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couples. There is a frustration out there that they are not being treated equally. There is nothing wrong with trying to give a house or whatever else to a brother or sister. I know that on the land side, having to prove a thing called the favourite niece … people who do not have a next generation, and they want to help their nieces or nephews, who may not have a house, to get onto the housing ladder. We should be listening to them. When we look at the figures, equality does not come into

privileged classes and so on, but that is rubbish talk. I warmly welcome these changes. There are people in this House who do not understand that if someone inherits farmland, that land might be worth a lot of money on paper, but all it is worth is what … produce children of their own and do not have direct heirs work very hard. They might have their own house or a second house or a farm. When they eventually pass on, their asset is devalued so much because whoever they leave it to will have

additional cent of capital funding into the health service beyond what was in the national development plan allocation, and the same for housing. I had debates with the Minister across from me on special needs assistants, and we need more of them. Look how much could have been … straight face and then their colleagues on the Independent benches get all upset when those of us on this side of the House point out the unfairness, the inequality and the fact that what it is actually doing is deepening privilege in this State and representing privilege. That

accommodation is up 14%. That has not happened by accident. It has happened because of the Government's policies. The targets for social housing are too low and the Government is missing them. It has slashed funding for vital homelessness prevention schemes, such as tenant in situ … Minister has fumbled his way through the tendering process for Housing First. He has delayed the child and homelessness strategy and has no proposals that are different from what he has been doing for the past two years to address this crisis. If the Minister keeps doing

increase in supply last year. We will see an increase again this year. There are record numbers of new-build social houses being delivered as well. The Deputy mentioned tenant in situ. Buying up existing homes is not the solution to solving the housing crisis in this country … Sinn Féin's own housing plan proposed slashing tenant in situ, as the Deputy knows full well

full remedial works. The interim scheme is for the funding of emergency fire safety defect works and the scheme is administered by the Housing Agency. Applications can be made via the Housing Agency's website. I urge anyone who believes they are impacted to make contact with … Housing Agency. As of the end of August 2026, 293 applications to the interim scheme have been validated, having met the required eligibility criteria. These applications represent 25,947 residential units, with circa 75% of these in the Dublin region. In February 2026, the Government announced a number

Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a local authority or an approved housing body's I.S. 465 building professional recommends option 1 remediation (details supplied), his power to seek documentary evidence and request review by the Housing Agency can result

technical but it is very important we get this right. Recommendations for option 1 can be subject to additional scrutiny by the Housing Agency. Where it is not equivalent relates to engineering and safeguarding for options 2, 3, 4 or 5, where homeowners and tenants must have confidence … outcome. Does the Minister accept that the current approach risks creating a perception that option 1 recommendations are treated differently in the social housing scheme? Furthermore, will he commit to publishing the review protocol in full, including criteria applied, circumstances in which the Housing Agency may challenge

Deputy Gillian Toole asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the housing assistance payment scheme will be extended to include the housing asset-owning parents of persons with additional needs and disabilities. [69734/26

estimated that there are approximately 100,000 people with varying disabilities in need of planned living arrangements, yet only 2% are on social housing lists, which is a prerequisite for the provision of State-supported accommodation. There are older parents with prior Government-encouraged properties that could … shared by groups of adults with intellectual disabilities with appropriate wraparound services. Will the housing assistance payment scheme be extended to include the housing asset-owning parents of people with disabilities

month that passes before a decision is made on this matter, a significant number of people will lose their position on local authority housing waiting lists. I have constituents who became homeless from their HAP tenancy, went into emergency accommodation and are marginally above the thresholds … local authority. Because income is now reassessed for eligibility as part of the annual review, they were removed for the social housing waiting list. They lost nine years on the list. They have no possible exit from emergency accommodation because they cannot afford private rental, if they could

thank the Deputies for their questions on the social housing limits. There is very much a recognition that those limits need to increase. We are working on that proposal. In my view, they absolutely do have to increase. They should be reviewed on a more frequent basis rather … since the last limit was set. Incomes have increased as well. I do not want to have people waiting to get homes on housing lists. If increasing the limits means the numbers go higher, that in itself is not a concern for me. My concern is getting those

since yesterday from the talks aimed at resolving the very serious situation on the Garvaghy Road. I would imagine that everybody in this House, and indeed outside it, hopes that these discussions lead to a breakthrough. The people of the Garvaghy Road and this community have shown extraordinary … which has nevertheless built and protected nearly 30 years of peace. Their strength and dignity throughout these difficult days deserve acknowledgement in this House. What is needed now is sustained engagement at the most senior level in this State to ensure that a positive way forward is secured

links the Foynes line to Limerick Colbert Station and would cost €35 million to reopen. That proposal was submitted to the Department of housing under the housing activation fund. It is a pity the Minister has had to leave because, unfortunately, the project was unsuccessful. It needs … wider mid-west. In tandem with that, we need to make damn sure that when the LDA puts in an application to develop housing around Colbert Station, it will not build over or disturb this alignment. I want to state on the record that this would be detrimental

carriages and new services, expanding our capacity and planning for growth in rail usage over the coming decades. We talk regularly in this House about housing growth, population growth, climate action and sustainable transport, but every one of those ambitions depends upon a railway network that is capable … meet the needs of our growing population. For those reasons, I welcome the Bill and look forward to supporting its passage through the House. Go raibh maith agat

into other issues. I offer my sincere sympathies to the family of Eoin Doyle on their tragic loss. Many Deputies across the House have raised genuine concerns in relation to railway safety and, indeed, the entire railway network. That just goes to show the importance of the railway … Members of Dáil Éireann, both Opposition and Government. It is really refreshing to see that. Long may it continue. I confirm to the House that the Government is committed to maintaining a modern and robust railway services statutory framework that supports the continuing safe operation and development

have for social cohesion, education and other issues in society? The rapid rise in numbers over the past decade has implications for housing. It means we are playing catch up in every part of the economy and our public services. A common thread in most of the issues … working and earning a wage, there must be a contribution to all accommodation costs. Can we also have an open discussion regarding housing? Do people exiting IPAS centres obtain social housing locally quickly, do those centres then take in new IPAS residents and does this lead to some

Leas-Cheann Comhairle and the House to indulge me for a moment as I acknowledge the presence and imminent retirement of our colleague Miriam Lord, who is in the Gallery today. I think we would all agree that Miriam’s journalism, and in particular her oversight and accounts … work in this House, has been a critical part of our national conversation, and indeed our nation’s democracy, over quite a number of years. In her unsparing but razor-sharp perception and analysis, I sometimes felt that she was rather unfair about me, but she was always

affecting the most vulnerable citizens and many students in third level education. The reality is that because of its failure in terms of housing, this Government has displaced so many young people from university campuses right across this country and, in many cases, these young people … daily basis. They are doing so not because they want to. They have to because of Government policy. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage outlined recently that he is not even considering the demand element with regard to housing. As a result, many young people across

record of the House show that it was a government led by my party in 2016 that introduced the legislation and legislated in relation to these issues. Just to be clear. I know the Deputy does this thing about Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael for the social media … clips, but let the record of the House show that it was a Fine Gael Minister for Finance who actually legislated in relation to the IREF legislation. The reason I read out the lengthy answers at the start of this is because the Deputy distorts the situation

that suggests there is going to be any change. He has brought in a tax that allows people to self-declare that a house is not vacant. Is there any follow up in relation to this? Is there a compliance issue? Has the Tánaiste sat down with Revenue … properties that the CSO identifies as vacant are in compliance when it comes to the tax? We are in the middle of a housing crisis. The accepted view is that a large number of homes are vacant. The idea behind this behavioural tax is that you would

accounts for around 70% of the current Vote, as the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, has just said. What that means for the House is that reforms in motor tax, modernisations listed in the national vehicle and driver file and the road traffic Bill 2026 will generate some … motor tax disc, therefore reducing the Department’s administrative costs by approximately €8 million per annum. It is important to say to the House that priority will be given to protecting the PSO funding as part of our budget 2027 negotiations to advance the progress that we have

people using public transport will see the benefits of that too. Deputy O'Gorman did the thing that lots of people in this House do. Deputy Nash did it a moment ago. "Why do you like the motorists?" We have got to stop doing this. This is deliberately … ignoring the economic facts available to this House, as is the House's right, but it is not a very honest thing to do. The advice available to the Government, economically, is that the measures we have taken to reduce fuel prices have helped suppress inflation

around us, the largest companies in the world are at a cutting edge. A ten-minute walk from my house, we have one of the most sophisticated semiconductor foundries in Europe. Intel, even with Covid in the background for a period, was able to deliver a multibillion euro … have also taken positive steps by passing the Critical Infrastructure Act. We have delivered the Accelerating Infrastructure Action Plan, set up the Housing Activation Office and published the detailed national development plan review. We know that we can do things right. The national broadband plan, despite much negativity

fully agree. The housing activation office and Garret Doocey are doing a very good job, along with the team and the seconding in of people from other State agencies. The Deputy is right that we have allocated a lot of money and communities now want to see those … projects delivered quickly. Each of those projects are enablers for housing right across the country as well. I personally believe there are two ways the Government should operate: the Government should help when it can and get the hell out of the way when it cannot. Infrastructure requires

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a breakdown of total expenditure on land acquisition, enabling works, and professional services for government-funded housing since 2020. [23345/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he accepts that reliance on the private rental market for long-term housing of vulnerable individuals is unsustainable and ethically flawed. [23347/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing delivery projects that have stalled due to interdepartmental inefficiencies, and the timeline for legislative reform to streamline approval and procurement processes. [23348/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a breakdown of all housing-related projects that exceeded their approved budgets by more than 15%, including the cause and financial consequences. [23350/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of Department or agency-led projects that incurred costs exceeding €1 million but produced no housing output, and the reasons for such outcomes. [23352/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of full-time staff within the Department and its agencies dedicated to housing delivery, and how many of these are directly involved in project management or construction oversight. [23353/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he acknowledges that the current model of rent subsidies, market competition, public land disposal, and over-reliance on institutional developers has failed, and whether he will now support a shift toward State-led construction … central driver of national housing recovery. [23356/25

Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the creation of the proposed housing activation office has been costed, and if so, if he will set out the projected costs for each of the first five years; including the number of individuals

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the proposal to remove planning requirements for log cabin type residential structures for back gardens; when will this come before the Houses; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide the number of acquisitions made under social housing second hand acquisitions programme in 2024 and to date in 2025, by property size (one bedroom, two bedroom etc), by local authority, in tabular

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of sites that are zoned for planning specific to housing that are in Ireland from January 2025. [23691/25

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing first tenancies that will be made available in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area in the next year. [23985/25

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to offer guidance on how individuals can be referred for consideration for a housing first tenancy. [23986/25

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is considering any policy measures to expand public land holdings in Irish cities and bring them in line with cities like Helsinki where 70% of land is in public ownership; his views … such a policy might support housing delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23988/25

Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider instructing county councils to make more use of modular homes to tackle the housing crisis; if he will make any required funds available; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to introduce additional housing supports to single income households looking to purchase a home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24322/25

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social housing projects approved under the single stage approval process in each year since that process was introduced; the number of units in each of these applications in each year; the total

Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the allocations for local authority and housing adaptation grants for people with disabilities will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24500/25

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of proposals from each of the local authorities and from the Land Development Agency for housing developments, either social or affordable homes, which are awaiting approval from his Department; the aggregate number

Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the proposals there are to increase the number of affordable housing schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23117/25

Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the appointment process for the position of the head of the Housing Activation Office. [22056/25

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to expand and accelerate the construction of social and affordable housing in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22120/25

Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when social housing qualification thresholds will be reviewed, considering the current threshold in Tipperary is, €30,000 for a single person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22280/25

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a person, who has obtained a debt relief notice which includes rent arrears, can be penalised by a local authority by putting a social housing transfer on hold pending payment of arrears on their

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to confirm the funding to be made available to the Housing Activation Office; if media reports of a €1 billion fund over five years is correct; if so, if this funding will come from within