Search the record

months at a minimum, or more frequently, at the discretion of the Minister, and a report on the review is laid before each House of the Oireachtas, (c) ensure that the report laid before each House of the Oireachtas identifies any additional financial supports, other than that provided … ensure that a report on the use of monies realised in the making of disposal orders under this Act is laid before each House of the Oireachtas on an annual basis.”,”. Sinn Féin supports the overall aims of this Bill. Anything that reduces the amount of time

trying to renovate, which in many cases are voids. There is a real problem in that we are not investing in our public housing stock and bringing affordable property back into use, while giving property investors up to €140,000 to do up a vacant property and bring … vacant property grants are going to landlords to rent out properties, again with no affordability requirements, yet the Department of housing is declaring, defining and counting the giving of those vacant property grants as affordable housing. It is not affordable housing; it is going to landlords

cabins and modular homes to allow people to put a log cabin on a site in cases where they cannot afford a house, and also modular homes on a site or behind a house? This is a great plan. It will be a great help to people … about wanting to live at home or in the backyard. It is about trying to save money in order to build a house. I spoke to a young boy yesterday. He is 31 years of age and he got a mortgage yesterday for 35 years

around the vacant properties they have without having to go through the bureaucratic nightmare of applying for funding from central government on a house-by-house, unit-by-unit basis. Can the Taoiseach imagine what it is like to be a homeless person in Mayo watching council houses … done? I will give him an example from a young mother in my constituency: I am homeless, living in a friend's house. I've just had my first baby. She's now a month old. She was born at 36 weeks. I've been

communities can no longer deal with the lack of infrastructure they are facing. I will start, when we are talking about that, with housing. Mar is eol don Aire, rud atá ráite agus luaite agam go minic leis ná go bhfuil fadhb againn nuair nach bhfuil an buninfreastruchtúr … baint leis an mBille seo agus go n-úsáidfear an t-airgead sin chun an infheistiú sin a dhéanamh. When talking about housing, as I mentioned relating to Conamara but also Galway city, we have had the issue of lack of wastewater infrastructure on the east side

that piece of land now has 800 homes on it. There are now in the region of 2,500 to 3,000 houses within the curtilage of this issue and stench coming from a pipe which comes from a pumping station in Kilbride and Hollystown in County Meath … that pipe to be moved. As I said, we have a situation whereby Fingal County Council has built close to 1,000 houses. There are currently 800 or 900 houses there in a place called Church Fields. It is social, affordable and cost-rental housing

block people. We see difficulties now if people try to extend a port or an airport, build a road or build a house. I have seen young people in my area who are 40 miles from Lough Corrib, but because the Sinking River goes into the River Clare … goes on to Lough Corrib, people building a house in a rural place have to spend €2,500 in case it may have an impact on the site. A few years ago in the Minister of State, Deputy Harkin's constituency, a snail that did not exist held

especially when we are a people renowned for our history with dogs. I was listening to other people talk. The joke in our house is that I go home on a Thursday evening and when I go in the door at whatever time it is, 8 o'clock … mean by that?" but for anyone who has a dog, there is a special bond when you have a dog in your house. I know sometimes when my daughters are doing exams and when they are down, if the dog is upstairs

realisation that their homes have been affected by defective building materials and concrete blocks and, indeed, other concrete products that went into their houses. This is not new, of course. Donegal, Mayo and other areas, all the way down to Clare, have suffered the same. The scheme … very lax regulation; that is the reality. The quarries that produced these defective products have got away with it and now the houses that were built are crumbling around their owners. These people absolutely need to ensure that we can do something which will be adequate to provide

think outside the box. What Deputy Doherty is suggesting would work but with it we could also take a blueprint that would change housing moving forward and I think this is the start of it. It is the simple steps and it is a good move. There … homes in Donegal that will need to be replaced. People will need to be housed but there is nowhere for them to go. As Deputy Hearne stated, there are only a few houses for rent. If we go ahead tomorrow and 50 or 60 homeowners want

relates to the application for an increase to the remediation option grant. That is something for which people on this side of the House, particularly those from the impacted counties, have been making the case for quite some time. It is important for us to remember the timeline … notification referred to in subsection (1)(a), but not earlier than 29 March 2024". Almost everybody on this side of the House tabled amendments to remove that. I fully understand that this places a charge on the State and therefore, under Standing Orders, it is ruled

video has caused fierce anger. The video suggests that those forced to move back in with their parents should help around the house so they will be viewed as adults. God almighty, how patronising is that? Did anybody in the Government look at this video before … shared on the official platforms by the Department of housing? Did anybody think about how people would react? Two weeks ago, I stood here on Leader's Questions and I raised the case of a young couple forced to move back into their parents' house. They were forced

live in them. I have not heard from the Deputy any measure that she would take to enable the market to increase overall housing supply. We know from the Department of Finance that about €20 billion of capital is required to reach 50,000 homes per year … State is stepping up on its side of social and affordable housing provision. However, to bridge the gap, we need a viable housing market where people can buy and own their own homes. One of the central issues is that we have had a significant viability

constituents are coming into the office all the time and are contacting us. Their lives are being determined by the decisions of the Housing Agency as to whether they can rebuild their house and move on with their lives. When they request evidence behind the life-changing decisions … heavily redacted. FOI was sought and refused and then overturned by the Information Commissioner. This is not transparency. Even more alarming is the Housing Agency record retention policy. Section 7, page 8, allows draft versions of files replaced by the final versions to be disposed of. Destroying records

genuinely shocked and appalled by the video that was circulated by the Department of housing yesterday. It was drafted by a charity, as we know, but it was released on the Department of housing's official communication channels. It actually beggars belief that some bright spark … Department of housing came up with releasing that video. Is it now official Department policy that young people should move in with their parents to have housing

Government's policy on housing is what we have set out in our housing plan. The series of actions the Minister, Deputy Browne, has taken to ensure that young people can build a future and set up roots here, and the many interventions we have made in terms … viability of housing and the increased provision in our national development plan for social and affordable homes, are all about ensuring we increase affordability and the supply of social homes right across our country. Our focus over the next number of years is to ramp up housing supply

clear provisions preserving the parties’ right to regulate for public policy purposes. That means the right of the Irish Government and this House to take measures to achieve legitimate public policy objectives, for example, environmental protections, consumer rights or food safety. I cannot be clearer about this point … oversight and provides that every order made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade under subsection (5) must be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made, and if a resolution annulling the order is passed by either

regressing because they are on waiting lists and their parents are in absolute despair because their children are deteriorating. It also overlaps with housing. If you have the double problem that you are also in a precarious housing situation, in overcrowded conditions or in a homeless … know if this is true elsewhere – even where occupational therapists or other specialists in this area have identified priority housing requirements for children with disabilities or special needs, the council says there are too many kids with developmental delays or autism and it is therefore ignoring that

obviously, I have a number of questions. As already stated, the Minister of State was involved in an issue relating to Erkina House a number of years ago and was very positive and helpful on that occasion. The Minister of State indicated that a significant level of investment … would be required to develop Erkina House in order to achieve the additional regulatory standards required. We all agree on that. Everybody in Ireland agrees. Everybody in Rathdowney agrees. The reason that is required is because the place was starved of investment in recent years. Those responsible deliberately

recognition of the potential impact on the rental market months ago and he is still talking about himself and the Minister for housing bringing something forward at some unspecified time. What is really infuriating for so many people is the Government has yet to recognise that this scheme … deeply unfair. It provides a non-means-tested housing support to one group of people in need of housing that is not available to others. There is a situation where one person might be in employment, on good wages and is able to access housing support through

wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Albert Dolan - To discuss housing voids across local authority housing. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere - To discuss … services in Kildare North. Deputy Michael Murphy - To discuss the SEAI warmer homes scheme. Deputy Brian Stanley - To discuss the future of Erkina House, Rathdowney, County Laois. Deputy Paul Murphy - To discuss appropriate funding and resources for the treatment of allergies. Deputy Rory Hearne - To discuss changes

back in April 2022. On Holy Thursday of that year, I became aware from a source that there were plans to close Erkina House in Rathdowney. Erkina House at that time had 12 residents and €120,000 had just been spent re-roofing part of the building. There … this. Views were taken, and the view that came back very strongly supported retention of a facility on the site of Erkina House. The points in favour were the excellent staff in the facility; that it is on a large site in the centre of Rathdowney town with

community services that meet people's needs into the future. This is supported by substantial investment in mental health services each year. Erkina House is operated by the HSE as a fully staffed community mental health residence. The HSE has advised the Department that there are three remaining … residents supported at this residence. Erkina House has provided much-needed mental health support to many people over two decades. However, it is not the type of mental health service we would build today and there are documented issues with the configuration of the building as a mental

Housing is the greatest issue affecting my generation and I will not apologise to any Member of the permanent Opposition that will stand in this Chamber and ask where young Fianna Fáil TDs are. I am proud to be a young Fianna Fáil TD. I am proud … republican background. I am proud to stand in this Chamber and represent young people across rural Ireland because I am impacted by the housing crisis. My generation is impacted by the housing crisis and I know what it means to face unaffordable rents, unaffordable housing and unaffordable purchase

welcome the fact of the engagement we had on this plan. The affordable housing scheme is something that needs to be prioritised. It is my generation that is facing the consequences of the decisions of past Governments. I am supporting this Government in the hope it will listen … other thing that really needs to be done is to address the red tape and bureaucracy. It is said across this House but are we just saying words or are we actually going to remove it? I welcome the judicial review proposal. It is great that people will

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views regarding the rationale for removing the 5% minimum requirement for artistic and cultural spaces in future large scale housing developments; if he has concerns that this decision will have a negative impact on future

Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average cost of a social housing unit delivered in 2024 by local authorities broken down by the cost per unit size, such

Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total quantum of land held by local authorities, by each local authority, earmarked for social, affordable and cost rental housing; to outline the total number of units which could potentially be delivered on the landbank

Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider directing local authorities to systematically collate and publish data on the number of families presenting with a housing need as a result of domestic violence; if he will ensure that women

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the delivery schedule for major housing projects under the National Development Plan, including an account of the number that have been delayed by judicial review proceedings or planning appeals since January 2024. [44818/25

Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social and affordable housing units currently under construction or approved for development in counties Longford and Westmeath; the estimated completion dates for these units; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to confirm that he has received a request from Leitrim County Council for funding to deal with historic structural issues around the unfinished housing estate (details supplied); if he will confirm if his officials have decided

Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the duties he intends to delegate to the strategic housing activation office within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45012/25

Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of the officials seconded to the new strategic housing activation office within his Department; the length of time the secondments are expected to last; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a list of all unused properties, lands and buildings, under the ownership or control of his Department within County Kerry; the length of time they have been idle; the plans in place … future use; if these unused properties, lands and buildings can be used for affordable and social housing and low cost sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45185/25

Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will publish the promised updated planning guidelines for rural houses for a period of public consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45202/25

Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to set out concisely the delegated sanction that local authorities have to purchase second-hand acquisitions and the categories of housing involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45203/25

Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if variable local authority home loan interest rates will reduce in line with the recently reduced costs of borrowing for the Housing Finance Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45233/25

Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding made available to Cork County Council for housing maintenance for 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45265/25

Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding made available to Cork City Council for housing maintenance for 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45266/25

Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide clarity for local councils on the issue of self-employed people wishing to put their name on the social housing list in relation to the discretionary requirement from individual councils

Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason Meath County Council is permitted the use of its own discretion when requesting a self-employed person, seeking to apply to join the social housing list to provide a submission of two years

Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends to introduce legislation compelling county councils to request self-employed individuals seeking to join the social housing list to provide minimum of two years’ accounts with an auditor’s report

Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the name and location of social housing new builds by Cork City Council, in each of the past 15 years, in tabular form. [45319/25

Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the name and location of social housing new builds by AHBs in the Cork City Council, area in each of the past 15 years, in tabular form. [45320/25

Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the name and location of social housing new builds by Cork County Council, in each of the past 15 years, in tabular form. [45321/25

Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the name and location of social housing new builds by AHBs in the Cork County Council, area in each of the past 15 years, in tabular form. [45322/25

Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the name and location of newly built houses, acquired by Cork City Council, in each of the past 15 years, in tabular form. [45323/25

Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the name and location of newly built houses, acquired by AHBs in the Cork City Council area, in each of the past 15 years, in tabular form. [45324/25

Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the name and location of newly built houses, acquired by Cork County Council, in each of the past 15 years, in tabular form. [45325/25