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welcome the opportunity to contribute on the debate. I thank the Labour Party for this motion. I also thank my colleagues across the House for their meaningful contributions. I welcome parents and guardians to the Gallery. I know the challenge, anguish and difficulties they are facing … night and day on this. I have had many sleepless nights thinking of the challenges that are faced by families. I assure the House, the people listening in and the people in the Gallery that the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and I are working as hard

where all of this is going. I know there is a different term used in government but I welcome the appointment of this "housing tsar", as it is being dubbed in the media. It is important that someone in the Department gives a high-level briefing … Minister of State and Minister so that decisions can be taken to really move this forward. The judgment will be how many houses have been delivered by the end of this Government's term. It is really important that headway is made. It would be useful for each

have these in place? I put it to the Minister of State, Deputy O'Sullivan, that Irish Water is dictating continuously. Only 200 houses can be built in my home parish in Blarney because Irish Water is refusing to put a water treatment plant there. We cannot build … house in Carrignavar for the next five to ten years because we have no water treatment plant. We have a ghost estate there that cannot be redeveloped because we cannot get water to the estate. We have people with land all over Cork who want to put individual

homes per year until 2040. That is achievable, but it demands radical change in efficiency and execution. People are asking about housing now, not just in the future. This morning, I met fifth year students from Mount Sackville school in Castleknock. Their biggest concern is where they will … former Dunsink landfill. These should not be reasons for any more delay. They should be factors that are actively addressed. If housing is truly a priority, then we must move forward with national funding access, strategic planning, infrastructure activation and ambition. This must be treated as urgent. Fingal

critical tool in how we shape our housing infrastructure, services and communities. I welcome the revision placed before the House following public consultation and a comprehensive review. However, we need a plan that reflects the major changes our country has seen in recent years. Planning is not just … homes but we do not have public amenities to match them. I have gone to multiple residents' meetings since being elected to this House and while I was a councillor. There are more than 10,000 residential units in this area but not one single community service where

still his assessment. The Minister addressed Deputy Howlin and then went on to state: If we abolished juries, I can guarantee the House that we will develop a whole body of jurisprudence that will result in cases being repeatedly appealed to the Court of Appeal and probably … happened a long time ago, that will be dealt with by the appeal court, but, as has been indicated by others in this House, the Higgins case clearly set out guidelines ... I do not wish to labour the point. It is there in black and white. I appeal

circles. It is the Government's clearest admission that it has no new idea of substance or any real plan to fix housing. Nuair atá Fianna Fáil agus Fine Gael ag plé sár a earcú chun jab an Aire tithíochta a dhéanamh agus €430,000 a íoc leis … admháil go soiléir go bhfuil plean tithíochta an Rialtais ina phraiseach. The Taoiseach deliberately misled the electorate in November, he deliberately used false housing delivery figures to take the bad look off himself - he did that brazenly - and now he is at it again. He is spinning, bluffing

since the 1970s have we seen that level and scale of social house building and social house provision. Those are the facts. We need to do far more than that but, without question, the number of social houses built in the past three to four years is without … compare and we would have to go back to the 1970s to get similar levels of social house completion

first three years of Housing for All - 2022 to 2024 - overall housing targets were exceeded. It is not all failure and failure as Deputy McDonald dismisses it. Those were the targets set by Housing for All and they were exceeded. More than 130,000 houses were constructed

bemused to listen to the Taoiseach painting his housing policy as a success rather than a deep failure. Housing construction, social housing, affordable housing - every one of the targets is being missed, while 4,675 children woke up this morning in emergency accommodation. That will affect them

thank the Deputy. There is a record €6 billion being invested in all our different housing policies and only in recent weeks the Minister for housing secured additional funding, so we are doing everything we can to support not just the development of new homes, the bringing back … homes into stock and the development of social housing, but also to support every person to be able to purchase or to stay in the home they are in. There is a lot of money going into it and every further extension of that will have

issue of funding is what is thrown at them first when they seek answers. I welcome the statements, but as colleagues in the House have outlined – and will continue to outline during this debate - our jobs as public representatives in dealing with these queries is getting much more … would have to wait until Tuesday of the following week before something could be done. I previously raised in the Upper House the urgent need for an emergency number at weekends and the flexibility of staff to respond to an emergency. It is simply not good enough that

pilot scheme the local authority in Cork is proposing or developer-led infrastructure again. This is now impinging on our capability to deliver housing, as is well documented in here. If developers, particularity on larger schemes and sites, could sit around the table with the local authority … Irish Water and actually devise bespoke schemes that could deliver housing or at least free up the capacity to get on and deliver housing, that would be one way to go at the moment. I will conclude by mentioning the Carrigrenan wastewater treatment plant in Little Island, which

require even a road crossing. It would require a road-opening licence and would bring a new two-inch water service past her house. That would service the family house, her son's house across the road. There is also an agriculture connection. Irish Water, however … humanitarian level, at her situation. This requires this poor woman to get a water connection in order that she can function and her house can have the benefit of a shower, whether it be pump or electric. That is a gospel-true story; it is not made

date within five years, because the people of Dunmanway need to know whether their sons and daughters, and Cahalane Brothers builders, can build houses in Dunmanway going forward. Are they going to be blocked for ten more years? Are they going to be blocked for 30 years … treatment back. Raw sewage is pouring in through the tide there. Look at Shannon. That has been about 15 years, and no house is going to be built. This is what I am saying to the Minister of State. Is there a possibility - it has happened before - that

years ago, including the treatment of infrastructure and environmental standards. It is really doing its best. However, since being elected to this House, I am not happy with the fact that, as Deputy O'Flynn noted earlier, no one is accountable. In a question on 5 February … them down for fertiliser. We need to provide real, organic solutions that can give encouragement and improve Dublin Bay. We cannot talk about housing, which is the biggest issue that the Government will be judged on, without talking about water. It does not work. We need to plan

surprise with these tariffs. Over the past year, it has been crystal clear that Donald Trump was on fast track to the White House and with him the threat of escalating trade tensions, protectionism and tariffs which could hit Ireland right between the eyes. What was this Government … Instead, we had two Ministers for Foreign Affairs in the past 12 months who have proven themselves - let us be blunt in this House - utterly ineffective on the global stage. This particular moment demands a strategic diplomat and a doer. Instead we have a TikToker press releasing machine

Trump’s trade tantrum is having a real world impact, just one week after that bizarre event in the White House Rose Garden where an American President held up what looked like a bookmaker’s betting board as he gambled away the world economy in service … more of our skilled construction workers during and after the crash, we would be in a much better position now with the housing crisis. We will also have to look at how we grow our trade connections with the rest of the world and how we develop

economy, in particular in the pharmaceutical and food and drink sectors. The main threat is expected to be internal challenges such as the housing crisis. The cost-of-living crisis is very likely to get much worse. Already, we have seen the Government put forward ideas like water … Fáil in particular, but also many other parties in the Dáil, delivered for the majority of people in Ireland? We have a massive housing crisis. We have Third World disability services in many cases. Children with scoliosis have been suffering continuously for years. We do not have

Housing is absolutely the single greatest issue facing my generation. There is no doubt about it. I appreciate the Taoiseach acknowledged the seriousness of the issue. While it is so important that we get that increased and record level of investment, the delivery is key and that … answer. Outside of Cloughjordan, Nenagh, the major town next to it, and Ballycommon face the very same issue. Some 138 social houses cannot be built in Nenagh at the moment because of the capacity issue, nor can 33 houses in Ballycommon. I really hope we will see progress

human right of a home. The people we need - nurses, teachers, doctors, tradespeople and therapists - have emigrated because of the lack of affordable housing. At a housing summit yesterday, Sherry FitzGerald said it is likely that just 25,000 homes will be built this year. That is only … half of the minimum of 50,000 homes needed. Rather than turning a corner on housing, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are driving us in circles on a roundabout that is going nowhere. We have yet to see an emergency response from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael

Caragh and Scartaglin do not have any wastewater treatment plant. There are several other places, such as Moyvane where you cannot build a house. This costs awful big money to bring these things up to scratch. Irish Water does not have any way or means of raising money … realise it will need to give it the funds to ensure this is done. The Government talks about directing people into towns for housing but people out in the country are being prevented from building their own house and putting in their own little septic tank or whatever

strategic funding plan has a capital investment requirement of €10.2 billion, of which €9.8 billion is voted Exchequer funding. To meet increased housing targets, Uisce Éireann will require addition funding on top of the strategic funding plan over the next five years, which would be ring-fenced … housing and growth. The programme for Government also commits to investing additional capital in Uisce Éireann to support reaching our new housing targets. We will prioritise water and wastewater infrastructure to deliver the capacity to facilitate housing development in our towns and villages. This additional funding will

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 Michael Cahill - To discuss rural planning guidelines, area plans and family homes. Deputy Séamus McGrath - To discuss … discuss the introduction of a youth culture card as promised in the programme for Government. Deputy Edward Timmins - To discuss individual county council house building targets from 2025 until 2030 and actuals from 2020 to 2024. Deputy Gary Gannon - To discuss accommodation options for young people leaving care

directly with the Minister, Deputy James Browne, and Minister of State, Deputy Cummins. In my own role in the Department, I am over housing for the elderly in the context of local authorities. I will respond to the Deputy's point about An Bord Pleanála. Under … Department will be monitoring. The Deputy is calling for additional points on top of that, for example, a correlation between infrastructure and housing. The Deputy has other moves he would like to see in terms of planning permissions. In the context of the Planning and Development Act, there

Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider implementing legislation to compel landlords or housing bodies to notify tenants of overpayments and promptly return such payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32875/25

years 2020 to 2025; the breakdown of the average cost to bring a vacant property owned by the OPW into use for social housing in each of the years 2020 to 2025; the breakdown of the overall cost to bring vacant properties owned by the OPW back into … social housing in each of the years 2020 to 2025; the breakdown of the overall cost to maintain former Garda stations owned by the OPW that are now vacant in each of the years 2020 to 2025; and the breakdown of the overall cost to maintain decentralisation sites

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on his Department’s efforts to fulfil the Programme for Government’s commitment to establish a unit in the Housing Agency to regulate owners’ management companies to ensure effective governance

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the time it takes, on average, for each local authority to turn around, or clean out, vacant properties and make them available to qualified housing applicants, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the impact of delays to delivery of PPP bundle 3 on social housing delivery in Dublin northwest, where 183 social homes are now delayed, representing a significant proportion of projected delivery

Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the 2024 interim review of the National Housing Strategy for Disabled People 2022-2027 Implementation Plan will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32597/25

Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will consider changes to the vacant property grant (croí conaithe grant) to allow houses built but not completed from the 31 December 2007 deadline under the current regulations to 31 December 2009 (details

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the third draft of the byelaws given to him in September 2024 by Waterways Ireland officials, without being reviewed with stakeholders, without restarting the 90 days of consultation period and effectively … complying with the recommendation of the Oireachtas Committee on Housing (details supplied). [32693/25

Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of legal cases defended by his Department in each of the past ten years in respect of alleged failures in State duties arising from the Housing Acts; of those cases, the number in which

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide details concerning the implementation of the tenant-in-situ scheme by Cork City Council, particularly in light of recent developments and guidance under Circular 11/2025 (details supplied), given the pressing need for stability … clarity in the delivery of housing supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32858/25

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the latest bundle of public private partnerships social housing projects; whether any of the bundle of six projects is being dropped; and if so, where these projects are and the reason

Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to ensure that State policies support the collaborative development of standard house and apartment types to drive efficiency, reduce costs and support viability; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the mechanism through which funding allocations allocated to each local authority for the provision of disabled persons grant and the improvement works in lieu schemes for local authority housing stock were arrived

Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will introduce the regulations dealing with service charges and sinking funds; and if the Housing Agency will have enough resources in 2026 in order that it can commence regulating the OMC sector

Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he expects legislation to underpin remediation schemes to come before the Oireachtas Housing Committee for Pre-Legislative Scrutiny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29031/25

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will engage with the Minister for Health, in regard to utilising HSE buildings and lands across County Kerry for housing, that are no longer being utilised and are surplus to requirement

Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a breakdown of the measure A7 funding of the 2024–2026 multi-annual rural water programme for a group water scheme (details supplied); if there is an appeal procedure available for group water schemes … that have not been recommended for funding; if group water schemes are permitted to contribute financially on a per-house basis under the multi-annual rural water programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29103/25

Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the legislation to underpin the defects remediation schemes will be set before the Oireachtas Housing Committee for Pre-Legislative Scrutiny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29221/25

Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to put in place a defective concrete blocks grant scheme for social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29227/25

Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will commit to bringing legislation to underpin the defects remediation schemes before the Oireachtas Housing Committee for pre-legislative scrutiny in autumn 2025 at the latest, and to ensure the full legislative process

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if local authorities will be encouraged and supported to provide low-cost sites to help those with a housing need, particularly first-time builders/buyers, as fully serviced, ready-to-build sites at a reduced cost would

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the additional cost to the Exchequer for every additional 1,000 affordable housing units delivered through the following schemes, CREL construction, CREL turnkey, AHF construction, and AHF turnkey. [29385/25

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the additional cost of increasing the funding for housing adaptation grants by 25%, 50% and 100%. [29386/25

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the additional cost of increasing the funding for social housing retrofits by 25%, 50% and 100%. [29387/25

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the additional cost of increasing the funding for social housing maintenance including the voids programme by 25%, 50% and 100%. [29388/25