How much more do homeowners in Mayo and other counties impacted by defective blocks have to endure, whether they have partially completed their rebuilds or whether they are trying to get into the scheme? At every stage, homeowners were given assurances that they would not be disadvantaged by the timing that they entered the schemes. Now, homeowners who are in the middle of rebuilding their homes and lives have been told that they have to wait for legislation to be prepared and passed to enable them to avail of the higher rates. It is utterly disgraceful that these homeowners are being treated like this. It is clear that the scheme is not fit for purpose and that in many cases it only provides for 70% or less of the costs of remediation. Too many of the impacted homeowners are locked out of the scheme because of affordability. If there is to be any fairness in this whole scandal, the Government must provide retrospective redress, must end the damage threshold being used as a barrier to the scheme and must amend the scheme to allow impacted homeowners to access upfront payments to commence remediation works. The Government must allow the flexibility and timelines from start to completion. It must make the increase in the cap for the defective blocks scheme open to all affected homeowners, not just the new entrants. It must ensure that those responsible for the manufacturing of defective blocks are held to account, that a full public inquiry is held into the defective material and how it was sold into the housing markets and that the industry must contribute to the overall cost of the remediating of defective properties. Where is the scheme for the council houses and approved housing bodies, AHBs? Many questions need to be urgently answered regarding this scheme.
Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate
Defective Building Materials
Last year, the then Government finally announced an increase in the cap. This was in line with the recommendations of the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland, which examined the real costings on the ground. The reality is that the Government did not apply that to people who are going through the scheme already; it was only for new entrants. That was cruel. The Government made it clear that it was going to amend the legislation to sort this out. I appealed to the Government to do that before the election. I stood in front of the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste separately and appealed to them to bring in the amendments. We would make time and it could be done. I feared that this would happen. Unfortunately, I have been proven right. We are now sitting in May and there is no sign of this amendment to the legislation. It is straightforward. I raised this directly with the Minister, Deputy James Browne, who was in County Donegal in recent days. I made it clear to not talk about ten Stages of legislation. We in opposition will do everything to get this through. No pre-legislative scrutiny will be required if the Government honours what it said it was going to do last year, which was to make this increase in the cap available to everybody who is currently going through the scheme. This is really cruel. People are struggling with the €40,000, €50,000, €60,000, €70,000 or €80,000-plus that they must find themselves. They do not have the money to make the final payments to pay the builders. This is urgent. It has been urgent since late last year. I appeal to the Government to bring this through as soon as possible. It should be brought through next week. It will be facilitated by the Opposition in every way. We will do everything we can to make it happen next week in the Dáil and the Seanad; there is no excuse. This is a simple straightforward amendment to the legislation. It should have been done late last year. It needs to be done now.
I wish to thank the Deputies. There were three Deputies down. Is Deputy Pearse Doherty absent?
He is absent.
That is fine. I thank Deputies Conway-Walsh and Mac Lochlainn for raising this matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy James Browne. As the Deputies will be aware, the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022, which commenced on 22 June 2023, contains the current grant scheme and the related regulations that were adopted on 29 June 2023. Following updated costs reports that the Department received from the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland and advice from the expert group, a 10% increase in the overall scheme cap, which Deputy Mac Lochlainn acknowledged, was brought forward in October 2024, raising the cap from €420,000 to €462,000 for all homeowners yet to receive a grant determination by that date. It should be noted the grant scheme grant rates were also examined and increased to between 7.4% and 8.7% in November 2024.
The cap increase is in line with the provisions of the Act as set down by the Oireachtas, which allows for a maximum increase of 10% in the overall scheme cap. The Act also provides that any increase in the scheme cap or grant rates will apply to eligible relevant owners that are yet to receive a determination in respect of remediation option and grant amounts. The Department sought legal advice that confirmed that extending these increases to a wider group of relevant owners requires amending the Act. In the interest of equity and fairness, the Minister intends to extend the increase in the scheme cap and rates to apply to a wider group of relevant owners. This will be examined as part of the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks (Amendment) Bill, which has been included in the summer 2025 Government legislative programme for priority drafting.
A number of other matters have come to light during the first 18 months of the operation of the scheme and the Minister will also consider a number of technical amendments as part of this legislative change. These changes will assist in the efficient administration of the scheme and will enable the smoother operation of the grant scheme for applicants. As Deputy Mac Lochlainn referenced, the Minister met with various stakeholders in Donegal on Monday, 12 May, including representatives from the Mica Action Group, along with a large group of Donegal county councillors and senior management of the council. The Deputy acknowledged that he met with the Minister. Each group raised important matters, including the need to extend the eligibility of the cap and rate increase to a larger group of homeowners. The visit demonstrated to the Minister first-hand the real difficulties homeowners are facing. It was further impressed upon the Minister the continued importance and contribution of the defective concrete blocks scheme in helping them to fix their homes and move on with their lives.
The Government is committed to assisting homeowners to remediate damage caused by defective concrete blocks. The grant scheme was put in place to help people to fix their homes and move on with their lives. The scheme is working and real progress is being made. At the end of April 2025, there were 2,697 applications to the grant scheme, with 162 homes where remediation works had been completed and a further 824 where work has commenced. The Government understands that this can be a difficult and challenging time for homeowners. On a human level, I expect that it is very difficult for people. The Department continues to work with key stakeholders on the operation of the scheme, including the relevant local authorities, the Housing Agency and the homeowner’s liaison officer where the concerns of the homeowners came to the Department.
To deal with a point that Deputy Conway-Walsh referenced, a draft of the defective concrete blocks social homes scheme for local authorities and AHBs affected by defective blocks is being finalised. The scheme will include grant rates and caps as outlined in the private scheme for homeowners. The scheme will apply to local authorities and AHB homes located within designated local authorities. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage will apply the approach to focus on efficiencies and the best use of limiters available to undertake the mediation works.
The Minister of State said that the Government understands that this can be a difficult and challenging time for homeowners. I am sorry, but he does not and the Government does not. I am glad the Minister went to Donegal, but, my God, you would have to be hiding under a rock for the past 15 years to not know that this was one of the biggest scandals that has ever faced this country. The Minister of State has not answered the question. When is the legislation going to be amended? I am dealing with families who are really suffering. They are at a loss of tens of thousands of euros. I know a couple who are getting married later in the summer, and they want answers. We in opposition have said that we will facilitate - day or night - the legislation to go through.
I do not care, and I know the same goes for Deputies Mac Lochlainn, Doherty and others, whether it is the middle of the night, the weekend, whenever we have to get this legislation through, we have to get it through in days. We cannot continue to wait for weeks and months.
I am really concerned about this response written by the Department officials. The people who wrote this were present in Donegal in recent days. They know the urgency of this. Now they are talking about adding other issues to the amendments. This could go on forever.
This is straightforward. It is a simple amendment to the legislation to make sure that the increase in the cap is available to everybody currently participating in the scheme, not just the new entrants. It is a really straightforward matter. It should be urgently done as a stand-alone amendment. It was made clear to the Minister. I do not know why he would have any doubt about this. There are not ten Stages of pre-legislative scrutiny. This is something that everybody, both Opposition and Government, agrees on. If the Government honours what it said it was going to do last year, which is make the increase available to everybody currently going through the scheme, it will fly through the Dáil and the Seanad next week without a problem. It needs to be done urgently. Please, do not now add on other issues that will drag it on for God-knows how long. What is happening to families is cruel. It needs to be sorted out.
I thank both Deputies. I understand the frustration for people in these areas. As I already stated, the Minister and the Department sought legal advice that confirmed extending the increases the Deputies are talking about to a wider group of relevant owners requires amending the Act. I think everyone is agreeable on that. In the interest of equity and fairness, the Minister intends to extend the increase in the scheme cap and rates to apply to a wider group of relevant owners and this will be examined as part of the remediation of dwellings damaged by the use of defective concrete blocks (amendment) Bill. As Deputy Mac Lochlainn will know as Whip, that is in the summer 2025 Government legislative programme for priority drafting.
It was in the spring one too.
I can only deal with what is the position now. It is down for priority drafting. The Minister is taking this matter very seriously. As indicated, a number of other matters have come to light during the first 18 months of the operation of the scheme and the Minister will consider a number of technical amendments also as part of this legislative change. These changes will assist in the efficient administration of the scheme and will enable the smoother operation of the grant scheme for applicants. I have no doubt Deputies Conway-Walsh and Mac Lochlainn have brought these matters to the direct attention of the Minister. I will do likewise and the officials will be watching the debate. I note, on a human level, the concerns of the constituents the Deputies represent. These are matters I will bring directly back to the Minister.
Agriculture Schemes
I want to discuss the implications of the new good agricultural and environmental condition of land rules, GAEC 2. Farmers in many parts of County Kerry will be affected. Farmers have been advised that they must recognise these new rules and regulations as part of applying for their basic income support scheme, BISS, payments and other CAP payments on 15 May, which is tomorrow. That is the first issue I want to raise concern about. There has been so little time. The letters only came out last week. There are concerns about the implications relating to the opening of new drains and shallow ploughing. What implications will it have for planning permission in the future? I want to ask this clearly and I want an answer: can people still cut turf on the boglands that they have to keep for themselves as they have traditionally done? For more than 200 years we have been cutting turf on our farm to keep ourselves warm. Why is it that farmers are the only ones always being targeted or challenged about emissions? Why is it that the farmers in the poorest land areas of the country, such as much of Kerry, are under scrutiny? Why was this action not carried out in a more transparent way? There were no proper discussions in this Chamber.
Members and farmers were not made aware until about two months ago. This was agreed more than three years ago by the then Minister, Department officials and the IFA and other farming organisations. Maps have been issued to farmers. Many are raising concerns in respect of the correctness of what appeared to be on the very old maps. However, farmers have been advised that an appeal system will become available in due course. In the meantime, farmers will have to wait to be paid. Many have not received their 2024 agri-climate rural environment scheme, ACRES, payments. It has to be remembered up here in Dublin and in Dáil Éireann that farmers in rural Ireland and indeed, in Kerry, are the backbone of rural communities and the backbone of the country. They have been and are still capable of producing top class beef and lamb from poor, fragmented farm holdings across all of south and east Kerry from Gneeveguilla, Rathmore through Kilgarvan back into Kenmare and down both sides of the Kenmare river, through Tuosist and back to Lauragh, through Blackwater, Glencar, Sneem, Caherdaniel and Cahersiveen. Indeed, the marts of Cahersiveen, Kenmare, Gortatlea and Castleisland town are testament to the number of weanlings and lamb that have been reared off the very small pockets of marginal, arable land in between rocks and bogs.
Dairy farmers in east Kerry from Kilcummin to Barraduff, Rathmore, Gneeveguilla, Scartaglin, Cordal, Brosna and Knocknagashel supply great quantities of milk from heavy and marginal-type land. These are great farmers who improve their lands, actions and methods to make the most out of what they have. Why do they not leave these farmers alone? Why hassle these grand people? What about the millions of jets flying overhead? What about the spaceships going into space? What about the bombs in Ukraine and Gaza over the past number of years? The letters have gone out to the owners of the poorest type of land in Ireland. Ireland is one of the smallest agricultural countries in the world. If we all walked off this island, it would only mean a reduction of 0.13% in the worldwide context of emissions. It will not change the climate or the weather either.
I thank the Deputy for the opportunity to provide an update on an important issue. The Deputy is right; there is a lot of concern among farmers around GAEC 2. I am happy to have the opportunity to reassure people that the concerns that are there are misplaced for a variety of reasons. I can give the background to GAEC 2. It is a mandatory condition for the payment of BISS. That is a single farm payment where the application deadline is this week, as the Deputy outlined.
EU regulations require all member states to have a standard in place from the start of this year. Up to this point, Ireland took the maximum flexibility allowed to delay the introduction of the standard until 2025. Many other member states introduced it in 2023, when we as a country signed up to this and said we would do it.
A further deferral for 2025 was sought by Ireland, asking the European Commission for additional time. We received a very clear response from the Commission that no further deferral would be approved. If I did not introduce this standard in 2025, Ireland would be in serious breach of the EU regulations governing CAP strategic plans. This would have lead to significant fines that would have directly impacted the budget I have to support the very farmers the Deputy talked about all over Kerry. I could not let that happen. I could not let a fine come in that would have taken away money that I want to spend on supporting our farmers instead.
The standard that has been introduced for 2025 provides a baseline protection for carbon-rich soils, while allowing agricultural activity to continue. That is an important point. Farmers' day-to-day activity in Kerry will not change even if their land parcel is in GAEC 2. They can continue to farm as they have always done in the past.
In Ireland, our grass-based system already provides considerable protection for such soils and they are also protected by existing national planning provisions, for example on drainage. As I said, agricultural activity can continue. For example, ploughing, reseeding and maintenance of existing drains is all still allowed.
New drainage is also possible in line with the existing national provisions, which have been in place for many years. Therefore, the introduction of this standard is expected to have minimal impact on farmers’ day-to-day operations.
Around a quarter of farmers - 35,000 of them, who account for approximately 540,000 ha of peat soils - will have some land that is subject to the GAEC 2 element. In the main, these farmers will not need to take any new actions to comply with the standard. GAEC 2 was subject to final approval by the European Commission and was adopted on 30 April 2025. I could not write to farmers with the maps and exact detail until our proposal was approved by the European Commission. The Commission accepted what was a very significant change from our perspective in what we wanted so we got measures put in place to allow farmers to continue to farm as they do.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has consulted relevant stakeholders, including farm bodies and environmental NGOs, on a proposed standard. We have chosen to use a clear, parcel-based approach based on well understood maps as a fair way to ensure we get the required protection in place and farmers have no uncertainty as to the requirements or where they apply. It is in all of our interests that farmers have certainty.
Once approval of the standard was received from the Commission, my Department published a technical note with detailed information on the standard. It was released to the media in order that the information could be provided in the Irish Farmers' Journal, Agriland and everywhere else. The Department has also provided direct information to farm advisory services and held meetings with the public and private advisory services to ensure the requirements are fully understood.
A detailed map layer has been available on the application system for all farmers to review since before BISS applications opened. My Department has written to every farmer who has at least one parcel identified as GAEC 2, with a map and further information on the requirements. Farmers have been receiving these letters since last week, but I still encourage all farmers to check the map on the system and engage with their farm advisory service advisers. Department officials continue to attend local meetings on this issue to help explain the conditionality requirements to farmers and to reassure them there is no need for the concerns raised by the Deputy. The key point that I wish to reiterate is that for the vast majority of farmers, this will have no impact on their day-to-day operations.
I understand the concerns raised around the timing but my Department is engaging directly with farmers and advisory services. There was no opportunity to further delay the introduction of GAEC 2. It was not legally possible to delay its introduction and failure to implement the standard would result in significant financial penalties, which I as Minister could not stand over.
I thank the Minister for his response. I ask him to give me a clear understanding as to whether farmers who have lands in Lyracrumpane, Glencar, Cahirsiveen, Kilcummin, Gneevgullia, Scartaglin and all those places can cut turf where they have parcels of peat? That is a straight question and I want a straight answer to it.
Farmers are very concerned about the time it will take to get their payments and have this sorted out and gone through properly because they doubt the correctness of some of the maps that some of them have received. They need time for that. If farmers need an extension of time until the end of the month to get their applications in, so be it. I ask the Minister to ensure no one is left out or has an application deemed incomplete because there is so little time. The Minister must recognise that.
This will be another regulation placed on farmers. While this is the thin edge of the wedge, the wedge widens as it goes down and this is what farmers are afraid of. Will it affect their ability to get planning permission for sheds and different things on their lands down the line? We need answers to that. Farmers are worried about things like that.
The Department already has 27,000 acres of national park in Kerry that it cannot properly manage. Rhododendron is out of control and deer are roaming the roads causing havoc. In buying up more land in Kilgarvan, Beaufort and other places over the past 12 months, the Department is competing against active farmers.
This action, or new standard, will take more time than is available. Applications have to be in by tomorrow, 15 May. I ask the Minister to give some leeway so that farmers can put correct applications in. Again, I ask the Minister to make clear whether farmers can cut turf, as they have traditionally done, and as we have done in Reacaslagh for the past 200 years.
I thank the Deputy for raising these points. On providing more time, the deadline for BISS applications is clearly 15 May. If I were to push that deadline back or try to extend it in any way, it would have a knock-on impact on the whole system of getting payments in place. We had delays in payments previously and are back on track in terms of making sure we can get the areas of natural constraint, ANC, scheme, BISS and single farm payments out on time and early, as we traditionally did. I do not want to interfere with that and there is no need to interfere with GAEC 2. The most important point is that farmers, whose land parcels come in under GAEC 2, are aware of that. They have the maps now to tell them that. It has always been the case that farmers seeking to lay new drainage in land with peat in it were subject to a planning permission requirement. That is the only planning requirement.
In regard to the Deputy's concerns around planning permission, the only people who know their land parcel is in GAEC 2 are the farmer and the Department of agriculture. The map is not published anywhere. The local authority does not know what land is subject to GAEC 2. The normal rules will apply in the case of any farmer seeking to apply for planning permission for a shed or house. The farmer will do a T-test on the ground to see if there is peat in it and the result will determine whether the farmer receives approval for having a septic tank in that ground. That will not change. The local authority to which the farmer is applying will not know whether it is GAEC 2 land or not. I do not know about Kerry but in Kildare if there is peat in the soil, a farmer will not get planning permission. However, a farmer will get it in the case of mineral soils or at least that will not be a reason for not getting permission.
The Deputy asked a direct question about areas of turf cutting. These areas are ineligible for BISS payments, so there is no change. GAEC 2 is only a baseline requirement for BISS, the single farm payment. If farmers are not applying for the single farm payment, which they cannot do for areas on which they are cutting turf, GAEC 2 does not apply. I am not saying the Deputy is scaremongering but others are. All of the scaremongering, concerns and misinformation out there on nature restoration, designation and planning permission in no way apply to GAEC 2. I give the Deputy an assurance that this time next year farmers in Kerry will not be coming to me because they have fallen foul of this or have received penalties. The reason is that their day-to-day activity will not change and the requirements they have to comply with have existed in legislation long before today.
Do farmers have to leave out the patch where they are cutting turf?
No, the patch where they are cutting turf would never qualify for BISS anyway. The farmers will not be applying-----
Discussion on this Topical Issue matter has concluded. The Minister might respond to the Deputy privately on that.
That is no problem.
Public Transport
One of the most consistent issues raised with me during the general election campaign was the lack of delivery on the long-promised Lucan Luas line. At doorway after doorway, people spoke with frustration, not just about the delay but with a sense that our area, Lucan, is often overlooked when it comes to major transport infrastructure. This is a wider issue across the constituency of Dublin Mid-West. What strikes me is that I can count on one hand the number of times the Lucan Luas line was raised in this Chamber during the lifetime of the previous Dáil. Despite it being contained in transport strategies and policy documents for many years, there has not been any level of political urgency about it. I would like to think that will change now.
As a Government TD, I am determined to bring a renewed focus to this project, not just because it is politically convenient but because it is strategically necessary for people in Dublin Mid-West. Communities such as Lucan are expected to shoulder significant housing expansion but we cannot keep on asking people to wait for transport infrastructure that is always promised but never prioritised or delivered. Last week, the national planning framework was discussed and adopted by the House. At its core is an objective to prioritise transport-orientated development and strengthen commitments to align transport investment with housing and population growth in metropolitan areas.
It follows then that in considering transport options for a growing suburb such as Lucan, it is essential we make the correct long-term infrastructure decisions. Time and again, international and domestic research points to light rail as the most sustainable and scalable solution for suburbs of Lucan's profile. It combines the capacity needed for our growing population with the environmental performance and accessibility our communities deserve. A Luas to Lucan will ensure we deliver compact connected communities and not isolated housing estates.
Lucan’s population, transport demand and existing congestion make it an ideal challenge for light rail. Rapidly growing areas like Adamstown and Clonburris make the case undeniable. Unlike lower capacity solutions such as bus rapid transit, light rail offers permanence, capacity and faster journey times. It can be delivered quicker than metro. In communities like Dundrum, Inchicore and Sandyford, Luas has been highly successful in encouraging people to switch from their cars. Put simply, light rail delivers a level of service that transforms how people travel and how they plan their lives around transport.
Luas has been one of the most cost-effective infrastructure projects in Irish history. It removes the need for millions of car journeys and has the lowest CO2 emissions per passenger kilometre among motorised modes of transport. It is time-effective. People vote with their feet, as evidenced by the sustained demand on Luas lines every day of the week.
It is time for us in this House and agencies like the NTA to get real about transport policy. There is a clear need to refocus and review how we approach transport projects, not just through the lens of aspiration but through the lens of delivery. It is not enough to plan; we must build and deliver, and I know the new Minister for Transport, Deputy O’Brien, understands this.
We must prioritise the route finalisation for the Lucan Luas line as soon as possible and drive this project to the planning stages as soon as we can. The adoption of the revised national planning framework should give us the impetus to do this. We must push past inertia, especially bureaucratic and legal hurdles, ensuring that areas like Lucan, with growing populations and public transport deficits, are not permanently left behind.
Let me be clear. This is not about pitting one project against another, but the case for the Lucan Luas line is as strong as any other light rail extension in the country. The demand, population and need are there. That is why I continue to argue that a Luas line for Lucan is not a luxury but a necessity.
On behalf of the Minister for Transport, I thank the Deputy for the opportunity to address this issue in the House today.
As the Deputy said, improving public transport services and infrastructure is central to improving citizens' quality of life and achieving our decarbonisation goals. Achieving these goals has been set out in the programme for Government. Progress is being made on a number of proposed light rail projects.
There are four proposed expansions to the Luas network outlined in the current greater Dublin area transport strategy. The most advanced of these schemes is the Luas Finglas project. Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, submitted a planning application to An Bord Pleanála in November 2024 for this project and we await a decision on this matter. In addition, a public consultation on the emerging preferred route for a Luas line in Cork is also currently open.
The National Transport Authority, NTA, has statutory responsibility for transport planning in the greater Dublin area. The development of a Luas line to serve Lucan is currently one of the medium-term projects in the NTA Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy 2022-2042, as approved by the Minister for Transport, for development and delivery within the 2031 to 2036 timeframe. The measure outlined in the greater Dublin area transport strategy is "to develop a light rail line from Lucan to the City Centre, [as the Deputy spoke about], supplementing and complementing the planned bus system, to serve the overall public transport needs in this area".
Transport Infrastructure Ireland is the sponsoring agency for the proposed Luas to Lucan project and the NTA is the day-to-day approving authority. I understand that the NTA recently submitted a project outline document, POD, to the Department of Transport, as is required under the Department of Transport's appraisal framework. The POD noted that Luas Lucan has the potential to reduce transport emissions and encourage the use of public transport along the study corridor while catering for growth and improved customer experience.
The Luas Lucan is an east-west light rail line proposed to enhance connectivity across key areas of Dublin, supporting our economy and population growth and improving the quality of the public realm for its residents. The scheme will complement the planned BusConnects Dublin and the DART+ programme to provide a high-quality network of multimodal options in the area out to Lucan. BusConnects core bus corridors to Lucan and Liffey Valley have both received planning permission from An Bord Pleanála.
The Government understands the merits of the proposed Luas to Lucan project. It is one of a number of projects that have been highlighted to the Minister for Transport for acceleration as part of the review of the national development plan, which is planned to take place soon.
Regarding route finalisation for the Luas Lucan project, the route selection and concept development phase of the project continues. A number of end-to-end options have now been selected, with further review of these options through a more detailed multicriteria analysis currently taking place. TII, as the sponsoring agency, plans to finalise the emerging preferred route next year. It will be after this point that TII, with the support of the NTA, will publish the emerging preferred route and options selection report. TII will then hold a non-statutory public consultation.
I thank the Minister of State for that response. I note that Lucan is the largest town in Dublin without access to light rail, so when I talk about this extension, it is not just about transport but about fairness and inclusion.
The Minister of State referenced the public transport connectedness that exists across parts of the infrastructure currently. There is a very large public transport deficit in Lucan as well. BusConnects has taken some steps towards the catch-up that we need to play, but there is a huge opportunity for us here to get this right with the extension of the Luas infrastructure to Lucan. I am thinking especially of the working mother in Lucan who spends over an hour commuting by bus into the city centre. Her journey time could be halved, enabling her to have a better quality of life. I think of the older person living in the area who finds current transport options very limiting in terms of accessibility and cost. A Luas stop would provide that person with greater independence and access to essential services.
I welcome the fact that the Luas Lucan project has been highlighted for possible accelerated delivery under the NDP. I will be working with the Minister for Transport to advocate for that. It is a no-brainer to ensure that we accelerate the delivery of this project. I am of the view that we complete the process of designing the emerging preferred route as fast as we can. As soon as the detailed multicriteria analysis that the Minister of State referenced is done, we should move immediately to the emerging preferred route. We need to get that out into the ether as soon as we can.
We need to show an urgency with this in respect of the length of time we are going to spend on the public consultation. People should have their say but they should also see there is an urgency and an impetus behind this, especially in light of our discussion in this House last week on the need for the additional zoning of land, in Dublin in particular. This is the sort of project that enables that additional zoning.
I will keep fighting for this during my time in this House. I hope we can push it to planning as soon as we can.
Again, on behalf of the Minister for Transport, I thank the Deputy for his commitment, comments and interest in this important issue.
Regarding current developments, as mentioned, I understand that the route selection and concept development phase of the project is now taking place, with a number of end-to-end options going through a detailed multicriteria analysis. As stated in the National Development Plan 2021-2030, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, as the project’s sponsoring agency, and the NTA, as the day-to-day approving authority, will continue with the appraisal and planning of the Luas to Lucan project. As the sponsoring agency, TII plans to finalise the emerging preferred route in the first quarter of 2026. After this point, TII, with the support of the National Transport Authority, will publish the emerging preferred route and will hold a non-statutory public consultation.
I reiterate that the proposed extension of the Luas to Lucan is only one of a number of projects identified in the greater Dublin area transport strategy to significantly improve the combined light rail and heavy rail network by 2042. I assure the Deputy that projects will be progressed in line with the requirements of infrastructure guidelines and that public consultation processes will be undertaken at appropriate stages as projects are progressed.
I understand the merits of the proposed Luas line to Lucan, as does the Government, and we look forward to seeing it progress through infrastructure guidelines.
Disability Services
As regards the Minister of State who has just left the House, Kieran O'Donnell, it would be remiss of me when speaking on an issue like this not to commend his father, Martin, one of the founding members of St. Joseph's Foundation, and his commitment to disability services in north Cork.
This morning I raise a serious issue regarding residential placements for adults with disabilities. I want to speak specifically about the Cork and Kerry region. The programme for Government states:
After reviewing the recent two-year healthcare funding agreement, we will consider the development of a multi-annual approach for disability services, which will be linked to productivity, staff levels and the delivery of services.
While I appreciate that it might not be in her script, may I ask the Minister of State about the approach being considered? Why is the word "consider" used in this part of the programme for Government, considering, ironically, the level of need within both our service and our system? Will she clarify if the Government is still considering the development of the multi-annual funding approach or can she provide a guarantee to me and families right across the country right now that this Government will commit to an multi-annual funding approach? In Cork and Kerry, there are 600 people waiting for residential placements. The answer to a parliamentary question that I received from the HSE stated that many of those 600 will benefit should the Government allocate multi-annual funding to HSE south west to address the deficit in the quantum of residential places. To me, that basically means the HSE is waiting for the money. As a result, it once again falls to the Minister of State's Department and the Government to decide whether these services for these families and adults will be provided.
In budget 2025, €106.6 million was allocated towards residential places. However, only €27.9 million of that remains because of the €78 million needed to meet the incremental costs from 2024. I accept that increases in age and life expectancy and the changing needs of people with a disability have led to the need for increased residential facilities. Does the Minister of State agree, however, that we are not doing enough at a quick enough pace to meet the demand? It comes back to political will. There is no will to commit to funding residential placements at a far higher figure than the current ones. I welcome the fact that in four years there has been an increase in 559 residential placements. However, as I said, this is simply not good enough or quick enough. Residential capacity will decrease during the year as a result of the loss of places in congregated settings due to debts which cannot be reutilised. I understand that this is in line with Government policy, which is to move away from institutionalised settings. While I agree with Government policy in this regard, with the closing of placements, this will only place more pressure on the HSE and not-for-profit organisations to try to relocate placements for those on waiting lists. Along with this, in addition to the issue, the in-year capacity levels will be impacted negatively as a result of regulatory requirements. No placement across this State should be closed until another one is opened. That is my firm belief.
We must also recognise services like the Brothers of Charity in my constituency of Cork North-Central that have done such wonderful work in many areas of my home county. I have an uncle who has been working in the Brothers of Charity, Lota More, for more than 20 years. I have seen at first hand the care and commitment to the development of these adults with disabilities, which must be recognised.
I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue and for offering me the opportunity to respond.
The Minister knows that there are many reasons why people seek residential supports. For some, it is by way of services to allow them remain in their own homes with family. For others, it is a residential service. The aim has been to facilitate living and inclusion in the community.
Increasing the provision of disability residential services is a key priority area for this Government and the HSE, and there has been significant investment in residential services over recent years. In July 2023, the Government approved the disability action plan in order to address capacity deficits which had been identified in the disability capacity review. From this, the action plan for disability services was developed, providing a multi-year framework for service expansion and strategic policy development with a view to maximising effectiveness and impact. The action plan has informed budget deliberations and the prioritisation of areas for development in the coming years. It is a living document which will be reviewed and updated in the light of priorities, policy considerations and the funding available under the current and subsequent budgets.
Unlike the position for capital expenditure, where multi-annual commitments are made within the national development plan, my Department is obliged to adhere to the public sector financial procedures, whereby Exchequer funding for current expenditure is allocated on an annual basis, following the annual budgetary process. As a result, it is not currently possible to enter into multi-annual funding agreements for disability residential services.
Although multi-annual funding is not available, the Minister wishes to reiterate that this Government is committed to providing support to people with disabilities and significant investment has been provided to specialist disability services, including a budget increase from €1.7 billion at the close of 2017 to over €3.2 billion in 2025. Supporting residential services accounts for approximately 60% of the total specialist community-based disability services budget.
Some €106 million in additional funding has been provided to residential services in budget 2025. This includes €78.68 million to meet the incremental cost of 2024 new developments and €27.9 million in new funding in respect of 2025. This funding also supports additional moves from nursing homes and decongregation to community settings. In recent years, the number of residential places delivered has exceeded what has been initially envisaged in the HSE national service plan. In 2024, 220 new residential places were delivered.
I see all the great work that is done out there. I know we need to do more but it is a commitment in the Government to work with all the different services.
I appreciate that. As regards the 2021 disability capacity review to which the Minister of State referred and the projected need for a minimum of 1,900 residential placements by 2032, which we want to get to, and if we continue in the same vein of the previous four years, which is not mentioned in the response, with 140 placements opening each year, give or take, there will be 400 fewer than the figure. The same disability capacity review asked for an extra 3,900 placements needed to return to pre-2008 levels. This is shocking. For someone new to this House, it seems we are going backwards. This is political will, or the lack thereof.
It is not the same for many families and their sons or daughters. One family has been in contact with me. I have known this family all my life. I grew up with them and their sons, one of whom has a disability and needs access to residential placement. The place he is in for day services is something he and his family have fallen in love with. This gives great comfort to his family and his parents in particular. However, they cannot get a commitment as to whether or not he will have a residential placement should, God forbid, anything happen to either of them. They continue to fight long and hard for residential commitment or placement for him but to no avail. This is not the Ireland we want, and I know the Minister of State would agree with me on that. Having tried so hard to even get a meeting with senior management in the disability team of the HSE, they came out of that meeting two weeks ago with still no guarantee as to what will happen to their son. This family does not want sympathy or empathy; they want a firm commitment. However, that cannot be provided to them. When they make contact with me, they should be given the commitment. However, I cannot because I do not see a genuine commitment from the Government.
I understand the challenges. I know there is significant demand for residential placements at a level which consistently exceeds supply.
We are living longer and we need to do more. I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to funding and to working on this. Challenges in providing these services include workforce challenges that apply to all specialist disability services, the acquisition of suitable housing stock and the increasing cost of providing residential care. Regulatory compliance is important in residential services and HIQA continues to inspect all designated centres for people with disabilities. This is critical to providing assurances that the quality of life of those living in residential services is appropriately addressed. In order to address these challenges, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality continues to engage with the HSE, Department of housing, and other relevant stakeholders to explore various ways of responding to demand while appropriately managing the significant levels of funding provided to residential services. Finally, the Minister would like to reiterate the importance of ensuring that we continue to support people with disabilities to live meaningful and fulfilling lives, with a person-centred approach across all services provided. I can see the Deputy's commitment and dedication and I want to thank everyone involved for the work they do. I thank the Deputy for bringing this to the House today.
Hospital Services
The people of Monaghan deserve adequate health services, the same as anybody else in the State. We are fortunate to have a hospital in Monaghan, given closures in other communities across the State under previous Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil Governments. We are fortunate to have incredible, hard-working staff in our local hospital, staff who provide among the highest standards of care, all too often in challenging circumstances not of their making. Monaghan is one of the areas where successive Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil Governments have not only failed to deliver adequate services but have callously ripped crucial health services from the heart of our community. The care provided by workers in the minor injury unit is of a standard we expect from our healthcare professionals. However, the standard we expect can only met by them when they have access to the equipment we expect to be available.
Some weeks back, a former town councillor, Tommy Hagan spoke to Northern Sound radio and to me outlining that he had to be referred to Cavan General Hospital because the minor injuries unit in Monaghan could only do X-rays below the knee. At the same time, people presenting at the accident and emergency department in Cavan can wait up to 24 hours. Does the Minister of State believe this situation is acceptable? How has she examined the need for more services in Monaghan hospital? There is no MRI machine there and the HSE informed me that patients from Cavan and Monaghan have access to MRI services in Cavan. However, the waiting list in Cavan is significant, with more than 500 people waiting for over three months, an additional 500 people waiting for six months to a year and 58 people waiting for over a year. The HSE assures me that all referrals are vetted by a consultant, but I genuinely struggle to believe it. Does the Minister of State think it is credible that any referral is issued with a view to an MRI being carried out at some vague, indeterminate stage somewhere down the line? That does not sound like adequate access to me.
The Minister of State cannot tell me that an MRI machine would not be impactful or give value for money. The HSE tells us it cannot determine this without a feasibility study, but that there is not a plan for a feasibility report because there is no service requirement, as people have access to Cavan. Over 1,000 people whom a consultant has determined to be in need of a scan are waiting three months to a year. Some 58 people are waiting for more than 12 months and we are told there is not a need to examine the possibility of a machine in Monaghan hospital and the impact it would have. The gall of circular logic is utterly astounding. Does the Minister of State accept that the approach of successive Governments to strip services from Monaghan hospital has been a failure? I appeal to her to finally commit to restoring services and investing in County Monaghan.
I thank the Deputy. I welcome the opportunity to address the House on the services provided at Monaghan hospital. I absolutely see the Deputy's concerns. The Government is committed to the ongoing development of our regional hospitals, including Cavan and Monaghan hospital. Cavan General Hospital and Monaghan hospital operate as a single hospital, with an integrated managerial and clinical governance system, care pathways and support functions. Since 2020, the Government has allocated significant resources to improve services, enhance patient care and better meet the needs of patients using the hospital. There has been substantial investment in the hospital in recent years. The budget for the hospital has increased by 30% from €114 million in 2020 to €149 million at the start of this year.
At Monaghan hospital, the number of beds has increased significantly since 2020 and there has been an increase of 70% in staffing. I absolutely agree with the Deputy in complimenting all of our hospital staff. They do an excellent job and we do appreciate the work they do. This is one of the largest increases in staff of all hospitals nationally over this period. Investment in the hospital has enabled a number of important service developments. A minor injury unit now operates 12 hours a day, seven days a week. I did hear what the Deputy said about the concerns regarding the injury unit. I will bring that back to the Minister. A frailty intervention therapy team and early supported discharge team have been put in place. These teams will help identify at-risk patients and will help ensure that patients get the right care in the community or at home where possible. At Monaghan hospital, there is also ongoing development of pain services, haemochromatosis and an expansion of cardiology services. These improvements greatly enhance the supports provided to patients and their families and lead to better, more appropriate care, delivered in the right setting.
I am aware of recent news reports regarding bed allocation rates at the hospital, particularly in relation to the rehabilitation and step-down beds. The HSE has advised that bed occupancy rates vary from time to time due to factors such as infection prevention and control, building works and the criteria for patient admission. Figures from the HSE show that overall occupancy in these beds has been at 85% or higher over the past year. For rehabilitation beds, the average occupancy rates are 95% from January 2024 to present. The hospital fully recognises the importance of rehabilitation and step-down beds to patients and their families. The Deputy is right that it is about the patients and their families. These are a critical support in enabling patients who may have been treated in another hospital to recover further before being discharged home. Every effort is made to ensure that these beds are maximised while recognising that there can sometimes be factors which impact on the number of patients who can be cared for. We do see the challenges. I am glad the Deputy is highlighting them because we need to make sure we work on these challenges.
The HSE also recognises the importance of access to diagnostic services such as MRI and CT scanners. Referral to these radiology services is based on clinical need. The HSE has not made an application for CT or MRI facilities at Monaghan. However, Cavan and Monaghan hospital has made an application to replace the existing MRI scanner located in Cavan. The project has been approved and works are expected to be completed by the end of this year. There has been significant investment and expansion at Monaghan hospital and the Government continues to support the very high quality care being delivered to patients in the region.
I thank the Minister of State. It is disappointing to see that the Minister is not here today. I would love to see these issues raised with her. I am leaving it with the Minister of State and the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach to ensure these issues are raised with the Minister. To be clear, the substantial investment the Minister of State talked about is not enough.
The minor injuries unit and the MRI scanners are only examples of what we have to deal with in Monaghan. Similarly, both CT scanners for Cavan and Monaghan Hospital are in Cavan. The people of Monaghan have been left behind. The provision of an MRI and a CT scanner in Monaghan would contribute to alleviating the huge waiting lists in Cavan. I am giving the Minister of State a solution. I could also speak of the many other services in a similar situation. I appreciate the Minister of State is new to her office. I hope she can consider what I say to her today. She always says to bring solutions to the problem, so I am bringing one. The people in Monaghan and across this State cannot afford to endure more broken promises from Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, which have not tackled any of the waiting lists. I heard the Minister for Health conducted a spot-check in the emergency room in University Hospital Limerick recently. I would like her to do the same in Cavan and Monaghan. She should come and do a spot-check and see how overcrowded the hospital in Cavan is and how doctors and nurses are at their wits' end. It is unsafe. Something needs to be done. I am giving the Minister a solution to the problem - put the proper equipment into Monaghan hospital and that will reduce waiting lists. This is needed in Monaghan for the restoration in full of each service taken away by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael with the promise of an efficient health service, which the Minister's party has failed to deliver. Will the Minister make a commitment? Finally-----
Thank you, Deputy.
With the leniency of the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach, I also ask that the Minister look to plan GPs in the towns of Cavan and Monaghan. People are struggling to get GP access. Will she look into that also?
I thank the Deputy again for her contributions on Monaghan hospital. It is right that we acknowledge the excellent care provided by the staff, as the Deputy said herself. I will go back to the Minister for Health and request that she pay a visit, as the Deputy asked. The Government is committed to ongoing development and investment in regional hospitals. Significant investment in capital developments at Cavan and Monaghan Hospital includes two- and three-storey extensions currently at design stage, which is a good news story. They will further improve the hospital environment at Cavan and Monaghan Hospital, particularly for cancer patients. In line with the programme for Government commitment to Sláintecare, a number of service developments are also under way, aimed at improving access. I mentioned the frailty intervention therapy team and early supported discharge team, supporting the flow of patients through the hospital. Figures from the HSE showed overall bed occupancy at Monaghan to be 85% or higher over the past year. For rehabilitation beds at Monaghan hospital, the average occupancy rate was 95% to January 2024. The HSE has advised that clear clinical pathways exist to support the current arrangements of CT and MRI scanners in the region. It has not submitted a business case for CT or MRI services at Monaghan hospital but I reiterate Government support for the hospital.
I assure the Deputy I will bring all of these concerns back to the Minister. I thank the Deputy again for highlighting them. It is important we make changes. We are committed to funding our hospitals and services.
I reiterate we are here to work with the Minister of State and provide solutions.
I thank the Deputy.