Tuesday, 25 Nov 2025

Written Answers Nos. 1-30

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National Parks and Wildlife Service

Questions (11)

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Question:

11. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 270 of 18 September 2025, where he specifically states in his reply that “There are no plans at this time to expand the number of such terrestrial sites," to outline the means by which it is envisaged that Ireland will meet the target of 30% of terrestrial land mass protected (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59454/25]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

In 2022, the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity’s Conference of the Parties adopted the Global Biodiversity Framework, setting out a goal of conserving, through protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures, 30% of terrestrial and marine areas by 2030. This target is reflected in the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2030, which outlines a similar ambition to protect 30% of the EU’s land area and 30% of the EU’s sea as part of a Trans-European Nature Network. The 30% protection target is a collective commitment at the EU level, rather than a mandatory national target for each individual Member State, reflecting national circumstances. In 2021, government committed to expand Ireland’s Marine Protected Area (MPA) network to 30% of our maritime area by 2030. For the terrestrial goal, the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department are assessing the potential for state-owned land to be pledged as protected areas. Progress towards the target is not limited to the designation of protected areas, but may incorporate other effective area-based conservation measures.

The EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 led to the creation and adoption of the landmark Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR). The NRR sets out a framework for member states to restore nature, with legally binding targets for the restoration of a wide range of ecosystems; namely rivers, forests, oceans, urban and agricultural areas, and including protected habitats and species. The Regulation came into force in August 2024 and each member state is now required to develop a national Nature Restoration Plan. Ireland has until 1 September 2026 to submit a draft National Restoration Plan to the EU Commission, setting out how we intend to achieve these legally binding targets. Work on the Plan is well underway. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department is coordinating the development of the Plan, working with a wide range of government departments, as well as state bodies and agencies.

Questions Nos. 12 to 15, inclusive, answered orally.

Housing Provision

Questions (16)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

16. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide greater detail on how domestic violence is addressed within the Action Plan on Housing Supply and Targeting Homelessness, 2025-2030, including if refuge provision or transitional housing will be provided for domestic violence and abuse survivor-victims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65496/25]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Supporting individuals and families experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness is a priority for my Department and Government.

Increased supply is key to addressing homelessness. Government is focused on making sure that everyone has access to good quality, affordable and secure homes that suit their needs. Over €9 billion in capital funding will be made available for housing in 2026. The 2026 capital funding will be supplemented by over €2 billion in current funding to address housing need. Our new housing plan is an integrated housing and homelessness plan based on two key pillars: activating the supply of 300,000 more homes; and supporting people to have a home of their own. The plan aims to deliver an average of 12,000 social homes every year to 2030, providing more homes to reduce long-term family homelessness, prevent people from experiencing homelessness and support people on low incomes

Under the new plan, a protocol will be agreed with local authorities to provide that victims of domestic violence can transfer previous time spent on a social housing waiting list to another local authority, subject to meeting all social housing eligibility requirements.

My Department, working with Cuan, supports the development of Domestic Violence Refuges through the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS). CAS provides up to 100% capital funding to Approved Housing Bodies to advance Refuge projects in partnership with Domestic Violence groups. My Department and the Housing Agency work closely with the relevant local authorities and Cuan to support, provide technical advice, and advance these projects from initial design through to construction and completion.

While some safe homes have been funded directly via CAS in the past, groups sourcing, providing and operating safe homes for victims of domestic violence are supported to do so by Cuan as part of the national refuge accommodation programme.

Budget 2026 provides an allocation of €513.5m to provide homeless emergency accommodation and essential related services including homelessness prevention supports. Capital funding of €50m has been allocated to support the provision and maintenance of quality emergency and transitional accommodation.[]

Planning Issues

Questions (17, 19, 28, 103)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

17. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the review of the current exempted development regulations and specifically relating to increasing the size of stand-alone exempted habitable garden structures; to provide a timeline for implementation of these new regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65777/25]

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

19. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the exempted development regulations on free standing residential home extensions. [65686/25]

Ryan O'Meara

Question:

28. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which Delivering Homes, Building Communities plans to revise planning regulations to allow for pre-fabricated cabins for residential use in back gardens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65690/25]

Albert Dolan

Question:

103. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the exempted development guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65418/25]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 17, 19, 28 and 103 together.

The Government has published the new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities: An Action Plan on Housing Supply and Targeting Homelessness’, which aims to deliver 300,000 new homes by the end of 2030.

Under Pillar 1, to increase the supply of additional housing, Action 4.8 commits to increase the number of development types that are exempt from planning permission to enable homeowners to adapt or extend their homes more easily, including attic conversions, subdivisions of existing homes and detached accommodation within the primary dwelling boundary.

This Action will be progressed through the continued commencement of the Planning and Development Act 2024 (Act of 2024), including, inter alia, the consequential review of the current Exempted Development Regulations which is ongoing.

Progress on this review has already been made in 2025, with the successful public consultation that took place over the summer – there was significant engagement with the public and relevant stakeholders on exempted development regulations, with over 900 submissions received via the online consultation portal.

These submissions have been reviewed over the autumn and will inform the new draft Exempted Development Regulations which will be implemented on a phased basis, by theme, with the exemptions relating to domestic dwellings being prioritised and forthcoming in the coming months.

This will includes exemptions for stand-alone detached housing units in the back gardens of residential properties, with final decisions on the specifics of any potential revisions communicated as soon as possible.

When completed, the new draft Exempted Development regulations are subject to Environmental consideration, 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.

It is intended that new Regulations under 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 awaited, certain elements of the new exempted development provisions, including agricultural effluent storage arising from the need to facilitate compliance with the EU Nitrates Directive, are being progressed for advance inclusion in the current Regulations, which Minister Cummins, as the Minister of State with responsibility for Planning, will sign into law at the earliest opportunity and will also be carried forward into the new Regulations.

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 and all habitable space must comply with the requirements of building control and fire safety.

Water Services

Questions (18)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

18. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which his new proposals for developer-provided water and wastewater infrastructure will avoid the problems associated with the policy when it was last in place; and the steps he will take to resolve the around 450 estates currently in limbo due to the failures of this policy previously. [65685/25]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I recently announced a new partnership approach to enable the private sector to develop wastewater treatment facilities, working in collaboration with Uisce Éireann, for smaller housing developments. This approach will allow the private sector to play a greater role in delivering wastewater infrastructure that is constructed to Uisce Éireann standards. This will provide much needed capacity to facilitate housing delivery particularly in small towns and villages where infrastructure constraints have held back development.

Under the new arrangements, Uisce Éireann will be involved from the outset—from design through to commissioning—ensuring that all infrastructure is built to agreed national standards. Uisce Éireann will take responsibility for regulatory compliance and, once constructed, will own and operate the infrastructure. This provides a clear and reliable pathway for new wastewater assets to enter public ownership, safeguards environmental and technical standards, and avoids the uncertainty that existed under previous developer-provided infrastructure (DPI) arrangements.

The challenges that arose under previous arrangements for developer-provided infrastructure are well recognised. The key safeguard in the new proposals is that Uisce Éireann will ultimately own and operate all new infrastructure, provided it is built to its standards. This ensures that the failures associated with past arrangements cannot be repeated.

In relation to legacy DPI, responsibility for remediation has rested with Uisce Éireann since 1 January 2024. A multi-stakeholder group involving Uisce Éireann, local authorities and my Department is overseeing this work, and a coordinated national plan is being developed to address the approximately 450 estates affected. Given the scale and complexity of the issues, resolving all locations will take time.

Work is underway, led by Uisce Éireann and in close cooperation with local authorities, to review the position in the approximately 450 affected estates and to determine the actions needed to address these legacy issues.

My Department will continue to work with Uisce Éireann and local authorities to support a sustainable and workable approach for both new developments and legacy estates.

Question No. 19 answered with Question No. 17.

Housing Provision

Questions (20)

Conor Sheehan

Question:

20. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the development of a single stage approval process for local authority housing developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65670/25]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Programme for Government – Securing Ireland’s Future committed to introducing a new single approval process for all standardised social housing and affordable housing projects.

Delivering Homes, Building Communities, An Action Plan on Housing Supply and Targeting Homelessness, has a Priority to deliver an average of 12,000 new social homes per annum from 2025 to 2030. In support of additional social housing delivery the Department will streamline the processes by introducing a new single stage approval for all social housing projects where the project value is less than €200m and will mandate the use of standard house layouts and specifications as part of the new approval process.

On 5 July, Cabinet approved the introduction of a single stage approval process for all for local authority and Approved Housing Body new build social housing up to a value of €200 million.

The new single approval process, which will replace the 4-Stage approval process, is designed to align particular requirements related to the delivery of social housing, providing a more seamless approval process, with a clear and intentional focus on embedding standardisation and value for money.

This new process will cover all social housing new build and major refurbishment projects up to a value of €200 million, funded via the Social Housing Investment Programme (SHIP) incorporating regeneration and remedial works schemes, and the Approved Housing Body (AHB) Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS).

The new approval process mandates the use of a standardised design approach, as per my Department’s published Design Manual for Quality Housing and the Employer’s Requirements for Detail Design of Quality Housing, for all new build social housing projects being developed by Local Authorities and Approved Housing Bodies.

Engagement with Local Authorities and the Housing Delivery Coordination Office in the Local Government Management Agency has been underway since Q2 this year via a Sector Working Group dedicated to the single approval process.

The process is in transition phase at this time and my Department is finalising the necessary guidance notes, templates and documentation that will issue to the sector in the coming weeks, with an expected full rollout of the new process by the end of 2025.

Housing Provision

Questions (21)

John Connolly

Question:

21. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the engagement between the housing activation office and local authorities in Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65584/25]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Programme for Government recognised the need to accelerate home building by unblocking infrastructure delays and coordinating investment in servicing zoned land.

To support this, I established a Housing Activation Office in my Department to accelerate the delivery of infrastructure needed to service zoned lands and enable housing development.

Senior specialists from Uisce Éireann, ESB Networks, the National Transport Authority, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the local government sector have been seconded to my Department to support the work of the Office.

The team are actively engaged in identifying barriers to housing delivery and coordinating with local authorities and relevant infrastructure agencies to address these barriers.

As part of this process, representatives from the Office have met officials from Galway City Council and Galway County Council on a number of occasions over October and November to get an overview of lands zoned for housing and the infrastructure needed to unlock housing at these locations. Members of the HAO team also attended the Housing Delivery Word Café event hosted by Galway City & County Council and my Department on the 12th November 2025.

I will bring forward a €1 billion Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund in the coming months that will support direct investment in housing enabling infrastructure at a local level. This fund will be designed to complement investment by infrastructure agencies, such as Uisce Éireann and ESB Networks, as part of a more coordinated approach.

Once the fund is launched, local authorities, including Galway City and County Councils, will be invited to submit applications for funding to support the delivery of infrastructure projects that enable housing development.

The support provided by the Housing Activation Office will play a critical role in assisting the Galway Councils in meeting their housing targets under the Revised National Planning Framework.

Housing Provision

Questions (22, 55)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

22. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the supply line for social homes; the number which are currently at various stages of design and construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65635/25]

Willie O'Dea

Question:

55. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update of social housing output to-date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65486/25]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 55 together.

The Government is committed to increasing social housing delivery and the focus of the social housing programme is on increasing the number of new-build homes.

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 Q2 2025 and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website (www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/).

These figures show that from the beginning of 2020 to the end of Q2 2025, over 35,000 new homes have been delivered under social housing build programmes.

In the first six months of 2025, 1,804 new build social homes were delivered. This is an increase of almost 54% on the same period in 2024 (1,174).

In Q1 and Q2 2025, 320 social housing acquisitions were delivered and a further 270 homes were delivered under leasing. In total, 2,394 new social homes were delivered in Q1 and Q2 2025.

There is a strong pipeline in place that will ensure further significant delivery of social homes. The latest Social Housing Construction Status Report shows that 26,684 social homes were at various stages of design and construction at the end of June 2025, with 11,557 social homes onsite and an additional 15,127 homes at design and tender stage.

The Construction Status Report provides details of social housing developments and their location that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of the design and tender processes. The current and previous versions of the CSR are published on my Department’s website (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. on Open Data (https://opendata.housing.gov.ie/dataset/social-housing-construction-status-report-q2-2025).

Data for Q3 is currently being compiled.

Traveller Accommodation

Questions (23)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

23. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of regeneration plans for a Traveller housing scheme (details supplied), given regeneration has been promised for over 25 years, and its latest iteration is with his Department; when he expects funding to be agreed for the long-awaited and desperately needed regeneration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65155/25]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 provides that the role of my Department is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist the authorities in providing accommodation for Travellers, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.

The Act provides that housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) in their areas.

My Department is committed to supporting Dublin City Council in the redevelopment of Labre Park. In April 2016, a Stage 1 application for the redevelopment of this site was submitted to my Department, and in September 2016, my Department granted approval for a budget provision of €8.7 million. In July 2019, a Stage 2 application was received by my Department and approval was granted subsequently for funding of €13.2 million.

In December 2022, a revised Stage 2 application was received by my Department. In February 2023, further information requested by my Department was submitted by the local authority and subsequently in July 2023 my Department granted approval for an increased overall budget provision of €16.7m for the redevelopment of Labre Park.

My Department provided this funding approval for the redevelopment of accommodation at Labre Park to support the long-term strategy for this site to provide quality accommodation to the residents which will address the current conditions on the site.

My Department met with Dublin City Council most recently in September 2025 to discuss the planned redesign and regeneration of Labre Park. Subsequently, in November 2025, Dublin City Council submitted a further revised Stage 2 application for funding to my Department and this is currently under consideration.

Departmental Schemes

Questions (24, 62, 118, 133)

Séamus McGrath

Question:

24. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the timeframe for the announcement of changes to the vacant property refurbishment grant, including the new proposals for the over the shop scheme. [65499/25]

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

62. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department would consider phased payments of the vacant property refurbishment grant so that those who cannot afford to pay upfront and go into debt can access funds as work is being carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65850/25]

Eamon Scanlon

Question:

118. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if planning permission will be required to convert vacant spaces above shops into residential units under the new vacant property refurbishment grant plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65721/25]

Shay Brennan

Question:

133. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of grants which have been approved under the vacant property refurbishment grant since its launch; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65631/25]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 24, 62, 118, 133 and 547 together.

Tackling vacancy and dereliction is at the heart of the Government's housing plan Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030.

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 grant process involves the local authority receiving and reviewing applications to ensure that the grant conditions are met and arranging for a qualified person to visit the property to check the refurbishment work being applied for and to assess the proposed cost. Following confirmation of a successful application and the works being completed, the local authority will conduct a final property visit to review that the work has been completed in-line with the grant application. Once the local authority is satisfied, they will then pay the grant.

Payment of the grant at the end of the process is to ensure that the applicant has carried out the works applied for and for which the grant is being paid. This is also the case for grants such as the SEAI grants and Housing Adaptation Grants, which are paid when works are completed.

A review of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, including the matter of staged payments, was undertaken in 2024. That review has been completed and is under consideration.

Under the Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Loan, launched in July 2024, a first-time buyer who wishes to purchase and/or renovate a Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant eligible home but who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial lenders is now able to apply to their local authority for a loan under the scheme. The Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Loan has the potential to help first time buyers and fresh start applicants to complete the purchase and renovation of a vacant or derelict property and provides an avenue to secure the necessary finance to make the project viable.

The new housing plan 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 additional support under the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant for the refurbishment and conversion of above the shop vacant floors for use as homes. In recognition of the works involved, it is proposed that a package of up to €140,000 will be made available. The Department is currently progressing work to introduce the expanded and extended “Above the Shop scheme”.

S.I. No. 75/2022 - Planning and Development Act (Exempted Development) Regulations 2022 provides an exemption from the requirement for planning permission for the conversion of certain types of vacant commercial property into residential use, up to a maximum of 9 residential units and subject to specified conditions. The Regulations, which were extended in 2022 under SI 75/2022 to include an exemption for the conversion of vacant pubs, have now been further extended to the end of 2028. Accordingly, any specific works proposed in a conversion project would need to be examined in the context of fulfilling the requirements of these Regulations, to determine if planning permission is required.

My Department publishes data on applications for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant on its website on a quarterly basis, which includes the number of applications, approvals and the total number and value of grants paid per local authority. This data also includes a breakdown of applications for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant and the Derelict Property Top-up Grant for every quarter. The Q3 2025 grant statistics were published on 17 October 2025. This data can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/vacant-property-refurbishment-grant-statistics/#2025

Housing Policy

Questions (25)

Naoise Ó Cearúil

Question:

25. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the timeframe for establishing and implementing the protocol in the new housing plan to allow households fleeing domestic, sexual and gender-based violence to transfer time spent on a social housing waiting list to another local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65680/25]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

As outlined in Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030: An Action Plan on Housing Supply and Targeting Homelessness, a protocol to allow households fleeing domestic, sexual and gender-based violence to transfer time spent on a social housing waiting list to another local authority will be established and implemented in H1 2026.

Under existing legislative arrangements, 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. However, the local authority may agree, at its discretion, to assess the household for support without the need to meet the normally resides or local connection criteria.

A household meeting either the 'normally resides' or 'local connection' condition may specify up to three areas of choice for receipt of support in the areas of all local authorities in the county and city concerned and, if qualified, will be entered on the housing waiting list of each of those local authorities. Accordingly, under existing arrangements, the four Dublin local authorities have arrangements allowing social housing applicants apply for housing in up to two of the other Dublin authorities simultaneously. Similar arrangements apply in the two Cork and two Galway local authorities.

A household may, not less than 12 months after the date on which it is first entered on a housing authority’s housing list, notify the housing authority of application that it wishes to change one, or more than one, area of choice in the application area and a household may change one, or more than one, such area not less than 12 months after its most recent change of an area of choice. An applicant does not lose any time on the list by changing their area of choice.

Generally, is not possible for a household previously on one social housing waiting list to carry the time spent on that list when applying to another local authority. However, local authorities may provide for exceptional or emergency cases to qualified households, allowing immediate housing outside of normal waiting lists priorities, should circumstances require.

Emergency Planning

Questions (26, 44)

John Clendennen

Question:

26. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the Office of Emergency Planning has reviewed plans for responding to heavy snow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60219/25]

John Clendennen

Question:

44. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the Office of Emergency Planning has reviewed plans for responding to flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60218/25]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 44 together.

My Department is designated as the 'Lead Government Department', set out in the Government approved Strategic Emergency Management (SEM) Framework (2017), in relation to the coordination of a response to severe weather, including flooding and snow, and certain other emergencies at national level where warranted. Other Departments have lead roles in respect of other specific types of emergencies, as set out in the SEM Framework.

My Department's National Directorate for Fire & Emergency Management (NDFEM) undertakes this function for exceptionally severe weather events, working closely with Local Authority Severe Weather Assessment Teams and Met Éireann. At a national level, my Department is responsible for the co-ordination of the ‘whole-of-Government’ response, facilitating collective decision making and ensuring aligned public safety messaging among a broad range of departments, organisations and groups who have a role to play in the emergency scenarios under its remit.

Local authorities are designated as a principal response agency as well as being 'lead agency' for coordinating the response to severe weather, as per the Government decision relating to the “Framework for Major Emergency Management” (2006).

The arrangements for emergency management have evolved and, when called upon, are seen as having worked well, in particular the responses to flooding, heavy snow and other severe weather events, as well as to fire and other emergencies led by local authorities. All local authorities have Severe Weather/ Flood Plans in place to support the response to weather emergencies. Local authorities also have a Severe Weather Assessment Team in place, monitoring Met Éireann weather warnings and OPW and EFAS flood advisory/ warnings and High Tide Advisories.

In preparation for Winter 2025/26, I called a special meeting of the membership of the National Emergency Co-ordination Group on 2 October, attended by all members including the local authorities, where each sector outlined their preparations for the winter season.

My Department has also reviewed all local authority Severe Weather and Flood Plan, and organised a workshop earlier this month to support the continued development of these plans and to confirm winter preparedness.

Housing Policy

Questions (27, 87)

Cathal Crowe

Question:

27. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the work of the Housing Activation Delivery Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65544/25]

Cathal Crowe

Question:

87. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the work of the Housing Activation Industry Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65545/25]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 87 together.

The Housing Activation Office in my Department comprises senior and experienced staff from within my Department, and senior specialists from Uisce Éireann, ESB Networks, the National Transport Authority, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the local government sector.

The team is actively engaged in identifying barriers to housing delivery and is coordinating with local authorities and infrastructure agencies to address these barriers.

I convened a new Housing Activation Delivery Group on 6 November 2025. This group brings together senior leaders from government departments and infrastructure agencies to oversee and support the work of the Housing Activation Office. The group will drive a coordinated programme of public infrastructure investment to unlock housing.

I also convened a Housing Activation Industry Group on 6 November. The industry group provides a forum for engagement with industry representative bodies.

Both the Delivery and Industry Groups are central to ensuring that the State and industry are working together towards a single shared goal of accelerating housing delivery. The groups will meet quarterly and terms of reference and minutes of meetings will be published on gov.ie once agreed.

I look forward to continued engagement with all stakeholders through these forums and ensuring that infrastructure for housing is prioritised and accelerated.

Question No. 28 answered with Question No. 17.

An Ghaeltacht

Questions (29)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

29. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage cad go díreach é an moill ar na Treoirlínte Tithíocht Gaeltachta a bhí aontaithe ag an Roinn Gaeltachta leis a Roinn roimhe seo a bheith foilsithe tar éis é bheith geallta go bhfoilseoidh iad chuile bliain ó 2021 ar aghaidh. [65156/25]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Tá 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).

Housing Schemes

Questions (30, 84)

Paul McAuliffe

Question:

30. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the criteria from his Department whereby local authorities can deny the administration of the tenant-in-situ scheme to tenants in dwellings that require extensive repairs or refurbishment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65644/25]

Paul McAuliffe

Question:

84. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he, or his Department, are aware of the process whereby local authorities can deny the administration of the tenant-in-situ scheme in the case of dwellings that require extensive refurbishment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65643/25]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 84 together.

Tenancy sustainment, or tenant-in-situ, is a priority category under my Department's Second Hand Acquisitions Programme. It is not a scheme, but a policy tool available to local authorities to prevent social housing supported households in the private rented sector from falling into homelessness. It should only be used as a last resort by local authorities when all other options have been exhausted.

Generally, refurbishment costs are not an eligible cost for tenancy sustainment acquisitions. Extensive repairs or refurbishments should not be required. These properties already benefit from significant Exchequer funded rent supports every week, are legally required to meet the provisions of the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019, and are inspected by local authorities to ensure they meet such standards.

That said, claims for refurbishment works on properties acquired in the period to end 2024 are being reimbursed to local authorities this year.

The primary focus must be on ensuring that the funding provided by my Department through the Second Hand Acquisitions Programme maximises the number of acquisitions completed, and is not used to support works that are not immediately required but are rather future proofing works.

I acknowledge some refurbishment works may be required in the short to medium-term. However, these should be noted as part of the condition survey of the property using the agreed national stock condition survey template and programmed for future planned maintenance works. My Department provides funding to local authorities through a number of programmes to support such improvement works on their social housing stock, including the Planned Maintenance programme, the Disabled Persons Grant, the Regeneration Programme and Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme.

• Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions
• Written Answers Nos. 31-56