution waiver built have yet to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21227/25

Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing units in Offaly that are eligible for the housing development and contribution waiver but have yet to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21228/25

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average cost, per unit, of social housing acquisitions in 2024, broken down by tenant-in-situ, housing first, buy-and-renew and vacant acquisitions, and with a further breakdown of these categories by local

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social housing acquisitions in 2024, broken down by tenant-in-situ, housing first, buy-and-renew and vacant acquisitions, and with a further breakdown of these categories by local authority area

Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of Dublin City Council’s recent decision to restrict priority social housing status to care leavers coming solely from residential care, thereby excluding those transitioning from foster care; the measures his Department … taking to ensure that all vulnerable young people exiting State care, regardless of their care background, receive equitable access to social housing supports to prevent homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18303/25

Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of additional units that must be provided before stage 2 funding for Pearse House, Dublin 2 can be released; and if he has considered removing the protected structure status of Pearse House to allow

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the relationship between and the difference between the housing capital allocations of €3.6 billon and €3.8 billion for 2025 referenced by him in the media (details supplied) and the capital allocation for housing

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications by approved housing bodies and local authorities for approval for social and affordable housing schemes under the SHIP, CAS, CALF, CREL and AHF funding streams, broken down by month and funding

Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current outstanding strategic housing development planning application list, setting out the number of housing units and locations involved, in tabular form. [17531/25

Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to address the housing crisis as it impacts one-person households; if his Department will ensure one-person households can avail of the tenant-in-situ scheme; if he will allow housing authorities