Written Answers Nos. 31-56
31. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the tenant-in-situ scheme; the amount of funding which has been allocated to South Dublin county council for the scheme in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65436/25]
View answerTenancy 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.
Some €25 million has been allocated to South Dublin County Council (SDCC) under Second Hand Acquisitions Programme this year. To date, and with just weeks left to year-end, only €11.6 million has been drawn down by SDCC. The programme has supported 71 acquisitions by SDCC so far this year as follows:
• 67 acquisitions for tenancy sustainment (tenant in situ)
• 4 acquisition for exits from homelessness,
• no acquisition for housing suitable for persons with a disability or the elderly, and
• no acquisitions for buy and renew to tackle vacancy.
I expect the 2026 Second Hand Acquisitions Programme to maintain support for the tenancy sustainment in 2026. Funding allocations will be agreed and notified to local authorities as early as possible next year.
In the meantime, local authorities have been authorised to enter into commitments for 2026 to a value of up to 30% of their original 2025 acquisitions budget. This allows them commit, pending an agreed programme budget for next year, some €95 million extra in 2025 for acquisitions that will complete and draw down in 2026. This flexibility effectively provides for a multi-annual approach to programme delivery, facilitating local authorities to plan and progress acquisitions from one year to the next with a higher level of certainty vis-à-vis future funding availability.
For SDCC, it provides scope to commit €7.5 million for acquisitions that are likely to only complete and drawdown in 2026. This includes acquisitions to support exits from homelessness, tenancy sustainment via tenant in situ, and other priority cohorts such as older persons, persons with disabilities, care leavers, etc.
An additional €5 million was also allocated in September to support acquisitions by SDCC for households, particularly larger families with children, to exit emergency homeless accommodation into housing. While the council has not drawn down any monies from this allocation to date, any funding not drawn down this year will be carried into 2026 and will remain ringfenced from SDCC's broader 2026 Second-Hand Acquisitions Programme allocation.
32. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how his Department is prioritising people with disabilities who have received notices to quit and who are at risk of entering homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65851/25]
View answerDelivering Homes, Building Communities, published 13 November 2025, recognises that homelessness is the single most pressing social issue and introduces a number of key measures to address homelessness.
Prevention of homelessness in the first instance is an absolute priority. There are many preventions initiatives already underway in my own Department and across Government. This includes the provision of social and affordable housing, the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and homeless HAP, and strong tenancy protection legislation. My Department is committed to developing a national Homelessness Prevention Framework within which homelessness can be prevented in a structured and planned way with tailored prevention measures for each potential at risk cohort. This Framework will be in place in 2026.
In Delivering Homes, Building Communities, the Government, has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the Second Hand Social Housing Acquisitions Programme. The priority aim of the programme will continue to be supporting individuals and families in the most challenging and precarious of housing situations, with a particular focus on exiting individuals and families from long-term homeless accommodation. This priority category of the Second Hand Social Housing Acquisitions Programme also primarily supports the CAS-funded acquisitions for disability-related situations undertaken by AHBs with local authority support. With regard to tenancy sustainment (tenant-in-situ), the Second Hand Social Housing Acquisitions Programme will continue to support this priority category, as a necessary last resort policy tool, available to local authorities to help prevent individuals or families falling into homelessness.
My Department jointly published the National Housing Strategy for Disabled People (NHSDP) 2022-2027 and Implementation Plan with the Department of Health and the Department of Children, Disability, and Equality. The Strategy and Implementation Plan may be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/60d76-national-housing-strategy-for-disabled-people-2022-2027/ The Strategy and Implementation Plan sets out the actions to achieve the vision of the joint Strategy for delivering housing and related supports for disabled people to 2027, operating under the new housing plan Delivering Homes, Building Communities.
33. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding being provided for housing adaptation grants in 2025 and the allocation for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65541/25]
View answer77. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the local authorities that have underspent their housing adaptation grant allocation; the local authorities that have had their funding increased under the redistribution of the underspends in 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65664/25]
View answer503. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there has been any increase in the housing adaption grants in Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66549/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 33, 77 and 503 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.
Details of initial annual allocations and subsequent local authority drawdown for 2024, including where additional funding had been sanctioned or where allocations have been underspent, can be found 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 Exchequer funding available for these grants in 2025 has been increased substantially by €25 million to €99.5 million, or over €117 million when accounting for the local authority contribution.
My Department works closely with local authorities to monitor spend and to achieve a full drawdown of available funding. This means that any underspends that arise on the part of any local authority can be redistributed to other authorities which have high levels of grant activity and my Department makes every effort to redistribute such funding throughout the year.
To date, almost €5.7 million in estimated underspends has been redistributed to 11 local authorities, who have requested additional funding for 2025, and the information is set out in the following table:
|
Local Authority |
2025 Exchequer Allocation |
Additional Funding Approved |
|
Cavan |
€1,862,107 |
€1,238,554 |
|
Clare |
€2,699,530 |
€285,000 |
|
Donegal |
€3,770,067 |
€1,500,000 |
|
Laois |
€1,861,224 |
€177,251 |
|
Limerick City & County |
€4,390,272 |
€592,511 |
|
Louth |
€2,698,187 |
€150,000 |
|
Monaghan |
€1,625,241 |
€425,000 |
|
Offaly |
€1,846,196 |
€170,000 |
|
Sligo |
€1,786,976 |
€453,670 |
|
Tipperary |
€3,560,739 |
€425,000 |
|
Westmeath |
€2,044,571 |
€275,935 |
|
Total: |
|
€5,692,922 |
My Department continues to process funding claims in respect of the 2025 budget and full details in respect of local authorities not fully expending their 2025 allocation will be available in early 2026.
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.
34. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to immediately raise the income limits for social housing to ensure that those who cannot afford cost rental or private rented are not denied eligibility for social housing. [65845/25]
View answer81. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the proposals being considered by his Department to increase the income threshold for applicants looking to access social housing through their local authority; the last date such an increase was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65663/25]
View answer113. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review and increase the social housing income limits for counties such as Tipperary, which currently stands at €30,000 per annum, given that the national minimum wage is set to rise to €14.15 per hour from 1 January 2026, bringing annual earnings for a 40-hour week to approximately €29,432, considering the fact that this leaves minimum-wage workers on the verge of exceeding the social housing income threshold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62010/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 34, 81 and 113 together.
The baseline income thresholds increased 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. These thresholds are net income thresholds, i.e. gross household income less income tax, PRSI, Universal Social Charge and Additional Superannuation Contribution. This €5,000 increase broadened the eligibility base, increasing the number of households eligible for support and lessening the impact on disadvantaged and vulnerable households of the significant increase in the cost of accommodation and cost of living generally in recent years.
Income is defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy. The Policy provides for a range of income disregards and 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.
My Department has been examining the existing income limits in the context of current market and household income conditions, including the suitability or otherwise of the current framework having regard to the significantly changed landscape since the standardised income limits were introduced. This includes examining the findings of research commissioned by my Department and this work is ongoing.
35. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if outstanding derelict site levies will be collected by Revenue; and if additional funding will be provided to local authorities for the register. [65562/25]
View answerThe introduction of a Derelict Property Tax was announced in Budget 2026 and it is intended to introduce legislation providing for the tax in the Finance Act in 2026. This tax will, when it comes into effect, replace the Derelict Sites Levy and will be collected by the Revenue Commissioners. Action 4.1 of Delivering Homes, Building Communities addresses the new tax measure.
However local authorities will continue to have a role in the process, as updating and maintaining their Derelict Sites Registers will continue to remain the responsibility of the local authorities. Derelict Sites levies that remain outstanding when the new tax is introduced will remain as charges on the properties concerned and remain the responsibility of each local authority to collect.
My Department is currently working on a number of measures to increase staffing levels in the local government planning sector. In this regard, my Department is collaborating with the Local Government Management Agency on the delivery of a programme of supports to planning authorities. These supports include the provision of staffing resources and expertise to enable planning authorities to perform their functions efficiently and effectively.
Resources to ensure a focus on tackling dereliction within local authorities have also been provided through the funding of dedicated Vacant Homes Officers and Town Regeneration Officers who are working in the relevant dereliction and regeneration teams to ensure a planned and proactive approach is taken. My Department has also made funding for staff resources available to local authorities as part of Call 3 of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, to support their work tackling vacancy and dereliction, while a total of €150 million has been provided as revolving fund for local authorities to acquire long term derelict properties where necessary.
It should be noted that under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he/she is responsible. It is a matter for each local authority to determine its own spending priorities, including taking account of payroll costs in the context of the annual budgetary process, having regard to both locally identified needs and available resources.
36. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the work of his Department to review and update wildlife legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65852/25]
View answerThe National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department is currently undertaking an important project to update wildlife legislation. This includes the Wildlife Act 1976, the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000, the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 and significant regulations made under these provisions. The project is examining closely the effectiveness of legislation in protecting wildlife and regulating activities that adversely impact on wildlife and biodiversity.
This is a complex undertaking, and will be carried out in a number of phases. A first phase of public consultation was undertaken in 2024.
Many aspects of wildlife legislation are being examined as part of this project. A key focus of the initial phase of the legislation update will be on strengthening the enforcement of wildlife crime and on addressing legislative anomalies. In relation to the Wildlife Acts, it is anticipated that two new Wildlife Bills will be published arising from this work. I expect to finalise and submit the general scheme of the first Bill to Government for approval in the first half of 2026.
37. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the work of the multi-stakeholder group under his Department in respect of developer provided wastewater treatment plants in housing estates that are not in the charge of local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65853/25]
View answerI refer to my reply to Question No. 122 of 8 October 2025 and confirm the position is unchanged.
Uisce Éireann remains responsible for remediation of Developer Provided Infrastructure, with the multi-stakeholder group continuing to oversee progress. Existing local operational arrangements remain in place pending remediation or takeover.
38. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the implementation of the recommendations of the expert group on Traveller accommodation. [65684/25]
View answerThe Traveller Accommodation Expert Review report, which is intended to improve the effectiveness of the arrangements for providing accommodation for members of the Traveller community, has 32 recommendations across 4 categories which are aimed at:
• Addressing research deficiencies;
• Removing any potential delays and obstacles in the planning system;
• Increasing resources and delivery capacity; and
• Strengthening governance arrangements.
The Programme Board, established on foot of the Traveller Accommodation Expert Review report, continues to make progress in delivering on implementation of the recommendations in the report. To date 14 of the recommendations have been completed.
The progress report, which provides an update on the work of the Programme Board, is available at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/37910-traveller-accommodation-expert-review-programme-board-update/
My Department is preparing to publish a new update on the website shortly.
40. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on any recent tripartite engagements between his Department, Dublin City Council and the developers of the Poolbeg SDZ area to progress the delivery of affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65839/25]
View answerIn March 2022, Dublin City Council approved an application for the first phase of homes at the former Glass Bottle site. My Department has been working with Dublin City Council and the developers of the Poolbeg SDZ area to progress the delivery of social and affordable housing in this first phase of housing delivery, subject to agreement on the SDZ requirements and all the normal and relevant terms, including value for money aspects.
Dublin City Council and Pembroke Beach DAC have concluded the negotiations on the Part V agreement for the Glass Bottle Site. With regard to delivery of affordable housing in this first phase in accordance with the terms of the SDZ condition, the parties are not in a position to comment further until an agreement is finalised.
41. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which local authorities are being supported to zone sufficient land for housing and ensure the necessary servicing and infrastructure is delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65681/25]
View answerThe Programme for Government recognised the need to accelerate home building by zoning additional lands for housing and coordinating investment to service zoned lands.
The Revised National Planning Framework, sets out updated national and regional housing targets to 2040. These targets provide the basis for the local authority Housing Growth Requirements I issued to local authorities in July 2025. These updated growth requirements will be incorporated into local authority development plans to ensure a balanced approach to housing growth across all regions.
I have established a Housing Activation Office in my Department to accelerate the delivery of infrastructure needed to service zoned lands and to enable housing development. The Office is actively engaged in identifying barriers to housing delivery and is coordinating with local authorities and infrastructure agencies to address these barriers.
In the coming months I will be bringing forward a €1 billion Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund to support direct investment in housing infrastructure. This new fund is intended to complement investment by infrastructure agencies, such as Uisce Éireann and ESB Networks, who have also received funding under the National Development Plan to support housing growth.
This joined-up approach will help accelerate housing delivery by unblocking infrastructure constraints and ensure that investment is targeted to where it can have the greatest impact. This will help support local authorities in achieving their housing targets in line with the Revised National Planning Framework.
42. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the specific accountability measures that are being put in place to ensure that local authorities meet their housing delivery targets, given ongoing concerns from the construction sector regarding constant delays, objections, and bottlenecks in planning and approvals. [65829/25]
View answer115. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the mechanisms he will introduce, in light of the establishment of the Housing Activation Office, to monitor and enforce the performance of local authorities in progressing housing projects; and the way in which his Department intends to address councils that consistently fail to deliver homes in a timely manner. [65830/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 42 and 115 together.
Roadblocks to delivery must be removed to support activation of land at scale and the Housing Activation Office will be critical in this regard. The Housing Activation office comprises senior and experienced staff from within my Department, in addition to senior specialists seconded from Uisce Éireann, ESB Networks, the National Transport Authority, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the local government sector. The Office is actively engaged in identifying barriers to housing delivery and is coordinating with local authorities and infrastructure agencies to address these barriers.
In the coming months I will be bringing forward a new Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund, with multi-year funding being made available to support direct investment in critical housing infrastructure where it can be accelerated and delivered in the short term. This new fund will operate in addition to existing investment programmes such as the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund and the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, which will continue to play a key role alongside the Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund.
This joined-up approach will help accelerate housing delivery by unblocking infrastructure constraints and ensuring that investment is targeted to where it can have the greatest impact. This will help support local authorities in achieving their housing targets in line with the Revised National Planning Framework.
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, on a local authority basis. Data on social housing delivery against targets is also published. This data is available to the end of Q2 2025 and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/.
My Department also publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR), which provides details of social housing developments, their location and their funding programme that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of the design and tender processes. The most recent publication was for Quarter 2 2025. All CSRs are available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/.
A version of the CSR file can also be downloaded for analysis by local authority, location etc. at this link: https://data.gov.ie/dataset/social-housing-construction-status-report-q2-2025.
The delivery performance of local authorities against their targets under Housing for All is kept under continual review by my Department. Beginning this year, I started publishing the social housing delivery achieved by all local authorities – as set against their targets – as part of the quarterly statistics published. This will allow for greater transparency and engagement with the delivery of new-build housing at a local level.
Under Delivery Homes, Building Communities I will establish a new performance fund in order to incentivise local authorities to not just meet but exceed their annual ‘own build’ social housing targets. Where local authorities exceed annual ‘own build’ social housing targets they will receive additional discretionary funding for the delivery of community and placemaking initiatives and projects, with an important role for elected members in how this funding is spent.
To further support this ‘new build’ teams, ring-fenced from other local authority work and dedicated solely to social and affordable ‘new build’ housing projects will be established which will be fully funded by my Department through reimbursement to local authorities on a performance pay basis.
The Department proactively engages with the housing delivery partners to monitor their delivery of affordable housing supports. Quarterly reports are published on the Department's website, outlining each LA delivery's delivery. These reports are publicly available and can be viewed at www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/overall-social-and-affordable-housing-provision/
43. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if additional supports will be provided by his Department so that extra capacity for homeless services in Limerick can be provided over the winter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65799/25]
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 local authorities in addressing homelessness at a local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless accommodation and related services rests with individual local authorities.
While responsibility for the provision of accommodation for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities, the administration of homeless services is organised on a regional basis, with nine administrative regions in place and a lead authority in each region.
A homelessness consultative forum has been established in each region in accordance with Chapter 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2009. Decisions on the range of emergency accommodation services and funding required in each region are a matter for individual housing authorities in consultation with the Management Group of the relevant regional joint Homelessness Consultative Forum. It is a matter for the management group of the consultative forum, in the first instance, to determine the services and the funding required to address homelessness in each region.
The cold weather arrangements are typically introduced in November and additional funding is provided by my Department to meet the costs associated with these measures where necessary. These arrangements involve the introduction of additional bed capacity to ensure that there is shelter available for individuals experiencing homelessness who may be at risk of rough sleeping. Depending on the particular local requirements, local authorities may also introduce additional measures such as extended opening hours of homeless facilities and extended outreach services.
My Department is in regular discussion with each housing authority in relation to the cost of proposed services, and the funding requirements to meet their homeless services programme during the course of the year. I have made it clear to all housing authorities that funding for all required homeless services including additional capacity under the cold weather will be provided this year.
45. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for a report on Land Development Agency activity in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65540/25]
View answerThe Land Development Agency (LDA) published its second Report on Relevant Public Lands earlier this year, and this edition provides an update on the eighty three parcels of land identified in the first report located within the ten main urban locations (5 cities and 5 key growth towns, including Drogheda and Dundalk).
The second report includes consideration of additional relevant public land identified in other census towns. It identifies a total of 102 parcels of land as having potential to deliver housing-led developments. Of the 102 sites identified, four are located within Louth, three in Dundalk and one in Drogheda.
My Department is currently engaging with all landholding bodies to consider the sites identified in the second Report in their ownership, and to further assess the suitability of those sites for the development of housing. Following this process, recommendations on further suitable sites may be brought to Government for consideration for transfer to the LDA.
Some of the sites identified may be suitable to progress to design, and planning following transfer, subject to achieving statutory consents and agreement, while others are large, complex and/or in operational use. It is important to note, that while suitable and prioritised, many of these sites require further inputs, such as master planning, enabling works, relocation of existing operations, before the LDA can make applications for statutory consents or development.
It may helpful to note that the Land Development Agency Act of 2021 requires the LDA to establish and maintain a Register of Relevant Public Lands. This tool facilitates the identification and assessment of potential relevant public land for the provision of affordable and social housing for both now and in the future. More information on the Register and the current use of relevant public land sites identified in Louth is available on the LDA website via the following link: https://lda.ie/public-lands/register-of-relevant-lands
46. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to publish a summary of a report (details supplied) into planning irregularities in County Donegal. [65687/25]
View answerI am considering the report, entitled 'A Review Into Certain Planning Matters in Respect of Donegal County Council', by Mr. Rory Mulcahy S.C., and will bring this matter to Government for consideration in due course.
The review is a scoping report and as such it does not make findings as to the truth or otherwise of allegations that have been made by an individual against named persons. The Attorney General's office has been consulted on both the content of the report and also on the issue of its potential publication and dissemination.
Further, regarding the publication of the Mulcahy Report, the decisions of the Commissioner for Environmental Information (OCE-103174-W9G4J2 (Legacy Reference CEI-18-0019)) of 13 February 2019 and the Information Commissioner (OIC-59426-Q8D7T8) of 27 February 2020 in relation to requests to publish this report will also be taken into account. Both decisions are publicly available on those bodies' websites.
It should be noted that in each of these cases, both the Commissioner for Environmental Information and the Information Commissioner decided not to grant access to the report. The Office of the Information Commissioner decision stated "placing the details concerned in the public domain would significantly breach the rights to privacy of identifiable individuals." Furthermore, the decision of the Office of the Commissioner for Environmental Information notes that the report does not contain "significant "wider" recommendations" that could be applicable to the planning system as a whole.
Therefore, the publication of the report, or any summary which may allow the identification of individuals, requires careful consideration given that the report details unproven allegations against named persons.
47. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of affordable housing options which have been delivered to-date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65636/25]
View answerAffordability and the chance to own a home is at the heart of Government’s housing policy, as embodied within the new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025 – 2030.
The new plan builds upon the significant progress made under Housing for All, with nearly 16,900 affordable housing solutions having been delivered since it's launch, including 3,918 in the first half of 2025.
My Department publishes programme-level statistics on affordable housing delivery activity by local authorities and delivery partners in each local authority area.
Data for the years 2022 up to Q2 2025 is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/overall-social-and-affordable-housing-provision/ .
48. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures he is taking to increase the delivery of affordable housing in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65157/25]
View answerAffordability and the chance to own a home is at the heart of Government’s housing policy, as embodied within the new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025 – 2030. The plan reinforces and expands the range of existing measures being implemented by Government to tackle the issues of supply and affordability, thereby supporting the increased provision of new homes to purchase and rent.
As outlined in Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025 – 2030, all local authorities are required to prepare a new Housing Delivery Action Plan (HDAP), which will identify need within their areas and set out how this will be met.
These new HDAP's will build upon the over 16,900 affordable housing solutions that have been delivered since the launch of Housing for All, including nearly 930 in Meath.
Meath County Council has funding approval in place for ten schemes to deliver 131 affordable starter homes for purchase, with the support of the Affordable Housing Fund, by end 2027, of which 77 have been delivered by end Q2 2025.
In addition, six Approved Housing Bodies projects have been approved to date under the Cost Rental Equity Loan scheme in Meath, with 64 Cost Rental homes delivered to date and a further 168 to be delivered by end 2026.
To further support the development of Meath’s affordable housing programme, my Department is funding 5 additional administrative and technical staffing posts dedicated to affordable housing delivery.
My Department will continue engaging with all delivery partners to further develop starter homes delivery, and ensure that the Starter Homes Programme addresses demand identified at a local level.
49. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his targets for the delivery of social and affordable housing in County Monaghan. [65815/25]
View answerThe Government's new Housing Plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities aims to deliver 300,000 new homes in the period to 2030, including 72,000 social homes and 90,000 starter home supports. The Plan seeks to significantly scale-up delivery of new build social homes over the coming years, increasing from an average of 8,000 or so homes a year at present to an average of 12,000 per year.
Monaghan County Council has a target to deliver 61 new build social homes this year and 62 new homes in 2026. Under the Plan local authorities will be issued with new social housing targets out to 2030, work is ongoing in this regard.
While Monaghan County Council has not been set an affordable housing delivery target out to 2026, the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) is available to all local authorities to assist towards the cost of developing affordable housing at locations where significant affordability needs have been identified. Monaghan is determined to use the AHF facility to respond effectively to identified needs in Monaghan Town. My Department is funding a dedicated Staff Officer position to complement the housing delivery team in Monaghan and ensure a dedicated resource is in place to focus on further developing the affordable housing delivery programme.
Under the new Plan each local authority will prepare a Housing Delivery Action Plan (HDAP) setting out their planned delivery of social and affordable housing out to 2030. This development of their HDAP’s will be undertaken in collaboration with delivery partners, including the Land Development Agency, Approved Housing Bodies, and the development sector. Each local authority’s implementation of the Starter Homes Programme, will be informed by local need, as identified by the Housing Needs and Demand Assessment framework, taking into account the need to provide the right mix of homes within their area. Planned social housing delivery with have regard to need as identified from their social housing waiting list.
Government is fully committed to working with all stakeholders to deliver social and affordable homes at scale and to continue accelerating social and affordable housing supply.
50. D'fhiafraigh Deputy John Connolly den Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage faoin dul chun cinn atá déanta ina Roinn chun Ráiteas Pleanála Náisiúnta le haghaidh tithíochta sa Ghaeltacht a fhoilsú; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [65847/25]
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).
51. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department is reviewing the approval and handover process involving local authorities and approved housing bodies, with a view to expediting occupancy of completed social housing units; and the specific steps which are now being implemented to accelerate the allocation of homes such as those at a location (details supplied). [65837/25]
View answer67. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reasons the completed social housing units at a location (details supplied) remained vacant for close to a year before tenants were allocated homes; and the measures which are being taken to ensure that newly completed units are not subject to similar delays in future, particularly where demand is high. [65836/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 67 together.
My Department operates a number of funding programmes that assist Local Authorities to work in partnership with Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to construct and purchase homes and make them available for Social Housing.
The Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) is a funding stream exclusively provided to AHBs by local authorities to facilitate the funding of construction or purchase of new social housing units. This loan facility is a contract between the local authority and the AHB, which supports between 25% and 30% of the eligible capital cost of the housing project, with the remaining finance sourced by the AHBs from private lenders (usually the HFA). The housing units are provided to local authorities for social housing use under long-term lease arrangements known as Payment and Availability Agreements (P&A).
Applications for P&A-CALF funding are made by AHBs directly to my Department. This is done following a consultation period with the Local Authority. During this period the Local Authority confirms their support for the proposed homes and agrees the need and the terms and conditions of the availability agreement around the homes.
As with all Exchequer-supported projects, my Department as sanctioning authority, assesses each project proposal for suitability as determined by the Local Authority, value for money and compliance with the various requirements of the funding programme.
With regard to the specific project referred to in the question, an application for CALF funding was submitted to my Department by Oaklee Housing for the provision of 37 social housing properties.
My Department has met with Oaklee Housing on a number of occasions to discuss the particulars of this project and funding was approved for the 37 properties on 31 July 2025.
However, the allocation of social housing to tenants and matters arising, including the length of time it takes for this to happen upon completion of a project, is a matter for the Local Authority and accordingly such information sought is not available in my Department.
Section 63(3) of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that, subject to law, a local authority is independent in the performance of its functions. Section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 specifically provides that the Minister’s power to issue policy directions and guidelines to housing authorities in relation to their housing functions shall not be construed as enabling the Minister to exercise any power or control in relation to any individual case with which a housing authority is or may be concerned.
As Minister, therefore, I am precluded by law from intervening in any decisions made by housing authorities in their management of particular dwellings.
52. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which the role of the Land Development Agency is being expanded under Delivering Homes, Building Communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65632/25]
View answerUnder Delivering Homes, Building Communities, the LDA’s role is being expanded to include delivery across a wider geographical area, working in partnership with housing developers of all sizes to deliver more homes across all tenure types, including social and private. This will involve the LDA acquiring more private and state land, investing in infrastructure delivery to unlock additional homes, and supporting planning and delivery of new communities. The LDA will also be playing a fundamental role in the Starter Homes Programme.
My Department is currently drafting a General Scheme which will amend the Land Development Agency Act 2021 to give effect to this expanded remit. The LDA Business Plan for 2026-2030 will reflect this expanded remit and the LDA's planned actions under Delivering Homes, Building Communities.
The Government is committed to providing additional equity funding of €2.5 billion to the LDA, giving it a total of €8.75 billion capital agreed. The LDA will extend the impact of this funding by sourcing external finance to support its objectives. The LDA has developed specialist expertise in the lifecycle of home delivery, from land activation to master planning to apartment design and delivery. This operational capability has taken some years to develop, and it is the first time in many decades that the State has had direct housing construction capability at any scale. Looking to the future, the flexibility inherent in the LDA platform will provide the Government with considerable capability as they seek to deliver on increased housing delivery.
53. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated delivery timeframes for sub-phases of Phase 3 of the Ulster Canal project. [65817/25]
View answerThe restoration of the Ulster Canal is a major cross-border project principally funded by the Shared Island Fund and my Department. The project is being delivered by Waterways Ireland, in three phases:
• Phase 1 from Upper Lough Erne to Castle Saunderson (completed in 2019)
• Phase 2 from Clones to Clonfad (completed June 2024), and
• Phase 3 Castle Saunderson to Clonfad (underway).
Phase 3 is the longest stretch at 10km and includes 10km of new and refurbished navigable canal and towpath, bridges, locks, marina and service blocks. Phase 3 has four sub-phases:
• Sub-phase 3.1 from Castlesaunderson to Gortnacarrow
• Sub-phase 3.2 from Gortnacarrow to Clonoony
• Sub-phase 3.3 Clonoony to Derrynure
• Sub-phase 3.4 Derrynure to Clonfad
Substantial preliminary work is underway on Phase 3. Waterways Ireland has appointed a dedicated project lead for this phase and detailed design tenders for sub-phases 3.1 and 3.2 issued in April this year.
Waterways Ireland continues to liaise with relevant stakeholders including affected landowners in relation to the project. I understand that Waterways Ireland has corresponded with all affected landowners, providing a project update, and more detailed engagement has commenced with land owners in sub phases 3.1 and 3.2.
It is expected that a contractor for construction of sub-phases 3.1 and 3.2 will be appointed by mid 2026 and that construction works will commence in Q3 2026. Estimated completion of all elements (subject to land acquisition and the necessary planning consent for sub-phase 3.3) is 2029.
54. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of individuals currently in receipt of HAP and RAS Payments; and the cost of each of these payments to the State. [65849/25]
View answerMy Department publishes comprehensive programme level data on a quarterly basis relating to social housing delivery and spend activity, including the number of active tenancies in the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS).
The latest published figures for total active HAP tenancies and spend (at end of Q2 2025) are available at the following link - www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/overall-social-and-affordable-housing-provision/#housing-assistance-payment
The latest published figures for the total active RAS tenancies and spend (at end of Q2 2025) are available at the following link -www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/overall-social-and-affordable-housing-provision/#rental-accommodation-scheme-ras
Q3 2025 figures are currently being compiled and will be published when that process is complete.
56. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the provision of allocated housing for those that work in frontline public sector jobs including teachers, nurses and members of An Garda Síochána; if this is under review within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65275/25]
View answerAffordability and the chance to own a home is at the heart of Government’s housing policy, as embodied within the new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025 – 2030. The plan reinforces and expands the range of existing measures being implemented by Government to tackle the issues of supply and affordability, thereby supporting the increased provision of new homes available for those who wish to purchase and rent including those who may be categorised as frontline workers.
Government is investing an unprecedented level of funding to support housing supply, which will underpin, inter alia, the new Starter Homes Programme, delivering an average of 15,000 affordable housing supports annually to 2030.
The Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024 included new provisions related to the Cost Rental sector aimed at improving access for certain cohorts. In July, under the provisions of this Act, I made the Affordable Housing Act 2021 (Cost Rental Allocation Plan) Regulations 2025. These Regulations allow Cost Rental landlords to employ Allocation Plans which may prioritise homes for those with a link to an area through residence, employment, or children’s education. This will support people to live and work in their local area.
