Written Answers Nos. 661-678
661. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the overall spend on social housing retrofit; and the number of units this applied to in each of the past five years respectively, in tabular form. [6325/26]
View answerA new holistic approach was adopted under the Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme (EERP) in 2021. Led by the Department for the Environment, Climate and Communications, the Government is targeting the 'retrofit' of 500,000 homes to a minimum B2 BER Rating standard by 2030. This includes 36,500 local authority social homes supported by funding provided by my department.
EERP funding will increase from €90 million to €140 million in 2026 and is expected to support up to 3,500 social home retrofits, with the homes selected and the nature of works included in the programme a matter for each local authority. Allocations under this programme will be notified to local authorities in due course.
Details on funding recouped to local authorities and number of social homes supported through the programme up to 2024 are available on the Department's website at the following links:
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/668c1-energy-efficiency-retrofitting-programme-expenditure-output/
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/b86b3-midlands-energy-retrofit-programme-expenditure-and-units/
Data in respect of delivery under the 2025 programme will be published in due course.
662. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the overall Government funding allocated to the Ballymun Regeneration, Moyross Regeneration and NWQR in Cork respectively, in tabular form. [6326/26]
View answerThe National Regeneration Programme targets the country’s most disadvantaged communities. Generally, the programme supports the regeneration of local authority estates and flat complexes, with funding for projects that rejuvenate the built environment through a mixture of remedial and refurbishment works; demolition, construction and retrofitting of dwellings; and, improvements to the public realm. Social regeneration activities are also funded through the programme, typically supporting communities in the relevant regeneration areas for the duration of each project .
Funding for Ballymun Regeneration, Moyross Regeneration and NWQR in Cork to the end of 2025 is detailed in the table below.
|
Area |
Expenditure |
|
Ballymun Regeneration |
€778 million |
|
Limerick Regeneration |
€513 million |
|
NWQR in Cork |
€96 million |
663. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding allocated under the voids return programme in 2026; and the number of units this will return, to use, by local authority in tabular form. [6327/26]
View answerThe management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, is a matter for each 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 the legal obligation on local authorities, €40 million will be provided as a contribution towards the remediation of local authority housing through my department's Planned Maintenance and Voids Programme in 2026, with the programme requirements, including target number of units and allocations issuing to local authorities in due course.
664. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding provided to the local government fund in 2009, 2015, 2020 and 2026. [6328/26]
View answerThe Local Government Fund (LGF) is audited by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General each year. The audited accounts of the fund are published on my Department's website at the following link;
https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/local-government-fund-accounts/
The main sources of funding to the LGF for the years requested is set out in the following table.
|
|
2009 |
2015 |
2020 |
2026 |
|
Motor Tax Income |
€1,056m |
€1,122m |
|
|
|
Local Property Tax |
|
€469m |
€482m |
T.B.C |
|
Exchequer Contribution |
€443m |
€241m |
€1,056m* |
€684m** |
* Increase due to Covid Rates Waiver in 2020.
** Provisional.
665. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps his Department is taking to ensure that RAS tenants who receive an eviction notice are guaranteed access to alternative accommodation or support to prevent homelessness including through the Tenant-in-Situ scheme; and the timeline by which these protections will be implemented. [6349/26]
View answerThe Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) is operated and administered by each relevant Local Authority. Where a RAS tenancy ends through no fault of the tenant, the local authority remain responsible for finding an alternative housing solution.
Local authorities work with RAS tenants who receive a valid Notice of Termination and offer available supports which may support to obtain an alternative tenancy (including a HAP or RAS supported tenancy) or an allocation to local authority stock. Tenancy Sustainment via Tenant in Situ acquisitions continues to be available to local authorities as a last resort for vulnerable households in emergency situations where no other housing solutions are available to the local authority. Funding for the Second Hand Acquisitions programme is determined annually. The 2026 budget and individual local authority allocations will be decided and communicated to local authorities at the start of February.
These arrangements operate under existing policy and administrative frameworks and are in place on an ongoing basis.
666. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department (or the Residential Tenancies Board under its remit) maintains and publishes up to date statistics on the number of eviction / termination notices issued by private landlords; if so, for each quarter since 2022, the number of notices which have been issued; his views on the trends in this figure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6350/26]
View answerThe Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as a quasi-judicial independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2025, to regulate the rental sector; provide information to tenants and landlords; maintain a national register of tenancies; facilitate the resolution of disputes between tenants and landlords; and conduct research and provide information to inform policy.
My Department does not hold the details sought by the Deputy. However, the RTB regularly updates such information on its data hub at: https://rtb.ie/data-insights/rtb-data-hub/. If you cannot find the information there, arrangements have been put in place to facilitate the provision of information by State Bodies to members of the Oireachtas. The RTB has set up a dedicated email address for this purpose and may be contacted at OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie to establish the extent to which it may hold the information sought.
My Department continually works with the RTB to keep the operation of the RTB, the Residential Tenancies Acts and the residential rental sector under constant review to ensure that an appropriately balanced policy and legislative framework is maintained.
667. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures in place to accelerate the reuse of vacant and derelict buildings for housing and community purposes; the steps taken to improve delivery timelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6375/26]
View answerWorking to end dereliction and vacancy is a key priority in the Government's new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities. The Plan will ensure that the activities and resources used to address vacancy and dereliction are co-ordinated and that legislative powers are used proactively to work to bring dereliction and vacancy to an end.
The range of initiatives and funding mechanisms introduced in recent years are set out in the Vacant Homes Action Plan and they are successfully reducing the levels of vacancy and dereliction right across the country.
A key measure is the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, introduced in July 2022. The grant provides up to €70,000 for the refurbishment of vacant and derelict properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent. There has been significant interest in the grant since its launch, with over 14,900 applications made to local authorities as of Q3 2025 and over €200 million of grant funding paid out across the country.
In December, I announced a new enhanced support package of up to €140,000 to bring vacant ‘above shop’ space in our cities, towns and villages into use as homes, which will be made available by end Q1 this year. I have also announced that additional funding for resources of up to €100,000 per annum would be made available to local authorities to support their work tackling vacancy and dereliction.
The CPO Activation Programme, launched in 2023, 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 1990 and the Housing Act 1966, 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: https://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), as well as Social Housing Investment Programme funding, is able to provide the finance required to compulsorily acquire properties in support of a local authority’s wider CPO Activation Programme targets. To date, over 1,370 properties have now been approved for URDF Call 3 programmes, potentially resulting in over 5,600 homes. The Housing Finance Agency can also provide funding to local authorities for these acquisitions.
Delivering Homes, Building Communities reinforces and expands the range of measures being implemented by Government to work to end dereliction and long term vacancy.
As well as the new Above the Shop Grant and other measures, a new Derelict Property Tax will be introduced - to be administered and collected by the Revenue Commissioners - to bring derelict properties back into use.
Under the Living City Initiative, a tax incentive scheme to encourage people to live in ‘special regeneration areas’, tax relief can be claimed for money spent on refurbishing or converting residential or commercial buildings. The aim of the initiative is to bring back life into the heart of the relevant cities and towns by encouraging people to convert suitable properties. Budget 2026 extended the Living City Initiative to 2030 and expanded it to include residential properties built before 1975 and the towns of Athlone, Drogheda, Dundalk, Letterkenny and Sligo.
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 accelerating the reuse of vacant and derelict buildings for housing and community purposes.
668. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the level of funding allocated under the Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund to projects in Dublin Bay north; the status of approved or pending projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6379/26]
View answerThe Government announced a new multi-annual 1 Billion Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund (HIIF) on 21st January 2026 to support direct investment in housing enabling infrastructure.
The fund will be managed by the Housing Activation Office in my Department. The core objective of the HIIF is to unblock infrastructure constraints and activate lands already identified for housing under development plans. By investing directly in transport, water, electricity and other enabling infrastructure, the fund will ensure that land is properly serviced and ready to deliver homes.
Given the urgency of increasing housing supply, Call 1 is focused on early delivery and will prioritise investment in infrastructure projects that are at an advanced stage and can be delivered quickly given funding certainty.
Call 1 opened for applications from local authorities and the Land development Agency (LDA) on 21 January 2026, with a closing date of 27 February 2026. Funding of up to 100% will be available to advance infrastructure projects that can be delivered within the 2026-2028 timeframe, that will allow for the acceleration of housing delivery.
As the application process is ongoing, no funding allocations have been made, including in respect of the Dublin Bay North area.
All applications received will be subject to a detailed assessment and ranking process in line with the scheme outline document. Assessment will commence once the call has closed, and recommendations will be brought forward in accordance with the governance arrangements for the Fund.
Full details of the HIIF Call 1 scheme outline can be found on my Departments website at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/housing-infrastructure-investment-fund-call-1-scheme-outline/
I will continue to develop the Fund after Call 1, and intend to broaden the approach in 2026 to include a wider range of delivery approaches and a broader range of public and private sector delivery partners.
669. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department has engaged with local authority or community leaders in Donaghmede regarding housing and infrastructure delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6383/26]
View answerThe Housing Activation Office (HAO) has been established in my Department, where the office is coordinating and accelerating the delivery of infrastructure projects that are essential to unlock housing development on sites nationwide.
The HAO has undertaken extensive engagement with various stakeholders to identify and address infrastructure barriers to housing delivery. This has included formal meetings with the 31 individual local authorities, including Dublin City Council (DCC).
To underpin delivery, a new Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund (HIIF) was announced as part of the new housing plan, Delivery Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030. I launched Call 1 on 21st January 2026, inviting applications for grant funding to support direct investment in critical housing infrastructure projects. This initial Call focuses on advanced infrastructure projects that can be delivered in the 2026–2028 timeframe and activate the early delivery of housing. DCC, along with all local authorities and the LDA have been invited to submit applications by 27th February 2026.
In addition, the Housing Activation Office will continue to work with all relevant stakeholders, including DCC, to coordinate the delivery of infrastructure projects needed to unlock housing development on sites nationwide.
Government is also investing an unprecedented level of funding to 2030, supporting local authorities and other delivery partners, in the provision of social homes and affordable options to households throughout the State.
As part of my Department’s programme of strategic engagement, we are meeting local authorities on the delivery of 90,000 affordable starter home supports, as set out in the new plan Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025 – 2030. As part of this engagement, all local authorities, including DCC, will prepare new Housing Delivery Action Plans, replacing plans made under Housing for All. HDAP’s will set out how the Starter Homes Programme will be implemented within each administrative area. This development of HDAP’s will be undertaken in collaboration with delivery partners, including the Land Development Agency and Approved Housing Bodies, and will be informed by local needs, taking account of the requirement to provide the right mix of homes within their area.
670. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will publish the review of the income limits for social housing, discussed in recent correspondence (details supplied). [6402/26]
View answerThe 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. 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 publish the research or 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.
671. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to urgently review the proposed short-term lets legislation and take into consideration a submission (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6413/26]
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. The proposed STLT Bill will provide the statutory basis for the establishment of a register for short-term lets in Ireland and for the implementation of the new EU STR.
Following the approval received from Government on the 15 April 2025 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. 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.
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.
On issuance of the NPS on short term letting, the decision making of local authorities in respect of material change of use applications for short term let properties will be informed by the policy contained within the NPS. This will allow for consistency in decision making throughout all local authorities areas, including in respect of the general preclusion of permission for short-term lettings in large towns and cities.
My Department has met with various stakeholders such as booking platforms and industry representatives during the development of the NPS for the short term letting sector. The legislative basis for a NPS is contained within the Planning and Development Act 2024. The relevant provision governing NPS's commenced in October 2025.
My Department has also established a Working Group, consisting of members from my Department, Department of Enterprise Tourism and Employment, and the County and City Management Association, in advance of finalising the NPS on short term letting. The group will provide a forum for input into proposed policy formulation and guidance documentation development by my Department.
672. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will request an organisation (details supplied) to draft a follow up report on construction costs for the defective concrete blocks grant scheme, considering that the last one was almost two years ago. [6420/26]
View answerMy Department keeps costs relating to the DCB Scheme under continuous review.
Following updated cost reports from the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) and advice from the Expert Group established to consider the matter, a further increase from the original grant rates set down in the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act), was provided for on 23 October 2024. The Scheme Cap has risen by 10% to €462,000. An increase in the scheme grant rates of between 7.4% and 8.7% that are set out in the 2023 Regulations was also approved on 7 November 2024.
The Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks (Amendment) Bill 2025 was initiated in Dáil Eireann on 2 December 2025, passed both Houses of the Oireachtas and was subsequently signed into law by the President, thereby becoming an Act, on the 23 December 2025.
The 2025 amendments make provision for the 2024 increases in the Scheme cap and rates to apply to a wider group of relevant owners, along with a number of technical amendments to ensure equity and efficient administration of the Scheme. The related Regulations will be adopted as soon as possible and provide for all matters within the Act which require to be prescribed and will provide the finer detail around how the amendments will operate in the scheme. A date for commencement of the new provisions of the amended Act will also be set as soon as possible.
Costs relating to the scheme are closely monitored and any future changes required to the scheme cap and rates will be dealt with accordingly.
673. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps his Department is taking to address concerns related to the roll out of the new computer aided dispatch system to Dublin Fire Brigade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6468/26]
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 Act, 1981 & 2003. My Department supports fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding support for equipment and priority infrastructural projects. Fire service issues are managed in my Department by the National Directorate for Fire & Emergency Management (NDFEM).
The National Mobilisation and Communications System (NMACS) is operated by Limerick City & County Council; it provides a national platform for fire-related emergency calls on a shared service basis. My Department provides capital funding to Limerick City & County Council to support the development and rollout of the NMACS programme for fire-related emergency calls.
The NMACS command and control platform is now live in both the Munster Regional Communications Centre (MRCC) and the Western Regional Communications Centre (WRCC), having replaced older legacy systems. NMACS is a new generation command and control system providing higher levels of resilience and technical capability, with significant new, modern technology available to call takers to provide a better service to the public.
Fire Service staff in all regions have been fully engaged, on an ongoing basis, in the project, throughout its development, procurement and implementation in the Munster and Western Regions as well as the planned migration in the Eastern region. Staff representing each of the three regional communication centres have participated in all phases of testing and development, meeting regularly and working closely with the NMACS team.
SIPTU notified a dispute to Dublin City Council (DCC) June 2025. This dispute has delayed the NMACS programme rollout in the East Region. The WRC intervened to resolve this dispute and following conciliation, the dispute was referred to the Labour Court. The Labour Court issued a number of recommendations 12 January 2026 aiming to resolve the issues raised by SIPTU. SIPTU have recommended acceptance of the Labour Court’s recommendations and are conducting a ballot of their members.
I would encourage both sides to continue to actively engage with a view to coming to a positive conclusion on this issue.
674. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he is satisfied that bodies funded through his Department's Vote are applying a consistent approach to the publication of procurement-related payment and purchase order information, particularly with regard to the use of machine-readable formats; whether his Department monitors publication practices across its aegis bodies for consistency with open data policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6489/26]
View answerState bodies under the aegis of my Department are independent in the performance of their functions. My Department does not routinely monitor publication practices as this is a matter for the bodies themselves.
To note, oversight agreements in place with the State bodies include provisions requiring the bodies to comply with public procurement guidelines. The Chairperson's Comprehensive Report to the Minister, required under the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, requires Chairpersons of the relevant State bodies to confirm adherence to relevant procurement policy and procedures.
Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email addresses are set out in the attached table.
|
Bodies under the Aegis of DHLGH |
Oireachtas email |
|
An Coimisiún Pleanála |
oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie |
|
An Fóram Uisce |
oireachtas@nationalwaterforum.ie |
|
Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority |
oireachtasqueries@ahbregulator.ie |
|
Construction Industry Register Ireland |
info@ciri.ie |
|
Docklands Oversight and Consultative Forum |
infodocklands@dublincity.ie |
|
Gas Networks Ireland |
oireachtas@gasnetworks.ie |
|
Heritage Council |
oireachtas@heritagecouncil.ie |
|
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
Oireachtas@housingagency.ie |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie |
|
Land Development Agency |
oireachtas@lda.ie |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
oireachtasmemberqueries@lgma.ie |
|
National Oversight and Audit Commission |
oireachtas@noac.ie |
|
National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee |
ntacc@housing.gov.ie |
|
Office of the Planning Regulator |
oireachtas@opr.ie |
|
Property Services Appeal Board |
psabsecretary@psab.ie |
|
Property Services Regulatory Authority |
pq@psr.ie |
|
Pyrite Resolution Board |
oireachtasinfo@pyriteboard.ie |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie |
|
Tailte Éireann |
Oireachtas@tailte.ie |
|
Uisce Éireann |
oireachtasmembers@water.ie |
|
Valuation Tribunal |
oireachtas@valuationtribunal.ie |
|
Waterways Ireland |
oireachtas@waterwaysireland.org |
675. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the proposed scheme to enable families to relocate out of the flood zone (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6491/26]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that I visited Donegal last year and understand the flood issue pertaining to Elm Park in Buncrana. Most of impacted homeowners have the option of availing of the Defective Concrete Block Scheme and the OPW intends to undertake flood relief works. The residents however are concerned about the length of time before those flood work would be completed and have asked that consideration be given to relocation options.
I am positively disposed to looking at solutions to the flooding issue based on the needs of those affected. I have asked officials in my Department to collaborate with colleagues in the Office of Public Works to develop proposals in this regard.
When a workable solution is reached for the impacted homeowners in Elm Park I will bring the proposal to cabinet colleagues for approval.
676. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to confirm if the funding for the recently announced infrastructure fund to be administered by the housing delivery office, will be funded under REV programme subhead A21; to confirm that this replaced the local infrastructure housing activation fund; and the way in which the administration of this fund will differ from its LIHAF predecessor. [6520/26]
View answerThe Government announced a new multi-annual 1 billion Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund on 21 January 2026 to support direct investment in housing-enabling public infrastructure and to accelerate housing delivery.
The Fund will be managed by the Housing Activation Office (HAO) in my Department. The core objective of the Fund is to unblock critical infrastructure barriers and accelerate housing development on lands that are zoned for housing. By investing directly in transport, water, electricity and other enabling infrastructure, the Fund will ensure that land is properly serviced and ready to deliver homes.
The HIIF will be funded under Vote 34, Subhead A21 (Housing Infrastructure). This subhead will also provide funding for the completion of the remaining commitments approved under the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund or LIHAF as it is commonly known.
The HIIF represents a significant step-change in ambition and scale. It is a substantially larger fund of up to 1 billion and is part of a more proactive, coordinated and strategic approach to infrastructure investment in support of housing delivery.
The Fund will be managed by the HAO, which brings together technical expertise from infrastructure agencies and the local government sector, alongside specialist planning and programme management capacity. This will support better knowledge sharing across key stakeholders and allow constraints to be addressed in a more targeted and effective way.
The HIIF is also designed to complement investment under the National Development Plan, ensuring alignment with investment by other Government Departments and infrastructure agencies to ensure that priority housing lands are serviced in a timely manner.
Call 1 under the HIIF opened on 21 January 2026 and is open to all local authorities and the Land Development Agency (LDA). Given the urgency of increasing housing supply, this first call focuses on infrastructure projects that are at an advanced stage and capable of delivery within the 2026–2028 period. Funding of up to 100% is available where this will accelerate housing delivery. The call will close on 27 February 2026.
All applications received will be subject to a detailed assessment and ranking process in line with the published scheme outline. Assessment will commence following the closing date, and recommendations will be brought forward in accordance with the governance arrangements of the Fund.
Full details of the HIIF Call 1 scheme outline can be found on my Departments website at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/housing-infrastructure-investment-fund-call-1-scheme-outline/ I will continue to develop the Fund after Call 1, and intend to broaden the approach in 2026 to include a wider range of delivery approaches and a broader range of public and private sector delivery partners.
677. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will publish the advice received from the Data Protection Commissioner in relation to the compilation of the rent register as part of the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6523/26]
View answerIn line with a commitment in the Programme for Government, the General Scheme of the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2025 provides for the establishment of a Rent Price Register.
As part of the drafting process of the Bill, my Department consulted with the Data Protection Commission in compliance with Article 36(4) of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Section 84(12) of the Data Protection Act 2018.
I have no plans to publish the consultation with the Data Protection Commissioner. However, taking account of those consultations and in compliance with data protection and privacy legislation, the rent amount payable and the unique identifier for the tenancy will be included on the RTB’s published register. The address of the dwelling will not be published to prevent the disclosure of the identity of the landlord and tenant. Accordingly, no personal information will be included in the RTB’s published register.
It is proposed to include on the published register, the LEA, the number of bedspaces, floor area and the Building Energy Rating (BER) in addition to the dwelling type and number of bedrooms. The additional information will help set the rent amount in the context of the nature of accommodation for let.
This register will provide greater transparency in rental prices for tenants, landlords and other stakeholders and will be an important and necessary source of information for the sector, particularly when setting and reviewing rents.
678. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the policy on one off housing will be changed to make it easier for people to build on their own land as per the recent statement by the Taoiseach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6624/26]
View answerAs set out in Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030- An Action Plan on Housing Supply and Targeting Homelessness, I intend to publish a National Planning Statement in of the second half of 2026 that will set out relevant planning criteria to be applied in local authority development plans for rural housing, based on the high level policy framework set in the National Planning Framework (NPF).
My Department is currently preparing a draft National Planning Statement (NPS) for Government approval, to be issued under Section 25 of the Planning and Development Act of 2024 in order to provide consistency in the approach to rural housing across the Country.
The NPS will expand on the high level spatial planning policy of the National Planning Framework (NPF), in particular on National Policy Objective (NPO) 28 which relates to rural housing. This objective makes a clear policy distinction between rural areas under urban influence (i.e. areas within the commuter catchment of cities, large towns and centres of employment), and structurally weaker rural areas where population levels may be low or declining. NPO 28 is also aligned with the established approach whereby considerations of social or economic need are to be applied by planning authorities in the assessment of development proposals for new one-off housing in rural areas under urban influence.
Since the publication of the current Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines in 2005 under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (which continue to have effect in addition to subsequent clarifications and national policy changes in the NPF) there have been important changes to our planning system and our obligations under European Directives and international agreements. Due care is being taken to ensure the National Planning Statement will not conflict with fundamental EU freedoms, will comply with EU environmental requirements and will have due regard to decisions of the European Court of Justice.
Furthermore, my Department and I regularly engage with the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht and with Agencies such as Uisce Éireann and other Government Departments to progress a number of Programme for Government commitments on housing in rural areas and the necessary infrastructure to support housing development across the Country in order to meet housing need.
