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understand in this House the enormous challenges faced by first-time buyers in securing home ownership. House prices are high, with the median price now at €390,000. With increasing costs in everyday life, it is becoming increasingly difficult for first-time buyers to afford to purchase … buyers when they purchase a new or second-hand home at a rate of 1%. If we take the purchase price of a house of €450,000, the stamp duty cost for first-time buyers is approximately €4,500. I am surprised that this topic does not generate

very much on alleviating pressures on first-time buyers but also enabling them to be in a position to buy houses at an affordable level. The positive news is that as a result of measures we have taken, the numbers of first-time buyers drawing down mortgages have … overall mortgages over the past five years. It is quite significant. The Deputy is correct in saying that 1% stamp duty on a house value up to €1 million is what is currently there. As he knows, there was a move in the taxation system towards simplification

just take and spend. The Deputy surely knows that. What is happening with that funding is that it is being invested in people, housing, energy and infrastructure and offshore wind projects. That is what ISIF is doing - solar farm financing, grid expansion and interconnectors, battery storage systems … programmes, the EV charging clean public transport fleet, the circular economy, forestry carbon sequestration projects, national scale retrofit financing platforms, equity in large housing developments, delivery of nationwide housing supply, mixed tenure schemes, urban regeneration partnerships and regional housing projects. That is where the investments are happening

necessary legislation. While the Minister is charged with the establishment of the register, the planning elements and requirements fall under the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Tourism is a vital part of the Irish economy, supporting 227,000 jobs and generating €6 billion … State in October 2025 based on screen-scraped data from four major booking platforms. Up to 64% were listed as entire houses or apartments. This represents a 26% increase from an estimated 26,960 units in October 2022. In Cork, around 3,300 STL units were listed

Minister of State and I both know, a 19-bed unit in Heather House was first announced in 2022. Four years later this special dementia unit has not been opened and all we are getting is excuse after excuse and no date for when it will be open … from the northside of Cork city. We are talking about 45 minutes, depending on traffic, and it could be even longer. If Heather House was open they would be in to her every day, sometimes multiple times a day. Family members and other family friends who live

thank the Deputy for raising this matter in the House today. As the Deputy knows, the Land Development Agency, LDA, acquired land beside Clongriffin train station from the market with existing permission in 2023. It subsequently sought and was granted approval for a revised planning application, broadly similar … Phase 1 commenced in February 2025 and will provide for a total of 408 apartments, comprising 367 cost rental and 41 social housing homes to be delivered across two blocks. I note the Deputy said there is a deficit in community infrastructure but my notes say that

welcome the opportunity to address the House. I was born on a small farm in east Clare. I know the struggles of my community. I know what it is like for farmers, particularly those with small farms, who have to provide for their families. That has not changed … since the time I was going to school. I live among my people. I believe nobody in this House has a monopoly on empathy and nobody has a monopoly on the understanding of the struggles faced by the rural communities. However, there has been an attempt by some

minutes because there would be community facilities, shop facilities and all of the rest of it. The developers built all of the houses and made a lot of money. They are still flipping properties and they are still getting rezonings and changes to the SDZs. Whatever developers … ground. The developers do not want to build the town centre because it is not really profitable for them. They are building houses and flipping properties after they got planning permission. They have started to sell properties again after getting a recent upzoning of the SDZs at higher

highest rate of evictions since the Famine. There was a 41% increase in evictions in the last quarter of 2025. Today we learn house prices are up again, this time by nearly 4% in the year to March, which pushes home ownership further out of reach. This rolling … series of mass evictions is the result of the housing policies of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil. We have had 20 families in Limerick, 14 families in an apartment complex in Ballybane in Galway and six incredibly vulnerable households in a retirement village in Sligo, including Frank

mistake and that was unfortunate but that is where we are now. As we know, there is planning permission in place. As housing spokesperson for my party, I speak week in and week out on the need for housing supply and on the housing crisis, and how that … impacting on our citizens in an acute way. We need housing but there are limits and exceptions to that. This situation is an exception to that. I have no difficulty in saying, as a housing spokesperson, that this site should not be developed. I may come

home heating sector and the agricultural and building sectors. I spoke to a groundworks contractor in Dublin this morning who is working at houses. Every month, it is costing them €240,000 more now in diesel than a month ago. Is that sustainable? What is that going … will put up the price of a house. Every one of the main suppliers has sent out messages saying that tar, concrete and all the materials are going up. House builders are deciding whether they need to pull back. Those are the facts of what is going

However, when looked at in an holistic way, abolishing the ARP will put more people under pressure and put more pressure on the housing market. In essence, a lot of the properties here are providing a cheap way of accommodating those who need help. I recognise … conventions we have recognised consistently our need to protect those who are fleeing from persecution from elsewhere. Despite a small minority in this House and a vocal minority outside this House, we have lived up to our obligations to provide refuge to those coming here. The Minister said

have no connection to a local area and who are in some cases acting in bad faith can submit objections to critical infrastructure, housing, etc. At the moment it is quite extraordinary that objectors to developments can come from right across this country. For example, if a farmer … away. This is about supporting local democracy and it is fundamentally important local communities and local people have the opportunity to build houses, sheds and infrastructure that is needed in local areas. The Bill does not extend to State agencies or public bodies. However, it is important

fáilte roimh an deis seo. I apologise to the Minister for being for missing some of his speech and also apologise to the House that I have to leave immediately after my own because this debate is clashing with a meeting of the Oireachtas justice committee. That affects … operation from the British Government in handing over papers and files relating to the atrocities, despite the repeated demands from this House. Again, this is completely unacceptable. Prior to this legislation being brought forward, the Irish Government reached a memorandum of understanding with that inquiry, which included commitments

were many others committed over the course of the Troubles. Many were the subject of the Kenova report, which we debated in this House last month. Reaching agreement on the joint framework to address the legacy of the Troubles last autumn was a major step towards providing routes … Northern Ireland Troubles Bill in the UK Parliament is to be welcomed. While our legislation can only be published and proceed through the Houses once the UK Bill is in place, the Minister hopes to be in a position to publish his proposals before the summer

while I welcome some things on the white diesel, I stated today that this Government has no interest in bringing the price of housing down because every digger working on a housing site today is costing €120 more per day in green diesel. The Government talks about doing … Government is giving a measly 5 cent back to them. Do not go telling me that the Government is interested in solving a housing crisis when we see the likes of that. The Minister and the Minister of State are from rural Ireland. The Big Ms will

thank Independent Ireland for putting this motion to the House today. This is a very serious issue and one that we in Aontú have raised over and over again in this Chamber for many years. We believe that vulnerable children are being exposed to shocking danger by this … Government and any Dáil stand up in shock and seek to resolve. However, this shocking situation is seldom spoken about in Leinster House. It seldom gets to the front pages of the newspapers or the main headlines in the broadcast news. While this is happening in our generation

would like to talk about housing supply in Carlow. We all agree that a quicker way to increase supply is to utilise existing buildings. I have to give kudos to Carlow County Council, which has made huge inroads tackling vacancy and dereliction, with a particular focus on providing … town centre older persons' housing to facilitate the 339 older persons living alone in two- and three-bedroom council houses in Carlow so that these family homes are accessible to families. Carlow County Council has already purchased substantial vacant sites to provide more homes but the cost

move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the Housing Loans Regulations 2021 so as to allow applications to local authorities for housing loans by persons who are remaining in the family home following a divorce or legal separation and who need … person remaining in the family home, you cannot. The situation is one I am sure many TDs in the House have come across. A relationship breaks down, a marriage or a partnership results in separation or divorce and the person who remains in the family home

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. I want to ask the Minister today about the targets for social and affordable housing delivery under Housing for All. Given that it has become abundantly clear that the Government will not meet the targets this year, and it has never met them … social and affordable housing, will the Minister revise the targets contained within the new housing plan in order to take account of this and deal with the growing housing deficit

There were 9,089 built. That is still, over the lifetime of Housing for All, beneath the target of that plan. I am asking, in particular, about the 2026 budget allocation. For example, that does not take into account that there was an underdelivery of around … units under the previous housing plan and the Minister has already underestimated the level of need in his new housing plan. He has not actually taken into account that the figures suggest that overall, under Housing for All, the Government did not reach its targets. The fact

together. Tackling vacancy and dereliction is a key objective of this Government as reflected in the new housing plan, delivering homes and building communities. The vacant property refurbishment grant, which is funded under the croí cónaithe towns fund, provides a grant … administration and processing of grant applications. Support is also provided to local authorities by the property optimisation unit within in the Housing Agency. This engagement supports efficient delivery of the grant and a consistent approach by local authorities in grant administration throughout the country. In line with

most pressing priorities for my Department that has been caused by the current escalation in the Middle East. As all Deputies in the House are aware, a large number of Irish citizens are resident in Gulf countries, in particular in the United Arab Emirates. Approximately 24,000 citizens … also understand the stress and anxiety of their families and friends in Ireland and other parts of the world. I assure the House that my Department, including officials working in our embassies in the region, is actively engaged in supporting Irish citizens who are affected, and will provide

take this Topical Issue. As the Minister of State knows, I represent Dublin Fingal East. It is a rapidly growing area, with house building in east Fingal, and all towns are growing rapidly. This is good and we need houses. With this come a lot of young families … year. However, this national level data does not apply to an area such as Fingal accurately because it is a growth area where houses have been built in recent years and continue to be built. The reality on the ground is very different. Last year primary schools only

eviction notices issued to 36 homes in Wexford, all owned by the same large landlord, right in the heart of the housing Minister's own constituency. My colleague Deputy Lawlor has been dealing with the families involved, in excess of 100 people including many children, many of whom … will not qualify for the housing assistance payment, HAP, or the council housing list. The Taoiseach's new law is unleashing fear on the people he is meant to represent, and there is nothing but silence from the housing Minister. It seems that the Minister had to wait

Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will take any interim action to request local authorities and approved housing bodies to prevent the continuation of any blanket pet bans in advance of upcoming legislation. [4417/26

Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the level of funding allocated to Cork County Council for housing maintenance; and if the Minister will outline any additional allocations planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4140/26

Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress made in delivering affordable purchase and cost-rental housing in Cork; the number of schemes approved and commenced to date; and if additional sites or funding streams are being considered

Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reforms he is making to cut delays and improve delivery times for social housing projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5011/26

Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to review upwards the social housing qualifying income limits. [4550/26

Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department is assessing the broadening of the single stage approval process for further housing developments, such as student accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5005/26

Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide additional funding to local authorities to stop the raising of rents for social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4677/26

Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline plans for housing activation measures that will provide infrastructure necessary for home building. [4419/26

Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the social housing passport between local authorities; when this will be rolled out; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4141/26

Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the allocation for the 2026 social housing acquisition programme in Longford, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3760/26

Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of stock audits undertaken; and his views on whether social housing provision will now be found compliant by the European Committee of Social Rights. [3475/26

Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his priorities for affordable housing in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4867/26

Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware that there are still no plans to deliver affordable housing projects in County Donegal; and the way in which his Department can work with Donegal County Council to address this serious

Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures he will take to boost overall housing supply during 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4874/26

Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when income eligibility limits for local authority housing in Cavan and Monaghan will be increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4546/26

Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to introduce legislation to enable local authorities to take in charge properties that have been left derelict for a specified period in a more timely manner than is currently permitted, with a view … increasing the availability of housing stock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4542/26

Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the progress of work to update policy direction and guidance in respect of rural housing, initially in the form of a section 28 guideline which is being reviewed and prepared

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of the failure of the developers (details supplied) to deliver on key obligations and commitments, including the promised town centre and bridge, and the affordable housing requirements attached to LIHAF

Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of former IPAS residents who are currently accommodated under the housing assistance payment scheme, for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68150/25

Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the actions he will take to ensure that the projected rise in housing completions to 37,000 in 2026 is achieved, given that output is conditional on progress in delivering enabling infrastructure

Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has considered the integration of microgrids into the planning requirements for new housing developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5056/26

Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on which county councils have rezoned land for housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4928/26

Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when his Department will announce the next tranche of URDF funding; if his Department will consider increasing the amount given to north Kildare, considering the increasing in housing built in the area; and if he will

Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the proposals and associated targets to deliver age-friendly housing in counties Cavan and Monaghan. [5057/26

Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the maximum number of housing units that can be built in Dublin City centre based on current land use capacity calculations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5321/26