Written Answers Nos. 61-80
61. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to expand the provision of modular housing; the number of modular units which have been built since 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53633/25]
View answerThe promotion of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) to deliver housing is a key priority for Government. MMC boosts productivity and supports the scaling up of new housing supply. MMC is a collective term which describes a number of innovative alternatives to traditional on-site construction methods and includes modular construction.
Housing for All has made significant progress in promoting the use of MMC through a range of initiatives. A key measure to support MMC includes the Accelerated Delivery Programme which will deliver over 1,500 social homes through Local Authorities and which was open to all forms of MMC including 2D and 3D systems.
Other specific modular housing programmes, which have been progressed by Government, include:
• A pilot social housing project by Wexford County Council for 22 modular homes at a site in New Ross, supported by funding from my Department.
• Cork City Council has commenced a project to provide transitional shared housing via modular units in the Mahon area in Cork City. The project is currently on site and due to be delivered by end of year. This will deliver 38 single-storey modular homes.
• The “Rapid Build Housing” programme of 654 temporary units delivered by the Office of Public Works (OPW) for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection
The number of modular units built since 2023 is not available but measures are being undertaken that will soon facilitate collection of MMC data going forward.
Further measures to promote the provision of modular housing are being considered as part of the new housing plan and will be announced when the plan is published.
62. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to revise the first home scheme house value limits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53577/25]
View answerThe First Home Scheme 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).
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, First Home Scheme announced it would review all price ceilings at 6-month intervals. The DAC takes 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 2025, the First Home Scheme DAC published the outcome of its sixth scheduled review of the price-ceilings that apply to qualifying homes. New price-ceilings were agreed for 16 local authority areas, and came into effect on 1 July 2025. The next 6 monthly review of price ceilings is scheduled to take place by the end of the year.
More information on price-ceiling reviews is available on the First Home Scheme website.
63. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps his Department is taking to increase the number of long-term private rental houses across the country. [53286/25]
View answerThe Government continues to bring forward measures to boost supply across all tenures, including the private rental market. The recently revised National Planning Framework is a major step forward in this regard, and will help increase capacity and accelerate home building across the country, while the new Housing Activation Office will work to address barriers to the delivery of infrastructure projects needed to enable housing development.
Viability presents an ongoing challenge to the delivery of apartments, where a considerable gap has emerged between the cost of delivering apartment development and comparable general housing market prices. My Department is focussed on addressing viability issues in relation to apartment developments and measures to activate those planning permissions already in the system.
In June, the Government announced changes to the regulation of the rental market. The changes were aimed with attracting increased investment in the rental market, while also providing stronger protections for renters. The changes were announced following the submission of a report from the Housing Agency - ‘Review of Rent Pressure Zones and Potential Policy Options’, which recommended the modification of rent controls. From 1 March 2026, a national rent control will be introduced to all tenancies which will limit rent increases for properties, other than new build apartments, to inflation (CPI) up to a maximum of 2%. For new build apartments, rent increases will be capped at the level of inflation (2%), aimed at supporting investment in the construction of new apartments.
In order to stimulate new investment and keep existing landlords in the market, resetting of rents to market value for new tenancies (i.e. a first time tenancy between parties) created on or after 1 March 2026 will be allowed, subject to certain restrictions. Legislation to give effect to these policy changes is being developed by my Department in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General.
64. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to implement a State savings scheme, similar to the Social Democrats' homes for Ireland State savings scheme, to fund the delivery of affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53900/25]
View answerThe Government committed in January 2025 to introduce an all of government national housing plan to follow Housing for All, underpinned by multi-annual funding. As part of this, all Departments have examined potential actions to further scale up the delivery of homes of all tenures.
A programme of targeted stakeholder engagement has been undertaken. Written submissions have been received from across Government and from a range of external stakeholders including state agencies, the community and voluntary sector, industry and academics. These submissions have been carefully considered. I have also met with many stakeholders to hear first-hand what actions they think should be reflected in the Plan.
There is a high rate of savings in the State and indeed the high savings deposit rate we see in Ireland today reflects the success of our economy in recent years. Some stakeholders have suggested that more could be done to harness those domestic savings to fund housing delivery, including introducing a state savings scheme similar to the Livret A model in France.
I would like thank to Deputy Hearne for providing the Social Democrats “Homes for Ireland’ State savings scheme proposal which puts forward a similar model to provide capital for the delivery of affordable homes.
As the area of savings comes under the remit of the Minister for Finance, I have asked my Department to engage with his Department to establish the potential benefits of the introduction of any further new savings scheme specific to housing over and above the products which are already available to the public.
65. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to review social housing income thresholds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53574/25]
View answerHousing for All includes a commitment to review income eligibility for social housing. From this review, completed in November 2021, it was recommended moving five local authorities from Band 3 to Band 2, ensuring the income eligibility thresholds better reflect housing costs in those counties. Government also agreed to increase the baseline income thresholds by €5,000 for all local authorities with effect from 1 January 2023. The thresholds thus increased to €40,000, €35,000 and €30,000 for Bands 1, 2 and 3 respectively.
The review further recommended the commissioning of research to develop options for a revised or new social housing income eligibility model. My Department received this detailed research, commissioned by the Housing Agency. The scope of the research included examining the existing income limits in the context of current market and population conditions and the suitability or otherwise of the current framework having regard to the significantly changed landscape since the standardised income limits were introduced.
My Department's examination of the report is ongoing. This detailed examination will include consultation with stakeholders and will look at, inter alia, how the social housing income limits system interacts with other housing supports and ensure that they continue to target households correctly.
66. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will meet with the Lough Neagh stakeholders group to discuss the current ecological crisis impacting on the lake, and by extension to the sections of the wider river basin management area that fall within the counties under his jurisdiction. [53751/25]
View answerI acknowledge the very challenging situation in relation to managing and reversing the poor water quality witnessed in Lough Neagh. Responsibility for the management of environmental pressures in the catchment area of Lough Neagh lies primarily with the authorities in Northern Ireland. Monaghan County Council, with the support of the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) shared service, is the lead environmental authority in relation to catchment management in the small area (374 km2 or just over 6% out of a total area of 5,787km2 for the entire Lough Neagh catchment) of the Blackwater catchment that flows into the Bann catchment. This area of the catchment contains a mix of urban, agricultural, and forestry land, all of which can contribute to the problem of blue-green algae blooms.
The level of cooperation between authorities north and south has been high historically and we wish to continue this cooperation. Officials from my Department are engaging with officials from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs through the reconstituted North / South Water Quality Coordination Group, which will meet on a regular basis to discuss cross-border water quality matters. My Department is available to coordinate assistance from relevant authorities in the Blackwater sub-catchment which lies within the Republic of Ireland, or other relevant technical knowledge and experience, if the authorities in Northern Ireland consider it helpful.
67. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the manner in which his Department will assist local authorities in further promoting the croí cónaithe scheme and the vacant property refurbishment grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53571/25]
View answerAddressing vacancy and making efficient use of existing housing stock is a key priority for Government.
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, introduced in July 2022 under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund, supports bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use as homes. A grant of up to €50,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent. A top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed to be derelict bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000.
The level of interest in and take-up of the Grant has been significant since it was launched. To the end of June 2025, over 13,700 grant applications have been received across the country, almost 10,000 have been approved and over 2,800 grants have been paid, amounting to over €155 million.
My Department publishes data on the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant on its website on a quarterly basis, which includes a breakdown of the grants paid per local authority and the total amount of grants paid. This data can be accessed at the following link: Vacancy grant statistics: www.gov.ie/en/collection/4bbe4-vacant-property-refurbishment-grant-statistics/#:~:text=A%20grant%20of%20up%20to,property%20up%20to%20%E2%82%AC70%2C000
My Department provides annual funding of €60,000 to support the work of a Vacant Homes Office including a Vacant Homes Officer (VHO). This supports the commitment to ensure that VHOs are 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 with a view to increasing the opportunities for residential development.
All 31 local authorities now have a full time, dedicated VHO in place.
The role of the VHO in each local authority is:
• To actively promote and lead the uptake within the local authority of various initiatives, schemes and funding programmes to address vacancy and bring vacant properties into residential use;
• To actively engage with owners of vacant properties and other relevant stakeholders and promote use of relevant schemes and supports to bring vacant properties into use;
• To collect, monitor and assess vacancy data locally and use that data to actively engage with property owners and promote schemes to encourage activation of properties; and
• Play a communication, promotion and advisory role both internally within the local authority and externally as a contact point for members of the public and key interested parties on vacant homes/properties.
VHOs across local authorities are supported in their work by the Vacant Homes Unit in my Department, which provides information and facilitates dissemination of information and best practice, including through the VHO Network.
68. Deputy Máire Devine asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether national guidance exists for social housing tenants and applicants fleeing domestic, sexual, and gender violence to another local jurisdiction; whether he is aware that local authority councils are instructing those abuse survivor transfer applicants to return to their original jurisdiction where they may not have a support network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52820/25]
View answerThe response to Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (DSGBV) is a cross-Departmental and multi-agency issue, with overall policy coordinated by the Department of Justice. Responsibility for the development and provision of services to support victims rests with my colleague the Minister for Justice working in conjunction with Cuan, the statutory DSGBV agency under the remit of the Department of Justice.
In 2017, my Department issued policy and procedural guidance to local authorities relating to the role they can play to assist victims of domestic violence. The issuing of this 2017 policy and guidance was a significant action in the second national strategy on DSGBV 2016-2021, and has since played an important role in addressing the housing needs of victims and survivors of DSGBV, providing direction to local authorities in supporting victims of domestic violence. It covers a range of scenarios that may arise for victims of domestic violence currently in receipt of social housing support and those seeking social housing supports. These include provisions around the use of the Housing Assistance Payment scheme, or the Rental Accommodation Scheme, where a victim has a joint interest in the family home, or ownership of alternative accommodation, but would otherwise qualify for social housing support.
In June 2022 the Department of Justice published Zero Tolerance, the Third National Strategy on DSGBV 2022-2026. As an action in this strategy, my Department committed to a review of the 2017 Policy and Procedural Guidance for Housing Authorities in relation to assisting victims of domestic violence with emergency and long-term accommodation needs in order to ensure continuing effectiveness and consistency in responses to assist victims of domestic violence. My Department is currently engaging with Cuan in relation to this review and proposed recommendations arising from the review. Any updates to the policy and guidance will be communicated to local authorities in due course. In the meantime, local authorities operate in accordance with the 2017 Guidance.
Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual local authorities. Decisions on the assessment of households for homeless services, the most appropriate form of such support, and the allocation of that support are a matter for the local authority concerned.
Under the Housing Act 1988 it is a matter for each local authority to determine whether a person is regarded as homeless; section 2 of the Act sets out the requirements in this regard. When a household has been assessed as homeless, section 10 of the Housing Act 1988, provides that a local authority may provide accommodation and related services to that household.
Any household assessed as homeless may be placed into temporary emergency accommodation without the requirement to undergo a social housing assessment, allowing local authorities the flexibility that is essential to respond quickly and effectively to the various needs of cases that may arise.
Normally, emergency accommodation is provided by the relevant local authority where an applicant has a local connection, or normally resides, in order to meet an individual’s long-term housing need. However, local authorities have discretion to provide accommodation and related homeless services to a household which has been assessed as homeless and which resides outside the local authority functional area.
Operational issues in the day to day delivery of services, including provision of emergency accommodation provided through a local authority, are a matter for the relevant local authority. The Minister is prevented from intervening in relation to the procedures followed, or decisions made, by local authorities in the provision of housing support in relation to any individual.
With regard to social housing support, the qualification criteria for social housing support are set down in Section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.
A household may apply for social housing support to one local authority only, which may be the authority for the area in which the household normally resides or with which it has a local connection, or where the authority agrees, at its discretion, to assess the household for support.
Therefore, in accordance with the Regulations there is discretion for a local authority to accept applications from any household, including people fleeing domestic violence, that is not resident in its functional area without having established a local connection with the authority’s functional area. Accepting such an application is entirely a matter for the individual authority concerned.
69. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of the report recently published by the National Oversight and Audit Commission which warned that the Government is unlikely to meet its targets to retrofit more than 36,000 houses; the measures he will take to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53722/25]
View answerIn 2021 a new holistic approach was applied to the Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme (EERP). Designed around the Programme for Government's commitment, led by the Department for the Environment, Climate and Communications, it calls for the 'retrofit' of 500,000 homes to a minimum B2 BER Rating standard by 2030, of which approximately 36,500 are expected to be local authority owned homes, with grant funding provided by my Department for those local authority housing retrofits.
Works eligible under my Department's revised EERP include attic/cavity wall insulation or external wall insulation where required, windows and doors replacement, heat pump installation and ancillary and associated works.
The programme is well established and remains popular with the local authorities. Current indicators shows appetite remains strong in the sector. By the end of 2025, it is anticipated close to 11,000 units will have been retrofitted under the programme. Government remains committed to meeting the LA retrofitting targets to 2030 and a considerable uplift in output is expected in the coming years.
71. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the public consultation for review of exempted development received submissions advocating for the introduction of a statutory exemption from planning permission for the installation of electric vehicle charging arms on public footpaths (details supplied); his views on applying such a planning permission exemption if the continued requirement for planning permission once section 83 of the Planning and Development Act 2024 is commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53903/25]
View answer79. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on plans to provide a clear regulatory framework for the installation of small-scale modular or ‘backyard’ units, to support families seeking accommodation solutions on their own property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53678/25]
View answer84. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the proposed change to the exempted development regulations. [53747/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 71, 79 and 84 together.
The Planning and Development Act 2024 (Act of 2024) was enacted in October 2024 and is in the process of being commenced. In the meantime, the provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (Act of 2000), and associated Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (Regulations of 2001) remain in force until the relevant sections of the Act of 2024 are commenced and the corresponding sections of the Act of 2000 are repealed. Unless specifically exempted, all development requires planning permission.
A review of the current Exempted Development Regulations is ongoing and a four-week public consultation period on the matter concluded on 26 August 2025. The consultation on exempted development regulations generated a significant response from the public, with almost 1,000 submissions received via the online consultation portal.
These submissions are currently being reviewed and will inform new draft Exempted Development Regulations, which must then be subject to screening for Environmental Assessment, before being laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. This will also necessitate engagement with the Joint Oireachtas Committee for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
New Regulations under the Planning and Development Act 2024 (the Act of 2024) will be signed into law in tandem with the commencement of Part 2 and Part 4 of the Act of 2024 and the updated exempted development provisions will form part of the new Regulations. While the commencement of Part 4 of the Act of 2024 is currently scheduled for the end of 2025 certain elements of the new exempted development provisions, including agricultural effluent storage arising from the need to facilitate compliance with the EU Nitrates Directive, will be progressed for advance inclusion in the current Regulations and will also be carried forward into the new Regulations.
73. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applicants that have availed of the first home scheme by county; the amount that is drawn down in monetary value; the number of applicants that have availed of the help to buy scheme by county; and the amount drawn down in monetary value, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53897/25]
View answerThe First Home Scheme, which launched in July 2022, is a shared equity scheme, designed to help bridge the gap between the deposit and mortgage for eligible first-time buyers, Fresh Start applicants and self-builders, and the price of their new home (within price ceilings established across the country). Full details are available on the First Home Scheme website.
The First Home Scheme Designated Activity Company is responsible for the operation and management of the First Home Scheme on behalf of its shareholders - the State, Allied Irish Bank, Bank of Ireland and Permanent TSB and, as such, is responsible for First Home Scheme reporting.
Quarterly and annual updates are made available on the First Home Scheme website at the following link: www.firsthomescheme.ie/about-the-company/quarterly-updates/. The most recent report, Q2 2025, indicated 7,605 applicants had been issued with Eligibility Certs for the scheme and 3,691 homes purchased or built. The Q2 report further detailed that 72% of Eligibility Certs had issued in Dublin, Kildare, Cork, Meath and Wicklow and on average the scheme has provided €66,324 in equity support to applicants.
The First Home 2024 Annual Report also includes detailed information in relation to the number of homes in each local authority area supported under the scheme and this is also available through the FHS website at the following link: www.firsthomescheme.ie/about-the-company/annual-reports/.
My Department publishes quarterly data on overall affordable housing provision, with the delivery figures for the First Home Scheme broken down by Local Authority area available on our website here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/overall-social-and-affordable-housing-provision/.
The Help to Buy incentive falls under the remit of the Department of Finance and Revenue and as such, any queries in relation to it would be best directed to that Department.
74. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will ensure that the new housing plan makes it possible for Donegal County Council to construct affordable housing projects across the county. [53700/25]
View answerAll local authorities, including Donegal, prepare their own Housing Delivery Action Plan setting out their planned approach to meeting identified social and affordable housing needs.
Donegal County Council has published its plan for the years 2022-2026 at the following link: www.donegalcoco.ie/en/services/housing/plans-policies-and-publications/housing-delivery-action-plan.
The Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) is available to assist local authorities towards the cost of developing affordable purchase or cost rental homes where significant affordability needs have been identified.
My Department understands that Donegal is proactively exploring opportunities for suitable AHF projects.
The Ready to Build serviced sites scheme enables local authorities to provide sites at a discount to eligible applicants who want to build their own home. The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant continues to support the purchase and refurbishment of vacant and derelict properties. Both these affordable housing opportunities are promoted on Donegal County Council’s official website.
It is also worth noting that the First Home Scheme is available nationwide to support eligible home buyers in the private new housing market through an equity share arrangement.
My Department, the Housing Agency and Housing Delivery Co-ordination Office of the Local Government Management Association are available to assist Donegal in any aspects of the development of its affordable delivery programme.
75. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures his Department or organisations and agencies related to his Department are taking with respect to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate and the Environment Report on Lady’s Island Lake; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53529/25]
View answerIn relation to Lady’s Island Lake, my colleague, Minister of State, Christopher O’Sullivan has met with officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), Wexford County Council and Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) along with officials from the National Parks and Wildlife (NPWS) & the Water Division within my Department. From this engagement an oversight group for Lady’s Island has been established. This group has met on multiple occasions and is being led and chaired by Wexford County Council. Teagasc also recently joined the group. Minister O'Sullivan has requested that Wexford County Council urgently prepare a specific action plan to deal with the pollution at the lake, which will follow the framework and mechanisms established within the 2024 Water Action Plan.
Lady’s Island Lake is a Priority Area for Action (PAA) under the existing 2024 Water Action Plan and therefore all mechanisms for undertaking scientific and compliance investigations, delivery of advice and implementing regulatory and supplementary measures under the Water Action Plan will be harnessed. This will involve very close engagement between Wexford County Council, LAWPRO, the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory (ASSAP) and the Farming for Water European Innovation Partnership (EIP) programme.
Funding from my Department has already been provided to support a significant component of the action required through the provision of (i) National Agricultural Inspection Programme (NAIP) inspectors in the local authorities who are responsible for investigating farm compliance with the Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) Regulations; (ii) free advice and support for farmers under ASSAP, and co-funding is provided by DAFM and my Department for (iii) the implementation of supplementary measures through the Farming for Water EIP. Any potential further funding requirements will be considered on receipt of a business case from Wexford County Council.
76. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has considered the means by which his Department can assist local authorities in turning about casual vacancies in a more expeditious and cost-effective manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53570/25]
View answer111. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures being taken to reduce the time local authorities take in re-letting vacant homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53886/25]
View answer117. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the discussion he has had with local authorities regarding the vacant housing turnaround times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53576/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 76, 111 and 117 together.
The management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, is a matter for each individual local authority under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. Local authorities also have a legal obligation to ensure all their tenanted properties are compliant with the provisions of the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019.
My Department provides annual funding support to local authorities in preparing vacant units for re-let under the Voids Programme. This funding is provided to support local authorities in their efforts to manage their housing stock efficiently and is in addition to funding from the local authorities own resources.
The emphasis of the programme is on those refurbishment works necessary to comply with the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 to ensure quick turnaround and re-letting times. Works which may be desirable, but which are not required to comply with the aforementioned regulations at the time of vacancy should be deferred and carried out under planned maintenance, over the life cycle of the asset. Where a local authority chooses to do works over and above those which are necessary to comply with the rental standards it can impact re-let times and result in additional costs for the local authority.
I met with the local authority Chief Executives and Directors of Housing earlier this year at a Housing Summit, where the issue of vacancy and allocation of housing was addressed. As part of the Programme for Government, consideration is being given to the introduction of a new Voids Programme with a view to further improving turnaround times of vacant social housing units. I and my Department will continue to engage with the sector on this important issue.
77. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the allocation provided to each local authority in 2024 to complete change of tenancy works on local authority social housing stock, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53176/25]
View answerThe management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, the implementation of a planned maintenance programme and carrying out of responsive repairs, are matters for each individual local authority under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. Local authorities also have a legal obligation to ensure that all of their tenanted properties are compliant with the provisions of the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations, 2019.
The 2024 Programme provided funding of €31 million to local authorities to support the refurbishment and re-letting of a minimum of 2,300 homes, and continue the transition from a reactive, voids approach to a Planned Maintenance approach. The table below details the allocation to all local authorities under the 2024 Planned Maintenance/Voids programme.
|
Local Authority |
Number of units allocated in 2024 |
2024 Funding allocation (€11k average per property) |
Planned Maintenance funding allocation 2024 |
|
Carlow |
30 |
€330,000 |
€65,966 |
|
Cavan |
42 |
€462,000 |
€73,103 |
|
Clare |
48 |
€528,000 |
€97,652 |
|
Cork City |
139 |
€1,529,000 |
€355,714 |
|
Cork County |
114 |
€1,254,000 |
€273,290 |
|
Donegal |
73 |
€803,000 |
€172,325 |
|
Dublin City |
446 |
€4,906,000 |
€916,326 |
|
DLR |
70 |
€770,000 |
€159,282 |
|
Fingal |
94 |
€1,034,000 |
€194,007 |
|
Galway City |
35 |
€385,000 |
€83,209 |
|
Galway County |
41 |
€451,000 |
€90,345 |
|
Kerry |
69 |
€759,000 |
€153,341 |
|
Kildare |
83 |
€913,000 |
€176,901 |
|
Kilkenny |
47 |
€517,000 |
€90,516 |
|
Laois |
40 |
€440,000 |
€79,283 |
|
Leitrim |
18 |
€198,000 |
€36,159 |
|
Limerick |
78 |
€858,000 |
€193,768 |
|
Longford |
42 |
€462,000 |
€75,288 |
|
Louth |
70 |
€770,000 |
€140,640 |
|
Mayo |
33 |
€363,000 |
€79,385 |
|
Meath |
62 |
€682,000 |
€130,226 |
|
Monaghan |
35 |
€385,000 |
€60,128 |
|
Offaly |
24 |
€264,000 |
€68,630 |
|
Roscommon |
26 |
€286,000 |
€47,938 |
|
Sligo |
34 |
€374,000 |
€74,707 |
|
South Dublin |
148 |
€1,628,000 |
€333,008 |
|
Tipperary |
88 |
€968,000 |
€181,920 |
|
Waterford |
82 |
€902,000 |
€187,076 |
|
Westmeath |
40 |
€440,000 |
€73,922 |
|
Wexford |
66 |
€726,000 |
€163,585 |
|
Wicklow |
83 |
€913,000 |
€172,360 |
|
|
2300 |
€25,300,000 |
€5,000,000 |
80. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the legislative amendments to the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022; to provide a timeline for these changes to be enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53450/25]
View answerThe Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act) commenced on 22 June 2023 which contains the current grant scheme and the related Regulations were adopted on 29 June 2023.
I received Government approval (on 4 June, 2025) for the priority drafting of the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks (Amendment) Bill which includes details of the wider group of relevant owners that can avail of increases in the grant scheme cap and rates approved in October and November 2024. The Bill will also include other technical amendments to ensure the continued smooth operation of the grant scheme for homeowners.
This legislation is being progressed as expeditiously as possible and the Bill is included in the Autumn 2025 Government Legislation Programme for Priority Publication.
