Written Answers Nos. 154-168
154. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he supports the decision of a sporting organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64228/25]
View answerNational governing bodies of sport (NGBs) and their overarching international sporting federations are independent, autonomous bodies responsible for the governance of their own sports, including the organisation of sporting fixtures whether in domestic or international competitions.
As such, it's important to make clear that neither the Government nor Sport Ireland has a role in determining who can participate in international competitions organised by international sporting federations. International sporting federations are responsible for determining the composition of their membership in line with their own internal rules. The international federations have a leadership role for their global games and it is at this level that strategic decisions should be taken rather than by individual countries’ NGBs.
On a wider note, given that the detailed supplied relate to a fixture with Israel, I can say that Ireland welcomes the agreement on the first phase of the 20-point plan to end the war in Gaza. The first phase of the plan, the ceasefire and hostage release agreement, is an important step on a road to peace. Our immediate focus must be on ensuring humanitarian aid into and throughout Gaza at scale. Ireland stands ready to play our part in working towards a sustainable peace between Israel and Palestine through the implementation of the two-State solution.
Regarding the topic of athlete safety and welfare raised by the deputy, Sport Ireland works with National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) to ensure that appropriate policies are put in place to take a proactive approach to safeguarding by identifying and mitigating risks to athlete welfare. It also works with NGBs to ensure mechanisms are in place to appropriately deal with matters that may arise.
155. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will bring a forward a motion to ratify the UN International Convention against Apartheid in Sports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64247/25]
View answerIreland has not signed the 1985 UN international Convention against Apartheid in Sports but did sign in 1968 the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD).
Under this Convention, an onus is placed on Ireland ‘to pursue by all appropriate means and without delay a policy of eliminating racial discrimination in all its forms and promoting understanding among all races’.
Following the enactment of the Employment Equality Act 1998 and the Equal Status Act 2000, the Convention was ratified by Dáil resolution in December 2000 and entered in to force in January 2001. In the light of the above there are no plans to pursue ratification of the convention referred to in the question.
156. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the steps he will take to ensure that the Football Association of Ireland as a national sporting body hosting part of one of the biggest international tournaments, the Euro 2028 soccer tournament, is sufficiently staffed and funded for this huge task; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64630/25]
View answerUEFA EURO 2028 was officially launched in London last week with Minister O'Donovan and Ministers from each of the host nations in attendance. It has been confirmed that Ireland will host 7 games during the tournament including a quarter final.
In relation to specific staffing requirements for the tournament, all National Governing Bodies for sport, including the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), are independent, autonomous bodies and, as such, are responsible for their own governance and operational matters.
It should be noted however, that Ireland's overall financial contribution towards the tournament includes funding that will be administered by UK & Ireland 2028 Ltd, the newly-established tournament company. UK & Ireland 2028 Ltd is being funded in part by contributions from each government partner and has been established to coordinate tournament delivery. The company is incorporated with the five UK and Ireland Football Associations, including the FAI, as shareholders.
157. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when people in Skerries will be able to access a scheme for remediation and compensation for homes built with defective blocks; if he is aware that they have been waiting a considerable number of years for this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64255/25]
View answerThe Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act) was commenced on 22 June 2023 which contains the enhanced grant scheme and adopted the related Regulations on 29 June 2023.
The scheme is now open to applications in five counties: Clare, Donegal, Limerick, Mayo and Sligo with comprehensive information of all aspects of the Scheme available on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/service/8002e-enhanced-defective-concrete-blocks-grant-scheme/.
When a local authority that is not designated under the Scheme determines through the established mechanisms that homes within their functional area have been damaged by defective concrete blocks, they can seek to have the scheme extended to include any such county or part of such county.
Section 5 of the Act contains details on this process. This statutory designation process can commence upon a request by a local authority or by myself, as Minister, to the Housing Agency. The Agency thereafter carries out technical testing of dwellings in a given local authority administrative area. As soon as practicable after the completion of any testing, the Housing Agency shall make a recommendation to me whether an order to designate the whole or part of a local authority's administrative area should or should not be made by the Government.
I understand that Fingal County Council, in accordance with Section 5(7) of the Act submitted a request to the Housing Agency on 21 September, 2023 for inclusion in the scheme- this related to a small number of areas and properties in their administrative area. The Housing Agency appointed a Chartered Engineer from their existing framework panel to assist in their investigations and consultations. The investigations (including concrete block sampling and testing) and consultations required under the Act started in December 2023.
Subsequently, the Housing Agency received the concrete block test results from the properties sampled within the administrative area of Fingal County Council which showed that these properties were presenting signs of damage as a result of defective concrete blocks.
These test results provided the Housing Agency with the information required to appoint their Chartered Engineer to commence investigations and consultations.
The Housing Agency has confirmed to my Department that its investigations and consultations have now been completed.
I have received the report from the Housing Agency and I am currently considering the recommendations made.
158. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta an bhfuil sé fós i gceist ag an Rialtas treoirlínte don phleanáil sa Ghaeltacht a fhoilsiú, agus má tá, cathain. [64122/25]
View answerTá gníomh sa Phlean Tithíochta nua chun Ráiteas Pleanála Náisiúnta a fhoilsiú le haghaidh tithíochta i gceantair Ghaeltachta sa chéad leath den bhliain 2027.
Foráladh le hAlt 28 den Acht um Pleanáil agus Forbairt 2000 go bhféadfadh an tAire Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta treoirlínte a eisiúint d’údaráis phleanála maidir le haon cheann dá bhfeidhmeanna faoin Acht agus go raibh sé de dhualgas ar údaráis phleanála aird a thabhairt ar na treoirlínte sin agus iad i mbun a bhfeidhmeanna.
Aisghaireadh an t-alt sin an 2 Deireadh Fómhair 2025 de réir mar a aistríonn an córas pleanála chun feidhmiú faoi fhorálacha reachtacha nua an Achta um Pleanáil agus Forbairt 2024.
Foráiltear le hAlt 25 d’Acht 2024 do chineál nua beartais agus treorach pleanála ar a dtugtar Ráiteas Pleanála Náisiúnta. Cuireadh an fhoráil sin i bhfeidhm an 2 Deireadh Fómhair 2025 agus dá bhrí sin, eiseofar beartas agus treoir phleanála amach anseo ón Aire chuig údaráis phleanála agus is Ráiteas Pleanála Náisiúnta a bheith anseo. Tá sé beartaithe go gcuirfear Ráitis Phleanála Náisiúnta in ionad na dTreoirlínte atá ann cheana faoi alt 28, a leanfaidh de bheith i bhfeidhm go dtí go gcuirfear ina n-áit iad nó go gcúlghairmfear iad, le himeacht ama, mar aon le haon treoir nua a bhfuil sé beartaithe ag an Aire a eisiúint, le faomhadh an Rialtais.
Leagtar amach san Acht um Pleanáil agus Forbairt 2000, arna leasú, cuspóirí éigeantacha d’údaráis áitiúla, agus ní mór aghaidh a thabhairt orthu sin agus iad ag dréachtú a bPlean Forbartha lena rialaítear beartais forbartha áitiúla. I gcás ina bhfuil limistéar Gaeltachta laistigh de limistéar riaracháin an údaráis phleanála, ní mór forálacha agus cuspóirí a bheith sa phlean forbartha chun “oidhreacht theangeolaíoch agus chultúrtha na Gaeltachta a chosaint, lena n-áirítear cur chun cinn na Gaeilge mar theanga phobail”.
Tugann na Treoirlínte maidir le Pleananna Forbartha d’Údaráis Áitiúla a foilsíodh i mí Iúil 2022 treoir bhreise d’údaráis áitiúla, lena n-áirítear léiriú a thabhairt ar na Limistéir Phleanála Teanga sa Ghaeltacht (LPTanna mar a cheanglaítear faoi Acht na Gaeltachta 2012) chomh maith le beartais bhreise a áireamh amhail a chinntiú go mbíonn tionchar dearfach ag tograí forbartha i limistéir Ghaeltachta ar an oidhreacht teanga agus chultúrtha ar féidir measúnú láidir a dhéanamh orthu ag céim an iarratais phleanála.
Tá Grúpa Idir-Rannach (ar a bhfuil mo Roinnse, an Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta agus Údarás na Gaeltachta) fós ag leanúint lena chuid oibre maidir le saintreoir phleanála a fhorbairt do cheantair Ghaeltachta. Tá Grúpa Oibre ar leith ann chomh maith ar a bhfuil an dá Roinn agus Údarás na Gaeltachta agus na húdaráis áitiúla ábhartha a bhaineann le ceantair Ghaeltachta. Bhí cruinnithe den Ghrúpa Idir-rannach agus den Ghrúpa Oibre ar siúl in 2023 agus lean rannpháirtíocht déthaobhach na Roinne ar aghaidh in 2024 agus 2025, agus an cruinniú is déanaí ar siúl i mí Iúil 2025.
Agus aird á tabhairt ar an ngá atá ann na nithe casta atá i gceist a bhreithniú agus a thuilleadh de rannpháirtíocht leis an Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus na Gaeltacht, déanfar measúnú ar Dhréachtráiteas Pleanála Náisiúnta críochnaithe chun críocha infheidhmeacht na Measúnachta Straitéisí Timpeallachta (MST) agus an Mheasúnaithe Chuí (MC).
159. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current allowable chlorine residual threshold in treated drinking water in Ireland; and if there a statutory upper limit under S.I. No. 99/2023. [64209/25]
View answerS.I. No. 99/2023 does not specify a statutory upper limit for chlorine in drinking water. However, these regulations do set parametric values for chlorate and chlorite* which are compounds containing chlorine, reflecting the recast Drinking Water Directive requirements.
Water suppliers add chlorine during drinking water treatment to disinfect the water to kill harmful bacteria, thus ensuring the water is safe to drink.
The World Health Organisation recommends an upper guideline value of 5 mg/litre for free chlorine**.
The Environmental Protection Agency advises that at least 0.1 mg/l of free chlorine should be maintained within the water supply network to ensure adequate disinfection throughout the entire distribution system.
* chlorate and chlorite parametric values are applicable from 11 January 2026.
** free chlorine is the amount of chlorine available in water that is available to disinfect the water.
160. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the supports available to people awaiting a division of assets, for example sale of a jointly owned home, through the courts for a legal separation/divorce who require social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64244/25]
View answerApplications 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, as amended, and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.
A household shall be ineligible for social housing support if that household has alternative accommodation it could reasonably be expected to use to meet its housing need. However, where an applicant for social housing support owns accommodation occupied by a spouse, from whom they are formally separated or divorced, a deed of separation is sufficient to set aside this ineligibility ground. It is not necessary to await judicial separation or divorce to get a decision on social housing support in these cases.
Local authorities may provide such households with social housing support under the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) or the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme until ownership of the family home is resolved in a formal separation or divorce settlement.
Support in these circumstances will be reviewed by the local authority at prescribed intervals and the household will not be able to transfer to other forms of social housing support while ownership of the family home remains to be determined. However, where the household ultimately qualifies for the full range of social housing supports, the length of time the household was supported under RAS or HAP will be reckonable for the purposes of determining the household’s relative priority for a transfer to local authority social housing.
161. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will introduce legislation or support the progression of the Housing (Homeless Families) Bill 2017 which proposes to place a statutory obligation on local authorities to consider the best interests of the child when responding to families presenting as homeless; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64250/25]
View answerMy Department's role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at a local level.
Section 2 of the Housing Act 1988 outlines how local authorities can form an opinion on whether or not an individual/household shall be regarded as homeless, while section 10 outlines the actions that a local authority may take regarding the accommodation of those regarded as homeless.
Delivering Homes, Building Communities, my Government's new housing plan, provides that the Housing Act 1988 will be amended to strengthen the statutory framework within which housing authorities support households experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. Legislative provisions will also be introduced to ensure that consideration of the best interests of the child is included in the decision-making process on accommodation for households experiencing homelessness.
Amendments to the legislation will provide a clear and more robust legislative framework to support local authorities in their decision-making with regard to the eligibility of applicants for social housing and emergency homeless accommodation. Guidance will be provided to local authorities to ensure consistency in how assessments are conducted, and eligibility criteria are applied.
Any proposed changes to the legislation be will be brought before the Houses of the Oireachtas in line with the normal legislative process.
162. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will act on issues raised in correspondence regarding private rented properties (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64252/25]
View answerOn 10 June 2025, the Government approved policy measures including modifications to rent controls to come into effect on 1 March 2026 in order to boost investment in the supply of homes available for rent and keep existing landlords in the market. The changes agreed will also provide significantly stronger tenancy protections and are finely balanced between the interests of tenants and the need for further private investment in the rental market across the country.
The modifications to rent controls have been informed by the findings of the Housing Agency review of Rent Pressure Zones and Potential Policy Options. This review was undertaken to assess the operation of Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) since their introduction and consider their impact on the market and relevant stakeholders, including the retention of landlords and new investment. It was also to consider whether RPZs should continue without change or be removed, modified or replaced. The review involved engagement with a wide variety of stakeholders, including investors, representatives of landlord and tenant advocacy groups, academics and the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB). The review recommended a modification of rent controls. It also recommended allowing landlords to reset rents to market levels between tenancies and providing for stronger tenant protections to guard against economic evictions.
For existing tenancies (i.e. those in place on 28 February 2026), landlords will continue to have the right to terminate a tenancy in line with the provisions of the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004 to 2025 as they apply on 28 February 2026.
My Department consulted extensively with the Office on the Attorney General in relation to the proposed amendments to the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004 to 2025. On 14 October 2025, Government approved the General Scheme of the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2025. This legislation is now subject to priority legal drafting by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel. Department officials have been invited to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage for pre-legislative scrutiny of the General Scheme on 18 November 2025.
A detailed communications campaign will be undertaken by my Department, in conjunction with the RTB, between the publication of the Bill, which is expected later this year, and the introduction of the new legislative measures from 1 March 2026.
163. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to report on his request made in July 2023 to An Coimisiún Toghcháin to examine the issue of reducing the voting age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64253/25]
View answerAn Coimisiún Toghcháin, Ireland’s independent Electoral Commission, was established on 9 February 2023 in accordance with the relevant provisions of Part 2 of the Electoral Reform Act 2022.
An Coimisiún's research, advisory and public information function will see it carry out research on electoral policy and procedure. An Coimisiún is also empowered to advise and make recommendations to the Government in relation to any proposals for legislative change, or any other policy matters concerning electoral policy or procedures.
In advance of its first research programme being finalised, my predecessor, Minister O'Brien, wrote to the Chair of the commission recommending that a review of the minimum voting age be included in its research programme. An Coimisiún published its inaugural Research Programme 2024-2026 on 10 July 2024. Its research programme includes a commitment to examine the issue of a possible reduction in the voting age. This policy area will be reviewed by my Department once An Coimisiún has considered and reported on the issue.
164. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage why solar PV is mostly excluded from the local authority retrofit scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64277/25]
View answerMy Department's Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme (EERP) provides grant funding to local authorities to upgrade their social housing stock to a minimum B2 BER rating. It is expected that 36,500 local authority owned homes will be retrofitted under this programme out to 2030.
Works eligible under the EERP include attic and cavity wall insulation or external wall insulation where required, windows and doors replacement, heat pump installation and ancillary and associated works. These funded measures achieve the minimum B2 BER rating
In limited circumstances, for dwellings with a floor area less than 55m2 and where it is not practical to achieve a Heat Loss Indicator (HLI) of 2 specified by the SEAI guidance, the maximum HLI may be increased to 2.6 on a pilot basis with additional fabric and air tightness requirements as listed in the EERP Circular 05/2025. Where this approach is adopted, installation of at least 1kWp of solar photovoltaic micro-generators on the dwelling with the heat pump is recommended, and is funded as eligible works under the EERP.
165. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the updated wind energy guidelines will be published; the reasons for the prolonged and ongoing delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64278/25]
View answerMy Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines which will inform a new National Planning Statement on Wind Energy under the new Planning and Development Act 2024. The review is addressing a number of key aspects of the Guidelines including noise, setback distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections.
My Department, in conjunction with the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE), which has primary responsibility for environmental noise matters, has been working to advance guidance on the noise aspect of the National Planning Statement, which is highly technical in nature. The two Departments have been engaging on proposals regarding the measurement and assessment of noise from wind turbines to ensure they are robust and fit for purpose having regard to, inter alia, the revised 2030 target to generate up to 80% of our electricity from renewable sources.
Further to this engagement, DCEE, in the context of its environmental noise remit, appointed noise consultants in May 2023 to inform any amendments to the noise aspect of the National Planning Statement. This work is now substantially complete.
My Department, in conjunction with DCEE, will make any further changes to the draft National Planning Statement which are deemed necessary or appropriate in the wake of this work to ensure that the finalised National Planning Statement, once issued, are fit for purpose to provide guidance in line with renewable energy and climate targets, whilst having appropriate regard to the impacts of wind energy development.
The evolving policy and technical context including the new Planning and Development Act 2024 and the recent revision of the National Planning Framework (NPF) reinforces the need to ensure that the finalised Statement, once issued, is fit for purpose.
In line with EU Directive requirements, a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is being carried out on the draft National Planning Statement as part of the review process. In this regard, my Department intends to undertake a public consultation on updated draft Guidelines as part of the SEA process whereby all interested parties will have an opportunity to submit observations on the draft National Planning Statement. Finalised National Planning Statements will be prepared following detailed analysis and consideration of the submissions received during the consultation phase.
My Department notes the commitment in the recently published Programme for Government 2025 – Securing Ireland’s Future to prioritise the publication of the Wind Energy Development Guidelines, having regard to international best practice and standards. In light of this commitment, my Department is working towards concluding the finalisation of the National Planning Statement as a matter of priority, having regard to the intended public consultation and the impact of associated reforms and reviews including the revision of the NPF.
The current 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force, pending the finalisation of the review.
166. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the assessments his Department has carried out on the impact of students studying English language courses on housing pressures in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64303/25]
View answer167. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline his Department’s strategy in relation to the housing needs of students studying on English language courses in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64304/25]
View answer168. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the percentage of students studying on English language courses who were housed in the private rented sector; who were housed in designated student accommodation; who were staying with host families; and who were in other types of accommodation, in the last five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64305/25]
View answerMy Department does not have a role in sourcing, regulating, or monitoring accommodation for people undertaking English language education in the State. The provision of English language education is principally a private-sector activity, and accordingly my Department does not collect, assess, or maintain data on the assessments or statistical breakdowns requested.
The policy responsibility for the provision of accommodation for students rests with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (FHERIS).
