Written Answers Nos. 196-220
197. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage number of vacant homes in Dublin, by local authority; the steps being taken to reduce the number of vacant homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4142/26]
View answerThe management and maintenance of local authority social homes, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, is a matter for each individual local authority under s.58 of the Housing Act 1966. Local authorities must also ensure all tenanted properties comply with the provisions of the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019.
To this end, they must make adequate budgetary provision for housing repairs and cyclical maintenance utilising the significant housing rental income available to them as part of the annual budgetary process.
Notwithstanding these obligations, my Department will provide some €260 million as a contribution towards the remediation and maintenance of local authority homes through various funding programmes in 2026. This includes €40 million under a revised Planned Maintenance and Voids Programme to specifically support this work. Programme requirements and funding allocations will be notified to local authorities in due course.
Local authorities will always have a level of vacancy in their housing stock. This will fluctuate over time as tenancy surrender and re-letting of dwellings is an ongoing process. Accordingly, data on the number of vacant homes are not routinely collated by my Department.
That said, statistics in relation to social homes, at a point in time, are published by the National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC) in its Annual Reports on Performance Indicators in Local Authorities. These reports provide a range of information in relation to social housing stock, including levels of vacancy in local authority owned properties.
The most recent NOAC report for 2024 is available at www.noac.ie/noac_publications/report-77-noac-performance-indicator-report-2024/.
198. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider the re-instatement of the provision of new heating boilers under the local authority housing adaptation grants for older people and disabled people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5048/26]
View answerI refer to my reply to Question No. 1408 of 13 January 2026 which sets out the position in this matter.
199. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider financial support for unfinished housing estates, in terms of lighting and so on, where the bond is not paid, the developer is not still operating and homeowners are being left in limbo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4922/26]
View answerThe legislative process for the taking in charge of housing estates by local authorities is provided for under section 180 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act).
Where developments have not been completed to the satisfaction of the planning authority, and where enforcement proceedings in this connection have not been commenced by the planning authority within 4 years of the expiry of the planning permission relating to a development, section 180 (2)(a) of the Act provides that the planning authority shall, where requested by the majority of owners of the houses involved, initiate the taking in charge procedures under section 11 of the Roads Act 1993, as amended (the Roads Act).
In order to conclude the taking in charge process where the development has been deemed to have been satisfactorily completed, a local authority is required to make a declaration under section 11 of the Roads Act following a proposal by the executive. The making of such a declaration, which effectively confirms that the authority is prepared to take over responsibility for the ongoing maintenance of the public works elements of the estate, is a reserved function of the elected members of a local authority.
The decision to take any particular estate or estates in charge is ultimately one for the elected members of the local authority who, by way of declaration made under the Roads Act, will make such a decision.
The financial decision making and the accountability of local authorities is a matter for the elected members of a local authority who have direct responsibility in law for all reserved functions of the authority, which includes the adoption of the annual budget of the local authority.
In this regard, section 103 of the Local Government Act 2001, as amended, provides for the local authority budgetary process. It is a matter for each local authority to determine its own spending priorities in the context of the annual budgetary process, having regard to both locally identified needs and the funding resources available to the local authority. This includes the taking in charge of housing estates.
There is no longer a dedicated funding scheme for unfinished housing estates and currently there are no plans to reintroduce a further funding scheme for such purposes.
200. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of new build social homes currently in the pipeline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5010/26]
View answerData on the social housing pipeline can be found in the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR), which is published by my Department on its website on a quarterly basis. This 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 most recent publication was for Quarter 3 2025. All CSRs are available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/.
According to this report, 25,848 social homes were at design and construction stages at the end of September 2025. Of that figure, 13,064 social homes were onsite and 12,784 homes were at the design and tender stage.
My Department also 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 Q3 2025 and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website (www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/). The most recent data shows that the delivery of new build social homes in Q1-Q3 2025 (3,143) is up almost 48% on Q1-Q3 2024 (2,120).
The data reflects the strong momentum that is occurring in new build social housing delivery, with growth accelerating and robust pipelines in place. My Department is committed to supporting all local authorities to meet their social housing targets and is working closely with our delivery partners to advance further proposals for social housing delivery to ensure a strong pipeline into the future.
201. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage with particular reference to arrangements involving the OCCU in partnership with South Dublin County Council, the statutory basis for the use by local authorities of third-party agencies, either on a stand-alone basis or in partnership with local authorities, in the delivery and management of cost-rental tenancies; to outline the governance and accountability arrangements applying to such bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5067/26]
View answerCost Rental housing was introduced in 2021 as a new form of housing tenure in Ireland, where the tenant pays a rent which is set to cover the cost of delivering, managing, and maintaining the home. It is targeted at people on moderate incomes who do not qualify for social housing but who may be facing affordability pressures in the private rental market. Cost Rental tenancies also offer long-term security of tenure.
The management of tenancies in designated Cost Rental homes is the responsibility of the landlord, which in this case would be South Dublin County Council. Part 3 of the Affordable Housing Act 2021 does not require that Cost Rental homes are managed directly by a Local Authority or any other landlord. It is within the discretion of South Dublin County Council as a Cost Rental landlord to employ a third party agent such as OCCU to manage the Cost Rental properties on their behalf, just as a Local Authority may engage contractors for a range of its activities. The procurement and tendering of any such arrangement is the responsibility of the Local Authority in question. In any case where a management agency is used, the Local Authority remains the landlord of the Cost Rental properties and ultimately bears the associated responsibilities.
As with the use of an agent in the wider rental sector, the agent managing Cost Rental homes on behalf of a Local Authority must be registered with and subject to the jurisdiction of the Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA), which may receive complaints about the conduct of regulated agents delivering property management services. All Cost Rental tenancies, whether or not managed by a property management agency, are also subject to the jurisdiction of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB). Finally, South Dublin County Council, regardless of its use of an agent to manage any homes, is within the remit of the Office of the Ombudsman.
202. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Conor D. McGuinness den Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage an dtabharfaidh sé sonraí faoi na teagmhálacha is déanaí a bhí aige leis an Aire Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta maidir le Treoirlínte Pleanála Gaeltachta; agus an bhfuil amchlár cinnte i gceist maidir lena bhfoilsiú [68473/25]
View answer395. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage an bhfuil sé sásta na dréacht-treoirlínte don phleanáil sa Ghaeltacht a bhí geallta aige le foilsiú roimh an Nollaig seo a fhoilsiú ionas go mbeidh an pobal in ann comhairle a thabhairt maidir leo sula gcríochnóidh an tAire Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta an ráiteas náisiúnta pleanála don Ghaeltacht sa bhliain 2027, agus an raibh aon chómhrá aige leis an Aire sin maidir le ráiteas a fhoilsiú níos luaithe ná 2027 i gcomhthéacs an ghéarchéim titíochta sa Ghaeltacht. [68525/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 202 and 395 together.
Mar atá leagtha amach i dTithe a Sheachadadh, Pobail a Thógáil 2025-2030 - Plean Gníomhaíochta maidir le Soláthar Tithíochta agus Díriú ar Easpa Dídine, foilseoidh muid Ráiteas Pleanála Náisiúnta sa chéad leath de 2027 i ndáil le tithíocht i gceantair Ghaeltachta.
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, lena n-áirítear an treoir nua beartais do Cheantair Ghaeltachta, ón Aire chuig údaráis phleanála i bhfoirm Ráitis Pleanála Náisiúnta.
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 Gaeltachta, déanfar measúnú ar Dhréachtráiteas Pleanála Náisiúnta críochnaithe chun críocha Measúnaithe Straitéisí Timpeallachta ?(MST) agus Measúnaithe Chuí (MC).
Leagtar amach san Acht um Pleanáil agus Forbairt 2024, an oibleagáid atá ar údaráis áitiúla straitéisí a ullmhú agus cuspóirí a áireamh, nach mór aghaidh a thabhairt orthu agus a bPlean Forbartha á dhréachtú, lena rialaítear beartais forbartha áitiúla i leith aon cheantar Gaeltachta. Sa chás go bhfuil ceantar Gaeltachta laistigh de limistéar riaracháin an údaráis phleanála, ní mór cuspóirí a áireamh sa straitéis plean forbartha chun “oidhreacht theangeolaíoch agus chultúrtha na Gaeltachta a chosaint, lena n-áirítear cur chun cinn na Gaeilge mar theanga phobail”. Sa chás go leagtar amach i bplean forbartha cuspóirí a bhaineann go sonrach le lonnaíocht i leith aon cheantar Gaeltachta, tabharfar isteach ‘Plean Tosaíochta don Cheantar’ ina dhiaidh sin chun treoir a thabhairt dá fhorbairt, dá athnuachan nó dá athghiniúint agus chun a shonrú conas a chuirfear na cuspóirí ábhartha a bhaineann go sonrach le lonnaíocht sa phlean forbartha i bhfeidhm.
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 Pleanála Teanga sa Ghaeltacht (LPTanna mar a cheanglaítear faoi Acht na Gaeltacht 2012) chomh maith le beartais bhreise a áireamh amhail ullmhú straitéisí tithíochta a bhfuil aird ar leith acu ar riachtanais chónaitheoirí na Gaeltachta, agus a chinntiú go mbíonn tionchar dearfach ag tograí forbartha i gceantair Ghaeltachta ar an oidhreacht teanga agus chultúrtha ar féidir measúnú láidir a dhéanamh uirthi ag céim an iarratais phleanála.
Ina theannta sin, tá mo Roinnse ina rannpháirtí lárnach i bhforbairt an bheartais nua Ár dTodhchaí Tuaithe, a thiocfaidh i bhfeidhm ó 2026. Bíonn mise agus mo Roinnse ag plé go rialta leis an Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta maidir le tithíocht agus an bonneagar riachtanach chun tacú le forbairt tithíochta.
Ar deireadh, chomh maith le tacú le tithíocht tuaithe, áirítear sa Chlár Rialtais líon suntasach gealltanas i ndáil le forbairt tithíochta i gceantair thuaithe, agus a dtabharfaidh mo Roinn aghaidh orthu, nuair is gá, i gcomhar le Gníomhaireachtaí ar nós Uisce Éireann agus Ranna Rialtais eile de réir mar is gá. Tá an Rialtas tiomanta, go háirithe, do bhonneagar a sholáthar chun tacú le tithíocht ar fud na tíre d’fhonn freastal ar riachtanais tithíochta.
203. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the review of the 2001 planning guidelines for local authorities on early learning and childcare settings, in order to increase childcare supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4871/26]
View answerThe Programme for Government sets out a number of priorities for Government in relation to access to early learning and childcare services including a commitment to ‘review the 2001 Childcare Facilities Guidelines for Planning Authorities to ensure childcare spaces are provided and put to use’.
Further to the commencement of Chapter 3 of Part 3 of the Planning and Development Act 2024 on the 2nd of October 2025, provisions for National Planning Statements have been introduced to replace the provisions for Ministerial guidelines issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000.
All existing Section 28 guidelines will, over time, be revoked and replaced with new National Planning Statements. The current section 28 guidelines will however remain in force until revoked or replaced by a corresponding National Planning Statement. The timing of the issuing of National Planning Statements will be based on Government priorities.
The current Guidelines set out a methodology for calculating an adequate provision of childcare places and are intended to ensure a consistency of approach to the treatment of applications in respect to the land use planning aspects of childcare provision, for relevant planning applicants, developers and childcare providers in formulating and considering development proposals.
These Guidelines currently set out that a standard of one childcare facility providing for a minimum 20 childcare places per approximately 75 dwellings may be appropriate. This is a guideline standard and will depend on the particular circumstances of each individual site. Consideration of childcare facilities provision should be raised as early as possible in preplanning discussions for larger housing developments.
National Policy Objective 41 of the NPF in particular prioritises the alignment of targeted and planned population and employment growth with investment in a number of areas including a childcare/ECCE planning function, for monitoring, analysis and forecasting of investment needs, including identification of regional priorities; and the provision and timely delivery of childcare facilities and new and refurbished schools on well-located sites within or close to existing built-up areas, including in support of infill and brownfield development, that meet the diverse needs of local populations and act as a key enabler for housing development, thereby contributing to the development of sustainable communities.
My Department, in conjunction with the Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE) and the Department of Education and Youth (DEY) has established a Working Group, chaired by DCDE, to create a clear mechanism for information sharing and discussion in relation to current and future policy related to planning of early learning and childcare services, including examining the role of the existing Childcare Guidelines for Planning Authorities.
204. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage given the low number of affordable purchase homes available in Dublin North-West, his plans to scale up the delivery of affordable homes in areas that are in dire need; his plans in Dublin North-West in this respect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5061/26]
View answerThe Government recognises the acute need for affordable housing in areas of high demand, including Dublin North-West, and is committed to scaling up the delivery of affordable homes in communities where affordability pressures are most severe.
Under Delivering Homes, Building Communities, the Governments priority is on accelerating delivery through the optimum use of public land, increased capital investment, and continued collaboration with housing delivery partners. This includes the strategic role of the Land Development Agency (LDA), which is tasked with activating State-owned lands for large-scale housing delivery, with a strong emphasis on delivering affordable purchase and cost-rental homes in key urban areas where the need is most acute.
In the Dublin North-West area, affordable housing delivery is being progressed on a number of key sites including the major regeneration project at Oscar Traynor Road, with 853 new homes being delivered by Dublin City Council in a mix of social homes (40%), cost rental (40%) and affordable purchase (20%).
Additionally, at nearby Cromcastle, the LDA and Dublin City Council are delivering 146 new residential homes at An tSrúill (133 cost rental and 13 social homes). The project is expected to be completed in December 2026
Under the Governments new housing plan, all local authorities, including Dublin City Council, are now required to prepare Housing Delivery Action Plans to clearly identify local affordable housing need and set out how this need can be met. My Department continues to engage closely with Dublin City Council and the LDA to ensure that delivery in Dublin North-West both continues and is aligned with identified need.
I am committed to increasing the supply of genuinely affordable homes in Dublin North-West and across the State. Through investment, the activation of public land, and close engagement with delivery partners, the Government will continue to scale up affordable housing delivery in areas where it is most urgently required.
205. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can confirm that capital funding will be made available in the 2026 to 2030 National Development Plan to construct a new fire station for the fire services in Rathdowney, County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4421/26]
View answer268. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the construction of a new fire station for Rathdowney, County Laois is included in his Department's list of works to upgrade fire stations around the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4420/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 205 and 268 together.
The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003. My Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for equipment and priority infrastructural projects.
Project consideration stages from a Department perspective include submission of preliminary and detailed appraisals; submission of design brief; selection of a site; application for approval in principle; appointment of design consultants; submission of a preliminary design; planning application; submission of a preliminary cost plan, detailed design and cost plans; and tender process and construction stages - each step subject to approval from my Department.
In December 2020, Minister Darragh O'Brien announced the Fire Services Capital Programme for the period 2021-2025, with a funding allocation of €61m. Following extensive engagement with fire authorities, a number of proposals for station works etc. were received. The proposals were evaluated and prioritised on the basis of the:
• Area Risk Categorisation of the fire station (population, fire risks, etc.);
• established Health and Safety needs;
• state of development of the project;
• value for money offered by the proposal; and
• the totality of requests from all authorities.
At that time Laois County Council had indicated that a new fire station at Stradbally to be their number one priority with the replacement of Rathdowney Fire Station as their second priority going forward. While the Stradbally fire station project was not initially included in my Department's Fire Services Capital Programme 2021 - 2025, all projects in the capital programme may be reassessed on an annual basis to maximise available capital programme funding and priority may be adjusted to bring forward projects offering best value-for-money and to take account of the state of readiness of the projects, based on ongoing engagement with local authorities in respect of prioritisation.
Subsequently following reappraisal, approval in principle for a new fire station at Stradbally was conveyed to the Council in November 2022. The Council has now been approved to tender for the construction phase of the Stradbally Fire Station and I understand the Council are currently evaluating tender submissions.
In December 2024 Laois County Council submitted an updated preliminary appraisal for a proposed new fire station at Rathdowney, noting several issues with the existing station including,
• accessibility of the site for responding firefighters due to its central location on a narrow street within Rathdowney;
• the stations limited size, poor layout; and
• limited welfare facilities, particularly in the context of the increased optimal crewing numbers of fire stations to 12 following the August 2023 WRC agreement with Retained firefighters.
Laois County Council has indicated a new fire station for Rathdowney to be their number one priority project for the Fire Services Capital Programme 2026 – 2030. The Council has secured a new site they regard as ideally situated with regard to the road network and traffic flow while retaining a central location close to the retained crews living and work environments.
My Department will work closely with Laois County Council to progress their identified priority infrastructural projects during the lifetime of the next fire service Capital programme, within the context of the totality of requests from fire authorities countrywide for capital funding.
206. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to address serious concerns regarding the proposed short-term letting regulations; the rationale for the retrospective planning requirements being proposed; the criteria and costs associated with retrospective planning applications; the manner in which hosts’ personal data will be stored and used by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4425/26]
View answerThe EU Short Term Rental (STR) Regulation was adopted by the EU on 11 April 2024 and is applicable from 20 May 2026. This Regulation lays down harmonised rules on the collection and exchange of data on short-term rental services for member states, hosts providing short-term accommodation rental services, and online platforms that offer services to hosts providing short-term accommodation rental services within the EU.
The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (DETE) has drafted the Short Term Letting and Tourism (STLT) Bill General Scheme in full alignment with the STR Regulation. The introduction of the STLT Bill will provide a more effective legal and administrative basis to regulate short term lettings. This Bill when enacted will provide the statutory basis for the introduction of a register for all Short Term Lettings in Ireland, which will be implemented and managed by Fáilte Ireland from 20 May 2026.
Following the approval received from Government on the 15 April to generally preclude new planning permissions for Short-Term Lets in large towns and cities, my Department is working to give effect to this decision. This involves a review of the current Planning Acts with a view to remove references to Rent Pressure Zones in respect of short-term lets.
To ensure that there is a clear view, both at national level and local authority level, as to the overall policy approach to determining planning applications for Short-Term Lets, my Department is currently developing a National Planning Statement (NPS) for the Short-Term Letting sector to supplement and support the introduction of the STLT Bill. It will consider a variety of factors, such as existing planning legislation, the long term housing need in the local authority area, the location of the proposed short term let and balancing housing need with the potential impact on tourism and economic development.
It should be noted that in advance of the publication of the NPS, local authorities can continue to make decisions on applications for change of use in respect of short-term letting properties. The decision of the local authority will be informed by local policy contained in the city and county development plans and local area plans, where applicable.
Short-term letting platforms will be required to provide particular sets of data and report monthly to Fáilte Ireland. This information will be shared and will enable local authorities and competent authorities, which will be managing the registers, to have information about short-term letting, including where the properties are located. It is a matter for local authorities, in the first instance, to ensure that the appropriate arrangements are in place for the proper management, custody, care and conservation of local records.
207. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he has examined the use of compulsory sales orders, whereby local authorities could compel the sale of vacant or derelict properties, as a means of activating dormant assets and supporting regeneration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3420/26]
View answerWorking to end dereliction and vacancy is a key priority in the Government's new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities. The Plan aims to ensure that the activities and resources used to address vacancy and dereliction are co-ordinated and effective and that legislative powers are used proactively to work to bring dereliction and vacancy to an end.
The Vacant Homes Action Plan outlines the range of initiatives and funding mechanisms that have been introduced in recent years and these measures are successfully reducing the levels of vacancy and dereliction across the country.
The concept of a compulsory sale order relates to a legislative power whereby a public authority may force the sale of a vacant or derelict property, to get the property back into use.
My Department is not aware of any jurisdiction where compulsory sales orders are in existence or in operation to tackle vacancy and dereliction, therefore information about their use and effectiveness is not available.
The introduction of any such new and untested measure would require a strong policy basis, consideration given to its constitutionality and a legislative basis. It would also presumably require fair procedures for property owners, similar to those already existing under compulsory purchase legislation. This would be in the context of compulsory purchase powers already being available under the Derelict Sites Act and the Housing Act. As such, there are currently no plans to introduce any such measures.
Instead, I am committed to ensuring that the existing legislative powers, which are effective when used, are used proactively and consistently across local authorities to work to bring dereliction and vacancy to an end.
To that end, my Department launched a CPO Activation Programme in 2023. This Programme requires local authorities to take a proactive, systematic approach to identifying and activating vacant and derelict properties. It includes use of their compulsory purchase powers under the Derelict Sites Act and the Housing Act, when engagement with the owners of these properties is not successful in bringing them back into use.
In October 2025, my Department published data for 2023 and 2024 on the CPO Activation Programme on its website, which can be accessed at the following link: Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO) Activation Programme (assets.gov.ie/static/documents/bdfef028/CPO_Activation_Programme_-_LA_use_of_CPO_powers.pdf).
Call 3 of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) is able to provide the finance required to compulsorily acquire properties in support of the local authority’s wider CPO Activation Programme targets. To date, over 1,370 properties have now been approved for local authority's URDF Call 3 programmes, with an estimated residential yield of over 5,600 homes.
Under the Derelict sites Act 1990, local authorities have been provided with a range of powers and measures to deal with the issue of derelict properties. Local authority powers include requiring owners or occupiers to take appropriate measures on derelict sites, acquiring derelict sites by agreement, or compulsorily, and applying a derelict sites levy on derelict sites.
Delivering Homes, Building Communities reinforces and expands the range of measures being implemented by Government to work to end dereliction and long term vacancy. Under the Plan, a new Derelict Property Tax will be introduced, to be administered and collected by the Revenue Commissioners, to bring derelict properties back into use.
I firmly believe the commitment Government has made to addressing vacancy and dereliction and the actions under Delivering Homes, Building Communities will play a vital role in delivering homes across the country.
208. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the data for the local authority new build housing output for quarter four 2025 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4938/26]
View answerMy 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, including new build housing output. This data is available to the end of Q3 2025 and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website (www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/). The Q4 2025 statistics are currently being collated and verified will be published in due course, following the usual timeline of Q4 publications. The Q4 2024 statistics were published in April 2025.
My Department also publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR), which 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. Data is collated at project level rather than individual unit level. The most recent publication was for Quarter 3 2025 and the Q4 2025 CSR will be published alongside the Q4 2025 statistics mentioned above. All CSRs are available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/.
209. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will take any interim action to request local authorities and approved housing bodies to prevent the continuation of any blanket pet bans in advance of upcoming legislation. [4417/26]
View answerThe new national housing plan, Building Homes, Delivery Communities, commits to reviewing the CCMA Code of Practice - Approved Housing Body (AHB) Allocation Process (the Code). A Working Group, including local authority and AHB representatives, has been established by my Department to examine the Code and its implementation.
As part of the work of this Working Group, an examination of how the Code can ensure that social housing tenants, of either AHBs or local authorities, are not precluded from living with domestic pets in local authority or approved housing body properties.
The review of the Code of Practice is scheduled for completion by H2 2026 with arrangements for its implementation also in place at that time.
210. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to engage with the pillar banks and the first home scheme to develop a support for first-time buyers seeking to purchase and renovate derelict or long-term vacant properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4925/26]
View answerA key element of the new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, is addressing vacancy and dereliction to bring homes back into use. Tackling vacancy and dereliction is an opportunity to provide much needed housing and revitalise communities.
Building on First Home Scheme progress to date, the new housing plan commits to engaging with the pillar banks and the First Home Scheme to develop a support for first-time buyers seeking to purchase and renovate derelict or long-term vacant properties.
In this context, I have requested the First Home Scheme to undertake the required analytical and technical work to examine the potential for such an expansion and the matter is under consideration.
To note, the First Home Scheme Designated Activity Company is fully responsible for the operation of the First Home Scheme and any decision to extend the scheme would require the agreement of the shareholders – the State and the participating pillar banks.
211. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the level of funding allocated to Cork County Council for housing maintenance; and if the Minister will outline any additional allocations planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4140/26]
View answerThe management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, the implementation of a planned maintenance programme and carrying out of responsive repairs, are matters for each individual local authority under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. Local authorities are also legally obliged to ensure all of their tenanted properties are compliant with the provisions of the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations, 2019. To this end, they must make adequate budgetary provision for housing repairs and cyclical maintenance utilising the significant housing rental income available to them as part of the annual budgetary process.
Notwithstanding these obligations, my Department will provide some €260 million as a contribution towards the remediation and maintenance of local authority homes through various funding programmes in 2026. This includes €40 million under the Planned Maintenance and Voids Programme to specifically support this work, €140 million under the Energy Efficiency Retrofit Scheme, and €28 million for Disabled Persons Grants. Allocations under each programme will be notified to local authorities in due course.
Details on funding recouped to local authorities including Cork County Council under various stock improvement programmes is available on my Department's website at the following links:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/0906a-other-local-authority-housing-scheme-statistics/#voids-programme.
www.gov.ie/en/publication/668c1-energy-efficiency-retrofitting-programme-expenditure-output/.
www.gov.ie/en/publication/b86b3-midlands-energy-retrofit-programme-expenditure-and-units/.www.gov.ie/en/publication/061cd-disabled-persons-grant-and-improved-works-in-lieu-schemes-allocation-and-drawdown/?referrer=http://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c472d-disabled-persons-grant-and-improved-works-in-lieu-schemes-allocation-and-drawdown-2011-2020/.
212. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress made in delivering affordable purchase and cost-rental housing in Cork; the number of schemes approved and commenced to date; and if additional sites or funding streams are being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4139/26]
View answerIn recent years, the Government has introduced several schemes to assist people to buy or rent homes.
Since 2021, close to 19,000 supports nationwide have been provided by way of these measures, including over 2,600 in Cork (1,154 in Cork City and 1,466 in Cork County). Under the new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, these supports will be retained, streamlined and expanded to form a Starter Homes Programme, to ensure that first time buyers and renters in need of support continue to be supported by the State.
My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on affordable housing delivery activity by local authorities and other delivery partners. Delivery data up to end Q3 2025 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/.
Both Cork City and Cork County Councils have established a significant pipeline of affordable housing delivery in the Cork area and continue to work proactively with all delivery partners.
Cork City Council has funding approval in place for ten schemes to deliver 465 affordable homes, with the support of the Affordable Housing Fund, by end 2027, of which 312 have been delivered by end Q3 2025. A further scheme is currently under assessment, with the potential to deliver an additional 88 affordable homes by end 2027.
184 homes have been delivered in the Cork City Council local authority area, through the Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) scheme since 2021, and a further 996 are due for delivery by the end of 2029.
In Cork County, 20 schemes have received funding approval under the Affordable Housing Fund, to support the delivery of 612 affordable purchase and 169 cost rental homes by end 2027. To date, 287 affordable homes have been delivered. A further two schemes are currently under assessment, with the potential to delivery an additional 65 affordable homes.
40 cost rental homes are due to be delivered in Cork County Council local authority area through CREL.
The Land Development Agency (LDA) is also delivering affordable housing at scale in Cork. To date, the LDA has delivered 92 affordable homes at Clonmore, Cork, and is currently progressing the development of two sites in Cork City (Marina Depot, Horgan’s Quay), through its market engagement and partnership initiative, Project Tosaigh. The LDA is also progressing delivery on state land sites, such as on the site of the former HSE Hospital at St. Kevin's, where construction is underway on phase one comprising 97 homes, with delivery targeted in 2026 of a total of 265 homes. The LDA is also progressing a project at the vacant ESB land at Sarsfield Road, in Wilton, where planning has been granted for 345 new homes, which will include a tenure mix of affordable purchase houses and cost rental apartments.
Furthermore, the LDA’s 2nd Report on Relevant Public Lands 2025 includes 14 parcels of land identified in the Cork City and 1 site in Cork County, with potential for housing led development.
Building on this progress, my Department will continue to engage with all delivery partners, including Cork City and Cork County Councils, to further the development of the affordable housing delivery pipeline, to meet affordable housing needs in the Cork area.
213. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will commit to providing funding for an updated fire station in Glencolmcille, County Donegal; the timeline for when it will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5054/26]
View answerThe provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003.
My Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for equipment and priority infrastructural projects.
In correspondence with my Department, Donegal County Council has indicated two new priority fire station projects. Those projects identified in order of the Council's priority are, an amalgamation of Ballyshannon/Bundoran fire stations at Finner and a new station at Glencolmcille. I understand a site has been identified within the Council's ownership at Finner for the proposed amalgamation project, while no new site has yet been identified for the proposed Glencolmcille project. My Department recently conveyed approval in principle for Donegal County Council to progress the proposed new fire station at a council owned site in Finner.
My Department will work closely with Donegal County Council to progress their identified priority infrastructural projects, within the context of the totality of requests from fire authorities countrywide for capital funding.
214. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on his Department’s involvement in attempts to deliver the legally required volume of affordable homes in the Poolbeg West SDZ. [4941/26]
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 accordance with the terms of the SDZ condition, the parties are not in a position to comment further until an agreement is finalised.
215. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review the social housing income thresholds to ensure those in need of social housing support are not unfairly excluded. [4940/26]
View answer219. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to review upwards the social housing qualifying income limits. [4550/26]
View answer246. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when income eligibility limits for local authority housing in Cavan and Monaghan will be increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4546/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 215, 219 and 246 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. Cavan and Monaghan are both in Band 3. These thresholds are net income thresholds, i.e. gross household income less income tax, PRSI, Universal Social Charge and Additional Superannuation Contribution. 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.
I am not in a position at this point to indicate the outcome of these considerations but I envisage that the analysis will be concluded early in 2026 to facilitate a final determination on next steps.
216. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to clarify whether he accepts that current income eligibility and salary-bracket limits may be excluding many middle-income workers in Dublin from accessing cost-rental homes, despite their inability to afford market rents; the measures being considered to revise cost-rental caps and income thresholds in high-cost urban areas, including Dublin, to support the long-term delivery and financial sustainability of approved housing body-provided housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5068/26]
View answerCost Rental housing was introduced in 2021 as a new form of housing tenure in Ireland, where the tenant pays a rent which is set to cover the cost of delivering, managing, and maintaining the home. It is targeted at people on moderate incomes who do not qualify for social housing but who may be facing affordability pressures in the private rental market. Cost Rental tenancies also offer long-term security of tenure.
Eligibility and income parameters are a key tool in targeting State-supported Cost Rental homes at those who fall within the moderate income cohort. The primary condition for accessing Cost Rental housing is a net annual income under a certain limit, which since 1 August 2023 has been €66,000 per year for homes in Dublin and €59,000 elsewhere, set through secondary legislation. Net income is defined as gross income with income tax, USC, PRSI contributions, and pension contributions deducted.
The legislation governing Cost Rental gives my Department broad scope to consider a range of factors when setting these household income limits. These factors may include changing economic conditions, Government policy priorities, the current state of the Cost Rental sector, and future plans for the tenure.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to "keep the income criteria for cost rental under review". My Department is currently conducting a comprehensive review of the income limits to ensure they remain fit for purpose.
217. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reforms he is making to cut delays and improve delivery times for social housing projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5011/26]
View answerAs sponsoring agencies, it is the responsibility of Local Authorities and Approved Housing Bodies to progress projects through the project lifecycle. My Department remains committed to supporting projects which are put forward and deal with submissions in a timely and efficient manner.
Timeframes for delivery of social housing can be impacted by a number of factors including construction material costs, supply chain issues and the impacts of interest rate movements. At a local level, complexities such as legal issues, retendering projects, reviewing the viability of projects, infrastructure challenges and judicial review of planning permissions can also have an impact.
This Government remains committed to increasing housing delivery and a key focus of the social housing programme is to increase the number of new-build homes.
The newly established Housing Activation Office (HAO) will identify and seek to address barriers to the delivery of public infrastructure projects required to enable housing development, through the alignment of funding; and co-ordination of infrastructure providers.
I announced this month, the new ‘single approval’ process for all new build social housing projects up to a value of €200m, this will support local authorities to streamline processes and encourage delivery of larger new build social housing developments.
Delivering Homes, Building Communities supports additional social housing delivery by mandating the use of standard house layouts and specifications as part of the new approval process and facilitate the use of Modern Methods of Construction through a standardised design approach. This measure combined with a Design and Build contract approach will enable local authorities and AHBs to expedite the delivery of social housing.
To incentivise local authorities to deliver more ‘own build’ projects, a new performance fund will be established. Where a local authority exceeds their ‘own build’ target they will receive additional discretionary funding for the delivery of community and placemaking initiatives and projects.
In addition, ring-fenced 'new-build' housing delivery teams in each local authority dedicated to own build new social and affordable housing delivery will be fully funded by my Department through reimbursement to local authorities on a performance pay basis.
In addition to these measures, this Government will establish a revamped contractor-led renewal programme focused on tackling dereliction and vacancy.
218. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the sites availing of the single stage approval in the Dublin City Council area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4870/26]
View answerThe Single Approval Process covers social housing new build projects up to €200 million and funded through the Department’s Social Housing Investment Programme (SHIP) (for local authorities) and Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) (for Approved Housing Bodies).
From January 2026, all new proposals will progress under the Single Approval Process. Projects at an advanced stage within the pre-construction approval process will see their project through to completion under the Four-Stage Approval Process. Local authorities have flexibility to proceed to completion within the existing Four-Stage process provided the project can be advanced in a reasonable timeframe. All projects will ultimately transitioned to the Single Approval Process if they have not proceeded to pre tender for construction by January 2027.
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.
My Department issued Circular Housing 01/2026 to all local authorities in the beginning of January introducing the Single Approval Process. Regional workshops will be arranged in the near future to assist in the transition.
220. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department is assessing the broadening of the single stage approval process for further housing developments, such as student accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5005/26]
View answerThe Single Approval Process covers social housing new build projects up to €200 million and funded through my Department's Social Housing Investment Programme (SHIP) (for local authorities) and Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) (for Approved Housing Bodies).
Funding approval for Student Accommodation is a matter for the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation, and Science.
