Search the record

raised by certain individuals with certain Departments for many years now, well before I or many other people he referenced already in this House were ever in the Department. They have been subject to and have undergone many different processes and procedures and have been dealt with … stand up and make claims and accusations. The Deputy has also made another claim that has been repeated in this House. I want to clarify for the record of the House, as he has asked, particularly in relation to Mr. O'Reilly. I say this because this

second train station on the north side. The site of the proposed train station was on brochures and commuters eagerly bought houses that were highly valued because they were close to the proposed train station. It was then removed after Iarnród Éireann said they had no plans … proceed. I have here a page from the brochure for the Aston Village housing estate that was built in 2004. It clearly shows the northside train station and the port access northern cross route, neither of which was delivered by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael Governments in that

tonne that had been scheduled. We are saying that these rates will be maintained for the lifetime of this Government. I told the House yesterday, and I repeat today, there will be no increase in any form of tax at the pump or in people's homes during … truth. Let us have an honest debate on carbon tax. I would much rather that we continue to keep control in this House and in this Government on what we can do with carbon tax revenue and keep our ETS 2 derogation than have to pool our resources

continue to do, which we will continue to do together in government. When I stood here this time last year, I told the House that when my fellow Teachtaí Dála in the Independent group had the courage to support the establishment of a new Government in January … that road to addressing some of these issues, a key part of a five-year programme. What I, or anybody else in this House, did not know at that time was how very unstable the geopolitical environment would be and how it would impact not just us here

address the key issues affecting workers and householders. Nowhere is the failure in Government policy more clear than in the area of housing, as evidenced by the €2.2 billion allocated for rent supports, the housing assistance payment and rental assistance scheme, and to pay for homeless accommodation … down the tubes and that goes down the tubes every year. The €3 billion for new affordable-to-buy, cost-rental and social housing allows for no increase in the number of new builds – not one additional home. The fact that we need to increase supply

billed as a budget for working people, however. It was going to help households with the cost of living, tackle the housing crisis and prepare Ireland for the future. Hope was on the way. When we strip away the spin, there was only what people have come … this Government: the same old promises and the same old failures. We have record surpluses and resources, but we also have record rents, house prices and housing costs, and some of the highest electricity bills in Europe. If we have never had so much money, how come

important that we examine this. I regret that the help to buy scheme is still capped at €500,000. There is not a house in my constituency that would cost less than that, so, essentially, it is not available for people in Dún Laoghaire. That is regrettable … would like? No. However, it is a responsible amount. We are grappling with a security crisis whereby one Member of the House was assaulted through the window of his car in the past few weeks. Does Deputy Conor D. McGuinness think words like "betrayal" help the situation? Does

these prices skyrocketed. He refused to do this time and time again. If he did, it would deliver up to €200 per house at this point in time. He dismissed that proposal time and time again because he said it was the carbon tax. Instead, we got months … their payslips. There is also an area in this budget where the Government has been completely and utterly lacking, and that is housing. The urgency in relation to this crisis is nowhere to be seen in this housing budget. We are in a housing emergency, a crisis that

This budget has failed workers and householders. I call it a €4.80 budget and I will tell the House why. There is the 15% increase in public transport fares that the Government intends to plough ahead with in January. The Government has failed to address the cost … there is a slight increase but it falls way short of the €16 needed for it to result in a living wage. On housing, the Government failed to abolish stamp duty for first-time buyers. The change in the renter's tax credit is minuscule but, of course

based scheme to assist first-time buyers with the deposit they need to buy or build a new house or apartment. It also aims to encourage additional supply of new houses by supporting demand and provides a refund of income tax and deposit interest retention tax paid … change will be effective from today's date and will apply to applicants who sign a contract for the purchase of a new house or who have yet to make the first drawdown of the mortgage in the case of a self-build. All other parameters

They cannot afford to buy homes. If the Minister were to go to Rathbeale Road in Swords, he will discover that semi-detached houses there cost €700,000. In Furzefield, it is €535,000 for a modest enough three-bed semi-detached home. The Government's scheme … pushed these prices up to this level, and no one can afford to buy houses. The Minister needs to look at other measures, because this is not working. This is not the success he thinks it is. The Government has compounded the broken system of housing with this

welcome the opportunity to speak on this motion. Provision of affordable housing and affordable sites is not happening. We have all seen the local developments in communities where there were affordable sites to help local people who were not able to buy a site and build a house … village of Schull, there are 25 houses for which people were able to get a mortgage. That was a help. We need to have more of those types of schemes to deliver for people, so that those who cannot afford to buy a site and build a house

rest of it, but this affects a lot of people. I know of people in my constituency who inherited a small house from an uncle or an aunt. A lot of them are on the housing list, believe it or not. A lot of them were saying that … this was great, and that they could go into this house that belonged to their aunt, grand-aunt, uncle, great-grandfather or whatever, but they ended up having to sell it because the tax burden was too big for them. We need to look at this again

Check the stats. They have all got small diesel generators in case the power goes out. I am a building contractor. I build houses with the highest energy-saving mechanisms, but people in this House are saying we should create more and more grants. The grants are being … insulation with an oil-based product. The grant systems are actually going into inflation. I am all for making sure houses are better, well-heated and insulated, but we should not push up inflation with costs like that. All I am going to say is the Government

thank Deputy Heneghan for his important question about community supports for housing delivery. Planning for the provision of infrastructure and amenities is a core element of the statutory plan-making process. National policy objective 105 of the revised national planning framework sets out that the planning authorities … delivery of community facilities and infrastructure falls within the remit of a number of Government Departments. My Department has also established a housing activation office to accelerate the delivery of infrastructure required to support housing development. The office supports infrastructure development through initiatives such as the housing infrastructure

question I have for the Minister is about increasing the number of affordable housing units that can be bought and provided by local authorities. We need that affordable housing scheme. Deputies have referred to people who are working hard. I have them coming to me; I suppose … councillors have people coming to them. We need to get housing solutions for these people who cannot get on a local authority housing waiting list because of the income threshold, and who cannot obtain a loan from a private lending institution. We need to fix this problem

median price of a house in Laois has gone up. According to the property price register, it has gone up 16.8% in one year. The Minister gave out a lot of figures, but the reality is that the target given by his Department, which I have here … some of them. There are 62 more in the pipeline. The Minister was at the launch of Dargan Woods, which are good houses. I want to raise a point about that. The scheme needs to be expanded to meet the demands of households whose incomes are over

views that will be impacted. I have also heard a number of people say that they do not want to see houses go by in the midst of a housing crisis. Will the Minister promise that his Department will look at aspects of this development, such … determine whether they are sufficient? Many say that buffer needs to be extended. I accept there is an issue with the building of houses. There will be people who will be utterly opposed to building houses that impact them personally, but that is not where I or many

listened to each other. It would be very helpful if Deputy Rice had listened to what the Taoiseach said in the House yesterday when this issue was raised. It is not helpful to the many parents who engaged with Mr. Farrell's scoping inquiry. He is a very … Minister for Health with the advocacy groups. This should happen. The terms of reference will then have to be put before this House. This House has to ratify them so everyone here will have a role. We have to be very clear in giving effect in this process

Deputy for the constructive way in which he is engaging on this. I do not doubt the bona fides of anyone in this House and I ask that no one doubt the bona fides of people on this side of the House in terms of wanting … spirit to be given to them. There will be engagement with the advocacy groups. The Taoiseach was clear about that yesterday in the House and I am clear on that too. It is appropriate for that engagement to take place through the Department of Health and the Minister

welcome the Minister to the House. I want to take the opportunity to discuss the Railway Safety Bill 2026. Rail safety is becoming a massive issue for commuter counties like Kildare. In particular, it is impacting commuter towns like Athy, Newbridge, Kildare town and Monasterevin. Hundreds of people … were extremely unsteady on their feet, standing in between carriages because there were no seats left. I want to highlight to the House more examples from my constituents. Katie said: I'm currently writing this email to you standing in the middle of a coach

welcome the opportunity to address the House today on migration and the continued development of Ireland's migration system, a subject of significant importance, not only for the Government but for Irish society as a whole. Migration has always been part of Ireland's story. For generations, Irish … matter that touches virtually every area of public policy and has implications across government. Migration impacts economic development, labour market planning, housing, education, healthcare, integration, social protection, foreign affairs and national security. For this reason, migration cannot be viewed solely through the lens of any single Department

move: Tuesday's business shall be: - Motion re Statement of Estimates for the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (without debate) - Motion re Sittings and Business of the Dáil (without debate) - Strategic Lawsuits against Public Participation Bill 2026 (Second Stage) (to conclude at the end of the first speaking … minutes) (Dept of Transport) Thursday evening business shall be the Second Stage of the Forty-first Amendment of the Constitution (Right to Housing) Bill 2026, sponsored by Deputy Rory Hearne. Proposed Arrangements for this week’s business: In relation to Tuesday’s business, it is proposed that

proposed public transport increases are being met by simple disbelief by people in Kildare South. Time and again in this House and the Upper House, which I am a former Member of, I have raised the need to improve reliability and availability and address the overcrowding … Hold all that; we're going to increase the fares." I will make this plea. Has anyone from the opposite side of this House sat on the M7 in the morning for hours on end trying to get into the capital for work, knowing the stress

absolutely essential in how we frame and decide different policies. The single biggest priority of the Government is ensuring supply and affordability of housing. We want to ensure young people have the prospect of owning or getting a home and that there is rent affordability. To give balance … focus in the budget will be on the cost of living, affordability in people's day-to-day lives and, most importantly, improving housing supply, including by building social infrastructure and homes in communities right across the country. The central issue feeding the sentiment expressed in the survey

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of wheelchair accessible and fully adapted social housing units delivered in 2023 and 2024; the annual targets to 2030 under Delivering Homes, Building Communities; and the regional distribution of these units. [63941/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of households on disability-related social housing waiting lists in Cork city and Cork county; the average waiting time; and how the new strategy will reduce these waiting times. [63942/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of households assessed as high medical priority for housing; the number accommodated in 2023 and 2024; and the targets for addressing this group under Delivering Homes, Building Communities. [63943/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding allocated in 2023, 2024, and 2025 for housing adaptation grants for older people and people with disabilities; the number of grants awarded; the average turnaround time; and whether funding will be increased

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of supported housing units planned for delivery nationally to 2030; the expected annual output; and the specific projects planned for Cork city and Cork county. [63945/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the share of new social housing units completed in 2023 and 2024 that meet universal design standards; the expected rate of compliance to 2030; and whether the Department plans to increase universal design requirements. [63947/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the additional construction cost per unit arising from current climate and energy-efficiency standards; the cost assumptions used in Delivering Homes, Building Communities; and whether these costs pose delivery risks for social and affordable housing

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the annual retrofit targets for social housing to 2030; the number of retrofits completed in 2023 and 2024; and the expected cost of meeting all retrofit commitments. [63952/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social housing units currently below BER C; the number upgraded in 2023 and 2024; and the plan to bring the remainder to compliance by 2030. [63953/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether embodied carbon calculations are required for housing projects funded by the State; the method used; and how embodied carbon considerations informed the design of Delivering Homes, Building Communities. [63954/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether energy network capacity, including electricity grid upgrades, is sufficient to support the new housing targets; and the planned upgrades required for Cork city and Cork county. [63956/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing projects delayed due to climate-related regulatory requirements, including flood-risk assessments and environmental impact processes; and the actions planned to reduce these delays. [63957/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the additional cost imposed on housing delivery by NZEB standards; the inflation impact of these standards; and whether the Department has assessed the cumulative cost for all units to 2030. [63958/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the projected cost of climate-adaptation measures required to protect new housing developments in urban areas, including Cork city and surrounding flood-prone zones; and how these costs were factored into the strategy's delivery

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether Cork City Council and Cork County Council have zoned sufficient residential land to meet the housing targets allocated to the region; and if not, what actions will be taken to ensure compliance. [63961/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the housing delivery targets in Delivering Homes, Building Communities align with the capacity set out in each local authority Development Plan; and where discrepancies exist, the changes that are required. [63962/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reasons for delays in implementing zoning objectives in Development Plans; the number of housing sites delayed due to unresolved zoning issues; and the steps being taken to expedite zoning compliance. [63963/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of Housing Land Availability zonings currently prevented from activation due to wastewater, water, road, or transport capacity; and the measures planned to address these infrastructure gaps. [63967/25

Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing units that have been realised in the past five years from projects that availed of the vacant homes refurbishment grant in County Wicklow and County Wexford, in tabular form

Health the number of older people and disabled persons assessed as medically fit for discharge from hospitals or nursing homes but awaiting suitable housing; and the measures included in Delivering Homes, Building Communities to address delayed discharges linked to housing shortages. [63949/25

Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a breakdown of the entitlement of each category of affected house on the defective block scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62422/25

Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which he will end the housing crisis within his term as Minister; his plans to achieve this goal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62447/25

Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the social housing allocation for County Wicklow and County Wexford for 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62448/25

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the development of a single stage approval process for social and affordable housing delivery. [62505/25

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if an unprecedented large investment will now be made through Uisce Éireann and Local Authorities to progress the provision of modern, increased capacity, wastewater treatment plants in all of our towns and villages, as the present … situation is having a highly negative effect on health, the environment and housing supply; if he and Uisce Éireann will adhere to my consistent calls for the development of constructed wetlands, as they are a much cheaper form of treatment, much speedier to develop and are environmentally friendly