Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh (Atógáil) - Priority Questions (Resumed) – Dáil Éireann (34th Dáil) – Thursday, 22 Jan 2026

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh (Atógáil) - Priority Questions (Resumed)

Deputy James Browne

Why has rent been going up over the years? It is simple. It is because of a lack of supply. What we are doing now is making the decisions that bring certainty to the market and bring certainty to tenants through security of tenure. For the first time in the history of the State, we are bringing security of tenure. That is normal in almost every other country in Europe. We are doing these things to drive the supply. That is what this about. If you do not get more supply, rents are never coming down. Rents are only going in one direction. They will go up and up unless we increase the supply of apartments and homes across this country. We are already seeing the momentum coming back behind the decision I have announced I am making. We are seeing an increase in commencements and seeing an increase in the applications for planning permission.

There is a kind of short-term populism of Members are pretending are defending the tenants. For me, renters are not just people who renting right now; it is all those people who are at home and who need somewhere to rent. By driving supply, you provide the accommodation for people to be able to move out, but you also drive down the rents.

Deputy Rory Hearne

When are rents going to fall?

Deputy James Browne

Rents are directly linked to a lack of supply of homes. As usual, what we are not hearing from the Opposition parties at all is any alternative solution. Where are they getting their supply from? One in three euro of capital funding in this State is earmarked for housing and housing delivery. We hear calls from Opposition parties for more funding to go into it, but they will never say what they are going to cut. Where will they take the capital funding from? Is it from schools, roads or healthcare? That is never said. It is just spend more, spend more.

Record funding is going in to housing. The reason, by the way, that we have record funding is our stewardship of the economy as well. Simply spending more is never the answer in and of itself.

I want to see the average length of tenancies that people have go up and they will go up as a result of these decisions because it is going to be much harder for landlords to evict people for new tenancies going forward. We are going to see an extension of that through the security of tenure as well. This protects renters and it also drives investment in the delivery of homes.

What we are not hearing from the Opposition is what their alternative is or how they are going to deliver the homes. They do not want private finance to deliver the homes so they will not say where the finance is coming from into it. Opposition Members seem to think that anything to do with bringing private finance into delivery is a dirty word. We are driving the supply. I appreciate they are going to oppose it and they are going to scaremonger among renters in relation to it, but, if we do not do this-----

Deputy Rory Hearne

They are scared of the Minister and rising rents.

Deputy James Browne

-----rents are going to go up and up and up. The only solution the Deputy has put forward is a rent freeze. We know that does not work. We know all the international evidence is there that it does not work. All a rent freeze is a short-term populist move that is no benefit in terms of getting people the homes they need to live in, so we are making the necessary decisions to drive home delivery in this country.

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin

The only certainty the Government is going create with this legislation is that hard-pressed renters who are paying rip-off rents are going to have to pay even more. That is the only certainty. There is an alternative. We have set it out over and over again, which is to temporarily ban rent increases, put money back into renters' pockets and deliver the kind of supply that renters need.

Deputy John Cummins

How did that go in Berlin?

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin

Increase investment in social homes and increase investment in genuinely affordable homes. Increase support for the SME builder-developer sector to build homes for working people to buy. The Minister will not do any of those things. Instead, at the behest of the large corporate institutional investors, he is allowing for a market reset and that will do one thing and one thing only. It will mean a small increase in high-density, high-end, high-price private rental, which is not a solution to the crisis. We have set out the alternatives. We have showed the Minister how it will be costed, but the only people it is listening to is its old pals in Irish institutional property, one of whom is the former general secretary of his party, who asked for what? He asked for a market reset, reduced apartment standards and a VAT cut that nobody needs. What is the consequence? Renters will be screwed again and we will highlight this month after month, year after year, as supply does not increase but rents do. This is on the Minister and we will oppose this legislation tooth and nail.

Deputy Conor Sheehan

The Minister talks about the Opposition not coming forward with solutions. I have been in this House over a year now. Time and again, we have come forward with amendments to legislation. The Government brings the Bill in, takes Committee and Remaining Stages very quickly in the House and guillotines it. We do not even have time with certain legislation to discuss the substantive amendments.

I want to ask the Minister a very specific question on the proposed legislation. Notwithstanding his views on a rent freeze, which I do not agree with, would he accept an amendment to the Bill to allow for a rent break? He talks about policy certainty. Landlords, renters and investors need policy certainty, but we need policy certainty that if rents go to a certain level, something will kick in to stop them rising further. This is something that was in the report the Government's own TDs signed off on following pre-legislative scrutiny and it is something that Threshold has called for. Will the Minister accept an amendment in relation to an emergency rent break if rents go above a certain level?

Deputy Rory Hearne

I made it very clear and the Minister knows that we have alternatives. We set out a State fund that would actually increase funding for, not vulture funds but public affordable housing. The Government is completely out of touch and the Minister is too, to be honest. He has been captured. He has gone into the Ministry for housing and been captured by the investor funds. This is how clear it is that he has been captured. His Department is taking part in an event that is being billed as a global meeting point for global investors. The Department is setting up an "Irish Pavilion" for executives from international investment houses alongside Ministers. The Minister is working with the institutional investors to bring more funding in here that will be used to build more build-to-rent units that people cannot afford, bring more vulture funds to buy up properties and apartment blocks.

This housing approach has not worked. It is not going to work. It is absolutely disgraceful that the Government is introducing a measure that it knows will lead to higher rents. Will the Minister answer the following question: does he accept that these measures are going lead to higher rents? He is so disconnected from people. There is going to be significant public backlash to this because people will see what the reality is. It is a decision for investors funds and that is why the Government is allowing rents to rise.

Deputy James Browne

These lines are on repeat from the Opposition. Deputy Ó Broin keeps coming back in and saying that Sinn Féin has provided alternatives and never repeats them. The reason he never repeats is they were soundly rejected by the people-----

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin

I repeat them every week.

Deputy James Browne

-----in the general election. It is the same old line. He says them again and again, but he actually does not.

Deputy Rory Hearne

That is not true. You actually lied in the election. You said you would build 40,000 homes. You never did it.

Deputy James Browne

My understanding is that there are rules against what the Deputy has just accused me of.

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin

You are misleading the House and your party lied during the election. Those are the facts.

Deputy James Browne

I understand there are rules in the House of what the Deputy has just accused me of. I am asking for a decision.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Will the Deputy withdraw those remarks?

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin

It is a matter of public record. Fianna Fáil, Deputies Darragh O'Brien, Micheál Martin and Simon Harris. and Paschal Donohoe lied about housing completions during the election.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Deputy Ó Broin.

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin

We have the evidence. It has been proved.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Deputy, will you address your remarks through the Chair? If you do not conclude your crossfire with the Minister when you are asked to do so, you will be asked to leave the Chamber.

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin

I shall respect the Chair.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

That is all I ask you to do. You can make your point as robustly as you like. You know the rules of the House in relation to the comments that were made. I cannot enforce those rules. It is up to the Deputies to decide whether you are going to withdraw the remarks or whatever the Minister is requesting-----

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin

The truth is the truth.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

-----but I ask you to please conduct the debate in a civil and mannerly way.

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin

And in an honest manner.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

That is fine

Deputy James Browne

It is important to point out that Deputy Ó Broin's own leader has consistently and repeatedly made accusations against my own leader in relation to using the very phrase that I am accusing him of making, yet he is happy to come in here and use the same phrase repeatedly. Maybe he get a party policy position on the use of that word in here, which the Taoiseach absolutely denies using. As usual, there are double standards and we have it from the Deputy.

The use of that kind of language epitomises the fact that the Deputy has no answers, his aim being to make headline accusations-----

Deputy Rory Hearne

The headlines were true.

Deputy James Browne

-----that can be put on an Twitter account and, as he is doing, to throw as much mud as possible in relation to-----

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin

The Minister's party lied during the general election campaign.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Deputy Ó Broin, wait for a minute. Can we just-----

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin

Sorry, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, but the Minister's party lied during the general election campaign and was-----

Deputy Rory Hearne

He will not even answer the question.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Can we move to answering the questions-----

Deputy James Browne

I am answering the accusation.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

-----and leave this crossfire behind us?

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin

He is defending the indefensible: rising rents and Government dishonesty. Well done, Minister.

Deputy James Browne

The constant personalisation that comes from the Opposition is very insightful.

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin

No. I am criticising the Minister’s policy failures.

Deputy James Browne

We are going to drive investment in this country to deliver the supply. The Deputy says he wants to drive investment but does not say where it will come from.

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin

Yes, I do. The Minister should debate me on radio at any time and I will explain it to him again.

Deputy James Browne

The State has maximised the investment. The Deputy has never set out where he would get the additional billions of euro we need to deliver the homes.

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin

We have set it out year after year.

Deputy James Browne

We will drive down rents and get the homes the people need-----

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin

He should publish the evidence that it will drive down rents. He has none.

Deputy James Browne

-----by driving the supply in terms of delivery.

Deputy John Cummins

Deputy Ó Broin has no respect for the Chair or this House.

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin

I have no respect for a Minister who is presiding over record homelessness, record rents and a record housing crisis.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Order, please, Deputy Ó Broin.

Deputy James Browne

In relation to Deputy Sheehan’s point-----

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Minister-----

Deputy James Browne

-----all proposals will be examined and given a fair assessment.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

To resume some sort of order in the House, I ask the Minister to resume his seat. I am going to move to the next question, No. 139, in the name of Deputy Gould.

Derelict Sites

Thomas Gould

Question:

139. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to collect the outstanding €26 million in derelict sites levies prior to the introduction of the derelict sites charge. [5325/26]

Deputy Thomas Gould

Will the Minister provide the House with an update on his plans to collect the outstanding €26 million in derelict site levies before the derelict sites charge comes in? I believe he is providing an amnesty to speculators and land hoarders while buildings are rotting in every town, city and village in the State.

Deputy James Browne

I thank the Deputy. He will be aware that dereliction is front and centre of what I am trying to tackle as Minister for housing. The introduction of a derelict property tax, DPT, was announced in budget 2026 and the collection of this new tax will be the responsibility of the Revenue Commissioners, as set out in action 4.1 of the Government's new national housing strategy, Delivering Homes, Building Communities. This tax will replace the derelict sites levy currently operated by the local authorities under Part III of the Derelict Sites Act 1990, whereby the levy is imposed annually on sites present on local authority derelict sites registers and is collected by the local authorities. A new DPT will be introduced, and administered and collected by the Revenue Commissioners.

It is intended to introduce legislation providing for the tax in the finance Bill of 2026 alongside a scoping exercise to identify derelict properties in each local authority area. Currently, the derelict sites levy is an annual levy of 7% of the market value of land identified on the derelict sites register of a local authority. The rate of the DPT is yet to be determined but it is envisaged that it will not be lower than the current derelict site levy, 7%. Subject to the necessary legislation being introduced in finance Bill 2026, preliminary registers will be published by local authorities in 2027. Local authorities will continue to have a role in the process as updating and maintaining their derelict sites registers will continue to remain the responsibility of the local authorities. Derelict sites levies that remain outstanding and owed to the local authorities when the new tax is introduced will remain as charges on the properties concerned.

Action 4.3 of Delivering Homes, Building Communities confirms that local authorities will increase the number of sites on the derelict sites registers and increase the enforcement and collection of unpaid levies. My Department is engaging with the local government sector on the operation of the Derelict Sites Act and the implementation of the actions related to dereliction in the national housing strategy. Delivering Homes, Building Communities includes measures in addition to the DPT to end dereliction and provide increased numbers of new homes and revitalise the communities in villages, towns and cities. In short, it is the role of the local authorities to collect the levies, and it is up to them to do so. It is not my job to do the local authorities’ job for them; it is theirs. Unfortunately, many local authorities have failed to collect the levy to date, and that is why the role has effectively been taken off them.

Deputy Thomas Gould

That is unbelievable because the Minister told me he would not be collecting the derelict sites levy. I have come in here and asked him a straight question on whether he will ensure its collection. We now know local authorities have not been collecting it. Number one, they do not have the staff and resources.

Deputy James Browne

They do.

Deputy Thomas Gould

They do not. I have spoken to them. Their officials were in front of the housing committee even before Deputy Browne was the Minister and told us they do not have the staff or resources. What the Minister is saying here now is different. Some €26 million is owed. The amount went up by €6 million in 2025 and it will go up by at least the same amount again in 2026. That means €32 million regarding houses in addition to all the others that are not on the derelict sites register. The Minister is letting those concerned get away with daylight robbery. He is the Minister for housing. Is he going to give a commitment on the floor of the Dáil today that the €26 million and any other outstanding levies will be collected? Deputy Browne is the boss and the Minister. Will he give the commitment? If not, he is only looking after the lads in the Galway tent again.

Deputy James Browne

As usual, more mud to hide the lack of answers and solutions. It is the local authorities’ job to collect this money. The Deputy is right about the €32 million. Imagine that local authorities, some of which are complaining about not having enough money, are leaving €32 million uncollected. The Deputy is telling me they do not have the staff to collect it. They do and it is up to them. They are leaving this money behind because they are not collecting it. It is their job to collect it. They have the laws to collect it and they have laws to apply. They are not collecting the levy and are leaving properties derelict. Therefore, I do not accept for one second that local authorities do not have the staff to do this. They do. Imagine not collecting €32 million. It is not my job to do the local authorities’ job for them. There are thousands of staff working in the authorities and they have well-paid CEOs and directors of services. It is their job to do their job and the Deputy should not come in here, week after week, to tell me I have to do the local authorities’ job for them. It is their job to do their job, and they need to do it.

Deputy Thomas Gould

Last night I introduced a Bill to this Chamber that would have made it the responsibility of local authorities to ensure that a report would be compiled and that the Minister would answer it to ensure derelict sites levies would be collected. The Government voted it down. It was a solution, supported by the Opposition, that the Minister blocked, so he should not come in here and blame the local authorities. He is the Minister and he voted down legislation last night.

Just to let the Minister know, the Land Development Agency, LDA, is seeking to be exempt from the derelict sites levy. I thank RTÉ for doing work on this. Tens of thousands of euro are owed and those concerned do not want to pay it, while buildings are rotting in Dublin and all over the rest of the State. Mayo County Council wants to take derelict site land hoarders and speculators to court. Will the Minister give it the funding to do so? Could he give a yes-no answer?

Charlie Haughey introduced the derelict sites legislation in 1990, 36 years ago. The situation is worse now than ever. The Government is at fault. Deputy Browne is blaming local authorities. He is the Minister for housing - not me, Deputy Ó Broin or anyone else - so he should not pass the buck. Addressing this is his job.

Deputy James Browne

Collecting the levy is actually not my job; it is the local authorities’ job, and they have the staff and powers to do it. The Deputy is right that the situation is probably worse than it was 36 years ago, but that is because the local authorities, which have the power to levy and raise money, have not been levying. We should remember this is money that would become available to them to tackle dereliction or spend on regeneration projects. The failure to collect the levy is why the role is now going to the Revenue Commissioners.

Deputy Thomas Gould

In two years’ time.

Deputy James Browne

However, it is up to the local authorities to collect the money, and that is what they should be doing. It is up to the voters in the local authority areas to pull up their councillors and ask why levying has not been occurring, why properties are being left derelict and why we are giving up money that could be in the coffers for regeneration. It is not my job to go around to every local authority and do its job for it.

Deputy Thomas Gould

No, but it is the Minister’s job to make sure they do their job.

Deputy James Browne

If any local authority in any other area fails to do its job, we will take the power off it.

Deputy Thomas Gould

It is the Minister’s job to make sure they do their job.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Please, Deputy Gould.

Deputy James Browne

Actually, they are independent. That is the way it is set up. It is the CEO’s job.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

That is it. We will move on to the next question.

Deputy James Browne

We have independent local authorities here.

Question No. 140 answered with Question No. 137.

Planning Issues

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Question:

141. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the expected timescale for the exemption of family residential units up to 40 sq. m in back gardens; whether this will restrict the commercial rental of such units without planning permission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5319/26]

Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Early last year, I asked for some flexibility for people to build within their gardens. I note that under pillar 1 of the housing plan, action 4.8 commits to increasing the number of development types exempt from planning permission. When is this coming in? Will there be clear boundaries in terms of the scope? It should be for families and not for commercial rental in the first instance.

Deputy John Cummins

I thank Deputy Gogarty. The Government, as he said, recently published its new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, which aims to deliver 300,000 new homes by the end of 2030. Under pillar 1, it says that to increase the supply of additional housing, action 4.8 commits to increasing the number of development types that are exempt from planning, in order to ensure we have the flexibility for local authorities to be able to do the work they require to do. Planning permission will be exempt to allow for homeowners to adapt or extend their homes more easily, including attic conversions, subdivisions of existing homes and detached accommodation within the primary dwelling. The action is being progressed through the continued commencement of the Planning and Development Act 2024, including the consequential review of the exempted development regulations. It is expected that the work will be completed on these imminently and both will be brought before the joint Oireachtas committee thereafter.

I assure the Deputy that both the Minister, Deputy Browne, and I have been working extensively on this matter with officials. Significant progress has been made to date following the successful public consultation that took place last year, with over 900 submissions received via the online portal. The details of these submissions have been reviewed and are informing the ongoing drafting of the updated exempted development regulations that will be forthcoming across 2026.

The implementation of the update of these regulations is being done on a phased basis by theme, with priority already given to exemptions relating to agriculture, which were passed before Christmas. The next theme will be domestic dwellings followed by infrastructure. These domestic dwelling regulations are at an advanced draft stage and include exemptions for stand-alone detached housing units to the rear of a residential dwelling. The final decisions on the specifics of these regulations, including on whether there are any restrictions, will be communicated as soon as possible. The new draft exempted development regulations will be subject to environmental consideration and will be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas and then before the committee.

Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. This is not going to sort out the housing crisis but it will make a dent. Where it is going to help in particular is where people can either have a starter home or an age-appropriate home in the area where they already live, work or grew up. That is crucial because a lot of people cannot actually get a property in the area where they have grown up. In that context, it is important to make sure this legislation is primarily for families with, maybe, a two-year exemption period where someone has used it and they have moved on and then it could possibly be extended under the rent-a-room scheme, for example, should people have that annex available. I am very conscious that there are a lot of cowboy operators out there who have built unauthorised developments in back gardens and are renting them out. They are not registered with the tenancies board so we have to make sure this is purely for family members only, initially anyway.

Deputy John Cummins

I welcome the Deputy's comments in relation to this proposal, which is being advanced by Government. I expect to have these domestic exemption regulations before the joint Oireachtas committee around Easter time and enacted and enforced thereafter. I have never once said that this is a solution to the housing crisis. This is about providing options for people where they feel it appropriate. There will be restrictions and limitations across a number of areas and they are obviously being worked through. The positive interaction of the public with the public consultation, which took place in regard to these exemptions, has been very welcome and have helped inform the discussions that have been ongoing in the Department in relation to this. I see this as a very positive and proactive measure that the Government is taking. That is why it is in the housing plan and why it is being prioritised by the Department. As I said, we expect to have those regulations before the joint Oireachtas committee around Easter time and implemented thereafter.

Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty

It is something that will be welcomed by so many families within communities. In framing the legislation before it actually comes before the committee, could the local authorities also be contacted? Local authorities obviously have to enforce planning regulations but I was told before by a county manager that they do not have the resources to bring every case to court. There are situations. For example, I know of a mother of two severely autistic children whose family built an annex out the back because she had nowhere else to go. A local authority has issued enforcement proceedings to tear the whole structure down. If the Minister of State could issue guidelines saying to go easy until the legislation comes in, then there may be the opportunity to retrospectively apply for retention in situations like that. We are talking about people living real lives with serious consequences if they have to tear these down. They will end up in a homeless hub and that is not appropriate. Any help the Minister of State could give in that regard would be appreciated.

Deputy John Cummins

I note the Deputy's comments but, for the avoidance of doubt, unless there are explicit exemptions, the rules are the rules around planning. We have indicated our intention to bring forward this proposal. We have not set out the exact parameters of that. The current rules in regard to planning are the current rules until they are exempt. I indicated that to the joint Oireachtas committee when I was there before Christmas. As I said, this is a proactive and sensible proposal about providing options for people where they choose. Who is anybody in this Chamber or anywhere else to tell somebody that this is not an appropriate option for them if they choose to progress something? It is about removing red tape from the planning system so that planning authorities can actually deal with important planning applications and introduce flexibility and common sense to the planning system. That is what I am trying to do as Minister of State in the Department.

Wastewater Treatment

Brian Brennan

Question:

142. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the initiative to allow builders and private developers to construct wastewater treatment facilities for smaller housing developments; when the new regulations will come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5315/26]

Deputy Brian Brennan

I am looking for an update on the initiatives to allow builders and private developers to construct wastewater treatment facilities for smaller housing developments, and on when the new regulations will come into effect.

Deputy James Browne

I thank Deputy Brennan for raising this important issue around allowing developers to construct wastewater treatment facilities. I know it is a matter he has raised on a number of occasions. Following Government approval of this initiative, my Department is working closely with key stakeholders, including Uisce Éireann, to establish a framework allowing builders and private developers to construct stand-alone wastewater treatment solutions for housing developments where public wastewater capacity is unavailable or constrained. The initiative is intended to ensure timely housing delivery by addressing and removing previous delays, while safeguarding public health and protecting the environment.

Developer-led wastewater treatment facilities can only be constructed under strict technical, environmental and regulatory conditions, with all proposals subject to assessment, approval and oversight by Uisce Éireann and monitoring by the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA. A central feature is that all completed infrastructure will be transferred to Uisce Éireann, which will assume ownership and responsibility for operation and maintenance, ensuring integration into the national public wastewater system.

The regulatory framework underpinning this initiative must be robust to ensure compliance, safeguard public health and the environment and provide certainty for developers and regulators. The EPA is preparing general binding rules for smaller wastewater treatment facilities serving developments of less than 100 population equivalent or approximately 40 houses. These rules will provide practical guidance for developers, while maintaining consistent environmental standards nationwide.

Structured engagement between developers and Uisce Éireann is a key element of the initiative. Clear points of contact, guidance on design and performance standards and defined approval pathways will ensure that the proposed infrastructure aligns with public systems. My Department, in close co-ordination with stakeholders, is finalising the regulatory and guidance frameworks. The new approach is expected to be operational by the end of February.

By enabling developer-led delivery of infrastructure under strict standards, with oversight and eventual transfer of ownership to Uisce Éireann, this initiative will support housing delivery, protect the environment, safeguard public health and ensure that wastewater infrastructure is safe, sustainable and fully integrated into the national network.

Deputy Brian Brennan

I warmly welcome the Minister's announcement on 4 November that there will now be a key role for the private sector in developing wastewater treatment plants. This obviously means there will be a huge increase in the number of houses and, more importantly, there will be more affordable houses brought through to fruition. I fully understand there will be strict regulations and compliance required and I also welcome that Uisce Éireann will take charge afterwards but can the Minister clarify who will pay for this infrastructure? There are also over 400 sites in Ireland where Uisce Éireann specifications were previously not met and now the owners of these houses are being left to fend for themselves. Can the Minister reassure us that this situation will not be repeated, as the only ones who lose out here are the residents?

I also note that there is a restriction to 40 homes.

Can the Minister confirm if these numbers can be revisited?

Deputy James Browne

It is the private sector, the developer, who will pay for it but, as I say, it must be done under the strict conditions set out by the EPA in collaboration with Uisce Éireann and oversight as Uisce Éireann will eventually take them over when they are completed. There will be very strict guidelines and rules of oversight in relation to the delivery of these. It will allow for 40 homes. We are doing this in a manner that will be environmentally safe, and overseen. We will assess it as it progresses and as it is being implemented to consider whether there is potential for an expansion of the role. However, in the circumstances 40 houses is a good starting point. A clear assessment will be carried out into its progress and application in implementation by the EPA and Uisce Éireann to ensure it is being done in a safe and appropriate manner and to ensure the protection of water quality, public health and the environment. It is important to say that these things are in addition to what Uisce Éireann is doing and are not replacing anything Uisce Éireann is doing.

Deputy Brian Brennan

I thank the Minister. I cannot over-emphasise the importance of this new proposed change to the regulations to allow the private sector to develop its own wastewater treatment systems. Recently I visited villages such as Camolin, which the Minister knows well, and Aughrim in my constituency. These are two typical examples of towns that have simply been stopped in their tracks due to lack of wastewater capacity. This is having a detrimental effect on the social fabric of these towns and villages and this has been replicated right throughout Ireland. Already we can see school numbers dwindling. The GAA is struggling to get under-age teams and businesses in these towns are finding it very difficult to survive. The Minister’s plans will bring a new lease of life to many towns and villages. I urge that the implementation of these new regulations be seen as a Government priority. I would really like some confirmation of a timeline.

Deputy James Browne

We anticipate the guidelines will be ready by the end of February. It is what we anticipated a number of months ago and it is still on schedule for that. I fully agree with the Deputy’s sentiment around rural Ireland. We want our parishes to thrive. Uisce Éireann has record funding to deliver wastewater treatment plants across the country and to upgrade them. It has that role on environmental protection and driving delivery of homes. We want to maximise the use of this in a safe and overseen manner with the private sector as well. Where this will be of most value is those smaller villages and parishes that need to thrive. The reality is that it will take a significant time for Uisce Éireann to be able to get to every place in this country. It is about maximising our ability in a safe and environmentally sound manner.

Local Authorities

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

143. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if additional funding will be made available to local authorities in 2026 for housing adaptation grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4932/26]

Eamon Scanlon

Question:

156. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when Sligo County Council will receive its 2026 funding allocation to enable the reopening of the urgently needed housing adaptation grant scheme, which has been paused for several months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4424/26]

Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú

I do not know how many times I have been here asking about housing adaptation grants. It is a huge facility to be used, particularly for those with disabilities or acquired disabilities, sometimes through old age. We know thresholds have been changed and also amounts. I would still say the system is not fit for purpose. Every local authority runs out of money, stops taking applications and then there is a bit of a minor disaster every year. This is about a system that is fit for purpose and will actually deliver for those who really require it.

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Kieran O'Donnell)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 143 and 156 together.

My Department provides funding under the suite of housing adaptation grants for older people and disabled people to assist those in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. This suite of grants, which include the housing adaptation grant for disabled people, the mobility aids grant and the housing aid for older people grant, are funded by my Department with a contribution from the local authority. The detailed administration of the scheme, including assessment, approval, prioritisation and apportionment, is the responsibility of local authorities. The Exchequer funding available for these grants in 2025 was increased substantially by €25 million to €99.5 million, or over €117 million when accounting for the local authority contribution.

Sligo County Council received an Exchequer allocation of almost €1.8 million, an increase of 35% on the original allocation in 2024. My Department works closely with local authorities to monitor spend and to achieve a full drawdown of available funding. This means that any underspends that arise on the part of any local authority can be redistributed to other authorities with high levels of grant activity. My Department makes every effort to redistribute such funding throughout the year. If a local authority requires additional funding in any year, it can submit details to my Department in order to be considered for increased funding, subject to availability from savings in other local authorities. During 2025, my Department considered and approved two additional funding allocations totalling €453,670 from Sligo County Council, bringing the total Exchequer allocation for 2025 to over €2.24 million.

The total funding drawn down by local authorities in 2025 will be available on my Department's website shortly. While additional Exchequer funding may become available, the local authorities must provide the match funding from their own resources and therefore the local authorities are also managing the scheme within the resources allocated at the local level. Local authorities now contribute 15% in conjunction with the 85% Exchequer allocation, compared to the previous higher percentage of 20%. This reduction in local authority contribution is one of the reforms implemented under the revised scheme introduced on 1 December 2024. My Department advises local authorities annually that, as far as practicable, a percentage of the allocation under the schemes should be ring-fenced in respect of any emergency applications which might arise under these schemes during the course of the year.

Budget 2026 provides an increase of €30 million for the scheme, with almost €130 million in Exchequer funding available for the scheme, or over €152 million when accounting for the local authority contribution. This significant increase in funding will support the payment of some 17,000 grant claims as well as the continued implementation of the revised grant limits, the income thresholds and the increase in the Exchequer contribution from 80% to 85%. This additional €30 million in funding is in line with commitments in the programme for Government, Securing Ireland's Future and Delivering Homes, Building Communities, and ensures the continued year-on-year increases in funding for the grant scheme since 2014. My Department will issue notification shortly of each local authority's allocation for 2026 under the scheme. Importantly, all local authorities can commit up to 75% of their 2025 allocation when approving applications to be paid in 2026, ensuring a seamless transition of the schemes remaining open from year to year.

Deputy Eamon Scanlon

I suppose I got some of the answers anyway. I recognise that. The situation facing the council housing adaptation grant schemes in Sligo and Leitrim is now critical. In 2025 the council budgeted €2.4 million to support older people and people with disabilities to remain safely in their homes yet the allocation fell far short of what was required. That forced the council to seek an emergency top-up payment of over €240,000 in July, funding that could only cover priority 1 cases. As a result, the scheme has been paused for months. Meanwhile, six months worth of already approved grants remain unfunded and the council is still awaiting the 2026 allocation. The delay is preventing essential home adaptations that allow people to live with dignity and independence. The housing adaptation grant is one of the most impactful, cost-effective supports the State provides. Every euro invested keeps people out of hospital beds, out of long-term care and in their own homes where they want to be.

Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú

The issue I have, which happens every year, is that there is an insufficient amount of money to cover the grants at this point of time. The fact that secondary and tertiary allocations have to be made shows this is a particular issue. That is only one of them; the other particular issue is that there has to be an allowance for those who need a greater level of works done such as where there are children with extreme mobility issues who have got older.

We probably also need to look at how all this is delivered. It is not just about the figures. Sometimes it is from the same pot as regards the housing adaptation grant, the disabled persons' grant and the housing for older people grant, which is absolutely vital for windows, doors, etc., but it should not necessarily be from this for the same fund. There needs to be interaction with the HSE; I am not saying it falls completely on the local authority. We need to find the means for those who require far more substantial work to be done to allow people to live in their own homes. I am particularly talking about those with severe disabilities and mobility issues.

Deputy Kieran O'Donnell

By way of information and to be consistent, I will give Deputy Ó Murchú an indication of the funding for Louth. He did not ask this specifically, but I want it to be consistent with the information for Sligo. During 2025, my Department considered and approved an additional funding allocation of €150,000 for Louth County Council, bringing its total allocation to €2.8 million for 2025. Louth County Council drew down this allocation in full. The total funding drawdowns by local authorities will be available on my Department's website shortly.

I say to Deputy Scanlon that there were two requests for additional funding from Sligo County Council. They were both approved and the full amounts on both occasions were spent. Some local authorities are not spending their full allocation. That is something I am conscious of. We look to redistribute to local authorities that are spending. Louth and Sligo both fall into that category.

The scheme announced in December made many changes. We increased the income and the grant limits. We brought in increased allowances. I was directly involved in it myself. At the time, I was no longer the Minister of State with responsibility for local government, but I worked on it with officials prior to that point. I, like everyone else, recognise it is hugely important. The disabled persons' grant has been increased to €40,000. The Deputy might provide detail on the specific individual cases and we may be able follow up on those. The core point is that we have increased the funding. There is a 30% increase this year. The contribution from local authorities has gone from 20% to 15%, which means the contribution from the local authorities has gone down, but the State is contributing that directly. This is a hugely important grant scheme and something the Government has prioritised. The allocation for 2026 is €130 million, which will assist 17,000 people.

Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú

We all welcome any increase in the amount of money people can get. We all know that construction costs have gone through the roof. However, are they fit for purpose as regards the figures as they exist at the minute? No, they are not. Work needs to be done for those who have severe mobility issues, for example a child who gets older and has more specific needs. There needs to be a review not only of the adaptation grants provided but also in relation to housing. I know of people whose adaptation grants have been approved, but technically they cannot actually deliver it because they do not have the space within the confines of the house. I know of people who need to change their house on the basis of their children's needs. It would be a lot easier if they were actually in social housing. They may have bought a house from the local authority at one stage before these circumstances arose and now they are under pressure with clawback they have to give back. They will not be able to afford the type of house that is required for the child. The whole thing needs to be reviewed. It does not just fall on the Department of housing. The HSE also needs to do a piece of work.

Deputy Eamon Scanlon

I genuinely welcome the extra allocation of funds to the local authorities for the provision of those grants. As I said earlier, the work done paid for by those grants is keeping people out of hospitals and nursing homes. I know of a number of cases where people have left nursing homes to go back home because of the funding that was made available to improve their living conditions at home. I appeal to the Department to immediately approve the grants to Sligo and Leitrim county councils for the full 2026 budget including provision for the outstanding 2025 commitments as well. I welcome the extra funding.

Deputy Kieran O'Donnell

We hope to be in a position to announce the allocations for 2026 shortly. As I said, we have increased the funding this year by €30 million, a 30% increase, one of largest increases in any spending items, because it is of such importance. Again, it feeds into keeping people living at home independently. Deputy Ó Murchú mentioned particular cases and he might come to me with them. They may involve multiple agencies. However, we have ensured that people on lower incomes are getting 100% of the housing adaptation grant. That was 90% under the old scheme. The housing adaptation grant for disabled people has been increased to €40,000. The housing aid for older people grant has been increased to €10,700. The mobility aids grant is €8,000.

This point is worth repeating. The local authorities are entitled to commit up to 75% of their 2025 allocations for improvement applications to be paid in 2026. There is no reason applications cannot proceed. The funding allocation for 2026 will be announced shortly by the Department. Furthermore, we want to see local authorities spending the money allocated to them. Louth and Sligo came back in for further funding.

Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú

They should get more.

Deputy Kieran O'Donnell

We very much understand. Sligo came back in twice and Louth came back once. The message is that the Government is very much committed to giving this extra funding of €30 million. We want to see local authorities spending that money, which will make a real difference to people's lives in their homes.

Housing Provision

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

144. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures he is taking to address the lack of affordable housing in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3349/26]

Deputy James Browne

Affordability and the chance to own a home is at the heart of the Government’s housing policy, as embodied within the new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities. The new plan reinforces and expands the range of existing measures being implemented by the Government to tackle the issues of supply and affordability, thereby supporting the increased provision of new homes to purchase and rent.

As outlined in Delivering Homes, Building Communities, all local authorities will be required to prepare a new housing delivery action plan, which will identify affordable housing needs within their areas and set out how this will be met. These new housing delivery action plans will build upon the almost 19,000 affordable housing solutions that have been delivered since the launch of Housing for All.

Over 1,000 affordable housing supports have been delivered in Meath to date, primarily via the local authority affordable purchase scheme, the first home scheme, the vacant properties refurbishment grant, the cost-rental equity loan and the cost-rental tenant in situ scheme.

To date, Meath County Council has received funding approval to deliver 226 affordable starter homes for purchase across 12 schemes, supported by the affordable housing fund, out to the end of 2027. By the end of quarter 3 of last year, 77 of these homes had been delivered. A further four schemes are under assessment, with the potential to deliver an additional 20 affordable starter homes for purchase.

In addition, six approved housing body projects have been approved to date under the cost-rental equity loan scheme in County Meath, with 76 cost-rental homes delivered to date and a further 156 to be delivered by the end of this year.

To further support the development of Meath’s affordable housing programme, my Department is funding five additional administrative and technical staffing posts dedicated to affordable housing delivery.

Scheme criteria and support levels for affordable purchase schemes are kept under regular review, taking account of developments in the housing market. Further to this, my Department will continue to engage with all delivery partners to further develop affordable starter homes delivery and to ensure that the starter homes programme addresses demand identified at a local level.

Deputy Darren O'Rourke

Affordability is the single biggest housing issue in County Meath.

So many people who are working are above the social housing threshold but they cannot get a mortgage. The numbers the Minister talks about are nowhere near enough. In addition, they are not affordable. I can give the example of Foxwood Park in Kells that is about to come on stream. I am sure they are fine houses and the people who get them will be absolutely delighted to have them but they are far too expensive. They are not affordable. They are advertised as three-bedroom terraced houses with a minimum purchase price of €322,500 but with an asterisk on it. The asterisk is doing a huge amount of work because the actual price that someone will pay to buy and own that property is €405,000. That is simply not affordable. Does the Minister agree?

Deputy Louis O'Hara

In my constituency of Galway East, not one affordable home has been delivered in towns like Athenry, Tuam and Loughrea. Rents have increased massively, and so have house prices. Young families come to me all the time asking what their options are and if affordable housing might be an option for them but it does not exist in our local area. We are in the middle of a housing emergency and that has been the case for a decade or more at this stage. It is a shocking indictment of the Government's housing policy that it has completely failed to deliver any affordable housing for my constituents. We have talked about some schemes being delivered in the coming years but nowhere near the scale at which it is needed. The big question is whether these homes are going to be genuinely affordable for people. What does the Minister have to say to those families in my constituency? When are we finally going to see affordable housing delivered at scale in east Galway?

Deputy James Browne

I thank the Deputies very much for their questions. Affordability is at the very heart of what I do. That is why we have so many schemes to help people to make homes more affordable for them, while also driving the delivery of social and affordable housing through our local authorities, and through schemes led by the Land Development Agency.

In both of those counties we have seen a significant delivery of homes but we want to see more delivery. I have been to both of those counties on numerous occasions. We have seen a significant uptick in the delivery of homes there. It is all about supply. The way we get control of rent prices and house prices is through increasing the supply. Our approach is to put in as many schemes as possible, and to try to make houses as affordable as possible, while also addressing viability so that we can drive on the supply as well. We need the homes. We need to significantly increase the number of homes right across the country as well as in Meath and Galway East. I am sure the Deputy will agree that right across Galway East there are now significant housing schemes going on but I want to see even more. I have been up there on a number of occasions and I will be going back to Galway. I encourage the local authorities to drive on with these schemes as well. It is really important that they work with the Department of housing to get more of these schemes off the ground.

Deputy Darren O'Rourke

Could I specifically raise the issue this time round in relation to the design of the scheme? The question specifically relates to the redemption and realisation of the council equity. I do not think people are aware of the fact that there is a premium on the council equity. If it is 10% on a house costing €405,000 today, the percentage relates to the current market value. If I am in that property for 30 years and I am looking to draw down on the council equity, if the property is worth €450,000 or €500,000, I am required to pay 10% of the current market value at that stage, and I have to pay in lump sums of a minimum of €10,000. They are very significant issues. It is a cruel aspect of this scheme. It is a premium on the council's equity. I do not think people are aware of that fact. Why did the Minister design the scheme in that way? Does he acknowledge that it is an unfair premium?

Deputy Malcolm Byrne

With regard to affordable housing, while there is a need for more to be done, I welcome the fact that the Minister was in Gorey last Friday where a very successful affordable housing scheme of 20 homes was launched. The families were very satisfied. I was delighted that the Sinn Féin Deputy was present. Even though he opposed many of the Government's measures in this regard, he had no problem hopping into all the photographs with the Minister and I on Friday.

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin

He supported the legislation on this scheme.

Deputy Malcolm Byrne

The challenge in this regard is to get far more of these affordable homes schemes going. I urge him to expedite the schemes that are coming into him from Wicklow and Wexford County Councils because we need them as quickly as possible.

Deputy James Browne

Every scheme is always kept under review. We have multiple schemes now for helping people to be able to get their home and to make schemes affordable. We always keep schemes under review and where we think we can make them more effective, we always do so. It is important that these schemes exist, and that people are aware of them and use them.

As Deputy Byrne mentioned, we have some very successful affordable housing schemes, and we want to see even more of them. Again, it is up to the local authorities to make sure that they are driving these schemes as well and doing more because we as a Government are supporting affordable housing in this country.

Question No. 145 taken with Written Answers.

Coastal Erosion

Malcolm Byrne

Question:

146. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline his Department's support for local authorities to tackle coastal erosion. [4418/26]

Deputy Malcolm Byrne

What measures are in place for local authorities to address coastal erosion?

Deputy James Browne

I thank Deputy Byrne for raising the important issue of coastal erosion. It is a matter he has raised on numerous occasions.

My Department recognises the significant risks that coastal erosion and flooding present to our coastlines in the context of climate change. It is clear that climate change is presenting significant challenges, with many areas experiencing more frequent extreme weather events and changes in environmental conditions. Ireland is not immune from these challenges, including those associated with coastal erosion and flooding.

Responding effectively to these challenges requires a co-ordinated, evidence-based and long-term approach. Our local authorities are responsible for managing coastal erosion within their own administrative areas. The Office of Public Works has the responsibility for all technical assessment, including monitoring and mapping coastal risks, supporting research, and funding local authorities to undertake coastal protection works.

My Department collaborates with the OPW and relevant local authorities to support informed, consistent and sustainable responses to coastal erosion nationwide and provides policy leadership and co-ordination. Ireland's approach to coastal change management is guided by the work of the interdepartmental group on the national coastal change management strategy. This was established by the Government to support informed decision-making on how best to manage the coastline in light of future risks and planning needs.

In October 2023, this group published a scoping report setting out 15 recommendations to inform the development of a national coastal change management strategy. These recommendations are intended to facilitate key decisions to address and manage the impacts of coastal change over the short, medium and long term.

The recommendations are organised around three key areas: strengthening governance and capacity; improving understanding of coastal risks and identifying possible technical responses; and developing appropriate management approaches to coastal change. Progress on this work is being overseen by an interdepartmental steering group, which meets to advance the policy framework outlined in the report. The management of coastal change and the consideration of appropriate responses must take place within the context of the overall national policy framework and the respective roles of Departments, agencies and local authorities.

Deputy Malcolm Byrne

The Minister is very aware of the challenges of coastal erosion. I am fortunate to represent a constituency that has some of the finest beaches in the country, stretching from Brittas Bay in Wicklow down to Morriscastle in Wexford. The Minister knows the challenges many of those communities have faced. Our problem is that we have so many strategies being developed but all the time the coast is starting to disappear. For instance, €26 million has been spent by Irish Rail on protecting the Rosslare rail line in the last decade.

While I welcome the fact that €500,000 has been allocated to protect the coast at Cahore, at a public meeting there recently, organised by Councillor Pip Breen, concern was expressed that it is not sufficient to address the threat to the coast in that area.

The Minister will also be very much aware of the really big challenge that continues to exist in Courtown Harbour, particularly in the area north of the harbour. I hope he can highlight specific measures.

Deputy James Browne

Deputy Byrne has done an awful lot of work on what we can do to tackle coastal erosion which is a result of climate change and the climate crisis that we are in. The current position is that the interventions are local authority led through funding by the OPW. A national strategy is being developed by the interdepartmental group. As the Deputy points out, a lot of different strategies are being worked on in different Departments. There is an environmental role, a housing role and a role for local authorities. What we are seeing now is erosion happening at an accelerated rate across the country.

The time that may have been thought was there to develop the strategy has become foreshortened. I welcome the Deputy's focus on this because we need to really focus now on how we are going to manage this costal erosion around the country.

Deputy Malcolm Byrne

I thank the Deputy. Wicklow and Wexford county councils are taking this issue seriously. I love the beaches around my area but a lot of them are starting to disappear. It is not just a problem in counties Wicklow and Wexford. The Minister will be very familiar with the challenges around Courtown and the area to the north of that. Courtown is a legendary destination for many people but the beach has not really been there for many years. It is an issue regularly raised by Courtown community council and by the business community or park division for Courtown and Riverchapel. There is a long-standing plan to develop breakwaters and even the possibility of a marina in the long term in that area. Will Departments co-ordinate to work with Wexford County Council to deliver this? Equally, we need that national strategy so that we look at Brittas Bay, similarly, where parts of the dunes are falling into the sea. We need to protect all our costal communities.

Deputy James Browne

I thank the Deputy for raising the matter. He is right. The Courtown and Riverchapel area is a good example of a wonderful community that is facing an awful lot. It is at the brunt of the changes as a result of our climate crisis and the impact that has on the local community. The current position is that it is the responsibility of the local authority with the OPW to carry out works, although these works tend to be of a smaller scale than dealing with the emergency facing the community. We have to develop that national strategy. We do have that interdepartmental group with the purpose of bringing those strategies together and it has 15 recommendations. However, I will be imploring those Departments to advance those recommendations now, a lot more quickly than might have previously been intended as a result of the foreshortening of the time that was believed to be there, to come up with the implementation of a strategy. Coastal erosion is now happening at a frightening pace.

Housing Policy

Maeve O'Connell

Question:

147. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has engaged in any consultation processes with approved housing bodies and local authorities in advance of legislation removing blanket pet bans. [4416/26]

Deputy James Browne

I thank the Deputy for raising what is an important question and can often have a profound effect on families, namely, the blanket ban that is often imposed on having pets. It was an important policy to get into our housing plan. For many people, especially those who live on their own but for all families, pets provide comfort and connection and can be an enormous source of emotional support and companionship. Pets are often seen as part of the family. The new national housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, commits to reviewing the code of practice for the approved housing body allocation process, which is an agreed set of arrangements between local authorities and the AHB sector. The code seeks to establish a collaborative and efficient approach to the social housing nomination and allocations process. It is timely that the code be reviewed to ensure, in the first instance, that the nomination and allocation processes are working to avoid unnecessary vacancy periods in social housing. In order to reinforce a collaborative approach, a working group comprising my Department, the local authorities, the AHB sector and the Housing Agency has been established to carry out a review of the code. I will be ensuring the review of this code is carried out as quickly as possible. Effectively, I want to repeal the ban. People should not be prohibited from being able to bring their pet with them when they move into any house, in my view, but at least any house we have control over, which are social and affordable homes.

Deputy Maeve O'Connell

I agree with the Minister's proposal to repeal the ban. That is only sensible and sane. This has caused unquantifiable distress to families who have been in touch with me. I will give one example of one family. They were on a social housing list and got approval. They were very excited, but only a couple of months earlier they had generously taken in their neighbour's dog when their neighbour had passed and they suddenly realised they did not know what were they going to do with this dog. The family were very distressed at the thought that they might have to give up their pet. This is just one example of the many families who have been in touch with me and that is why we are keen to get some indication as to when this will be legislated for. We understand that legislation is very complicated and there are various moving parts around this, but it may be useful if guidelines were issued initially just to show the direction of travel. That would reassure the people out there who are on these lists and are hoping to get housing.

Deputy James Browne

I thank the Deputy. I would hope that my very clear statements would act as guidelines for local authorities and AHBs. We fund them. People should not be precluded from living with pets. A code will be required to ensure that a very tiny number of people cannot try to abuse the situation. We have to be conscious that people live next door to each other and it is about pets living with them. Again, the definition of a pet is very clearly set out in law and, therefore, I expect we will move quickly on this. I will be ensuring we move quickly so that people can keep their pets. Our position has been made loud and clear to local authorities and AHBs and I would expect them to act in anticipation of the change in rules.

Deputy Maeve O'Connell

I thank the Minister for that reassurance. My view is that the existing wear and tear and antisocial elements of contracts would cover any of the situations that could arise with regard to pets and, therefore, I think that is unnecessary. I have been in touch with a number of different AHBs and there is a variety of policies out there already, which is interesting in itself. Some do not have any restrictions on pets, which is very good to know. Others have restrictions on dogs but not on cats. Others have restrictions except for guide dogs and service animals. Therefore, there is quite a range. This is where a very simple direction from the Minister's Department to the AHBs and local authorities publicising that would provide reassurance and comfort to families. The Minister also mentioned individuals earlier. I was delighted to see the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, also here earlier. Pets are incredibly important, particularly for older people who are seeking housing, who are a significant group of those who are on these lists. I thank the Ministers of State, Deputies Lawless, O'Donnell and Cummins, for all their work in this area.

Deputy James Browne

I recognise Deputy O'Connell's concern in this area and her compassion for families who want to keep their pets. Their pets are now part of the family and they give some much comfort and support to people. Whether that is older people or children and their families, pets are very much part of it. That is the reason we were so anxious to ensure there was a very clear line of direction included in the housing plan sending out that message to AHBs and local authorities and putting it now into a code of practice. I do not think legislation will be needed. If it is needed, we will do it with legislation, but through codes of practice and service level agreements with local authorities and AHBs, we can effect this more quickly. I have been saying this to our local authorities and AHBs, as our officials have been, and therefore I would expect them to act in anticipation of this change.

Housing Policy

Rory Hearne

Question:

148. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention had been drawn to his Department’s involvement in the production of the housing-related video published by an organisation (details supplied) prior to speaking to the Oireachtas housing committee on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5063/26]

Deputy Rory Hearne

There was a significant public reaction to the video about moving in with family that was put up late last year. Will the Minister outline what role the Department of housing had in the production of that video and clarify when he first learned about the video?

Deputy James Browne

I thank the Deputy. The Government's youth homelessness strategy commits to developing an annual information and awareness campaign on housing rights, as well as available supports specifically targeting young people. This is essential to do, particularly online where young people, who are most impacted, are most active. The Housing Agency was tasked with developing these information campaigns, and in 2024 and 2025, it collaborated with SpunOut, Ireland’s youth information

and support platform, to develop and run online content. I genuinely commend the everyday work that SpunOut does for young people across the country in providing accessible, engaging and youth-friendly content that responds to their needs and what matters to them. In an online world that is increasingly confusing and diverse in terms of factual and reliable information, SpunOut stands out as an exemplar in that respect. The Housing Agency engaged with young people as part of the process of developing its campaign in 2025 and it rightly led on choosing the topics they were most interested in and wanted to hear more about. I absolutely appreciate that when the video content related to moving back in with parents was shared directly, without relevant social tagging, by my own Department towards the end of last year, it appeared as if the content was a Department-led campaign.

Second, I appreciate that presented without further context, this looked like my Department felt the matter was one we were qualified to advise on, when in fact we should be more focused on solving the problem raised by the young people: the problem of a housing crisis impacting their everyday lives and relationships. The video scripts related to various aspects of the campaign were flagged to my Department prior to finalising and uploading them online, for only the purposes of fact checking in relation to current policies and schemes, as would be reasonable. My Department is certainly not best placed to direct style or tone of content prepared by or for young people. That is why SpunOut is rightly involved and it does an excellent job.

At the time of the Oireachtas housing committee, I understood the campaign, while flowing directly from my Department's youth homeless strategy, was not a Department of housing campaign to approve. I was clear on this.

Deputy Rory Hearne

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. The Minister has still not clarified when he first knew of the video. Could he clarify that, please? At the housing committee when I asked him directly about it, he set out four times that the Department of housing did not have any involvement in the video. He repeated that three times. Can the Minister clarify now and make a statement that the Department of housing was involved in the video and was aware of it? I will ask the Minister very clearly: when did he first become aware this video was being produced?

Deputy James Browne

I thank the Deputy. I became aware when I saw the retweet the night before the committee meeting. That is the first time I became aware of it. Young people are interested in how we will solve the crisis, not going down the rabbit hole of who knew when a video may have had information contained in it or whatever the case may be. I do not really understand. My focus is maximising the number of homes and maximising supply so that we can get those people who are affected by the housing crisis into homes in which they want to live in their communities. That is what I am all about.

Deputy Rory Hearne

It is about the Oireachtas and the record. The Minister said at the housing committee that the Department was not involved in it.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Allow the Minister to answer, Deputy Hearne.

Deputy James Browne

This was the Housing Agency that funded SpunOut, which choose the topics itself. SpunOut does a fantastic job. An official in the housing Department retweeted it. I am not going after that official. They were well intentioned and they thought they were doing the right thing. These things happen.

Deputy Rory Hearne

The Department had no other involvement?

Deputy James Browne

Lessons have been learned.

Deputy Rory Hearne

The story in the Irish Examiner was not true?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Does Deputy Hearne wish to respond?

Deputy Rory Hearne

Sorry, yes. What was reported in the Irish Examiner mentioned senior officials in the Department. I am pushing this because we need to be honest in the Oireachtas record. If what was said at the housing committee is not true, that needs to be corrected. What was happening at the time was the Minister and the Department were trying to get away from a controversy.

Deputy James Browne

No.

Deputy Rory Hearne

Things were said that were not actually accurate. I would like the record to be corrected if the truth is, as the Irish Examiner reported, that the Department knew and senior officials as early as 11 August were aware of the script for the housing video and it was widely circulated among senior officials with comments and suggestions. It is also reported that the Minister's own special adviser had been consulted on content for the information in the campaign that included the video. Can the Minister clarify that his special adviser and the Department actually were aware a video was being produced and were consulted for information or is the information that was reported in the Irish Examiner untrue?

Deputy James Browne

Sometimes I think the Deputy selectively listens to what I am saying. I will repeat what I said in my first answer. Video scripts related to various aspects of the campaign were flagged to my Department prior to finalising and uploading the video online for only the purposes of fact checking current policies and schemes, as would be reasonable. I said that in my opening answer. The Deputy chose not to listen to it.

Deputy Rory Hearne

The Minister said at the housing committee-----

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Deputy Hearne, allow the Minister to respond.

Deputy James Browne

If we are talking about the record, I look forward to the Deputy correcting his outrageous allegation against me earlier in breach of the House rules.

Deputy Rory Hearne

I said that was Fianna Fáil and not just the Minister.

Deputy James Browne

No. The Deputy named me.

Deputy Rory Hearne

I take that back. It was Fianna Fáil. However, the Minister is not correcting the record. The Department knew about it.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Deputy Hearne has made his point, the Minister has responded and the Deputy brought up what was said previously. I want to bring Deputy Hearne's attention to the Standing Order that states it is not in order to accuse a member of Government of deliberately misleading the House. If an allegation of this nature is to be made against any Member, it should be made by way of a substantive motion. I have to ask the Member to unreservedly withdraw the remark he has made. That is the Standing Order.

Deputy Rory Hearne

Is that a reference to the earlier remark?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The earlier remark, yes.

Deputy Rory Hearne

I withdraw the remark specifically about the Minister misleading the House but not the remark in relation to misleading the people in the general election.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

No, that is not the remark the Deputy made. I will not get into an argument with him about it because I know it will just drag on. It was in relation to accusing a member of Government of deliberately misleading the House.

Deputy Rory Hearne

No, I said-----

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Deputy might want to check the Official Report and come back to us, please.

Deputy Rory Hearne

I will check the Official Report. I believe I said, "misleading the people" and not the House.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Okay, that is fine. We will not waste time on it.

Question No. 149 taken with Written Answers.

Housing Provision

Michael Cahill

Question:

150. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to allow for modular housing and low-cost sites, to address the urgent housing crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4551/26]

Deputy Michael Cahill

I commend the Minister and his junior Ministers on the tireless work they are doing on the housing crisis. Will the Minister provide funding to Kerry County Council to construct modular homes as part of the solution for social and affordable housing? Will the Minister allow Kerry County Council to grant planning permission to individuals and families who wish to construct a modular home? Will the Minister roll out a scheme of low-cost sites across County Kerry?

Deputy John Cummins

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030 is Ireland’s new housing plan. It is a wide-ranging action plan, focused on housing supply and targeting homelessness. The plan is centred on eight priorities, one of which includes increasing skills and supporting the adoption of modern methods of construction, MMC, in the residential construction sector, which will help facilitate delivery at optimal levels of speed, quality, sustainability and cost effectiveness.

My Department will ensure that the weight of the State’s significant spending power is put firmly behind the use of MMC in at least 25% of all new build social and affordable housing. This will mean a pipeline of thousands of homes that will be built using MMC over the lifetime of the plan. In order to directly support the use of modular or 3D volumetric methods, my Department is providing funding and support for two pathfinder projects in the Limerick city short-term modular affordable rental transition modular housing project and Wexford County Council is being supported to develop 22 permanent social homes.

The National Standards Authority of Ireland, NSAI, agrément certification plays a central role in enabling new, innovative construction products, processes and building systems. A total of 21 MMC systems are currently certified by NSAI agrément. Two of these certificates relate to modular systems. In addition, six MMC systems are at internal review stage for certification. Subject to satisfactory completion of this review, these certificates are expected to be published in the first half of 2026. Two of the six systems undergoing review are for modular systems. Under the plan, the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment will further optimise the process towards NSAI agrément certification.

The plan also commits to expanding the ready to build scheme, which the Deputy referenced at the end of his contribution.

Deputy Michael Cahill

In every corner of County Kerry today, there are individuals, couples and families who wish to build or buy a family home. Even though they are in good jobs, they cannot get a mortgage big enough to buy or build. These are nurses in University Hospital Kerry, teachers, members of an Garda Síochána, employees of good companies like Liebherr and Fexco in Killorglin, etc. Constituents who I am meeting on a daily basis are telling me they would be more than happy with a modular home.

A good quality modular home will last 70, 80 or 90 years. In regard to achieving this, I have been hammering the point that Uisce Éireann needs to roll out a scheme of constructed wetlands across County Kerry, in my case. We have more than 40 villages unsewered and many more that are at capacity, including my own village. The constructed wetlands are a much cheaper and faster form of wastewater treatment. There are so many areas in need. We can make a real impact here if we do that.

Deputy John Cummins

I thank the Deputy. I note the comments from the Minister, Deputy Browne, about the developer-provided infrastructure element and the commitment Deputy Cahill has shown in raising constructed wetlands consistently in this House.

There is a very good example of it in my constituency in Dunhill, County Waterford. In relation to the modular systems, we are going to provide planning exemptions to allow for modular units to the rear of the dwelling as I referred to earlier in response to questions from Deputy Gogarty. The Government will from a State point of view continue to invest in modern methods of construction, at least 25%, and we are going to bring an increased focus in terms of modular systems to that. I referenced the pilots in Limerick and Wexford, which are currently in process.

Deputy Michael Cahill

We must give an opportunity to those on middle incomes. They are caught between social housing and being able to afford to build their own homes. I believe the modular home is a solution. Low-cost sites are an incentive there as well to help these people get on the property ladder. To achieve this, yet again, as I mentioned, we have over 40 unsewered villages in County Kerry and a number of others that are at capacity; we need to provide wastewater treatment in these areas. Again, I am emphasising that constructed wetlands is one of the solutions. It is much cheaper and much faster to put in place. We need to get the ball rolling in addressing the housing crisis.

Deputy John Cummins

I have been consistent on exempted development regulations and the provision of modular units. I never once said this is the solution to the housing crisis. This is about providing options for people. Who is it for anybody in this Chamber to try to dictate to people who may wish to put in a modular home if they believe that is appropriate for them?

Everything we are trying to do in terms of planning within government is to simplify the process and remove things from the planning system that are not required to be in it. That is what we are doing in terms of the exempted development regulations, which I will bring to the Oireachtas committee at Easter. In relation to local authorities and AHBs, we are committed to increasing MMC by at least 25% and we are going to try to push the 3D volume metric in addition to the 2D, which has been happening consistently across the sector over the past number of years.

Is féidir teacht ar Cheisteanna Scríofa ar www.oireachtas.ie.

Written Answers are published on the Oireachtas website.

Dáil Éireann debate - Thursday, 22 Jan 2026