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multiples of the previous one. We must also ensure as a country that we remain at the cutting edge of new technologies. Housing is an absolute priority for this Government. In the previous Government, we delivered 135,000 new homes. It was not a question of any sector … above housing; housing was the number one priority and remains so. Under the national development plan review, however, the three main priorities are housing, water and energy. That is critical. I do not think anybody could or should disagree with that. Look at the jobs underpinned

again thank the House for the opportunity to engage with Members directly on flooding matters. I am aware of the significant impact on communities and of the distress caused by and the continued risk of flooding. I have seen impact of flooding on people and on their homes … schemes in early delivery stages are being progressed by the OPW and its delivery partners towards planning and construction completion. Nobody in the House knows more about and has seen more distress caused by flooding than I have in my town and as I visited towns and villages

between south Wicklow and north Wexford. As with the rest of the country, in all areas of my constituency there are issues with housing supply and availability of rental properties that are impacting families and communities. However, depending on which side of the border they live … constituents will receive significantly different support from the State to assist with the cost of housing. If we take, for example, a couple with three children who are renting a home in the town of Carnew, County Wicklow, if they are eligible for housing assistance payments they

anything that can be done. I will explain how we arrived at the limits. Once a household is deemed eligible for social housing support, it is a matter for the local authority to examine the suite of social housing supports available, including the housing assistance payment scheme … determine the most appropriate form of social housing support for that household in the administrative area of that local authority. A key principle of the housing assistance payment is that eligible households source their own accommodation in the private rented market. The accommodation should be within the prescribed

know, the Government is all over the place on housing. As people sleep overnight in their cars hoping to get the chance to buy a home of their own, the Minister for housing, Deputy James Browne, went on television and admitted the Government's housing plan is failing … that the ESRI's projection of 34,000 units is more likely. This is a shortfall of 7,000. Of course, missing housing targets is the form of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael in government. Rather than misleading the public on housing delivery - which was their tactic during

Rural Future. While I am glad to hear that the next iteration of the Government's rural development policy will look at housing, the previous one did not do so in any meaningful sense. In fact, it had more to say on rural broadband than on rural housing … believe that is part of the fundamental problem. This Government and its predecessors have wasted years when housing should have been developed. Rural communities need action on housing. They need delivery of affordable and social homes and provision of affordable serviced sites. Coastal villages like Ardmore are facing

This has been an issue for many of us across the House over the past couple of months. It has been flagged repeatedly by Government TDs as well as Opposition TDs. I would like to specifically talk about Cork city and county. Some 33 families in Cork city … have taken advantage of that and tried to progress additional applications for the tenant in situ scheme. I understand why the Department of housing and the Department of public expenditure might have concerns about the way the scheme is being utilised by some local authorities, which were perhaps

areas where there is a large chasm between where the people of Ireland are and where the political establishment in Leinster House sits. Most people want to be able to provide shelter for those who are fleeing war and violence and to be able to help people, especially … person under which they can achieve this income. It is incredibly wrong that we have a situation where people in one house could earn €100,000 and gain this particular support and next door those on €30,000 do not gain this particular support. A tenant came into

Mark, to the Public Gallery, as many of my colleagues on these benches have. When Cara walked in to Leinster House today, I noticed that she passed a painting of Countess Markievicz and busts of Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese, women who have left indelible marks on this … friends, watching television, playing video games and going out and living her childhood rather than having to sit or stand outside this House to get what she needs as a child and for her brothers. It is an absolute disgrace that we are here in this House

thank Deputy Murphy for raising this important question on whether housing delivery is at risk because of challenges regarding the electricity grid. I am committed to building more homes in Ireland and to ensuring the housing needs of our society and economy are met. The Government’s revised … housing targets, aiming for over 300,000 new homes by 2030, set a pathway to deliver on this objective. While scaling up capacity to deliver 300,000 new homes by 2030 will be an enormous challenge, this can be facilitated, inter alia, through appropriate Government support to increase

progress that has been made in Cork, both by Cork City Council and Cork County Council in the delivery of affordable purchase houses in particular. That is very welcome and I note the strong ambition in the programme for Government under the starter homes theme, which is important … Again, I reiterate that when one looks at the delivery of housing, the quantum of social housing is critically important and we all want that to increase but have to look at the disparity between social and affordable. We need to ensure that we bridge that

thank Deputy Connolly for raising the important issue of the funding provided to housing authorities for the provision of emergency accommodation in 2024 and 2025. Supporting individuals and families at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness is a priority for Government and me. Critical to this is increasing … supply of housing. The Government is committed to increasing supply with a record level of €6.8 billion in capital funding being made available for the delivery of housing in 2025. The capital provision is supplemented by a further €1.65 billion in current funding to address housing need. This

renewed focus on prompt turnaround and re-letting of vacant units by focusing only on those works necessary to ensure compliance with the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019. Non-essential works should be carried out under the local authority’s planned maintenance programme informed by stock … condition surveys, whereby all housing components are on an inspection, repair and replacement cycle. While the management and maintenance of local authority housing stock is legally a matter for each individual local authority under section 58 of the Housing Act 1966, the approach being developed is necessary

basis for the review and updating of regional spatial and economic strategies and local authority development plans to reflect matters such as updated housing figures, projected jobs growth and renewable energy capacity allocations, including through the zoning of land for residential, employment and a range of other purposes … revised NPF facilitates planning for the delivery of in excess of 50,000 additional housing units per annum nationally, every year to 2040. Given the urgent need to ensure that the updated housing requirements can be incorporated into the planning system as quickly as possible to address housing

thank the Minister of State for that. Rightsizing generally means moving home in later life into housing that is more suitable. It is more usually known as downsizing. It can also mean adapting your home to make it more age appropriate or considering other housing options. The Housing … plan sets out that the current and projected need for housing among our older people should be made through clear, target-driven local authority delivery action plans and housing strategies. Can the Minister of State indicate what engagement he has had with local authorities in this regard

thank the Deputy. His question relates to the urgent review of the cut in funding for the social housing acquisition programmes, given its negative impact on key homelessness schemes such as the tenant in situ and housing first. Tenant in situ acquisitions have been an important measure … Government has therefore agreed to continue such acquisitions in 2025 and has increased the funding available for second-hand social housing acquisitions from the €60 million allocated under Housing for All to €325 million through the allocation of an additional €265 million this year. To date, local authorities

hard. Through no fault of her own, she finds herself in a situation where she could be waiting 30 years to get permanent housing. She does not earn enough to buy a house, but that should not mean that she does not have somewhere secure to live … Minister of State says two things in the reply. He says, "As regards the waiting list for social housing, it is not possible for a household previously on one social housing ... list to carry the time spent ...". He can see that this is clearly what I am asking

Minister of State, Deputy Marian Harkin, will close the debate at the end. I welcome that we have taken some time in the House today to address one of the most important issues that confronts a government at any time, but particularly in changing and challenging times such … drive innovation and ultimately secure employment and high-value jobs. Ireland is a leading player in several important industries, as everyone in this House knows well. We export the products of those industries worldwide, namely, pharmaceuticals and medicines, semiconductors and medical devices. We are home to many leading

recently speaking to one of the housing officials in Kerry County Council who described the housing situation in the county as being "like a jungle out there". Rather than doing something about it, the plan from the Government is going to make things worse. The problems with critical … trying to do their best, are paralysed by the lack of direction from the Government, with no serviced sites and no affordable housing plan that they have been instructed to complete. The critical infrastructure deficits are also doing untold damage to the local economy, business activity and tourism

Tánaiste trying to fool? He just stood up and barefaced said there is no housing tsar in his plan. Is that what he is trying to say? Does he know what his housing Minister said on "RTÉ News at One" yesterday? He said that Brendan McDonagh … Horgan-Jones' piece about a month ago? The idea that the Tánaiste is blindsided by this is nonsense. The Government is proposing a housing tsar with a salary of €430,000. That is what is on the cards here. Deputy James Lawless, a Minister at the Cabinet

many councillors there are none. You would not think that from reading the report. Another point I wish to raise relates to the housing targets. We saw in 2018 that the same report underestimated the demand in housing. We see this again in this report. The Housing Commission … said that we need to build 60,000 houses. I wonder if this is purposely done given that we are so far off our targets. Is it purposely done to reduce the targets? The Housing Commission does not agree with the targets contained in this report. The apprenticeship

Regarding the Cabinet sub-committee on housing, I know the issue of the gazumping of young people will mean a lot to the Taoiseach. I saw a house for sale recently in my constituency for €495,000. That is really expensive but by the time it was sold … gone up and up. In Scotland, when a house is put up for sale, quite a bit of consideration is given by the vendor and the person selling it on the vendor's behalf. When you name the price on the market in the local estate agents

Government is employing a new housing tzar with a salary of €430,000, which is an incredible figure. Because of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Independents, that may well be the salary someone needs to buy a home in many parts of this country at the moment … have a record-breaking Government for all the wrong reasons. We have record house prices, rents and numbers of people on the homeless list at the moment. There are incredible figures. This Government is in reverse on the most important issue facing the country. In the majority

only strengthened but embedded even more deeply across every part of the organisation. I assure everyone here and outside of this House that I am totally committed to dealing with these issues. When I met the board of CHI two weeks ago and again this week, after … this has progressed and is now subject to the time required for due process and fair procedures, but I know everyone in this House expects it to be completed shortly. Separately, as Deputies are aware, a clinical audit of surgery for children with developmental dysplasia

that is, our water infrastructure. Water is not just a utility. It is a cornerstone of public health, economic growth, environmental protection and housing development. Yet, across our capital, including in my constituency of Dún Laoghaire and in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area, the very system we rely … called this a lack of resilience. We simply do not have the supply capacity to meet the demands of our growing economy and housing needs. That is not a forecast; it is a fact. Now, to be clear, progress is being made. Between 2020 and 2024, Uisce Éireann

Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the work of the Housing Activation Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17105/26

Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of affordable, social and cost rental housing deliveries in County Waterford, by year since 2021, and by local electoral area in Waterford. [17606/26

Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures he is taking to increase social housing delivery in County Meath; the number delivered in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16267/26

Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider increasing the income threshold for applicants for social housing, accounting for the rise in monthly rents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17571/26

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the provision of allocated housing for those that work in frontline public sector jobs including teachers, nurses and members of An Garda Síochána; if this is under review within his Department

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the engagement he has had with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Energy on the impact of grid constraint on the delivery of housing targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to review the qualifying criteria for social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17480/26

Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his targets for affordable housing in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17488/26

Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if an increase to housing assistance payment rent limits is being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17484/26

Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the options for individuals fleeing domestic violence and who are forced to leave a joint local authority tenancy for their own safety; the alternatives available to them to moving to a new local authority and rejoining … bottom of the housing list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18045/26

Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has considered fast tracking a social housing passport style transfer option between local authorities for individuals fleeing domestic violence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18046/26

Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on his Department’s review of the 2017 Policy and Procedural Guidance for Housing Authorities in relation to assisting victims of domestic violence with emergency and long-term accommodation needs

Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the national policy or policies which allow local authorities to deliver social, affordable and private housing tenures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18113/26

Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will examine the case for providing capital assistance scheme funding, or an alternative capital mechanism, to support the redevelopment of a disability housing property (details supplied); and whether flexibility can be applied

Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the progress of the Ravenhouse development in Finglas, Dublin 11, as developed by Dublin City Council in conjunction with an approved housing body; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the process put in place to arrange for property registered to Cork County Council to be transferred to Cork City Council after the extension of the city boundary; the reason three houses in an area (details

Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the allocation per local authority for the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability for each year from 2015-2025 and for 2026, in tabular form. [17709/26

Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the allocation per local authority for the Disability Adaptation to Housing Stock for each year from 2015-2025 and for 2026, in tabular form. [17710/26

Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on an affordable housing scheme in Cork (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16212/26

Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if local authorities under the housing adaptation grant approve and fund modular bathroom pods where they are deemed the most appropriate method to meet the applicant’s needs, and in a timely manner, given they already

Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the process that was put in place to arrange for property registered to Cork County Council to be transferred to Cork City Council after the extension of the city boundary; the reason three houses

Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of houses occupied by bats in County Kerry that are designated as bat roosts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16454/26

Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether local authorities that own land for house building are liable for the residential zoned land tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16457/26

Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage where a person who purchased a local authority affordable home but has since identified structural issues or quality issues with said house should report these issues; the remedies that are available to them

Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is an audit process in place between his Department and the local authorities setting out the time from which a property is completed and ready to occupy to the time that the property … then made available to those who are on the housing waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16970/26