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Critical to the delivery of housing, the Government's top priority, is the need to unlock infrastructure that will allow that housing to be provided. I would be grateful for an update on the housing activation fund. In particular, the provision of the northern inner relief road … Gorey will unlock 73 acres of land in St. Waleran's for housing development. Now that the wastewater treatment plant in Arklow has been opened by the Taoiseach, there is provision for the town to grow, but a second bridge over the river is needed in order

housing crisis is an absolute social catastrophe. I was contacted yesterday by a woman who is a civil servant, who is in her 50s and who has been evicted from her home into homelessness. What is the Government going to do about homelessness? In particular, what … going to do about the delivery of social and affordable housing? Today the Social Democrats launched a detailed proposal for a State construction company. It is costed. We need a game changer. We need the public sector to deliver affordable housing, just like we do in health

there. The inclement, wetter weather of recent years is playing havoc with non-national roads across the country. Deputy Malcolm Byrne raised the housing activation fund. Some €1 billion has been allocated. I hope some of that could be allocated to the northern inner relief road in Gorey … yesterday we discussed with a number of people, including the county manager and some of the engineers, how Arklow is now primed for housing development. We have put in a massive wastewater treatment plant there. It is a very modern one. If we need to lift any limits

welcome the legislation before the House and I commend the Minister and the Minister of State on their work in progressing it. The need for reform in the sector itself is clear. The legislation, as my colleagues said, seeks to strike a balance between strengthening protections for tenants … addressed before this legislation is enacted. I welcome the report laid before the Dáil by my colleague, Deputy Micheál Carrigy, Cathaoirleach of the housing committee. I believe the recommendations in this report need to be thoroughly considered by the Department. Recommendation number seven is particularly important. This proposes

correctly and I believe that is what the Government is setting out to do. Overall, there are ongoing issues. I sit on the housing committee and I have listened to those who are advocating for property owners, such as the Irish Property Owners Association, and those … they have been making submissions in recent days as well. It is important we get this right before the Bill passes through the Houses because it is one opportunity we have to get this right. Valid points are being made on both sides of the debate. We have

thought there would have been some control on the market, but I cannot see it. The average price of a three-bedroom house in Louth in the third quarter of 2025 was €1,966, which was an 8.7% increase on the year before. Obviously the protections … next year. I dread to think. We see the usual stuff when we check daft.ie. In Dundalk, the cost of a three-bedroom house is €2,100 per month. It is €1,150 per month for a studio apartment. It is €1,850 per month for a three

bird flu. From speaking to one of the owners, I know that, never mind the loss of the birds you have in your house, it is the cleaning of the house and the disposal of the bedding and shavings. Even shavings that were on-site … sent to a specialist for disposal. Following the cleaning of the house, you have let the house lie fallow for a number of months before it can be brought back into use. The owner was saying that, never mind the loss of the birds, that year you will

would swear the number of new houses was down today, based on that. The number of new homes completed last year represents an increase of 20% on the previous year. For the people listening at home - and just in case they missed the bit at the start - there … country as well. We have completion figures today that show momentum. They are a positive sign. There is now momentum back in the housing market. The Deputy is correct. That did not happen by accident; it happened as a result of the policies that we are pursuing

that. It is a significant increase. If the Deputy looks at the graph, he will see that it was the highest number of housing completions since 2011. The Deputy likes to talk about my party being in government a long time. When I came into the Dáil, there … from the market in terms of the positive signs of the decisions that we took. We will work constructively with anybody in this House. We have seen the number of planning permissions increase significantly. We have seen positivity on commencements, namely a doubling of the number between December

homes. I did not say they should all be social. I said they should all be affordable or social. The problem is that houses being delivered with rents of €3,500 or for €600,000 or €700,000 are totally unaffordable to ordinary people, but are very good … State construction company to deliver the infrastructure that the Tánaiste accepts the Government is not delivering, and to deliver social and affordable housing. We need a no-fault eviction ban so people do not get evicted through no fault of their own into emergency accommodation, including, increasingly, older

speaks about the Government being unable to put this into the planning legislation even though there is a planning Bill coming through the House soon that at least part of my proposal could be slotted into. We are told that it might delay the delivery of housing … very frustrating for it to say there is the appropriate legislative vehicle to deal with the planning issue here coming through the House and the Department has taken the call not to put that in it. On the issue of noise pollution, there is a long session here

affects ten times that number, namely 310,000, so the Government should do better. This is my first Private Members’ motion in this House, having watched many others. I was not hopeful that the Government would relent on an Opposition motion. I was disappointed by its response … neglect? Government is not easy in any country and I do not doubt the sincerity or good intentions of anyone in this House who comes in every day to work on behalf of his or her constituents, but surely it does not sit well with anyone here

ambition but rather it slightly alters existing systems and has little in the way of new ideas. The State has crumbling infrastructure, a housing crisis compounded by the failures of successive housing Ministers and a planning system that is not fit for purpose. In the mid-west, many … else in the world where you have a road with a bus lane but no bus. In past number of years, hundreds of houses have been built in the area, many of them social and affordable houses, but there is no bus stop. A simple solution would

fellow workers in New York. Everywhere we turn, we see infrastructure that is undersupplied, overloaded and crumbling. Our creaking infrastructure, a deepening housing crisis, a broken planning system and critical deficits in water and energy are the direct result of a decade and a half of Government inaction … making. In 2007, planning was deregulated by the then Government. In 2017, it was deregulated again with the introduction of the strategic housing development scheme, which slowed down planning, failed to increase supply and led to smaller and darker apartments. Now, once again, we have an action plan

that time. Scartaglin, Corra and Beaufort do not have treatment plants. In Moyvane you cannot build another house. I could go on and on. When Kerry County Council was operating the sewage treatment services it had a list and there was a priority list. I do not know … back through it. These people were promised, almost 20 years ago, that their treatment plant was to be brought forward. There are 170 houses waiting to start in Kenmare, where we have not had a private estate built in 20 years. What we are waiting

move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am very pleased to introduce the International Protection Bill 2026 to the House. Migration has been a distinctive feature of Ireland’s history. Few countries in Europe have been as affected by emigration over the past … best method of reforming the asylum process, and I believe it is. It is for all these reasons that the Government and both Houses of the Oireachtas have given approval in accordance with the Constitution for Ireland to opt in to these measures. The proposal

that is sustainable, fair and efficient and that meets our obligations under international law. I look forward to working with colleagues in the House as we continue our discussions on this important legislation in the coming weeks. It is obviously very significant legislation. It is very lengthy … detailed, and I want to give the House as much time as possible on Second Stage for its consideration. That is why I think three days have been allocated for the purpose of debating this on Second Stage. I look forward to hearing contributions from other Deputies

thoughts are with her family, friends, boyfriend and extended community today. This Government was elected on promises that it was addressing the housing disaster. Many people struggling to buy and rent a home believed it. They took the Taoiseach at his word, they trusted him and many … market rate. Just to be clear, the market rate is effectively a rate that is set by landlords. Every expert before the housing committee said this would result in higher rents. Ireland already has some of the highest rents in Europe. Incredibly, today's decision will drive them

thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue. Clogher House is a day activation unit premises based in Rathcorrick, County Cavan. The HSE advises that there is a comprehensive submission for capital funding for new day services and for premises to replace Clogher House, in line with … milestones and the programme of delivery. I will engage with the Minister, Deputy Foley, directly on the expansion and redevelopment of Drumlin House day services in Cootehill. I understand that an allocation of €7.5 million was provided towards the expansion of Drumlin House in 2024. I will further

parliaments;” E. To delete all words after "relentlessly attacked; and" and substitute the following: "— Irish taxpayers are facing severe pressures at home in housing, healthcare, infrastructure and cost of living, and overseas financial commitments must be assessed against those realities, and therefore calls on the Government to prepare … before each House of the Oireachtas, a quarterly report outlining the operation and expenditure of the loan facilities granted under the proposed enhanced cooperation Loan for Ukraine, for the duration of its existence; and therefore, resolves to restrict our participation in lending money to Ukraine, under this enhanced

invited there just because I have a moustache. Before I got involved in politics, when I was shouting from the outside of this House during lockdown, I ran an event for Movember called Movement for Mental Health. It was when we were in those confined areas … behind this campaign. There are people in crisis who are waiting hours, sometimes days, on trolleys in emergency departments, as everybody across this House has said. It is not the hard-working men and women in our hospitals who are the problem. The problem is the current system

aunt, Rachel, who raised a number of issues with me. There is a change because there is complete determination and agreement across the House that the provisions within section 35A need to be invoked and regulations need to be made. The Taoiseach was straightforward here today when … said that probably should have been done earlier. There is now clearly widespread, universal support in this House for regulations to be made that will restrict and prohibit the use of scrambler bikes in public places and public parks. That is a priority. The reason why I think

knows that we have alternatives. We set out a State fund that would actually increase funding for, not vulture funds but public affordable housing. The Government is completely out of touch and the Minister is too, to be honest. He has been captured. He has gone into … Ministry for housing and been captured by the investor funds. This is how clear it is that he has been captured. His Department is taking part in an event that is being billed as a global meeting point for global investors. The Department is setting up an "Irish

thank Deputy Gogarty. The Government, as he said, recently published its new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, which aims to deliver 300,000 new homes by the end of 2030. Under pillar 1, it says that to increase the supply of additional housing, action 4.8 commits … domestic dwellings followed by infrastructure. These domestic dwelling regulations are at an advanced draft stage and include exemptions for stand-alone detached housing units to the rear of a residential dwelling. The final decisions on the specifics of these regulations, including on whether there are any restrictions, will

with key stakeholders, including Uisce Éireann, to establish a framework allowing builders and private developers to construct stand-alone wastewater treatment solutions for housing developments where public wastewater capacity is unavailable or constrained. The initiative is intended to ensure timely housing delivery by addressing and removing previous delays … preparing general binding rules for smaller wastewater treatment facilities serving developments of less than 100 population equivalent or approximately 40 houses. These rules will provide practical guidance for developers, while maintaining consistent environmental standards nationwide. Structured engagement between developers and Uisce Éireann is a key element

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the level of funding allocated to Cork city Council for housing delivery in 2023 and 2024; and the projected allocation for 2025. [51981/25

Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the publication of the rural housing guidelines; when publication can be expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52027/25

Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the way in which barring and exclusion orders are communicated to housing authorities, and whether protocols exist to ensure victims are not further disadvantaged in accessing or retaining housing. [52034/25

Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will support giving powers to Údarás na Gaeltachta to purchase land and houses to provide for housing and other social and cultural facilities. [52053/25

their report on 'Poverty, Income Inequality and Living Standards in Ireland' that almost one in five children are at risk of poverty after housing costs; if he is aware of the ESRI's recent finding that almost half of lone parent families are at risk of poverty after … housing costs; if he has any plans to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50386/25

Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will consider setting up a funding mechanism within his Department to deal with the challenge of unfinished housing estates, where the existing or exhausted cash or insurance bonds fall well short

Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the function of the Traveller Accommodation Unit (TAU); the means by which funds from the TAU are allocated for housing in traveller communities; whether the funds can be used to staff traveller liaison officers

Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the financial supports available to people with damaged roofs in private housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50371/25

board in the Department’s research, data collection and reports to account for the at risk of poverty rate both before and after housing costs; the reason the Department does not always measure the at risk of poverty rate after housing costs; and if he will make

Climate, Energy and the Environment the progress that has been made to date in 2025 towards reaching the Government’s retrofitting targets across housing, to include public and private housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48909/25

Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment given the frequent long delays for electricity connections on newly built houses, if there are plans to ensure available capacity and a timely response from the ESB to ensure no delays in housing delivery. [49109/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if every local authority has adopted and published an operational policy for the room for a student local authority tenancies scheme, which permits social housing tenants to let a room to a third-level student

Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider introducing stronger requirements to ensure essential infrastructure, such as public lighting, footpaths, crèche facilities and community amenities, are completed before or during construction, prior to granting permissions to developers, in view … housing developments in County Louth still awaiting taking in charge by Louth County Council, many of which have no developer or bond, or remain incomplete despite bonds being in place. [49371/25

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 1106 of 8 September 2025, the research carried out by his Department which indicated the impact that the provision of a 5% minimum requirement for artistic and cultural spaces in future … large scale housing developments would have on the delivery of these projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49383/25

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 1106 of 8 September 2025, if he is concerned of the impact that the removal of the provision of a 5% minimum requirement for artistic and cultural spaces in future large … scale housing developments will have on the long-term liveability and quality of life for residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49384/25

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 1106 of 8 September 2025, if he engaged with elected councillors in local authorities across the country in advance of removing the 5% minimum requirement for artistic and cultural spaces … future large scale housing developments (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49385/25

Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing planning applications that have been approved, refused, withdrawn, or deemed invalid by An Bord Pleanála in each county for each of the past five years, in tabular form. [49435/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review the current planning policies requiring a minimum period of residence, often seven years, before an applicant can seek permission to build a dwelling in a rural area; if there are circumstances … than seven years, such as five years, may be considered; and the steps he is taking to ensure that planning policies balance local housing needs with access to building opportunities for long-term residents. [49440/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the specific steps in the Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity which will address planning delays, approval times and regulatory burdens for housing developers in Cork suburbs e.g. Glanmire, Blarney, Bishopstown; if he will publish

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding which has been allocated or ring-fenced to support necessary infrastructure that is, roads, drainage, schools, healthcare, broadband in regard to recently approved major housing schemes in north Cork and Cork city suburbs

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of Government annual housing targets which have been met as of September 2025 in each local authority to date; the councils that are on track and those which are falling behind

regarding the Child Poverty and Well-Being Programme Office, the cross-Departmental actions that have been initiated to coordinate responses on income supports, housing, childcare access and educational disadvantage, in order to reduce housing-cost-adjusted child poverty rates; and if he will provide details of progress

Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of people waiting for all types of housing adaptation grants in county Louth, by the length of time they have been waiting, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if an assessment has been or is being carried out on the modern methods of construction used at a housing project at Grange Drive, Dundalk, county Louth; if there are plans for further

Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the breakdown of the total amount spent in each local authority area on housing assistance payment from January 2025 to June 2026, by county; the number of tenancies in each local authority area that these