Written Answers Nos. 481-499
481. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the timelines for the publication of the Gaeltacht planning guidelines; if each Gaeltacht language planning area will be supported to develop its own local housing strategy aligned with these guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34982/25]
View answerThe Planning and Development Act 2000 as amended, sets out mandatory objectives for local authorities, which must be addressed in the drafting of their Development Plan governing local development policies. Where there is a Gaeltacht area within the planning authority’s administrative area, the development plan must include provisions and objectives for “the protection of the linguistic and cultural heritage of the Gaeltacht including the promotion of Irish as the community language”.
The Development Plans Guidelines for Local Authorities published in July 2022 give further guidance to local authorities, including reflecting the Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas (Limistéar Pleanála Teanga – LPTs as required under the Gaeltacht Act 2012) as well as the inclusion of further policies such as ensuring that development proposals in Gaeltacht areas have a positive impact on the linguistic and cultural heritage that can be robustly assessed at planning application stage.
An Interdepartmental Group (comprising my Department, the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (DRCDG) and Údarás na Gaeltachta) is still continuing its work in developing specific planning guidance for Gaeltacht areas. There is also a separate Working Group made up of both Departments and Údarás na Gaeltachta and the relevant local authorities with Gaeltacht areas. Interdepartmental Group and Working Group meetings took place in 2023 and bilateral Departmental engagement continued into 2024 and is ongoing.
Having regard to the need to consider the complex matters involved and further to engagement with the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, finalised draft guidelines will be subject to mandatory screening under EU law for Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), as well as for the purposes of Appropriate Assessment (AA). It is intended that, in consultation with DRCDG, subject to the outcome of the screening exercises, the draft guidelines will then be published for public consultation.
In accordance with section 94 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 each planning authority is presently required to include a housing strategy in its development plan to provide for the housing of the existing and future population of the area. Each development plan applies to the whole functional area of the planning authority concerned, including any Gaeltacht area located therein, in accordance with section 9(2) of the Act.
Under section 95 of the Act planning authorities are required to ensure that sufficient and suitable land is zoned for residential use, or for a mixture of residential and other uses, to meet the requirements of the housing strategy and to ensure that a scarcity of such land does not occur at any time during the period of the development plan.
It is also open to planning authorities to prepare a local area plan for any Gaeltacht area located within their functional area.
The Planning and Development Act 2024 includes specific provisions relating to Gaeltacht areas, including that where there is a Gaeltacht within the functional area of a planning authority, the corresponding development plan for that area must include provisions and settlement-specific objectives for the protection of the linguistic and cultural heritage of the Gaeltacht including the protection of Irish as the Gaeltacht’s community language. Where a development plan sets out settlement-specific objectives in respect of any Gaeltacht, a ‘Priority Area Plan’ will subsequently be introduced for that Gaeltacht area to guide its development, renewal or regeneration and to specify how the relevant settlement-specific objectives in the development plan are to be implemented.
Language Planning Areas are a separate designation under the Gaeltacht Act 2012 and relate to language planning, for which my colleague the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht holds functional responsibility.
482. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress made on establishing a deposit protection scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35905/25]
View answerI refer to my reply to Question No. 114 of 25 June 2025 which sets out the position on this matter.
484. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his proposals for the Land Development Agency (LDA) to develop its land bank to engage in active land management policies and for the LDA to deliver private housing in appropriate locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35551/25]
View answerWhile the LDA has a key function in relation to the development of underutilised State lands for housing, it also has a mandate to engage in active land management to ensure there is a healthy pipeline of sites for development.
The acquisition of private land ensures that the LDA can respond to conditions in particular areas to offer suitable homes, even where appropriate sites in State ownership are not present.
LDA acquisitions of private land also offer the opportunity to act as a catalyst for wider development through the provision of infrastructure and services for the wider area.
This expansion of the tenure mix of the Agency's output is part of a wider step up in the LDA's role and remit as a provider and enabler of housing in diverse, vibrant communities all over Ireland.
485. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to expand the Land Development Agency’s geographical area of operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35552/25]
View answerThe Land Development Agency has assembled and developed a body of skills and expertise, unparalleled within the State sector, in development of large scale housing projects and high density typologies/ apartments, and strategic land assembly and master planning of large scale sites/areas and city quarters.
The Government will ensure that this skillset is made available to all local authorities that seek to develop projects where the LDA’s expertise can add real value to unlock sites of scale in appropriate locations all over the country.
This expansion of the Agency's area of operations is part of a wider expansion of the LDA's role and remit as a provider and enabler of housing in communities all over Ireland.
486. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to increase the maximum house value limits for the first home scheme for Cork; if the city values to the metropolitan area of County Cork will be extended and particularly the city Dáil constituencies in order that the one set of qualifying criteria applies. [35939/25]
View answerThe First Home Scheme, which launched in July 2022, is a shared equity scheme, designed to help bridge the gap for eligible first-time buyers, eligible homebuyers, and self-builders, between their deposit and mortgage, and the price of their new home (within price ceilings established across the country). Full details are available on the First Home Scheme website, www.firsthomescheme.ie/.
The First Home Scheme Designated Activity Company (DAC) is fully responsible for the operation of the First Home Scheme on behalf of all shareholders, including price ceiling reviews. At its launch, the First Home Scheme Designated Activity Company (DAC) announced it would review all price ceilings at 6-month intervals. The DAC take into account a range of factors as part of these reviews, including the median price and volume of new builds purchased by first time buyers in each local authority area.
At the end of June, the First Home Scheme DAC published the outcome of its scheduled 6-monthly review of the price ceilings that apply to qualifying homes and subsequently revised price ceilings in relation to 16 local authority areas. This includes an increase in the ceilings in the Cork County Council area from €425,000 to €450,000. Price ceilings for Cork City will remain at €475,000. The revised price ceilings came into effect on 1 July. The next 6 monthly review will take place in December 2025.
More information on price-ceiling reviews is available at the following link: www.firsthomescheme.ie/about-the-scheme/property-price-ceilings/
487. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the rural planning guidelines, Gaeltacht planning guidelines and planning guidelines for the islands. [35993/25]
View answerSince the publication of the current Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines in 2005 (which continue to have effect in addition to subsequent clarifications and national policy changes in the National Planning Framework) there have been important changes to our planning system. Most notably, obligations under European Directives and international agreements relating to the management and protection of the environment and adapting to and mitigating climate change have become more central to the operation of the planning system.
Updated Rural Housing Guidelines are currently being considered by my Department. The updated guidelines will expand on the high level spatial planning policy of the National Planning Framework (NPF), in particular on National Policy Objective (NPO) 28 which relates to rural housing. This objective makes a clear policy distinction between rural areas under urban influence (i.e. areas within the commuter catchment of cities, large towns and centres of employment) on the one hand, and structurally weaker rural areas where population levels may be low or declining, on the other. NPO 28 is also aligned with the established approach whereby considerations of social or economic need are to be applied by planning authorities in rural areas under urban influence.
The draft Rural Housing Guidelines will set out relevant planning criteria to be applied in local authority development plans for rural housing, based on the high level policy framework set by the NPF. The guidelines will continue to allow county development plans to provide for housing in the countryside based on the considerations detailed in NPO 28 of the NPF, and will also highlight the need to manage development in certain areas, such as the areas around cities and larger towns and environmentally sensitive areas, in order to avoid over-development.
While planning policy is a national, as opposed to an EU competence, due care is being taken to ensure the updated guidelines will not operate to conflict with fundamental EU freedoms, comply with EU environmental legislative requirements and have due regard to decisions of the European Court of Justice. The draft planning guidelines will address these complex environmental and legal issues, while also providing a framework for the sustainable management of housing in rural areas.
Section 10 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 sets out mandatory objectives which must be addressed by local authorities in their Development Plan. Where there is a Gaeltacht area within the planning authority’s administrative area, the development plan must include provisions and objectives for “the protection of the linguistic and cultural heritage of the Gaeltacht including the promotion of Irish as the community language”.
The Development Plans Guidelines for Planning Authorities published in July 2022 give further guidance to local authorities, including reflecting the Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas (Limistéar Pleanála Teanga – LPTs as required under the Gaeltacht Act 2012) as well as the inclusion of further policies such as ensuring that development proposals in Gaeltacht areas have a positive impact on the linguistic and cultural heritage that can be robustly assessed at planning application stage.
An Interdepartmental Group (comprising my Department, the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (DRCDG) and Údarás na Gaeltachta) is still continuing its work in developing specific planning guidance for Gaeltacht areas. There is also a separate Working Group made up of both Departments and Údarás na Gaeltachta and the relevant local authorities with Gaeltacht areas. Interdepartmental Group and Working Group meetings took place in 2023 and bilateral Departmental engagement continued into 2024 and is ongoing.
Having regard to the need to consider the complex matters involved and further to engagement with the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, finalised draft guidelines will be subject to mandatory screening under EU law for Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), as well as for the purposes of Appropriate Assessment (AA). It is intended that, in consultation with DRCDG, subject to the outcome of the screening exercises, the draft guidelines will then be published for public consultation.
Our Living Islands – National Islands Policy 2023-2033, which comes under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, sets out the Government’s ambition to ensure our offshore islands continue to support sustainable and vibrant communities and allow for a continuing sustainable tourism product. The policy’s initial Action Plan 2023 – 2026, sets out numerous actions under the five strategic objectives:
• Revitalise population levels on the islands;
• Diversify island economics;
• Enhance health and wellbeing services;
• Empower island communities;
• Build smart sustainable futures.
The revised National Planning Framework, approved in April 2025, also recognises the need to sustain vibrant rural communities on our offshore islands. National Policy Objective 23 seeks to protect and promote the islands as attractive places to live, work and visit. National Policy Objective 49 supports the sustainable growth and development of the maritime economy and recognises the need to continue to invest in the seafood sector and Fishery Harbour Centres, particularly in remote rural coastal communities and islands. County and City Development Plans are statutorily required to be consistent with the National Policy Objectives of the NPF.
At a broader level, each development plan is required to relate to the whole functional area of the local authority concerned by virtue of section 9(2) of the Planning and Development Act 2000, including any island communities. Planning authorities also retain the option of preparing a local area plan for any particular part of their functional area, including the islands. This is decision for the planning authority concerned and the power to adopt a local area plan rests with the elected members. The Planning and Development Act 2024 includes specific provisions (sections 52 and 72), which when commenced, will continue to ensure that planning authorities make specific provision for island communities in their development plan, and through priority area plans.
488. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to publish the Mulcahy report or a summary of the report into planning irregularities in Donegal. [35994/25]
View answerI am considering the report, entitled 'A Review Into Certain Planning Matters in Respect of Donegal County Council', by Mr. Rory Mulcahy S.C., and will bring this matter to Government for consideration in due course.
The review is a scoping report and as such it does not make findings as to the truth or otherwise of allegations that have been made by an individual against named persons. The Attorney General's office has been consulted on both the content of the report and also on the issue of its potential publication and dissemination.
Further, regarding the publication of the Mulcahy Report, the decisions of the Commissioner for Environmental Information (OCE-103174-W9G4J2 (Legacy Reference CEI-18-0019)) of 13 February 2019 and the Information Commissioner (OIC-59426-Q8D7T8) of 27 February 2020 in relation to requests to publish this report will also be taken into account. Both decisions are publicly available on those organisations websites.
It should be noted that in each of these cases, both the Commissioner for Environmental Information and the Information Commissioner decided not to grant access to the report. The Office of the Information Commissioner decision stated "placing the details concerned in the public domain would significantly breach the rights to privacy of identifiable individuals." Furthermore, the decision of the Office of the Commissioner for Environmental Information notes that the report does not contain "significant "wider" recommendations" that could be applicable to the planning system as a whole.
Therefore, this is a matter that requires careful consideration given that the report details unproven allegations against named persons.
489. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has received any responses from the chief executives of Roscommon County Council and Galway County Council following the Cabinet’s ratification and circulation of the planning framework to local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36002/25]
View answerMy Department has received no correspondence relating to the ratification and circulation of the National Planning Framework from either the chief executive of Roscommon County Council or Galway County Council as of 27 June 2025.
490. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline details of an unpublished 2023 directive from his Department to local authorities instructing them to purchase homes with tenants in situ where possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36071/25]
View answerThe Tenant in Situ Scheme was introduced in 2023 and was operated at that time as set out in Circular 08/2023, Arrangements for Social Housing Acquisitions in 2023.
The programme was developed and implemented to provide consistent and clear support to individual LA's in their approach to acquiring properties in line with the parameters and operation of the Circular.
I am not aware of any unpublished directive that the Question is referring to.
491. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide details on a unit set up within his Department by his predecessor to engage with local authorities in relation to the tenant in situ scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36072/25]
View answerIn 2023, with the introduction of the Tenant in Situ Scheme, a steering group was established to embed the process within local authorities and monitor progress. Tenant in situ requirements are now well established within local authorities and the work of the steering group is now managed by the Social Housing Investment Programme teams within my Department. The individual teams work directly with local authorities to monitor progress, deal with emerging issues at local authority level and ensure a consistent approach across local authorities.
492. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address a query (details supplied) relating to RPZs. [36076/25]
View answerOn 10 June 2025, the Government approved stronger tenancy protections rent controls as part of a suite of measures to boost the supply of new homes and secure and grow the availability of rental accommodation.
The proposals announced by Government will apply to tenancies created (i.e. first time tenancies between parties) from 1 March 2026. With the exception of new build apartments, annual rent increases in all new tenancies created after 1 March 2026 will be capped at the level of inflation (CPI) up to a maximum of 2%. For new build apartments, annual rent increases will be capped at the level of inflation (CPI).
Rent re-setting will be possible for tenancies created from 1 March 2026 and where the previous tenant leaves of their own volition, has breached their tenant obligations or the dwelling is no longer suitable to the accommodation needs of the tenant household. This measure will also facilitate landlords to reduce rents for tenants if they wish, knowing they would be able to reset to the market rent at the start of a new tenancy.
Legislation to give effect to these policy proposals is being prepared and will be published later this year.
493. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline plans to increase the supply of affordable and social housing in the Saggart and Citywest areas, in light of ongoing population growth and housing demand. [36081/25]
View answerThe Government is fully committed to working with all stakeholders to deliver social, affordable and cost rental homes at scale and to continue accelerating housing supply across all tenures. This is demonstrated by the record level of investment which is being provided for the delivery of Housing in 2025, with overall capital funding available of €6.8 billion. The capital provision is supplemented by a further €1.65 billion in current funding to address housing need.
A central element of Housing for All is to build institutional capacity. As part of the measures to support this, Housing for All commits to strengthen the capacity of local authorities to both programme manage and initiate, design, plan, develop and manage housing projects and recognises that this requires the resourcing of the housing services of local authorities. An additional 9.25 post have been approved to support the delivery of social housing projects with another 9 posts approved to support affordable housing projects in your local authority area.
Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) has been identified as a key measure to address increased housing delivery and methods to support increased use of MMC are set out in Pathway 5 of Housing for All. In July 2023 the Roadmap for increased adoption of MMC in Public Housing delivery was published and sets out recommendations to progress the most advanced and efficient construction methods in the delivery of housing.
The Housing for All Land Acquisition Fund was established in 2022 to support local authorities to acquire land to deliver new build social housing schemes and this was extended in 2024 to include land for affordable housing. The fund has an overall allocation of €239m and is managed by the Housing Agency.
My Department has embedded the requirement to adopt a standardised approach for all Social Housing projects through adoption of the Design Manual for Quality Housing and Employers Requirements. Standard internal layouts and CAD Drawings are available to design teams. This is promoting a consistent approach nationally; it is decreasing the amount of time spent on reviewing proposals to achieve value for money; it is shortening detailed design phases; and it allows for a more efficient tender process.
The latest Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR) shows that there were 879 homes on site and at various stages of design and procurement in South Dublin at the end of Quarter 4 2024. All CSRs are available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/
A version of the CSR file can also be downloaded for analysis by local authority, location etc. at this link: opendata.housing.gov.ie/dataset/social-housing-construction-status-report-q4-2024
The Affordable Housing Fund is available on an open, rolling basis to assist local authorities towards the cost of developing affordable housing for purchase or for rent in key urban areas where affordable housing needs have been identified. My Department and the Housing Agency are available to assist South Dublin County Council in this regard.
In support of City and Towns regeneration policies, such as Towns Centre First, the Ready to Build serviced sites scheme is available which supports local authorities to provide sites at a discount to people who want to build their own home. Further information with regard to the scheme is available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/33209-ready-to-build-scheme-serviced-sites-for-new-homes/, or by contacting directly the Vacant Homes officer at South Dublin County Council.
The First Home Scheme supports first-time buyers in purchasing new homes on the private market through the use of an equity share model, similar to that employed in the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme. The Scheme aims to support in the region of 8,000 households in acquiring new homes in the private market in the years 2022 to 2026 with an overall budget of €400 million. The scheme is available nationwide.
Other measures such as the Local Authority Home Loan, the Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Scheme, the Help to Buy Incentive, and the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant are also available nationwide to help make home ownership more affordable.
My Department provides funding of €60,000 per annum to support each local authority's Vacant Homes Office, including a Vacant Homes Officer (VHO), this was increased from €50,000 in 2022. This supports the commitment in Housing for All to ensure that the VHO role in each local authority is full time. The provision of central funding reinforces the capacity of local authorities, including through the important role of VHOs, to ensure a dedicated focus on tackling vacancy and dereliction. Since 2023, all 31 local authorities have a full-time VHO in place
In addition my Department has provided funding of €180,000 to support each local authority in their administration of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant Scheme.
My Department publishes comprehensive programme-level statistics on a quarterly basis on social and affordable housing delivery activity by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in each local authority. This data is available to the end of Q4 2024, and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/
494. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if, in light of the timeline for the 2027 census, he will set out the subsequent timelines for completion and publication by the Electoral Commission of boundary reviews for, respectively, local electoral areas; European constituencies; and Dáil constituencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36098/25]
View answerChapter 7 of Part 2 of the Electoral Reform Act 2022 provides for the review of Dáil and European Parliament constituencies by An Coimisiún Toghcháin while Chapter 8 of Part 2 of the Act sets out the framework for future reviews of local electoral areas also by An Coimisiún Toghcháin.
In the case of reviews to Dáil and European Parliament constituencies, section 56 of the Act provides that An Coimisiún shall conduct a review of all constituencies following the publication, by the Central Statistics Office, of the preliminary results of a Census of Population of the State. Section 57 of the Act sets out the terms of reference in respect of the review of both Dáil and European Parliament constituencies while section 58 provides that the Report of An Coimisiún Toghcháin in respect of Dáil and European Parliament constituencies shall be completed and published within three months of the publication of the final Census results.
Section 23 of the Local Government Act 2001 empowers the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to divide, by order, a local authority area into local electoral areas and to amend those areas. However, where a review of local electoral areas is proposed, in advance of deciding to make an order under section 23 of the Act, the Minister must, in accordance Part V of the Local Government Act 1991 (as amended), request An Coimisiún Toghcháin to make a report having regard to such matters as may be specified by the Minister.
Before making a request to An Coimisiún, section 61 of the Electoral Reform Act 2022 provides that the Minister shall lay a draft of the request before each House of the Oireachtas for approval by resolution by each House.
Following the completion of a review, the Minister must publish the report of An Coimisiún and must have regard to the report in deciding whether to make an order in relation to any amendment to local electoral area boundaries.
495. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of vacant council houses in Kerry; how soon they will be available for new tenants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36119/25]
View answerLocal authorities will always have a level of vacancy in their housing stock, which will fluctuate over time, as tenancy surrender and re-letting of stock is a rolling process. Therefore, ongoing data in relation to vacant local authority owned homes is not routinely collated by my Department.
Notwithstanding that, statistics in relation to social housing stock, at a point in time, are published by the National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC) in their Annual Reports on Performance Indicators in Local Authorities. These reports provide a range of information in relation to social housing stock, including levels of vacancy and average turnaround times for re-letting local authority owned properties. The most recent report for 2023 is available on the NOAC website at the following link:
www.noac.ie/18-september-2024-local-authority-performance-indicator-report-2023/
496. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an updated list of all email addresses and phone lines for use by Oireachtas Members within his Department, including all subsidiary bodies, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36142/25]
View answerA list of the email and phone numbers for the key offices within my Department is available on my Department's website at this link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/organisation-information/contact-the-dept-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/
Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact details are set out in the table below:
|
Bodies under the Aegis of DHLGH |
Oireachtas email |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie |
|
An Fóram Uisce |
oireachtas@nationalwaterforum.ie |
|
Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority |
oireachtasqueries@ahbregulator.ie |
|
Docklands Oversight and Consultative Forum |
infodocklands@dublincity.ie |
|
Electoral Commission |
oireachtas@electoralcommission.ie |
|
Gas Networks Ireland |
oireachtas@gasnetworks.ie |
|
Heritage Council |
oireachtas@heritagecouncil.ie |
|
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
Oireachtas@housingagency.ie |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie |
|
Land Development Agency |
oireachtas@lda.ie |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
oireachtasmemberqueries@lgma.ie |
|
National Oversight and Audit Commission |
oireachtas@noac.ie |
|
National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee |
ntacc@housing.gov.ie |
|
Office of the Planning Regulator |
oireachtas@opr.ie |
|
Pyrite Resolution Board |
oireachtasinfo@pyriteboard.ie |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie |
|
Tailte Éireann |
Oireachtas@tailte.ie |
|
Uisce Éireann |
oireachtasmembers@water.ie |
|
Valuation Tribunal |
oireachtas@valuationtribunal.ie |
|
Waterways Ireland |
oireachtas@waterwaysireland.org |
497. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will respond to concerns on the new rent pressure zone rules (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36179/25]
View answerOn 10 June 2025, the Government approved stronger tenancy protections and greater certainty for the rental sector, including the introduction of a national rent control, as part of a suite of measures to boost the supply of new homes and secure and grow the availability of rental accommodation.
For new tenancies (i.e. first time tenancy between parties) created from 1 March 2026, a landlord will be allowed to set the rent to market value at the start of the tenancy and at the end of every 6-year period that the tenancy continues to exist. Rent re-setting will only be allowed if the previous tenant leaves of their own volition, has breached their tenant obligations or the dwelling is no longer suitable to the accommodation needs of the tenant household. This measure will also facilitate landlords to reduce rents for tenants if they wish, knowing they would be able to reset to the market rent at the start of a new tenancy.
In order to provide greater security of tenure to tenants, legislative changes will apply to significantly restrict ‘no fault evictions’. These changes will significantly enhance the current provision of tenancies of unlimited duration with the introduction of tenancies of minimum duration (TMD), involving rolling 6-year tenancies, for any new tenancy created from 1 March 2026 by a smaller landlord (with 3 or fewer tenancies) with a new tenant.
Smaller landlords will only be able to terminate a tenancy during the 6 year TMD in limited circumstances:
• where they face hardship, which will be defined in legislation (e.g. separation/homelessness/emigrant returning from abroad/bankruptcy);
• they require the dwelling for occupation by the landlord and/or an immediate family member (i.e. parent/child/spouse/civil partner).
For larger landlords, it is intended that 'no fault evictions' will not be possible.
All landlords will continue to have the right to terminate a tenancy where there is a breach of tenant obligations or where the dwelling is no longer suited to the needs of the tenant household and all landlords will have the option to sell with tenant in situ. There are no proposed changes relating to the ending of existing tenancies.
Legislation to give effect to these policy proposals is being prepared and will be published later this year.
498. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline, in light of recent reports concerning the status of the tenant in situ scheme in Cork city and Cork county, the number of acquisitions currently paused or delayed due to funding constraints in each of these local authorities; whether he intends to provide supplementary funding to address the reported €1.7 million shortfall that is preventing both Cork City Council and Cork County Council from completing purchase agreements already initiated under the scheme; whether his Department will consider reallocating underutilised funds from other local authorities to areas of acute need such as Cork; the measures being taken to ensure that local authorities can continue to use the scheme effectively as a homelessness-prevention tool in 2025 and beyond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36221/25]
View answerThe clear focus of Government is to increase the supply of new build social and affordable homes. This is key to addressing the housing challenge and in particular preventing and ultimately eliminating long term homelessness, and that unquestionably must be the priority for all local authorities including Cork City Council and Cork County Council.
My Department is continuing to provide substantial financial support to local authorities to acquire second-hand properties for priority categories of need including tenants-in-situ who have been in receipt of supports under HAP or RAS and who had received a Notice of Termination. The other priority categories for second-hand acquisitions are properties that allow persons/families to exit homelessness; was the case in previous years, local authorities are best placed to determine the most appropriate way to prioritise which acquisitions to pursue within the priority categories for second hand acquisitions, based on needs within their area, including tenant in situ, at the same time supporting anyone who is in threat of homelessness via their Tenancy Sustainment and Placefinder services.
one-bedroom properties to deliver on Housing First targets; and specific housing required for people with a disability or the elderly.
Over the last three years, my Department has provided funding for second hand acquisitions for a number of priority categories, including Tenant -in -Situ, demonstrating a clear commitment to respond to shorter-term pressures that can arise. This year we are providing €325 million to local authorities for second-hand acquisitions, this gives them the flexibility to respond to these acute situations, while we continue to support their construction programmes. Of that €325m, €8m has been set aside as a contingency that will be used as necessary to round off a local authorities allocation later in the year if the amount remaining to them is insufficient to meet the full costs of an additional acquisition or approved refurbishment costs.
Cork City Council has been given an initial capital funding allocation of €20 million for their acquisitions activity this year of which they have drawn down c. €8.2m (41%) while Cork County Council has received an allocation of €15m of which they have drawn down c. €3.1m (21%). Nationally, to date in 2025, local authorities have recouped approximately 30% of the total funding allocated.
As my Department continues to engage with all local authorities to address any challenges which have emerged in order to ensure that tenant in situ acquisitions can continue in 2025 where no other solutions exist for the affected households.
499. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when specific turf cutting compensation scheme payments will be issued to plot holders at Ballynagrenia bog, Moate, County Westmeath (details supplied); and when this payment will be issued. [36224/25]
View answerThe Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme was established in 2011 for active domestic turf cutters arising from the restrictions on turf cutting on raised bog special areas of conservation and was extended in 2014 to include raised bog natural heritage areas. This scheme is applicable to turf cutters who have been affected by the designation of raised bogs as special areas of conservation and natural heritage areas and who fulfil the qualifying criteria of the scheme. It is comprised of a payment of €1,500 per annum, index-linked, for 15 years, or relocation, where feasible, to a non-designated bog, together with payment of €500 on the signing of a legal agreement under the scheme.
Annual payments under the scheme for qualifying applicants are generally made from the second quarter of each year in order to facilitate applicants in the provision of fuel for the following winter period. Annual payments for 2025 under the scheme continue to be made on a weekly basis. My Department expects these payments to applicants who fulfil the qualifying criteria of the scheme to be completed before the end of the third quarter of 2025.
