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case in the heart of Wexford town on Newtown Road - the Ceann Comhairle will be familiar with the area - where a one-off house was built and the connection fee from Irish Water was €33,000. That was the amount that was demanded and had to be given … Irish Water to connect this one-off house a few hundred yards from the heart of Wexford town to the main water supply. Absolutely no cognisance was taken of how many other people could connect with this. The original person getting the connection was charged the full whack

genuinely thank the Minister of State for his compassion, but the reason I am saying this and bringing this true story to the House is that this is replicated in many other cases right around the county. This woman has water but may as well have none because … order that she can have a functioning shower. Going back to a lot of the commentary all day, I have spoken in this House at least twice in recent times about the deficits in Irish Water's investment in infrastructure, wastewater and water supply. There are many cases

amount of water we waste and reuse water in a way that makes the most out of the water that comes into the house. The idea is that certain systems within houses, such as kitchen sinks and showers produce water after the fact which cannot be drunk … other functions, such as flushing toilets. In that way, water used to flush the toilet would have been used once already within the house. That would hugely decrease the demand of that household for water but also the output from the house, which creates other knock-on problems

Irish Water and in terms of investment, particularly in small towns and villages. If they had the water infrastructure, it would enable small housing schemes to happen much more quickly than has been the case. I have been around the country in places like Cloughjordan where issues similar … those described by the Deputy in Cloughjordan are the norm. The former Minister for housing, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, created the small towns and villages scheme but it has been slow in terms of delivery. I have met with Irish Water once already in the aftermath of Storm

high. The objective is to get people out of emergency accommodation as quickly as we can. There were about 8,500 more social houses built last year and, on top of that, a couple of thousand more leased or acquired. We have had a higher number of social … housing units coming on stream in the past three to four years than we have had since the 1970s. There is an issue, then, with regard to what is happening. The dynamic is changing. There is a complexity to the composition of homelessness today that was not there

Government approved new housing targets up to 2030. Some 303,000 homes are expected to be delivered from 2025 to 2030. This equates to an average of approximately 50,500 homes, building up to 60,000 homes in 2030. To meet these very ambitious targets, it is necessary … many different ways of delivery. Modern methods of construction are a key pillar in this housing delivery programme. This year, the accelerated social housing delivery programme and the Government initiatives described will continue to support the delivery of housing using modern methods of construction. Additionally, under the programme

thank Deputy Healy, not only for bringing forward this motion today but for years of pushing the necessity of legally recognising the housing emergency as an emergency and the necessity for radical action. The motion contains the kind of emergency measures that the Government should have been implementing … years ago. I was first elected in 2014. That year, there was a similar motion which called for recognition of a housing emergency. It was rejected by the Fine Gael-Labour Government. At the time, when we were rightly saying it was an emergency, 3,607 homeless were

families, small families, people with disabilities, pensioners and so on. Those plans need to be used by all the local authorities for affordable housing, cost-rental and social housing. Do we really believe that people who need an affordable house to buy or a cost-rental house care … house they are living in in County Donegal is the same as one in County Laois or Coutry Kerry or wherever else? No, they do not. I certainly would not. That is how we mass produced previously. We need to go back to doing this. The same plans

such, there should be a prevailing environment of co-operation, respect and honour for one another, and most especially, in this House. If there were a report card from last week, it would read that this House needs to do better and this House needs to be better … Members who have the privilege of being elected to this House, we all sign up to the Houses of the Oireachtas dignity and respect policy. One of the core principles is that we must have positive, courteous working relationships with each other, respecting the value of our respective

Department of Justice. Earlier today, my colleague the Minister, Deputy Chambers, received Government approval for the moving of this motion in the House to seek the approval of Members to establish the required Votes and make the necessary financial adjustments. This is vital to ensure that the necessary … Police Ombudsman, supported by a deputy Police Ombudsman and a chief executive officer. Deputies may recall that resolutions were passed in the Houses last July to recommend Ms Emily Logan, the current GSOC commissioner as the first Police Ombudsman, following an open public jobs competition. She will

proper forum. After what happened yesterday, business continues. The item I will speak about is local to me. It is Ryevale House, which is a period house in Leixlip and in the past two years there have been major issues surrounding it in the locality. I will give … perspective. On 27 January 2023, the Department informed the local public representatives of the intention to accommodate international protection, IP, applicants in Ryevale House, which is a private dwelling built in the 18th century and included in the record of protected structures maintained by Kildare County Council

caused us to rely on the Royal Air Force, something which needs to end. This should be an issue that can unify this House but, unfortunately, this Government has managed to cause yet another wedge. Of course, we have seen the EU as a whole change in recent … accept a role in a common defence pact or any offensive actions involving Irish troops, we have a responsibility to ensure our own house is in order when it comes to security. We also know that we do not have a firm ally in the United States

appendix, relating to Monkstown and dating from 9 August 1836. It is the proclamation for apprehending the persons who broke into the watch house and vault in the churchyard of the Union of Monkstown in the district of Dublin Metropolis, and forced the lid off a coffin … waves would have crashed up from Dublin Bay. At that time, Monkstown was very much a rural area occupied by people in isolated houses, many of them large houses that were owned by merchants who worked in Dublin and had them as their country residences. Those were lands

majority of those 3,000 units have completed all of the processes with the Department and the relevant local authorities and approved housing bodies have been notified? Is he also saying that all of those 3,000 units will have the formal notification to the local authorities … approved housing bodies within a couple of weeks, as he said? I appreciate the Minister is new in the Department and getting his head around this. At the end of last year, there was an exceptional situation. It was the first time that had happened in my time

welcome the Government’s commitment. One particular group to whom I have committed to being a strong voice in the House is those prospective purchasers who find themselves falling between the supports. They are those individuals, couples and families who are outside the social housing income limits. Their … income is over those limits so they do not qualify for social housing. Affordable housing really should be the vehicle for them to gain home ownership. Unfortunately, we find in many cases that they are not able to avail of the affordable housing schemes simply because they

Before Housing for All, there were no affordable housing schemes. Many of these schemes are in the process of being designed or built, or keys are being handed over for the first time. There is momentum and we expect acceleration in terms of scaling up and the number … affordable housing schemes that will be available. I have to give credit to Cork County Council officials in particular. Their social housing delivery has been among the best, top notch, and they deserve credit for that. I also see their embrace of affordable housing schemes

sure I heard him correctly in respect of a limit of €11,000. Limerick council gets €11,000 per unit for each house it does up. The average cost per unit to the council is €48,000. The cost of refurbishment is a major problem, which the council … increased in line with construction inflation. These sites are eyesores which bring down the value of property when they could be used to house local families. I was dealing with a family recently who are living in emergency accommodation in a hotel. The mother was looking

want to talk about a lady in my constituency who spent six years on the housing list and on the rental accommodation scheme, RAS. She is to be evicted on 10 April. Because of the sky-high house prices in Cork, the council is not allowed … house under the tenant in situ scheme. The council has said the landlord is looking for too much. This lady has three children, the youngest of whom is three. This is the only home they know. This year, instead of Easter egg hunting and having a happy Easter

County Council held a webinar with councillors last week about the impact of these changes and regarding the current state of play of housing support in Limerick, and the situation is very bleak. Across Limerick,107 acquisitions are on hold from last year and with a capital funding … acquisitions so any property purchased in a condition short of turnkey ready cannot be prepared for use for those in need of housing. When the Government was formed there was a lot of rhetoric about getting to grips with the housing crisis and it looks like

Sinn Féin for bringing this relevant and important Private Members' motion on the tenant in situ scheme to the floor of the House this evening. The tenant in situ scheme is a vital tool in the prevention of homelessness and has been a saviour to many families across … granny's box room, and that is if they are lucky. I ask that the newly proposed criteria by the Department of housing be fully re-evaluated and returned to the current rules. Under new proposals, a couple without children will be excluded. Single citizens will be excluded

spent on storing them; — the €2.5 billion paid out in medical compensation over ten years, by the Health Service Executive; — the OPW Leinster House bike shed at a cost of €336,000; — the OPW Iveagh House refurbishment at a cost of €825,000; — the National Transport Authority spend … taxes. They expect basic fairness in return, but what do they get? They get printer scandals and security huts that cost more than houses. It is a slap in the face to every hardworking family. Speaking plainly, real people feel this waste every day. In west Cork

statements today on policing and safety in our communities. As Minister for Justice, I assure the Leas-Cheann Comhairle and Members of the House that my priority is to ensure the people can live in communities which they regard as enjoyable and safe. That is not just … they occur, that they know there will be a State response in that respect. It is important we discuss such issues in this House because when we try to identify issues in the different communities around the country in respect of safety and policing, there is no more

Government needs to be honest about the number of housing units being built each year. It was very clear during the general election campaign that both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael clearly told untruths about the number of housing units that would be build in 2024 by many … information was at hand and directly contradicted the figure of 40,000. Section two talks about the economic and social impacts of housing and we can see the damage caused by Government’s continued failure to address the housing crisis. We are losing highly qualified and professional people

take six minutes and he will take four. I welcome H.E. Larysa Gerasko. She has shown incredible friendship to many Members of these Houses and to the people of Ireland. I also welcome the visitors from Ukrainian communities all over Ireland who are in the Public Gallery … communities. We must continue to build on that friendship.` In concluding his remarks to the joint sitting of the Houses of the Oireachtas on 6 April 2022, President Zelenskyy stated: "Let us bring our efforts together and show that, jointly, Ukraine and Ireland can do much more than

upgrade of the existing plant has been acknowledged by Uisce Éireann and is badly needed to ensure extra capacity is created to further housing development in the town. The current housing situation in Mitchelstown is forcing those seeking to buy a house to look elsewhere. This has been … ongoing for a number of years. We need certainty that extra capacity will be created to meet future housing need when large areas of the town remain undeveloped. Once this is confirmed, housing developers will receive certainty that they can apply for planning and will be connected while

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he is considering the introduction of emergency legislation to reform or overhaul the current planning system in light of the urgent need to accelerate the delivery of critical national infrastructure, including healthcare, housing and transport

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a list of all tier 3 and tier 2 AHBs, stating each AHB’s total owned social and cost rental housing stock, in tabular form. [17147/26

would consider tabulating his annual child poverty target with the material deprivation rate together with the rate at risk of poverty (after housing costs) as opposed to the current formula which incorporates the former with the at risk of poverty rate (before housing costs); if he is aware

Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to deliver affordable housing for counties Roscommon and Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15760/26

Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current status of the legislative or departmental guidelines regarding the restructuring of legacy shared ownership loans into annuity loans; if his attention has been drawn to cases where local authorities have failed to process restructuring … loan through no fault of the borrower; the specific special case provisions available to borrowers in County Clare who are now facing housing insecurity due to these combined administrative and policy delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15765/26

Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of households currently on the social housing waiting list in Carlow in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025; the number of people who have been removed from the list since

Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of households currently on the social housing waiting list in Kilkenny in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 ; the number of people who have been removed from the list since

Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the updated average cost for retrofitting a social housing unit as part of the national retrofitting scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15280/26

Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of homes purchased in Ireland by investment funds, by area and house size, across 2023, 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form. [14473/26

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether hemp-based construction materials, including hempcrete and bio composite products are being considered within public procurement frameworks and housing policy as part of efforts to reduce building emissions and construction costs; and if he will

Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has considered or supported small-scale, clustered or integrated housing developments specifically designed for adults with intellectual disabilities who wish to live independently while remaining close to their peers and community, such

Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the engagement his Department has had with the HSE, the Department of Children, Disability, and Equality, and local authorities to ensure that housing delivery for people with disabilities aligns with individualised supports rather than institutional

Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the formal review of the housing assistance payment scheme will conclude; when a revised HAP scheme will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14664/26

Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the engagement he has had with local authorities on developing a protocol to allow households fleeing domestic, sexual and gender-based violence to transfer time spent on a social housing waiting list to another local authority

Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which he reconciles concerns about local authority “over-reliance” on the tenant in situ scheme with the ongoing urgent housing needs; the guidance or additional resources which are being provided to councils

Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of projects submitted to date in 2026 by each local authority seeking support under the Housing Activation Investment Fund. [15108/26

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the options available, if any, for individuals with disabilities who work full time and as a consequence earn too much to access the housing adaptation grant for older people and people with disabilities

Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the most up-to-date average cost of delivering a new-build social housing unit in each local authority, including any relevant factors affecting cost variations; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide details of the annual maintenance and upgrade expenditure on social housing by each local authority for the past three years, including the average annual maintenance cost per unit; and if he will

Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated total asset value of the existing social housing stock nationally; the methodology used to determine that valuation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15177/26

Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on whether the eight-year deemed disposal rule is contributing to increased demand in the housing market and thereby exacerbating the housing crisis; and if he will consider its abolition in the interests of encouraging diversified long-term saving

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department maintains an internal monitoring framework, dashboard or structured reporting mechanism which tracks the number of Notices of Termination issued in the private rental sector as a core housing performance indicator

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total expenditure on social housing acquisitions for each year from 2020 to 2025 and the allocation for 2026; and the number of units purchased with this funding in each year with a breakdown

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a breakdown of social housing acquisition funding for 2026 for each local authority. [13891/26

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the work of the Housing Activation Office, including the number of applications for funding it has received from which local authorities and for what infrastructure; and to provide an update