Eoin Ó Broin
Question:577. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if EU Cohesion Policy Funding has been allocated to any social and affordable housing programmes in his Department. [63230/25]
View answerHousing Schemes
Questions (577)
Written answers
Details of EU funding received in my Department are set out in Appendix 2 to the Revised Estimates for Public Services (REV) which is available at the following link. assets.gov.ie/static/documents/Revised_Estimates_for_Public_Services_2025.pdf.
The final outturn on EU funding received is set out in the annual Appropriation Account for my Department.
Fire Service
Questions (578)
Colm Burke
Question:578. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update regarding the need for specialised training of fire fighters for electric vehicle fires; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63233/25]
View answerWritten answers
My Department, through the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM), supports fire authorities by establishing fire service policy, setting national standards for fire safety and fire service provision, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for priority infrastructural projects. The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Act, 1981.
The NDFEM has developed a suite of Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs) addressing many areas of fire safety. SOG 5.1 ‘Incidents Involving Electricity’ examines the hazards, risks and controls that relate to incidents that involve electricity. SOG 4.07 ‘Incidents Involving Alternative Fuel Vehicles’ examines the hazards, risks and control measures to personnel of Fire Authorities, personnel of other agencies and members of the public that relate to incidents that involve Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFVs). The core training that operational personnel receive through national courses and locally adopted SOGs underpins a risk based approach to safe working at incidents involving Alternative Fuel Vehicles.
Defective Building Materials
Questions (579)
Joe Neville
Question:579. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage if his Department will provide an update on the supports a family (details supplied) will be provided with after their house was found to have traces of pyrite thereby decreasing their houses value; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63255/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provides the statutory framework for the establishment of the Pyrite Resolution Board and the implementation of the Pyrite Remediation Scheme, which is administered by the Board with the support of the Housing Agency.
Given this statutory position, my Department does not comment on individual cases.
The provisions of the Act apply solely to dwellings affected by significant damage attributable to pyritic heave, resulting from the presence of reactive pyrite in the subfloor hardcore material. The Scheme was established to remediate such dwellings where the swelling of hardcore beneath ground floor slabs has caused structural damage.
A copy of the document outlining the Scheme can be found on the Pyrite Resolution Board website: www.pyriteboard.ie/Quick-Links.aspx.
Application can be made to the Pyrite Resolution Board, where information on the supports available to those homeowners whose property is considered eligible for remediation can be obtained.
Defective Building Materials
Questions (580)
Aisling Dempsey
Question:580. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage for an update on the inclusion of grade 1 homes in the pyrite scheme, as committed to in the Programme for Government. [63263/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provides the statutory framework for the establishment of the Pyrite Resolution Board and the implementation of the Pyrite Remediation Scheme, which is administered by the Board with the support of the Housing Agency.
The provisions of the Act apply solely to dwellings affected by significant damage attributable to pyritic heave, resulting from the presence of reactive pyrite in the subfloor hardcore material. The Scheme was established to remediate such dwellings where the swelling of hardcore beneath ground floor slabs has caused structural damage.
The eligibility criteria and full terms of the Scheme are outlined on the Pyrite Resolution Board (PRB) website.
I have recently secured government approval to extend the current Scheme to allow for applications that potentially have a damage condition rating (DCR) of 1 with progression as is provided for in the Act. The proposal is to include applications from homes with a Damage Condition Rating (DCR) of 1 that are projected to progress to a DCR of 2 within the next few years, as defined by the Pyrite Resolution Board (PRB).
This proposal meets the commitment contained within the Programme for Government 2025.
I have also secured government approval to set an end date for submission of applications by homeowners for remediation of their homes under the Scheme. Adequate and appropriate notice of the end date for receipt of applications will be provided.
The above widening and wind down amendments will require the PRB to appropriately revise the Scheme, for my consideration and approval. I anticipate this action being completed within weeks and the acceptance of applications that potentially have a damage condition rating (DCR) of 1 with progression beginning shortly thereafter.
The practical effect of these amendments is that remediation work would be expected to continue up to the end of 2029 when it is expected that all dwellings covered by the proposal and approved will be remediated.
Mother and Baby Homes
Questions (581)
Eoin Hayes
Question:581. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his position on if payments under the mother and baby institutions payment scheme come under the category of income that is not assessable and should be disregarded for the purposes of assessing income under the Housing Means Policy in local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63303/25]
View answerWritten answers
Applications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.
The 2011 Regulations prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority, in different bands according to the area concerned, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy. In assessing household income for the purposes of the household means policy, a local authority may decide to disregard income that is once-off, temporary or short-term in nature and which is outside the regular pattern of a person’s annual income.
Examples of once off payments or irregular payments that may be disregarded are outlined in the policy, available at www.gov.ie/en/publication/fb1f2-social-housing-support-household-means-policy/. While the Mother and Baby Institution Payment Scheme is not specifically mentioned, it would fall under this category.
Vacant Properties
Questions (582)
Pat the Cope Gallagher
Question:582. Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage in view of the success of the vacant/derelict grants scheme in Donegal if he will consider a similar type of grant for above the shop units for housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63309/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, introduced in July 2022, provides a grant of up to €50,000 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 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 objective of the grant is to support the refurbishment of vacant and derelict properties, bringing them back into use as homes. In order to qualify for the grant, the property must be vacant for two years or more at the time of application.
The grant is currently available for the conversion of former commercial or public use buildings as well as "Above the Shop" type conversions.
The Governments new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025 – 2030 reinforces and expands the range of existing measures being implemented by Government to tackle the issue of vacancy and dereliction. The plan includes an action to provide further support under the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant for the refurbishment and conversion of above the shop vacant floors for use as homes and further details regarding the implementation of the new support scheme will be made available in the coming months.
In conjunction with the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, other supports and grants may be used to bring these properties in towns and villages into use.
The Conservation Advice Grant is designed to support owners of traditional buildings where the building is a protected structure or located in an architectural conservation area. Buildings previously used for commercial purposes qualify for the grant where the intended use is a dwelling over the shop.
Planning regulations, introduced in 2018, which exempted certain vacant commercial premises, including ‘over the shop’ type spaces, from requiring planning permission to change to residential purposes have been extended. The scope of the exemption was also extended to include ‘public houses’. The exemptions support the reuse of vacant commercial buildings as homes, increasing housing supply and regenerating communities.
Funding is also available under the Repair and Leasing Scheme which provides support for the refurbishment of vacant properties to be used for social housing. This scheme provides an interest free loan of up to €80,000, including VAT, for each individual unit completed in a formerly vacant property. For example, where a vacant former shop is converted into four apartments, a loan of up to €320,000 is available. The scheme is increasingly being used to convert vacant commercial properties into social housing units.
Grant Payments
Questions (583)
Tom Brabazon
Question:583. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if SUSI grants and Erasmus grants are counted as household income for persons on local authority housing lists. [63353/25]
View answerWritten answers
Applications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.
The 2011 Regulations prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority, in different bands according to the area concerned, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy. The Policy provides for a range of income disregards which include payments and supports for students. Local authorities also have discretion to disregard income that is once-off, temporary or short-term in nature and which is outside the regular pattern of a person’s annual income.
More detail on what income is assessable and the full list of disregards is available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/fb1f2-social-housing-support-household-means-policy/.
Departmental Data
Questions (584, 589, 590)
Barry Heneghan
Question:584. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current number of households on the social housing waiting list in Dublin City Council and in Fingal County Council, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63357/25]
View answer
Paul Lawless
Question:589. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications on the social housing waiting list for County Mayo, by town, in tabular form, as of November 2025. [63530/25]
View answerPaul Lawless
Question:590. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing applicants in County Mayo requesting one bedroom, two bedroom, three bedroom and four bedroom accommodation, in tabular form, as of November 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63531/25]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 584, 589 and 590 together.
Details on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority administrative area is provided in the annual statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA).
The most recently published summary for all counties, conducted in November 2024, is available on my Department's website, along with all summaries since 2011 at www.gov.ie/en/collection/62486-summary-of-social-housing-assessments/.
Details of households qualified for social housing support for each local authority are included in tables 1.1 in the report.
In relation to the question regarding the number of housing applicants requesting particular sized accommodation, this information is not held by my Department. However, tables 2.4 and A1.4 of the report provide details on household size.
The SSHA 2025 process is currently underway and I expect to publish the summary report before the end of Q1 2026.
Departmental Data
Questions (585)
Barry Heneghan
Question:585. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage the number of vacant homes identified for Dublin through the vacant homes officer network, by postal code, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63358/25]
View answerWritten answers
Working to end dereliction and vacancy is a key priority in the Government's new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities. Vacant, derelict and neglected buildings are a blight on local communities and it is imperative that these buildings are brought back into use to provide new homes.
Delivering Homes, Building Communities will ensure that the activities and resources used to address vacancy and dereliction are co-ordinated, and that legislative powers are used proactively to bring dereliction and vacancy to an end.
Data in relation to vacant properties is available from a number of sources such as the Central Statistics Office (CSO), Census 2022 and GeoDirectory.
The CSO has recently developed a new statistical release on residential vacancy. The release, published on 24 September 2025, provides information on the extent of residential vacancy in 2022 and 2023, using ESB data on metered residential electricity consumption, with future regular publications planned.
In the release, the CSO notes a national vacancy rate of 3.3% at the end of Q4 2023, down from 3.6% in Q4 2022. Data is provided at a national, local authority and local electoral level, including for Dublin.
In the latest GeoDirectory Residential Buildings Report for Q2 2025, the average vacancy rate across Ireland had dropped to 3.7%, the lowest rate recorded since 2013; a local authority breakdown is also provided.
My Department has also supported local authorities to collate data on vacant and derelict properties in their administrative areas. Almost all local authorities, including those in Dublin, now have a database of vacant properties which they can update on an ongoing basis. The database is not intended to be a comprehensive count of every vacant and derelict property in their administrative area. It is used by the local authority to engage with property owners and work with them to bring those properties back into use.
All 31 local authorities have a full-time Vacant Homes Officer (VHO) in place as a key point of contact in their Vacant Homes teams. Vacant Homes Officers are supported in their role by the Vacant Homes Unit in my Department, the Housing Agency and through the Vacant Homes Officer Network.
Departmental Data
Questions (586, 667)
Barry Heneghan
Question:586. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current average processing time for housing adaptation grant applications for 2025; how those compare with 2023 and 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63359/25]
View answer
Ken O'Flynn
Question:667. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding allocated in 2023, 2024, and 2025 for housing adaptation grants for older people and people with disabilities; the number of grants awarded; the average turnaround time; and whether funding will be increased to meet rising demand. [63944/25]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 586 and 667 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. The 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.
My Department is working with local authorities to collect data on the date a valid application is received, approved and paid by a local authority. The data for 2024 is currently being collated with a view to making information available in due course.
Details of the allocations and drawdown for 2023 and 2024 are available on my Department's website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/other-local-authority-housing-scheme-statistics/.
The funding allocations for 2025 from the Exchequer provision of €99.5 million or €117 million when accounting for the local authority contribution issued to all local authorities on 12 May and are publicly available on my Department’s website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/press-releases/13000-older-and-disabled-people-to-benefit-from-over-117-million-housing-adaptation-grant-funding/.
My Department completed a review of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability scheme in 2024. The Housing (Adaptation Grants for Older People and Disabled People) Regulations 2024 (S.I. No. 612 of 2024), which came into effect on 1 December 2024, provide the legal basis for the introduction of the recommendations set out in the review. The key changes include an increase in the grant limits of over 30% and the income thresholds by 25% whilst also revising the means test. The legislation also adjusts the burden sharing for local authorities by reducing the local authority funding contribution to 15% (from the previous 20%). The Report on the Review is available on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/report-on-the-review-of-the-housing-adaptation-grants-for-older-people-and-people-with-a-disability/.
Budget 2026 provides a further increase of €30 million for the scheme, with almost €130 million available, continuing the year on year increases since 2014. This increase will facilitate the continued implementation of the recommendations set out in the review ensuring that the grants remain fit for purpose for older and disabled people.
Question No. 587 answered with Question No. 562.
Turf Cutting
Questions (588)
Ryan O'Meara
Question:588. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage the status of a cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63524/25]
View answerWritten answers
I refer to my reply to Questions Nos. 252 of 22 May 2025, 526 of 17 June 2025, 246 of 10 July 2025 and 1198 of 8 September 2025, which set out the position in this matter.
To progress this application under the Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme, my Department issued documents to the applicant on 28 October 2025. To date these documents have yet to be returned to my Department. Once the documents are received, this application will progress further.
Question No. 589 answered with Question No. 584.
Question No. 590 answered with Question No. 584.