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raise the issue that is central to this problem, which is the bureaucracy of the three sectors: the HSE, the disability sector and housing. That is preventing initiatives from being taken and preventing staff from being employed. Kilkenny SOS provides a fantastic service. It is at the cutting … giving the priority 1 and priority 2 cases to this organisation to allow them to take up independent living in their own houses. I ask for an intervention that would bring together housing, the HSE and the disability sector with a budget and a decision-making role

Dáil term ahead. I congratulate him and his family on a very prestigious honour. I welcome this opportunity to speak to the House on the importance of agrifood to the overall Irish economy. In a week in which the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen … published his vision for agriculture and food, I believe it is a very timely debate and discussion to have in the House. As Ireland’s largest indigenous exporting sector, the agrifood sector is made up of thousands of farmers, fishers and foresters, who day in, day out produce

welcome this motion on housing, particularly in light of what we learned yesterday about County Mayo being the biggest county for derelict properties. Some 14% of the country's derelict properties are in Mayo. It is also the second highest in terms of vacancy, at almost … little is being done - it is important the Minister hears this - to assist local authority housing staff in turning over those properties. It is not just on the private side. Local authorities right across this country are responsible for hoarding, and I believe the State is the biggest

bhreise leis i ndiaidh na seachtaine atá tar éis a bheith ann. Dúirt mé an méid seo ag an am: "in a bilingual House with two official languages we need a Chair who can monitor and, if necessary, step in and apply the rules and protections of this … House equally to everyone, whether it be as Gaeilge nó as Béarla." That might not mean much to many here who operate exclusively in English but I ask them to put themselves in my shoes and those of other Deputies here in this House who are Gaeilgeoirí

issue raised by Deputy Mac Lochlainn, I have been consistent throughout this Dáil and the last, in terms of accountability in this House. The Executive is accountable to the House. I do not believe Ministers are accountable for the behaviour or whatever issues pertain to any individual … other House, in this House. I do not think it is allowed under Standing Orders

point, the inadequate treatment of mental health, is the root cause of so many issues in our society. Certainly, we have an acute housing crisis and homelessness situation but I have no doubt that in many cases the root cause of rough sleeping is inadequate treatment for mental … sighted for any Government not to prioritise and adequately resource mental health services. One area I will focus on is the lack of housing provision for people with mental health problems. Very often, as public representatives, family members trying to provide housing for those with mental health problems

Congratulations to both Ministers on their appointments. I thank Sinn Féin for bringing this motion before the House. Having listened to this debate for the past hour and a half, the stories being recounted by many of my colleagues are the same as the stories in Cork North … then have to battle with the Department of Social Protection for domiciliary care. I could go on. I bring the attention of the House to one of my constituents who travels two hours and 40 minutes every day to bring her child to and from school. It takes

welcome the parents in the Public Gallery. I also welcome the contributions that have been made so eloquently by Members across the House. I thank those who have wished us well in our endeavours. I am delighted to have the role of Minister of State with responsibility … with special educational needs is kept to the fore of Dáil proceedings at all times because this will ensure that together, across the House, the Government and society, we will deliver a better service. I listened carefully to the contributions of all Deputies. It is clear

perhaps that might give us some idea - 2023 as one of the many schemes brought in by the Government to help with the housing crisis. It was meant in particular to protect tenants who were in receipt of HAP, RAS or other payments. If the landlord was selling … house, he or she would give first choice to the council so that the tenant would be protected. Unfortunately, the council contacted me around 13 or 14 December to say it had been informed verbally by the Department that the scheme had been suspended. That is what

details relating to her question, I will bring it to the attention of the Department to try to get clarity for her. Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 47,600 new build social homes and 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing in the period … clear focus is to increase the stock of social housing through new build projects delivered by local authorities and AHBs. Under Housing for All, there is provision for 200 social housing acquisitions each year. In 2023, however, following the lifting of the temporary eviction ban and a reported

previously, for example, in regard to the state aid case concerning Apple, is that the strategic priorities of our economy are housing, water, energy and transport infrastructure. The other pillar is health digitalisation. That has been a missed opportunity for too long. It is hugely important … escrow and also other funds. We are working with the Department of Finance on that specific strategic infrastructure. If we take the overall housing supply in our economy, we have set new housing targets. The key to unlocking that is energy, water and transport infrastructure in particular. They

established at the beginning of last year and is working in partnership with local front-line services providers, local authorities, the Department of housing and the Housing Agency to streamline processes in order to accelerate the delivery of refuges. There were 147 refuge units across the country … priority for refuge development under the zero tolerance strategy. Cuan is working with the key stakeholders, including Safe Ireland, the Department of housing, Cavan and Monaghan county councils and the Housing Agency, to progress the development of an eight-unit refuge in this region. This will include community

with a growing number of landlords and tenants being put at risk as a consequence of these numbers not being allocated. We know housing is the issue du jour. As an emergency measure, we should be looking at extending the tenant in situ measures and, indeed, the Housing … possible. I did listen intently last week to be Tánaiste when he stated we need a whole-of-Oireachtas approach for solving the housing crisis. I genuinely welcome that sentiment. The Labour Party has brought forward today proposals and solutions for the housing crisis and in the vein

thank the Labour Party for bringing forward this motion on housing, which I will support. I am disappointed, however, that there is no mention of homes affected by defective concrete. Once again, County Donegal is forgotten. The defective concrete crisis affects thousands of people throughout this island … will be revisiting this in the future. The current practice of demolishing and rebuilding a semi-detached home while the neighbour whose house is attached to that home remains there for years until they can afford to get onto the scheme is doomed to fail. This

doing and yet living out of a car. It is not helping the mother in Cork city who is going into the housing department to be told, "Sorry, there is nothing for you, go into a homeless crisis centre with your children". It is not going to help … those couples who lost their houses between 2008 and 2014, are now back in employment after losing their businesses, renting privately and can afford to pay the rent but are approaching the age of 65. What will happen when they retire? They will be back on the housing

Taoiseach asked for solutions; I will give him just two in the time available. One would be to introduce specific zoning for affordable housing. That is done in places like Vienna, where you can rent a two-bed apartment for about €750 per month. Will the Taoiseach introduce … similar zoning for affordable housing in Ireland? I have a second constructive proposal. Housing Europe published a report in 2023 in which it outlined how there were billions of euro in European Union funding streams that could be used to help build affordable housing in Ireland. That report

quickest, easiest and most immediate response to the housing crisis is to deal with the scourge of vacancy and dereliction. In almost every estate in Dublin South-West one will find vacant houses. These are perfectly good homes or they were at one stage. They could be used … house families. Instead, they are a blight on the community. We got figures recently that 14,500 of the more than 100,000 vacant properties in the country are located in Dublin. There are more than 10,000 families in emergency accommodation in Dublin. This is the easy

enough for the people of Cork and certainly does not go far enough for the people of Cork North-Central. Regarding the housing crisis and the housing emergency we are in, this Government says it will build 300,000 houses by 2030. That may sound good but where … spent on the drinking water system in Cork city. Water in the northside is brown. This has been discussed in the House by my colleagues on a number of occasions and it has continuously been ignored. It is not mentioned once in the programme for Government

exists across so many areas and indeed so many sectors. For example, while I welcome the Government's commitments to increase supply of housing by ramping up construction to meet demand, aiming for 300,000 new homes by 2030, the fact remains that going on past practice this … calling for a more focused level of debate around the link between supply and demand and the impact soaring immigration is having on housing. We cannot be afraid to have that conversation. Regarding some of the supports for Uisce Éireann to deliver strategic water projects crucial for housing

Deputy Nash, to which I have responded, on the time provided for the Bill. I have no objection to a wider debate on housing policy. I am sure that can be facilitated in the coming weeks. I am aware the Labour Party has tabled a motion on housing … there is an opportunity to discuss housing in the House this week

opportunity to examine the programme for Government that has been adopted by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the non-party Members of this House. Over the past five years we have seen an unprecedented level of geopolitical upheaval and challenges to the norms that were established after … will also facilitate the flexibility needed in uncertain times. At the core of the programme is massive investment in infrastructure, particularly housing, but also critical areas such as transport, schools and utilities. If one were to reflect on the achievements of the previous Government, one could see that

wish him very well. The programme for Government contains a number of commitments in relation to this. The Deputy is right that housing is the biggest challenge that our country faces and it is the biggest priority that the Government intends to address. As he also rightly highlighted … there is a number of enablers to build housing. It is not just about housing construction capacity but also about water and wastewater treatment facilities. We are going to significantly increase the amount of money available to Uisce Éireann through the capital budgets that we will be allocating

They deliberately misled the public about the reasons for the housing crisis and not just about the numbers or targets. They misled the public by saying 40,000 were built when only 30,000 were built. They also misled the public as to why, after more than … decade, they have not solved the housing crisis. The reason is that they are dancing to the tune of people who are making money from it. That is why the Government will not build social housing, ban no-fault evictions or build affordable housing that people can afford

Fáil, in government. For my constituents in Dublin Mid-West, delivery means real action in improving their everyday lives, be it in transport, housing, education or childcare. The policies in this programme for Government will shape the Ireland we leave to the next generation, and we must … laser focus on delivery. Over the past few years, under the Minister, Deputy O’Brien, significant progress has been made in tackling the housing crisis. More homes have been delivered than at any point in recent decades. New supports for renters have been introduced and major investment

that she was checking on a man in his 80s in her community. The man had not left his bed in his house, because the house was so cold, for over a week. He had no electricity or heat. She told me that when she touched his hand … clinics, we all hear difficult stories, some of which haunt us more than others. I will read one such story to the House: Storm Darragh was not that long ago and we were left without power for 4 or 5 days. My father sat in the house trying

Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the available supports for a property in need of repair before its owner can offer its use to a local authority for social housing, but which has not been vacant for at least 12 months

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for a breakdown of local authority housing developments nationwide that have been identified with significant construction defects; the measures being taken to remediate these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide further details regarding the Housing Activation Office, including the number of people on its staff, the organisations to be represented, the names of those appointed/seconded to date in 2025, the powers and functions

Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the Pearse House regeneration scheme. [26054/25

Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide the figure for the number of people, adults and children, currently registered on social housing lists in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26062/25

Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide the figure for the number of affordable housing units delivered in Dublin annually over the past ten years, as compared to the annual targets of those same years; and if he will make

Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide the figure for the amount of social housing units delivered in Dublin annually over the past ten years, excluding vacant site grants, as compared to the annual targets of those same years

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the delayed Department approvals for social and affordable housing. [24903/25

Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for his expectations for the delivery of affordable housing this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24902/25

Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the level of funding he has provided to housing authorities for the provision of emergency accommodation in 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24777/25

Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his expectations for the delivery of affordable housing in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24661/25

Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how quickly the new housing national planning framework targets will be given to the county councils so that they can amend their county development plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24826/25

Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to expand the provision of modular housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24654/25

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans for increasing the housing options available to older people to facilitate ageing in place with dignity and independence; if he will provide an update on the development of a policy on rightsizing

Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if additional funding will be provided to local authorities in 2025 to cover the additional applications for housing adaptation grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23493/25

Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding allocated for housing adaptation grants in Louth from 2020 to 2024, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24599/25

Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will increase funding for housing acquisitions, such as the tenant in situ scheme in Sligo and Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24854/25

Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of new builds by approved housing bodies in 2024; the number expected in 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24835/25

Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the progress made by the Land Development Agency to date in advancing affordable and social housing delivery; the pipeline now in place for further developments; and if he will

Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to increase the income limits for eligibility for social housing in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24839/25

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to confirm that the €1 billion of funding for Uisce Éireann in budget 2025 was not additional money; and to set his response to the utility's request for an additional €2 billion in capital … including €1.7 billion for urban capacity upgrades and €300 million for rural capacity upgrades, to facilitate the Government's revised housing targets. [24435/25

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider introducing a streamlined planning framework to allow for the vertical extension of existing homes of up to four storeys where structurally feasible, particularly in cities and large towns; if he will examine … this as a means of increasing housing density without requiring additional land purchases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24859/25

Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the means by which the newly established housing activation office will in practice work with the new infrastructure division within the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. [24541/25

Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is any facility to transfer between local authority housing lists in cases of domestic abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23727/25

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures he is taking to increase the availability of affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24734/25