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propose to take Questions Nos. 143 and 156 together. My Department provides funding under the suite of housing adaptation grants for older people and disabled people to assist those in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. This suite of grants, which include … housing adaptation grant for disabled people, the mobility aids grant and the housing aid for older people grant, are funded by my Department with a contribution from the local authority. The detailed administration of the scheme, including assessment, approval, prioritisation and apportionment, is the responsibility of local authorities

Affordability is the single biggest housing issue in County Meath. So many people who are working are above the social housing threshold but they cannot get a mortgage. The numbers the Minister talks about are nowhere near enough. In addition, they are not affordable. I can give … example of Foxwood Park in Kells that is about to come on stream. I am sure they are fine houses and the people who get them will be absolutely delighted to have them but they are far too expensive. They are not affordable. They are advertised as three

thank the Deputy for raising this matter. Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030 is Ireland’s new housing plan. It is a wide-ranging action plan, focused on housing supply and targeting homelessness. The plan is centred on eight priorities, one of which includes increasing skills and supporting … significant spending power is put firmly behind the use of MMC in at least 25% of all new build social and affordable housing. This will mean a pipeline of thousands of homes that will be built using MMC over the lifetime of the plan. In order to directly

will start by addressing the situation with regard to Greenland, which I know is of interest and concern to many in this House and is very much a topic of conversation today again. Ireland is a strong advocate for close transatlantic relations, and we have welcomed the increased … Volodymyr Zelenskyy brought into focus what the stakes were, not just for Ukraine, but for Ireland and Europe as a whole. Addressing the Houses of the Oireachtas, he delivered a message of courage and hope, stating that Ukraine was closer to peace than ever before, but warned that

decades of underinvestment in our water and wastewater infrastructure. This leads to issues in terms of public health, the environment and particularly housing. A total of 70% of the land that is zoned for housing in County Galway cannot be built on because of infrastructural deficits, including water … projects which are so badly needed. This is having such an impact on the people of Craughwell and Clarinbridge, the local environment and housing. How are we going to solve the housing crisis if we cannot get basic things like this right? I ask the Minister to address

Limerick and its surrounds is increasing at a very fast rate and this upgrade should help, should the Government deliver on its planned housing targets. While based on the performance in previous years, I doubt it can deliver the projected housing targets, preparatory work like this … water infrastructure across Ireland. In July last year, the Committee on Budgetary Oversight stated the water infrastructure deficit is limiting the supply of housing and other infrastructure. Significant issues remain from the so-called Celtic tiger period, with significant leakage remaining in our infrastructure and I fear there

urgently need to invest in our decrepit water infrastructure. It is totally inadequate to deal with the housing needs we have, with almost half of the water leaking out of the pipes because of Victorian and decrepit infrastructure. We need a water system that is responsive … which is part of a deliberate strategy to run down our publicly-run water infrastructure. We have been told we need 60,000 houses a year but Irish Water has only been given the money for infrastructure for 30,000 houses a year. Then, of course, there

every Deputy knows, if we put down a question in this House about Irish Water now, we will get a message back from the Ceann Comhairle's office telling us we are not entitled to an answer. Who, then, is responsible for Irish Water? Does the buck stop … with the Minister or a State body? That is the first question that needs to be addressed in this House, and it needs to be sorted because somebody needs to take charge of Irish Water. I want to touch on the magnesium problem in Irish Water that

want to raise an important issue that does not relate to Uisce Éireann or group water schemes. It is about houses that are not supplied on the public system or group water schemes. There are quite a number of such houses around the country. I believe there … around 100,000. In the valley of Glensaul in Tourmakeady, County Mayo, are 15 houses. I have been working with this community to try to get water into their homes. One man in that valley has a makeshift water connection from the local stream and on a stormy

Dublin Fingal East whom I represent, this is not the case. Uisce Éireann is a major obstacle to the progress on building houses and getting them out for sale to new families. We have a phase of new homes in Knocksedan, a housing development that has been delayed … families. Some of them have had to go for new mortgage reapproval and some people are sofa surfing while they wait for these houses to be delivered. They expected them in the summer of last year. In June last year, I contacted the Minister to intervene to ensure

most effective way to prevent elderly people becoming homeless is through social housing. Some 52,000 social homes have been added to the social housing stock between 2020 and now. In addition to that, about 14,000 voids were brought back into use - these are houses … social housing stock that were empty. In quarter 3 of last year alone, 1,600 new social homes were delivered, including 1,330 new-build homes. We can and will work to prevent elderly homelessness through the increased building of social homes, acquisitions, the tenant in situ scheme

will begin by thanking colleagues around the House for their understanding that I could not be here at the very beginning of the debate. I also thank the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, for taking the reins. I thank colleagues who made contributions here today, which were … that, in this country, it is illegal to create, possess, disseminate or share these images. Those of us in this Government, in this House and in the Upper House could not be in any clearer that these are the rules here in Ireland. I appeal to any companies

going to America. They are going to places where they think they might be able to build a life or shelter from the housing crisis and perhaps come back when, under a different Government, there might be better options. I put down this Topical Issue because when … subminimum rates of pay, which is something the Government could change by way of legislation, and are at the business end of the housing crisis. What is needed is specific research into those labour market conditions that are being faced by young people. It is only by conducting

Government is that it cannot deliver necessary infrastructure and could not deliver it on time. Regardless of whether we are looking at housing, healthcare and hospitals, transport infrastructure like motorways, rail lines and roads or water infrastructure, it is a hallmark or fingerprint of Fianna Fáil and Fine … been the necessary pressure to make sure infrastructural development is happening. That is having a large effect on society. In terms of housing, water infrastructure has an enormous impact. Uisce Éireann appeared at the infrastructure committee a couple of months ago. I asked its representatives how long

funding over the next five years to support the delivery of a wide range of projects in our cities and regions required for housing delivery, safeguarding public health and the environment; — crucially, the delivery of the additional water services under the NDP will enable the capacity required … housing targets; — Uisce Éireann will implement a large national growth programme along with an enhanced Small Towns and Villages Growth Programme, to support our housing delivery for our urban and rural communities; and — only a national authority, backed by strong Government investment in water infrastructure, will deliver

which is the problem, not the solution. On the things we do agree on, however, the lack of adequate infrastructure to build the houses we need is absolutely outrageous. We cannot address the housing crisis unless we provide the water infrastructure. In my area, we have been calling … delay with publicly-owned sites in areas like Rathmichael and the Old Conna Road - big publicly-owned sites for public housing with no water infrastructure put in. It takes years for that to happen. In Dublin Bay, no swim notices regularly go up. Why? It is because

semi-State bodies needs to be reviewed. There is also a serious issue with communication, which Members from all sides of the House have raised today. People are not being informed clearly or quickly when incidents occur. We cannot continue to talk about delivering housing without facing … reality that housing and water infrastructure go hand in hand. I heard a lot of people talking about this today. If we do not invest urgently in the wastewater treatment plant in Dublin, network capacity and storm resilience, we are not going to meet our housing targets

issue. Our motion describes infrastructure failure. The amendment avoids that reality and instead lists the scale of operations. We say that delays block housing and economic activity while they claim investment will support housing delivery, as if no delays exist. We highlight repeated failures while they cite progress … auld kiss the ass job now - excuse me, Ceann Comhairle, there are ladies present. We need proper infrastructure so people can build houses in Dunmanway, which they cannot currently. It is scandalous. The Minister of State is nodding but I have no problem in the wide earthly world

commenced her role, is accompanied in the Chamber today by officials from the British embassy in Dublin. You are very welcome to Leinster House. We wish the ambassador every success for the future in her term. Happy Christmas to you all. Deputy Timmins has asked me to welcome … Kevin Murphy, who is Deputy Timmins's nephew, the deputy principals, Kevin Kelly and Ian Swan, and the SNAs. They are attending the Houses of the Oireachtas history workshop under Dr. Conor Reale, the parliamentary education officer. You are all very welcome today. I hope you enjoy your

know what you have done. You are the man who stood up a year and a half ago and said he would fix housing for once and for all. Do you know what has happened in the past year? There has been a €31,000 price increase … standard house across this State. Never since Fianna Fáil crashed the economy have we seen house prices rise by that amount. This is out of control. It is being pushed out of reach of ordinary families. That is why so many people are losing hope of home ownership

rules of the House are one thing but Deputy Hearne is rightly highlighting a very important issue. As a constituency TD, I absolutely do consider this. I also consider it as the Tánaiste. Everybody in this House considers what more we can and must do in relation … child and family homelessness. We have different policy perspectives that we debate in this House. It is not a question of people ignoring each other. I hope it is not. We all need to be better than that. When we had the eviction ban in place

human reproduction in Ireland. The PLS report was a key piece in the jigsaw, so its publication is welcomed. I also assure the House that work is continuing on other elements in this area and I am happy to report that much progress has been made and intensive … work is continuing. As the House will be aware, the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act was signed into law by the President in July last year, having passed all stages in both Houses of the Oireachtas. The primary purpose of this complex and far-reaching legislation

That is our approach. It is something I initiated back in 2020. We have resurrected social house building in this country through the local authorities and approved housing bodies. We have also leased and acquired housing for the social housing portfolio

read a Second Time." I am delighted to be here to introduce the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill to this House. This is a short Bill with a single purpose. That purpose is to ban the sale of disposable electronic cigarettes or vapes. Like all public representatives … number is likely to fall, and I look forward to today's Bill reducing those numbers even further. I will now take the House through the Bill to outline the content of each section. Part 1 relates to preliminary and general matters and contains sections

SFPA. That is urgently required. What is a minor offence in Europe is a criminal offence here. When I came back into this House again in 2016, I saw a statutory instrument affecting penalty points being laid before the House. I will not go into the detail … pioneered the overturning of that instrument, a first in the history of this State and of this House. I got that through this House. Of course, my back was not out the door when my own party went into government in 2020. I will speak about

Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his engagement with Uisce Éireann on dealing with clean and wastewater infrastructural deficits impacting on housing delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47654/25

Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the social, affordable and cost rental housing targets and delivery in county Louth; the issues holding up specific developments, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47655/25

Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department remains committed to the development of retirement villages as a viable long-term solution to housing the increasing elderly population of Ireland; if so, to provide an updated indication of the Government

Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on whether the Government remains committed to the identified objectives for retirement villages development as stated in 2019's 'Housing Options for our Ageing Population' report; and if he will make

Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a stage 1 application for a 27-unit housing infill scheme at a location (details supplied) was submitted by Limerick Council

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to publish the average price paid per unit by approved housing bodies and local authorities when purchasing newly built homes; the way in which this compares to the average private market purchase price

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps being taken to streamline zoning and planning approval for housing projects; whether delays are contributing to inflated costs and restricted supply; and if consideration will be given to legislative changes to accelerate delivery

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if her Department has conducted research into the impact of housing unaffordability on young adults and families, including rates of emigration, household formation delay, and reduced fertility rates; and if she will commission an interdepartmental

Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total amount of funding allocated by his Department to each local authority under the housing adaption grant scheme in each of the past five years; if the allocations by his Department were categorised whereby specific

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review the help-to-buy and first home schemes in view of reports that many first-time buyers cannot afford new homes in developments such as (details supplied) even when availing … these supports; and if she will outline whether changes are planned to scheme thresholds or eligibility to address affordability challenges in new housing estates.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48133/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will publish the number of hectares newly zoned for residential use following enactment of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2025; the Department’s projected number of housing units unlocked in Cork City

Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps that have been taken to ensure that local authorities respond positively and proactively to the objectives of the National Planning Framework; and if he will outline how the revised framework is being integrated into … local development plans to support sustainable growth, housing delivery, and balanced regional development. [48550/25

Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the mechanisms in place to monitor local authority compliance with the objectives of the Revised National Planning Framework; and if performance indicators will be used to track progress on housing, infrastructure, and sustainability goals. [48552/25

Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the risks that have been identified that may impact the timely delivery of the National Planning Framework; and the mitigation strategies being pursued to ensure alignment with housing, infrastructure, and climate targets. [48565/25

Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on labour market forecasting related to housing delivery; and the way current and projected shortages in construction trades are being addressed. [48568/25

Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social housing applications currently under appeal in Westmeath County Council. [48729/25

Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 1138 of 8 September 2025, if a reply will issue specifically to the question, which was not answered in the reply and asked him to confirm that he has received … request from Leitrim County Council for funding to deal with historic structural issues around the unfinished housing estate (details supplied). [48737/25

Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the circumstances under which a section five requirement can be waived in relation to applications for the vacant homes scheme; if he will reconsider or expand these circumstances in view of the current housing crisis

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has undertaken any analysis of the impact of the housing crisis on youth emigration, given that 94% of students cite accommodation costs as a major burden; and to outline measures being taken

Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of occasions on which officials from his Department met with Dublin City Council regarding the regeneration of Pearse House in each of the past three years; and the timeline for approval of the revised

Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the legislative observations made by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission in relation to the general scheme of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024; if he is aware

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the way in which current child poverty reduction targets are being aligned with housing-adjusted poverty measures; and the steps being taken to address the persistence of child poverty rates at recession-era levels when housing costs

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection if additional supports, such as an enhanced qualified child allowance, targeted housing subsidies, or expanded childcare supports, are planned for households in or near poverty particularly affected by housing costs; and the timeline and funding plan for such

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the indicators and timelines being used to measure progress against the reduction of housing-cost-adjusted child poverty rates; and when her Department will next report such progress to the Houses of the Oireachtas. [48420/25

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he has met with the Minister for housing to discuss what impact the constrained grid is having on housing supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46025/25