Written Answers Nos. 591-609
591. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to confirm if individuals may avail of Government schemes such as the help-to-buy scheme, and first home scheme when purchasing a modular home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16541/26]
View answerAffordability and the chance to own a home is at the heart of Government’s housing policy, as embodied within the new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities. The plan reinforces and expands the range of existing measures being implemented by Government to tackle the issues of supply and affordability, thereby supporting the increased provision of new homes to purchase and rent.
The First Home Scheme (FHS), launched July 2022, provides finance to help first time buyers, self-builders or those making a fresh start to bridge the gap between a deposit and mortgage, and the price of a new home, within regional price ceilings. The Scheme is overseen and managed by the First Home Scheme Ireland Designated Activity Company (DAC), on behalf of the shareholders - the State and participating mortgage lenders.
The First Home Scheme supports the purchase of modular homes where they are permanent/immovable structures, in compliance with current building standards and have a guaranteed lifespan of at least 75 years. The applicant must also meet the First Home Scheme applicant eligibility criteria which can be found here: www.firsthomescheme.ie/about-the-scheme/eligibility/
Please be advised, the Help to Buy incentive is an initiative of Revenue and the Department of Finance, and does not come under the remit of my Department. Revenue and the Department of Finance should be contacted in relation to that scheme’s operation. Revenue can be contacted at the following link: www.revenue.ie/en/contact-us/index.aspx
592. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to list all schemes, funding programmes, capital funds, grant streams or other expenditure headings administered by his Department in 2025 and 2026 which result in allocations, awards, or spending that can be identified with a specific geographical location including county, district, town, or project site, to group these by funding stream or programme heading; to indicate, for each scheme, whether details of allocations or awards are published online; and if so, where such information may be accessed. [16554/26]
View answerThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
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Programme A - Housing |
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Name |
Location |
Published Online |
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Payment & Availability (P&A) and Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) Funding Scheme |
All 31 local authorities, by project site |
N/A |
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Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) |
All 31 local authorities |
https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/9420600c/HAP_Funding_and_Delivery_Statistics_Q3_2025.xlsx |
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Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) |
All 31 local authorities |
www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/overall-social-and-affordable-housing-provision/#rental-accommodation-scheme-ras |
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Section 10 Grant Funding |
All 31 local authorities |
www.housing.gov.ie/housing/homelessness/other/homelessness-data |
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Homeless Capital Scheme |
Dublin City Council South Dublin County Council Fingal County Council Cork City Council Galway City Council Galway County Council Limerick County Council Clare County Council |
N/A |
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Traveller Accommodation Scheme |
All 31 local authorities |
N/A |
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Thatching Grants |
Any |
N/A |
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Mortgage to Rent (MTR) Scheme |
All 31 local authorities |
www.housingagency.ie/sites/default/files/2026-01/Local%20Authority%20Status%20Report%20Combined%20Q4%202025.pdf |
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Local Authority Mortgage to Rent (LAMTR) Scheme |
All 31 local authorities |
https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/09fe3ad4/LAMTR_transactions_2013-2024.xlsx |
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Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP) |
All 31 local authorities |
www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/overall-social-and-affordable-housing-provision/#leasing |
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Repair and Leasing Scheme (RLS) |
All 31 local authorities |
www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/#repair-and-leasing-scheme-rls |
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Programme C – Local Government |
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Name |
Location |
Published Online |
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Local Property Tax Allocations |
All 31 local authorities |
www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/local-property-tax-allocations/ |
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Pay and Pensions Support |
All 31 local authorities |
N/A - 2025 Local Government Fund Account to be published in Q3 2026 |
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Water Transformation Costs |
All 31 local authorities |
N/A - 2025 Local Government Fund Account to be published in Q3 2026 |
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Moneypoint Decommissioning Rates Compensation |
Clare County Council |
N/A - 2025 Local Government Fund Account to be published in Q3 2026 |
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Just Transition Rates Compensation |
Offaly and Longford County Councils ) |
N/A - 2025 Local Government Fund Account to be published in Q3 2026 |
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Creative Ireland |
All 31 local authorities |
N/A - 2025 Local Government Fund Account to be published in Q3 2026 |
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Fire Services and Emergency Planning |
All 31 local authorities |
N/A - 2025 Local Government Fund Account to be published in Q3 2026 |
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Single Pension Scheme |
All 31 local authorities |
N/A - 2025 Local Government Fund Account to be published in Q3 2026 |
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Mother and Baby Local Memorialisation |
All 31 local authorities |
N/A - 2025 Local Government Fund Account to be published in Q3 2026 |
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International Events (Fleadh Ceoil & Ryder Cup) |
Wexford (2025) |
N/A - 2025 Local Government Fund Account to be published in Q3 2026 |
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All Island Bodies |
Kilkenny County Council) |
N/A - 2025 Local Government Fund Account to be published in Q3 2026 |
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Implementation of Local Authority Corporate Governance Code |
All 31 local authorities |
N/A - 2025 Local Government Fund Account to be published in Q3 2026 |
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Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) Training Rollout |
All 31 local authorities |
N/A - 2025 Local Government Fund Account to be published in Q3 2026 |
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Bray to Greystones Walk - Consultancy |
Wicklow County Council |
N/A - 2025 Local Government Fund Account to be published in Q3 2026 |
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Moorhead Non Pay Related Recommendations |
All 31 local authorities |
N/A - 2025 Local Government Fund Account to be published in Q3 2026 |
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Waterford - Housing Adaption Works |
Waterford County Council |
N/A - 2025 Local Government Fund Account to be published in Q3 2026 |
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Councillors Security Allowance |
Available to all 31 LAs |
N/A - 2025 Local Government Fund Account to be published in Q3 2026 |
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Drogheda Christmas Lights |
Louth County Council (2025) |
N/A - 2025 Local Government Fund Account to be published in Q3 2026 |
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Electoral Register - Data Quality Funding Programme |
All 31 local authorities |
N/A |
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Electoral Register - Funding for Additional Resources to Support Migration to New National Registration System |
All 31 local authorities |
N/A |
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National Voter.ie Project |
Dublin City Council |
N/A |
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Increasing Diversity and the Participation of Women in Local Government 2025 |
Carlow County Council Clare County Council Cork City Council Cork County Council Dublin City Council Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Fingal County Council Galway City Council Laois County Council Longford County Council Mayo County Council Meath County Council Monaghan County Council Roscommon County Council Sligo County Council Tipperary County Council Waterford County Council Westmeath County Council Wexford County Council |
N/A |
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Hybrid Meetings Infrastructure Supports for Local Authorities Scheme 2025 |
Galway County Council Kerry County Council Mayo County Council Tipperary County Council Waterford City & Council |
N/A |
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Programme D - Planning |
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Name |
Location |
Published Online |
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THRIVE: The Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme |
Donegal Galway City Galway County Leitrim Mayo Monaghan Sligo Roscommon |
www.nwra.ie/erdf/schemes/thrive/ |
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Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) |
Funding is allocated to projects within eligible URDF towns and cities. These areas are outlined in the Government decision to launch the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, as part of Project Ireland 2040, specifically under the National Development Plan 2018-2027. With applications initially open to all state bodies, progress is currently published by sponsoring authority. |
www.gov.ie/URDF |
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Programme F - Heritage |
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Name |
Location |
Published Online |
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2025 Raised Bog Compensation & Incentive Schemes: Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme/Protected Raised Bog Restoration Incentive Scheme |
Locations of raised bog Special Areas of Conservation/Natural Heritage Areas: Cavan/Meath Clare Galway Galway/Mayo Galway/Roscommon Kerry Kildare Laois Laois/Tipperary Leitrim Leitrim/Longford Longford Longford/Cavan/Westmeath Longford/Roscommon Mayo/Roscommon/Sligo Mayo/Sligo Meath Meath/Westmeath Offaly Offaly/Tipperary Offaly/Westmeath Roscommon Roscommon/Longford/Westmeath Tipperary Westmeath |
N/A |
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2026 Raised Bog Compensation & Incentive Schemes: Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme/Protected Raised Bog Restoration Incentive Scheme |
Locations of raised bog Special Areas of Conservation/Natural Heritage Areas: Cavan/Meath Clare Galway Galway/Mayo Galway/Roscommon Kerry Kildare Laois Laois/Tipperary Leitrim Leitrim/Longford Longford Longford/Cavan/Westmeath Longford/Roscommon Mayo/Roscommon/Sligo Mayo/Sligo Meath Meath/Westmeath Offaly Offaly/Tipperary Offaly/Westmeath Roscommon Roscommon/Longford/Westmeath Tipperary Westmeath |
N/A |
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NPWS Killarney National Park Capital Allocation |
Killarney National Park |
N/A |
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NPWS Mid-West Division Capital Allocation |
Mid-West Division (Clare, Aran Islands, Mid & East Galway) |
N/A |
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NPWS Western Division Capital Allocation |
Western Division (Mayo & West Galway) |
N/A |
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NPWS North-Western Division Capital Allocation |
North-Western Division (Donegal, Sligo) |
N/A |
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NPWS North-Eastern Division Capital Allocation |
North-Eastern Division (Kildare, North & East Offaly, Dublin, Meath, Louth) |
N/A |
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NPWS South-Eastern Division Capital Allocation |
South-Eastern Division (Laois, Kilkenny, West & South Offaly, Carlow, Wexford, Wicklow) |
N/A |
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Local Biodiversity Action Fund |
All 31 local authorities |
www.npws.ie/legislation/national-biodiversity-action-plan/local-biodiversity-action-fund |
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NPWS Grants for Small Recording Projects |
Any |
www.npws.ie/news/npws-grants-small-recording-projects-2025-now-closed |
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NPWS Farm Plan Scheme |
Any |
www.npws.ie/farmers-and-landowners/schemes/npws-farm-plan-scheme |
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The Conservation Advice Grant |
Any |
N/A |
593. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide the web link to his Department’s Q4 2025 published report of purchase orders/payments over €20,000, in line with the FOI model publication scheme requirements; the date on which this report was published; and if it has not yet been published, the planned publication date. [16572/26]
View answerThe Procurement Related Payments over €20,000 report for period Q4 of 2025 is currently being prepared and it is intended to make the report available at the following address [www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/procurement-related-payments-over-20000-euro/] by 30 April 2026.
594. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to confirm, in respect of his Department’s published quarterly reports of procurement-related payments or purchase orders over €20,000 (details supplied), where such reports are published in PDF format but originate from an Excel or similar spreadsheet file, that the underlying data was fully expanded and validated prior to conversion so that all columns including supplier names and descriptions are fully visible and readable in the published document; to clarify whether any quality assurance process is applied to ensure that data is not truncated or partially obscured in the PDF version; and where the source file exists in machine-readable format, whether his Department will make the original Excel or CSV file available alongside the PDF in the interest of transparency, accessibility and data re-use. [16589/26]
View answerMy Department publishes quarterly reports of procurement-related payments over €20,000 at [www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/procurement-related-payments-over-20000-euro/]. I can confirm that all reports are fully visible and readable and a quality assurance checklist is in place to ensure reports are published to the required standard.
The reports are also published in machine readable format on my Department's Open Data platform at opendata.housing.gov.ie.
595. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there has been any assessment in relation to purchasing the lands included within the SAAO at St. Edmundsbury/Woodville and elsewhere along the Liffey Valley as part of plans to expand the National Parks and Wildlife Service’s land ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16624/26]
View answerAs set out in the Programme for Government, this Government recognises the importance of continuing to support the ongoing expansion and resourcing of our National Parks.
To this end, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department, the executive agency with responsibility to Protect Nature, occasionally purchases land for strategic and conservation purposes. Such acquisitions are always carefully considered on a case by case basis and in line with public procurement requirements. In light of the commercial sensitivity of these considerations and the strategic implications of bringing these considerations into the public domain, I am not in a position to comment on any individual site or sites in areas that may be offered for sale.
596. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current status of the legislative or Departmental guidelines regarding the restructuring of legacy shared ownership loans into annuity loans; if he is aware of cases where local authorities have failed to process restructuring applications for several years, leading to the 'expiry' of the loan through no fault of the borrower; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16650/26]
View answerI refer to my reply to Question no. 384 of 26 February which sets out the position in this matter.
597. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is considering an update or review of the septic tank grant, given the amount of ground water in the State over the past number of months and the very negative effect that this may have on old tanks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16660/26]
View answerGrant assistance is available in specific circumstances where defective Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems, including septic tanks, pose a significant risk to the environment or to public health.
Grants are targeted at priority areas, such as where a system has failed an inspection under the National Inspection Plan and an Advisory Notice has been issued, or where a dwelling is located in a designated area particularly vulnerable to the impacts of defective systems.
A review of the scheme’s eligibility criteria and the identification of priority areas, including the geographical areas in which homeowners may qualify for grant support, has been completed. I will consider the recommendations arising and make a decision on any changes shortly.
While property owners are responsible for maintaining their systems, the grant scheme is designed to provide assistance where a risk to public health or the environment has been identified.
598. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if approved housing bodies must carry a sinking fund for repair of their housing stock; the solutions where such a fund may not be available for many urgent repairs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16661/26]
View answerApproved Housing Bodies (AHBs) are independent, not-for-profit organisations. They provide affordable rented housing for people who cannot afford to pay private sector rents or buy their own homes; or for particular groups, such as older people or homeless people.
The ongoing management and maintenance of Approved Housing Body properties is a matter for each individual AHB to decide and fund where necessary, with due regard to the standards expected of them under regulation (by AHBRA, the RTB and other bodies such as HIQA where relevant).
There are various funding models available to AHBs, each funding model has specific terms and conditions that govern and determine the funding of repairs to property. In relation to the P&A-CALF Funding Scheme, this is exclusively available to AHBs to fund both capital and current costs associated with the provision of social housing. A key aspect of the cost-based approach to this funding scheme is determining the appropriate operational costs that are likely to be incurred over an extended period. These costs include management costs, response maintenance costs, cyclical maintenance costs and planned maintenance costs (sometimes referred to as sinking fund expenditure) incurred or projected to be incurred by an AHB
The Report of the Approved Housing Body Strategic Forum, published in November 2025, presents an ambitious and transformative vision for the AHB sector and sets out a roadmap of policy development reforms to enable the realisation of that vision over the years ahead. The report includes funding recommendations for the sector and is available at: [www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/report-of-the-approved-housing-body-ahb-strategic-forum/]
The Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority (AHBRA) was formally established in 2021 under the Housing (Regulation of Approved Housing Bodies) Act 2019. AHBRA provides the regulation of Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) for the purposes of protecting housing assets provided or managed by AHBs. AHBRA have published four sets of standards for AHBs under their regulatory framework, including a financial management standard and a property and asset management standard. Information on what is required under these standards is available on AHBRA’s website at the following link: [www.ahbregulator.ie/for-ahbs/about-the-standards/]
599. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the up to date position on an infrastructural project in County Kildare (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16664/26]
View answerThe Barrow Blueway Project is a significant initiative that will support communities and create exciting opportunities for recreation and ways to experience interesting places from new perspectives.
Waterways Ireland is responsible for the delivery of the canal-side works elements while the roadside works elements are being undertaken by Kildare County Council. Kildare County Council is the Project Manager for the Barrow Blueway Project and is responsible for overall project delivery.
The project is progressing well with all of the canal-side paths now complete. Further information on the roadside works and overall progress of the project is available from Kildare County Council.
600. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Government the total number of properties acquired by local authorities under the local authority tenant-in-situ scheme, broken down by county, for 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16668/26]
View answer607. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the annual spend by his Department on the tenant-in-situ scheme for each year from 2020 to 2025; and the number of units purchased under this scheme in each year, in tabular form. [16693/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 600 and 607 together.
Tenancy sustainment, or tenant-in-situ, is not a stand alone programme or scheme. Rather it is a priority category introduced as part of the my Department's Social Housing Second Hand Acquisitions Programme in 2023.
Tenant in situ is an option for local authorities to support households in the most precarious housing situations. Such acquisitions are, and will continue to be, available to local authorities for use as a last resort when all other options have been exhausted.
However, they will never be the sole, or even the primary, option. The default first options should almost always be securing the sustainment of the tenancy with the landlord, securing alternative accommodation through the Tenancy Sustainment and Placefinder services, or allocating a local authority or Approved Housing Body tenancy via a new build home or re-let.
Ultimately, the delivery of new additional social homes is the only strategic solution to address long-term homelessness, with allocations from new and existing local authority and AHB social homes the primary means through which social housing qualified households should be accommodated. With the social housing new build programme gathering momentum and providing more social housing, this will allow for a reduced reliance on the second hand acquisitions programme over the coming years.
Comprehensive programme-level statistics for social housing delivery are published on my Department's website, including for social housing acquisitions. Data are currently available to end Q3 2025. Q4 2025 delivery statistics are currently being compiled and validated and will be published in due course.
The data show that 1,830 and 1,501 acquisitions were completed in 2023 and 2024 respectively, including 1,081 acquisitions in 2023 and 1,054 acquisitions in 2024 to help sustain tenancies for social housing tenants in the private rented sector.
Provisional data show around 775 acquisitions were completed and drawn down from my Department in 2025, with some 500 of these tenancy sustainment acquisitions.
Some €417 million and €520 million was recouped to local authorities under the Second Hand Acquisitions Programme in 2023 and 2024 respectively. While and initial €325 million was available for draw down under acquisitions in 2025, and this was increased by a further €50m for drawdown over 2025 and 2026 only €290 million was ultimately drawn down by local authorities in 2025.
An analysis of the spend on acquisitions across the categories between 2023 and 2025 is currently underway and will be completed in due course.
601. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 766 of 17 February 2026, his views on whether public sector job applicants that are coming from the private sector are disadvantaged in terms of requiring new hires to start of the bottom of the pay scale; his views on whether this acts as a barrier to unfair competition compared to internal hires; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16680/26]
View answerI refer to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 766 of 17 February 2026. The position as set out in that reply is unchanged.
602. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will overhaul the built heritage investment scheme run by his Department, in view of the fact that this year, very few vernacular buildings received grant funding, so that vernacular buildings would have their own particular grant scheme, similar to years up to and including 2025 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16682/26]
View answerThe Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) is a funding scheme offered by my Department, in conjunction with the Local Authorities, for the repair and conservation of structures protected under the Planning and Development Acts. The Historic Structures Fund (HSF) operates on a similar model, and it invests essential capital into Ireland’s built heritage and helps owners and custodians of historic structures to safeguard them for the future benefit of communities and the public.
Until 2024 the maximum amount of funding which could be awarded under BHIS was €15,000 and was intended to support projects of ongoing maintenance or repair, or minor conservation works. In advance of the 2025 iterations of the schemes, both BHIS and HSF were substantially revised. As part of this revision, Stream 1 (including the Vernacular Structures Stream) were removed from HSF and works of this nature were permitted as qualifying works under BHIS. This change also involved increasing the maximum award available under BHIS to €50,000 in line with the amount that had previously been available under the old Stream 1 of the HSF. In January 2026, almost 700 buildings were awarded BHIS funding of over €8.1 million for this year.
While the new iteration no longer identifies dedicated funding for vernacular structures under a separate stream, the maximum award now available to vernacular structures has increased to €30,000, up from the previous limit of €10,000. Where a vernacular structure is also on the RPS or within an Architectural Conservation Area (ACA), it is eligible for the maximum BHIS award of €50,000. Similarly, there is no longer a limit of one vernacular structure per local authority per year, meaning that local authorities may submit any number of such applications which they feel to be eligible and justified. Furthermore, many vernacular structures – specifically thatched properties – which lack statutory protection may also apply for ring-fenced funding in the form of the Historic Thatched Buildings (HTB) stream of BHIS, for which additional funding is available.
Of course, it remains the case that BHIS and HSF are both extremely competitive funding schemes requiring strong applications to be successful, while initial assessment of both eligibility and application quality rest, in the first instance, with the relevant local authorities.
As part of this process, Architectural Conservation Officers (ACOs) and Heritage Officers within local authorities are available to assist owners and conservation professionals in making applications, providing advice and guidance to ensure all relevant criteria are met in terms of eligibility and the required supporting documentation. I would therefore encourage owners of vernacular structures who may be interested in applying to BHIS to consult closely with their local authority’s heritage team.
Finally, with regard to a suggested overhaul of BHIS, while I have no plans to make changes to the scheme at this time, the operation of both BHIS and HSF is kept under ongoing review with a view to ensuring the best possible outcomes for built heritage.
603. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are any supports available to homeowners who have become disabled after purchasing their home and are struggling with mortgage payments as a result of a change in income; if not, if he is considering enacting supports of this nature; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16683/26]
View answerAny mortgage holder that is struggling with repayments should, in the first instance, engage with their lender to explore their options. Within the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP) framework there are many potential resolutions for borrowers in mortgage arrears, once they are engaging with their lender. The appropriate solution for each borrower will depend on their personal circumstances and their financial circumstances. The Mortgage to Rent (MTR) scheme may be a suitable option for a Borrower when all other options have been explored.
The MTR scheme is targeted at those households in mortgage arrears who have had their mortgage position deemed unsustainable by their lender under the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP), and who have very limited options, if any, to meet their long-term housing needs themselves. In order for a borrower to qualify for the MTR scheme, the mortgage, property and household must meet detailed eligibility criteria.
One of the requirements of the MTR scheme is that the household must qualify for social housing support and therefore their income limits must be below the income limits for social housing generally.
My focus, and that of the Government, is to ensure that as many households as possible remain in their homes and I would also encourage borrowers to engage with the Abhaile Service, the national mortgage arrears resolution service, which is available free of charge to the borrower. The unique element of Abhaile is that it brings together the full range of supports and services required by borrowers in mortgage arrears. A dedicated adviser will work with the borrower and their lender to find the best solution for their particular situation. MABS acts as the gateway for the service and can be contacted by telephoning (076)1072000 or by accessing their website at: www.mabs.ie/abhaile .
For those borrowers in danger of losing their home who are ineligible for the MTR scheme but qualify for social housing support, I would recommended that they engage as early as possible with their local authority regarding their long-term housing needs.
604. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the present guidance for gardeners on hedge management; whether small-scale hedge trimming is prohibited between the 1 March and 31 August under section 40 of the Wildlife Act 1976, or whether this activity falls under the exceptions for agriculture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16684/26]
View answerSection 40 of the Wildlife Act focuses on preventing disturbance to birds during the nesting season by limiting the cutting and removing of vegetation (including hedgerows) during the bird nesting period. Section 40 recognises that there may be some circumstances when hedge cutting is required for specific and important reasons and therefore may take place when such activities are usually prohibited.Where hedges within or surrounding private gardens require cutting in the course of normal horticultural practices, or other types of vegetation removal then an exemption from the normal restriction is deemed to apply. However (and as with all other activities deemed to be ‘’exempt’’ of the normal cutting restrictions) if nests or breeding birds are encountered then such works may have to be suspended to avoid disturbance or direct harm. Further guidance on this topic has been prepared by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and is available at the link below. assets.gov.ie/static/documents/8cf4374c/FAQ_Bird_nesting_season_and_veg_removal_-Final.pdf
605. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of active HAP tenancies with a breakdown by local authority area and an average HP payment per month in each local authority area, in tabular form. [16685/26]
View answerThe Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a form of social housing support available for people who have a long-term housing need. Any household assessed as eligible for social housing is immediately eligible for HAP. Eligible households can source their own accommodation in the private rental sector which should be within the HAP rent limits provided to them by the local authority.
The latest available data covers the period to the end of Q3 2025. The table below provide a breakdown of the total number of active HAP tenancies registered by local authority and the average Landlord Payment payable monthly in each local authority.
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Local Authority |
Active HAP Tenancies at end of Q3 2025 |
Average HAP monthly Landlord Payment at end Q3 2025 |
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Carlow County Council |
522 |
€629 |
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Cavan County Council |
415 |
€532 |
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Clare County Council |
990 |
€576 |
|
Cork City Council |
2,153 |
€867 |
|
Cork County Council |
3,091 |
€813 |
|
Donegal County Council |
1,653 |
€488 |
|
Dublin City Council |
5,386 |
€1,392 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council |
778 |
€1,419 |
|
Fingal County Council |
2,326 |
€1,417 |
|
Galway City Council |
1,742 |
€916 |
|
Galway County Council |
1,308 |
€907 |
|
Kerry County Council |
1,440 |
€563 |
|
Kildare County Council |
1,742 |
€1,054 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
396 |
€632 |
|
Laois County Council |
594 |
€696 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
229 |
€488 |
|
Limerick City & County Council |
1,766 |
€686 |
|
Longford County Council |
220 |
€509 |
|
Louth County Council |
2,728 |
€1,036 |
|
Mayo County Council |
1,009 |
€571 |
|
Meath County Council |
1,234 |
€1,043 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
435 |
€578 |
|
Offaly County Council |
391 |
€580 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
321 |
€575 |
|
Sligo County Council |
670 |
€574 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
2,066 |
€1,453 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
1,363 |
€544 |
|
Waterford City & County Council |
1,235 |
€560 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
787 |
€625 |
|
Wexford County Council |
954 |
€615 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
1,336 |
€1,099 |
|
Subtotal |
41,280 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dublin Regional Homeless Executive (DRHE)* |
9,425 |
|
|
Grand Total |
50,705 |
|
* The DRHE operates the Homeless HAP Place Finder Service on behalf of the four Dublin local authorities and the average monthly landlord payments are those included for each of those local authorities.
606. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing units delivered through the local infrastructure housing activation fund broken down by year in tabular form since 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16692/26]
View answerThe Government launched the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund, or LIHAF as it is known, in 2016.
The scheme seeks to enable the accelerated delivery of housing on key development sites in Dublin and in urban areas of high demand. The objective is to provide grant funding to support the delivery of off-site public infrastructure that relieves critical infrastructure blockages that are impacting on the delivery of housing.
In 2017, following a competitive process, 30 projects were approved for funding under the LIHAF scheme and grant agreements were signed between the Department and the successful local authorities. The infrastructure funded includes access roads, distributor roads, link roads, road improvements, roundabouts, bridges and parks.
A total of 24 projects have progressed under the scheme. Of these, 17 projects are fully completed and 5 projects are in construction or have phases completed. 2 projects continue to progress through the planning and design stages.
Housing delivery on the LIHAF sites has generally followed the provision of the critical enabling infrastructure, with the first housing units delivered in 2019 under the scheme.
The housing delivery commitment for the 24 projects that have progressed in 16,147 units. Local Authorities have reported that 8,737 housing units have been delivered on LIHAF sites between 2019 and the end of June 2025. Figures up to the end of 2025 will be available shortly.
The annual breakdown of housing delivery as reported by Local Authorities on the LIHAF related sites is set out in the table below.
|
Year
|
2019
|
2020
|
2021
|
2022
|
2023
|
2024
|
2025 H1 |
TOTAL
|
|
Units Delivered |
1,838 |
816 |
984 |
1,674 |
1,450 |
1,736 |
239 |
8,737 |
Local Authorities highlight that in some cases housing delivery on the LIHAF sites will exceed the original commitment and that there is also potential for a further c. 13,000 homes on sites adjacent to the LIHAF sites that will benefit from the infrastructure.
608. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which the defective concrete blocks grant scheme complies with the State’s current building regulations and the EU’s revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive in that the defective concrete blocks grant scheme only adheres to the 2007 Building Regulations for the purposes of eligible costs, incentivising fossil fuel boilers. [16872/26]
View answerThe Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act) was commenced on 22 June 2023 which contains the current grant scheme and adopted the related Regulations on 29 June 2023.
A Ministerial Guidance Note to facilitate, promote and support a consistent approach to the operation and administration of the scheme is available on my Department's website at the following link:
assets.gov.ie/static/documents/enhanced-defective-concrete-blocks-grant-scheme-ministerial-guidelines.pdf
Section 13 of this document provides background on Building Regulations/Planning status matters, which may be of relevance to certain homeowners, depending on their approved remediation option and the subsequent remedial works to be carried out on their dwelling.
In accordance with Building Control legislation, the Building Regulations apply to certain works to existing buildings e.g. all works in connection with the material alteration or extension of an existing building, a repair and renewal that is likely to affect the structural integrity of the building or building element being repaired or renewed etc.
The requirements of the Building Regulations are set out in 12 parts (classified as Parts A to M). Technical Guidance Documents (TGDs) are published to accompany each part of the Building Regulations indicating how the requirements of that part can be achieved in practice.
Where the dwelling house (subject to the remedial works) is rebuilt on its original foundations, then the works constitute a material alteration to an existing dwelling house. Some Technical Guidance Documents provide specific guidance on works to 66 an existing building e.g. Section 2 of TGD L - Conservation of Fuel and Energy. No works shall be carried out to a building which would cause a new or greater contravention in the building of any provision of Building Regulations. As a result, in general, the reinstatement of building elements in a remediation project is on a ‘like for like’ performance basis, with respect to the Building Regulations which were in place when the building, or any addition to it, was constructed.
Where the dwelling house (subject to the remedial works) is reconstructed on new foundations, then the works constitute a new dwelling house. From a Building Control legislation perspective, in this scenario, the works must comply with the latest Building Regulations for new dwelling houses. In other words for new dwelling houses constructed on new foundations, the most up to date Building Regulations must be applied.
Homeowners should engage a competent building professional to design the remediation works approved or being carried out and prepare a remedial works plan in that regard. The homeowner will be required to retain the services of their competent building professional throughout the project. It would be a matter for the competent building professional to advise the homeowner on these matters.
609. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage where a person who purchased a local authority affordable home but has since identified structural issues or quality issues with said house should report these issues; the remedies that are available to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16924/26]
View answerThe sale of a home, including homes sold to eligible affordable housing applicants under the Affordable Housing Act 2021, is subject to a contract for sale between the builder/developer and the purchaser. Disputes between the parties in relation to the structural integrity or quality of the home provided are generally a matter for the parties to the contract, and their agents, subject to the terms of the contract in place between them.
The design and construction of buildings is regulated under the Building Control Acts in order to ensure the safety, health and welfare of people within the built environment. The Acts provide for the making of Building Regulations, Building Control Regulations and also set out the legislative basis for the system of enforcement.
The Building Control Regulations provide for matters of procedure, administration and control for the purposes of securing the implementation of, and compliance with, the performance requirements of the Building Regulations.
The primary responsibility for compliance with the requirements of the Building Regulations rests with the designers, builders and owners of buildings. Enforcement of the Building Regulations and Building Control Regulations is delegated under the Building Control Act to the local building control authorities (i.e. the 31 local authorities) who are independent in the exercise of their statutory powers.
