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said, over the next couple of minutes I will set out the Government's countermotion and our response to the motion before us. Housing is a cross-sectoral societal challenge that has a real impact on people’s lives. I reassert this Government’s commitment to addressing … housing crisis by implementing Housing for All and the suite of measures outlined in the programme for Government. Housing for All is a multi-annual plan to accelerate and increase the delivery of new homes. Since its publication in September 2021, almost 107,000 homes have been added

thank the Deputy for raising this important matter regarding the delivery of social and affordable housing in Arklow. I am answering on behalf of our colleague the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Browne, and his Department. Affordability and the chance to own a home remain … heart of this Government's housing policy, as set out in our new national housing action plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025–2030. At the same time, we remain firmly committed to delivering the social housing needed to support individuals and families who require housing assistance

their contributions to this very important debate. I acknowledge that I could not be here earlier but I was meeting Oliver Bond House residents at the Custom House, which had been arranged before this Private Members' debate. Of course I will get the transcript and read back over … everything to have full knowledge of everything that has been said. I have previously acknowledged to the House that housing is the defining social and economic challenge of our time, which affects almost every family throughout the country. It has been my absolute focus since I became Minister

Recent commentary talks about a housing crisis in this country. The term "crisis" does not describe what so many families and individuals are experiencing because what we have is a housing emergency. No other word can describe it. It is not a crisis when over … emergency. However, this emergency is not limited to that totally unacceptable figure. It also includes working families who cannot get onto the housing list or have been taken off housing lists and cannot access the housing assistance payment, HAP, because local authorities are assessing income from last year

here to speak in support of this Bill. At the outset in his speech, the Minister mentioned Spain and the housing crisis that is raging across Spain at the moment. It is important to note for context that there is such a terrible housing crisis in Spain because … when Spain transitioned from Francoism to democracy, the social housing stock in Spain was between 1% and about 3%. There was a Francoist system of housing which transitioned into democracy. There were the 1990s and 2000s, an awful lot of property speculation and a property boom. Even though

where we are as a society and where our priorities are as a society. For me, the idea that we do not have housing enshrined in our Constitution as a fundamental right is a problem because we can see all around us on a daily basis … will continue throughout 2026" - do not match with what we can all see clearly with our eyes, which is that this is a housing emergency that has dominated our society for decades now and is affecting every single person in our country. It is not only about

happens when their landlords decide to sell the properties in six years' time? They will face market rents and a rental system and housing market that will be even more unaffordable. What the Government has done and is about to do is giving a very clear signal … Government is justifying the increase in the rents as incentivising investor funds to build a supply of more expensive and unaffordable rental housing while rents will be allowed to rise in line with inflation. There will be no 2% cap. If inflation starts to rise

echo the Minister of State's sentiments. The Opposition has been calling for a debate on housing for a while and has accused the Government of avoiding and not having the debate. When we eventually have it, one Opposition Member graces the benches. Well done, Deputy Ó Broin … from the Social Democrats or the Labour Party. That is disappointing. I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for the opportunity to address the House on housing matters. As highlighted by the Minister of State, the Government's clear focus is on building new homes, including social and affordable

move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: notes that: — increasing the overall housing supply is key to addressing the housing challenge and preventing and ultimately eliminating long-term homelessness, and the clear focus of Government must therefore remain on increasing … supply of new build social and affordable homes; — notwithstanding, a targeted second-hand social housing acquisition programme has been and will continue to be an important policy response to priority needs such as tenancy sustainment, exits from homelessness, support for elderly and disabled persons and tackling vacancy

thank Deputy Murphy and People Before Profit for bringing forward this Bill. When we look at housing conditions in the private rental sector, we see that there is an absolute tsunami of situations where people are living in substandard accommodation. I have met people living in the private … living in the private rental sector. This results from Government policy over the last 30 to 40 years, which shifted from providing public housing to sourcing housing from the private rental sector through various State subsidies. The Governments of the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s - we are talking about

working-class people, workers with rising costs and everything, were maybe left behind a bit and we need to address the issues of housing. People who want to build their own houses are having severe difficulty. I will start off with health. In Killarney, we have … charge running whatever business it is. You are not covered by public liability yourself. We could do a lot for housing. In Kerry, there are simple things. We cannot get planning because of this strict urban-generated pressure rule that is depriving so many people who are building

Social Democrats are happy to support this increase to the borrowing ceiling for the Housing Finance Agency. It is the correct thing to do, but it is limited. We would like it to be higher. We believe there needs to be a significant increase in the delivery … social and affordable housing beyond what is currently being delivered and financed. Many questions are being asked at the moment about housing and the Government's housing plan, what has happened to it and where it is. We heard earlier from the Taoiseach that the Government's plans

thank the House for the debate on the report of the Housing Commission and the views put forward throughout it. I once again express my appreciation to the commission members for their time, effort and commitment. It is clear from the views expressed during the debate that there … debate to an end. The commission's observation that Ireland has poor outcomes among European peers, given our level of expenditure on housing, has been raised on multiple occasions since the report was published and again during the debate. It is easy for the point to be misconstrued

very much welcome this debate, which is long overdue. I also welcome the Deputy Browne to his new role as Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. I wish him well. We should have had this debate months ago, before the election. The Housing Commission's report … clear as it is stark in relation to the Government's failure on housing. It is abundantly clear that we do need a period of accelerated delivery to eliminate the deficit of up to 256,000 home and that a specialist entity is needed to drive, direct

welcome the Minister of State to the House and echo the comments of my colleague, Deputy Kelly, about Tony Maher. This programme for Government contains more reviews than the RTÉ Guide and offers little in the way of hope for renters, people on the housing list or people … hotels, especially in my city, Limerick. It offers more of the same and does not contain anything remotely resembling the radical reset in housing policy called for in the Government's own Housing Commission report. It is difficult to objectively critique the Government's housing policy because

move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." The idea behind the social housing passport is a very simple one. It allows people on local authority housing waiting lists or in receipt of social housing supports like the housing assistance payment, HAP, and the rental accommodation … Fine Gael, the Labour Party and, indeed, until recently, the Minister of State's party. Alan Kelly, when he was the Minister for housing back in 2014, included it in his housing plan at the time. Simon Coveney, when he was the Minister for housing in 2016, included

delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "notes that: — the Programme for Government commits to continue and accelerate Social Housing regeneration schemes in Dublin, and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage continues and commits to support regeneration projects submitted by Dublin City Council … established inner-city flat complexes, and to ensure that they are to an acceptable standard; — DCC, through funding from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, are focused on eradicating any sub-standard conditions that have arisen in aging flat complexes, and this directly addresses the issues

thank all the Deputies who have made contributions in the House over the last while. A lot of them summarised some of the challenges we face, including the need to urgently ramp up supply, quite well. There is clearly a common theme among Deputies' contributions, that … desire to make housing affordable, to increase supply and to reduce and eventually end homelessness. That has come through quite clearly. All of that will feed into the new housing plan, which is imminent. Many of those themes will certainly be covered. Obviously, a lot of those issues

parliamentary assistant, Ellen O'Doherty, for their work on this Bill. It is a privilege to bring this Bill before the House on Second Stage; it is my first Bill before the Dáil. It is very apt that it is the Developer Profits Transparency Bill. The issue that … hand and why we are bringing forward this Bill is that house prices are completely out of control. We have seen house prices rise year after year. We have seen a double-digit increase in prices whereby house prices are now completely out of reach for most ordinary

move: That Dáil Éireann: notes that: — the housing and homelessness crisis is getting worse; — house prices, rents, council waiting lists and homelessness are all rising; — the Government continue to miss their social and affordable housing target, targets that are too low to begin with; — tens of thousands … since 2015; — growing numbers of people approaching pension age are living in expensive and insecure rental accommodation fearful of their future; — the student housing crisis continues to deepen; — the housing needs of Travellers, people with disabilities, older people and other marginalised communities continue to be ignored; and — tens

welcome the opportunity to examine the report prepared by the Housing Commission. I also welcome Deputy Browne's appointment as Minister for housing. I have no doubt he will carry on the transformative agenda started by his predecessor, Deputy O'Brien. The Housing Commission report is based over … significant piece of work and I thank the members of the commission for their efforts. As noted by colleagues from across the House, the report is very much a benchmark that provides a series of policy options for improving the State housing plan, Housing for All. Many

move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: acknowledges that: - Housing for All - A new Housing Plan for Ireland, sets out an ambitious multi-annual programme that seeks to deliver more than 300,000 new homes between 2022 and 2030; - while … maintain an upward trajectory in supply and in line with or ahead of the overall target over the longer term; - since Housing for All - A new Housing Plan for Ireland was published in September, 2021, almost 99,500 new homes have been built, with delivery

ráiteas i mBéarIa. My colleague, the Minister, Deputy Browne, has discussed in detail the suite of actions in the Government's housing action plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030, that will increase the levels of housing supply and housing choice across the country, including in Gaeltacht areas … What is committed in the Government's housing plan with respect to the Gaeltacht is clear. In addition to the range of housing supports that are available nationally and the clear focus on tackling barriers to delivery, a national planning statement will be prepared for housing

every year. This did not happen by accident. This happened by design and as a result of the failure of this Government's housing policy, and the interventions that this Government is making are making this crisis worse. The Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, signed … under that declaration while the numbers are persistently and consistently growing every single year? I cannot take the Government and this housing plan seriously when it continues along the same lines as the stuff that was in Rebuilding Ireland and Housing for All that have created this problem

Limerick, the average price of a three-bed, semi-detached house is now €345,000. It has gone up 13.8% in a year. It has gone up 40% in five years. This issue of bulk buying by investors is one of the reasons behind house price inflation … Limerick. Some experts say it can account for up to 20%, or one third, of house price inflation. Why did the Government take some action in 2021? It is important to remember that action was taken on foot of what I can only describe as intense political pressure

Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to a video advising adults how to move back in with parents, if guidelines on applicants for social housing at local authority level will be amended in order that those who have had to move … back in with parents, on foot of the video advice from his Department, will not be deemed 'suitably housed' and will still be eligible for social housing applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71777/25

Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total funding allocated to Carlow County Council for housing grants in 2025, under housing aid for older people grant, housing adaptation grant for people with a disability and mobility aids grant, in tabular form

Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total funding drawn down by Carlow County Council for housing Grants in 2025, under housing aid for older people grant, housing adaptation grant for people with a disability and mobility aids grant, in tabular form

Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the work underway to accelerate housing supply in rural areas; if he will consider introducing additional measures to assist the construction of one-off housing in rural areas; if he will … outline his national strategy for rural housing development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65846/25

Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason his Department has not sanctioned the purchase of 17 homes in Milford, County Donegal by an approved housing body to house families on the local social housing list; and if he will make

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the controls in place to ensure value for money in approved housing bodies-delivered housing projects funded under Delivering Homes, Building Communities; the audit mechanisms applied; and the criteria used to approve per-unit funding … approved housing bodies schemes. [64403/25

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage the position regarding housing supports for persons who fall outside existing schemes, but do not make enough money to compete in the housing market in the context of unprecedented housing prices; and if he will make

Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the housing proposal from Wicklow County Council at Rehills Land, Bray, County Wicklow which was recently refused funding by the Housing Agency will now be reviewed by the Housing Activation Office; if funding will

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide the dates on which meetings took place of the Housing Activation Office; the Housing Activation Delivery Group and the Housing Activation Industry Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware that homeowners that have received emails from the Housing Agency, confirming that third party chartered engineering consultancy services providers have apparently experienced a cyber incident affecting its IT systems (details supplied … will urgently seek absolute assurance from the Housing Agency that no data has been lost or compromised that would be subject to examination or investigation by the Independent Appeals Panel or the Office of the Information Commissioner as part of the appeals or complaints processes undertaken by homeowners

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current estimate for housing completions in 2025 and 2026; the variance between those estimates and the published Housing for All targets; the latest national and regional house-price-to-earnings ratios; and his Department

Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage given the significant challenge that coastal community members face in competing for housing within their own communities due to national and international demand for second and/or holiday homes, if he will consider developing a scheme … provide affordable long-term State owned rental properties for coastal community members who are above the threshold for social housing support and cannot afford to purchase homes in their own community due to the competition for those houses as second or holiday homes; and if he will make

Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the increasing number of older persons who are falling into homelessness, particularly in Galway; the way in which he will support older persons in accessing secure and affordable housing … given that the number of persons reaching pension age in precarious housing situations will only continue to rise with the unaffordability of home ownership; if measures will be given in Budget 2026 to address this aspect of the housing crisis; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on proposals to review planning laws in relation to permitting the installation of cabin-type accommodation in back gardens to temporarily house family members who cannot source housing elsewhere in view … current housing crisis; if he will confirm that permissions will be granted solely to accommodate family members with strict criteria to preclude exploitation of the relaxation of rules for profit; if he will indicate when the review will be completed and published; and if he will make

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current percentage of Ireland’s total housing stock that is in public, affordable, or cooperative housing; how this compares with European peers such as Austria, Denmark, and the Netherlands; and whether he intends … adopt best practice models to expand non-market housing options. [47951/25

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if south Kerry in conjunction with an organisation (details supplied) where the organisation has access to lands locally, can be used as a pilot area for the development of cluster type housing and community housing with … services in order to provide urgently needed housing in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44720/25

Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether a person who has recently been approved for social housing can have their payment transferred under the housing assistance payment, notwithstanding they are currently in receipt of emergency rental supplement as this payment was approved … before they were approved on the housing list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45955/25

Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to list all housing support schemes available to households whose incomes exceed the social housing and fall below affordable housing thresholds. [41442/25

Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage following the decision by Limerick city and county council to pause all applications for housing adaptation grants for older people and disabled people, with the exception of housing adaption grants, mobility aid grants and emergency applications … under the housing aid for older people, due to a lack of funding; if he will allocate additional funding to ensure that applications currently in the system will be processed in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42017/25

Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has approved a prohibition on purchase of second-hand dwellings by approved housing bodies (AHBs) under the capital acquisitions scheme (CAS); if he is aware that such a prohibition will impact most on AHBs … that provide homes for people with disabilities and will result in thwarting progress in housing provision for some of the most vulnerable people who are in urgent need of housing within their communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43965/25

Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review the designation of recipients of HAP housing as having their housing needs met, to allow them to remain on social housing waiting lists and be assessed; and if he will make

Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if statistics, by county, are available from local authorities on the number of refusals of first and second offers of social housing by applicants on the housing list, in tabular form; the impact such refusals have … local authority housing services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35835/25

Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a breakdown of capital investment in housing in 2024 and 2025 respectively by programme, in tabular form; to outline any additional capital investment in housing carried out by local authorities, the LDA and approved … housing bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33759/25

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of new Housing First tenancies created in each of the years 2016 to 2024 and to date in 2025, with a breakdown by local authority area; the total number of active Housing … First tenancies currently operating in each local authority area; and if he will provide the Housing First targets for each local authority and homeless region for 2025, in tabular form. [29461/25

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social housing projects that will now be transferred from the Peter McVerry Trust to local authorities and other approved housing bodies; to provide a breakdown of this by local authority area … number of units; and the number of social housing projects that will now not proceed as a result of the restructuring of the Peter McVerry Trust, with a breakdown by local authority area and number of units. [30568/25