Written Answers Nos. 201-225
202. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the projected housing output of the LDA for the remainder of 2026 and 2027, by property types, social units, cost rental units and so on. [17478/26]
View answerDelivering Homes, Building Communities is a wide-ranging action plan focused on activating housing supply and targeting homelessness.
Amongst the many measures announced, the Plan provides for an expanded remit for the Land Development Agency (LDA), which will enable the agency to support the acceleration of supply of new starter homes, providing thousands of individuals and families with increased access to secure and affordable housing solutions nationwide.
Along with the LDA’s role in managing the State’s own lands to develop new homes and regenerate under-utilised sites, the LDA is also tasked in the short-term with unlocking stalled private planning-consented developments through its market engagement and homebuilder partnership initiative - Project Tosaigh. In addition, the LDA also works in partnership with Local Authorities to develop large-scale mixed tenure schemes of affordable and social housing on local authority owned sites.
Through these various delivery channels, the LDA has delivered over 2,000 homes to date, is currently working on a pipeline of a further 27,000 homes - including 17,000 homes to 2030 - and is progressing over 40 sites with a series of projects at every stage from design through to construction.
Further information on upcoming developments can be found on the LDA's website: lda.ie/projects.
It may be helpful to note that arrangements have been put in place by my Department to ensure that public bodies under its aegis have a dedicated email address in place 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. In this regard, the LDA can be contacted by emailing oireachtas@lda.ie.
204. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the new measures he will bring forward to tackle rising and homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16460/26]
View answerAddressing homelessness is a priority for my Department and Government. Our new housing plan, ‘Delivering Homes, Building Communities’ was published in November 2025 and is an integrated housing and homelessness plan. The new plan is based on two key pillars: activating the supply of 300,000 more homes; and supporting people to have a home of their own.
Increased supply is key to addressing homelessness. Government is focused on making sure that everyone has access to good quality, affordable and secure homes that suit their needs. Over €9 billion in capital funding will be made available for housing in 2026.
Our new Plan recognises that homelessness is the single most pressing social issue that we face and introduces a number of key measures to address homelessness. Ensuring the implementation of these measures will be a priority for me in 2026.
Prevention of homelessness in the first instance is essential. There are many preventions initiatives already underway in my own Department and across Government. This includes the provision of social and affordable housing, HAP and homeless HAP, and our strong tenancy protection legislation. In order to ensure a fully aligned all-of-Government approach under the Plan, we are committing to develop a national Homelessness Prevention Framework within which homelessness can be prevented in a structured and planned way with tailored prevention measures for each potential at risk cohort. This Framework will be in place in 2026.
Addressing family homelessness is a key priority for Government. Our new housing plan commits to the development of a Child and Family Homelessness Action Plan. This will bring together key stakeholders to drive the continued focus on preventing children and families entering emergency accommodation, providing enhanced supports for children experiencing homelessness, as well as measures to accelerate exits and reduce the time spent by children and their families in homeless emergency accommodation. It is anticipated that the Child and Family Homelessness Action Plan will be in place by end of Q2 2026.
Last month, I announced that we are making €373 million available to be drawn down by local authorities under the 2026 Second Hand Social Housing Acquisitions Programme. This includes €150m to support local authorities to acquire suitable units to exit families the longest in emergency accommodation and for Housing First units for individuals with complex needs experiencing homelessness.
Housing First is a key policy response in our efforts to reduce homelessness amongst our most
vulnerable individuals. A key initiative under this Plan will be the further expansion of the Housing First programme to create 2,000 tenancies. An updated implementation plan will specify targets for each local authority for Housing First tenancies in the coming months.
The Plan also recognises that individuals experiencing homelessness with complex supports needs often become entrenched in emergency homeless services. Under the Plan, the Department of Health will provide increased health support to households experiencing homelessness through the implementation of the HSE National Strategic Plan to Improve the Health of People Experiencing Homelessness.
Budget 2026 provides a total allocation of €563.5m to address homelessness. This includes €513.5m in current funding to ensure local authorities can provide sufficient emergency accommodation as well as essential related services including Housing First supports, homelessness prevention supports, day services, and tenancy sustainment measures. Additionally, €50 million in capital funding will allow local authorities to invest in the provision of local authority or NGO owned emergency accommodation facilities, developing a more sustainable approach to the delivery of emergency accommodation and ensuring that services are tailored for the needs of clients.
205. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the delivery of affordable homes in Poolbeg West SDZ. [17588/26]
View answerA condition of the planning scheme for the Poolbeg SDZ, as modified by An Bord Pleanála in April 2019, is the provision of 15% social and affordable homes on this site in addition to the 10% statutory social housing requirement under Part V arrangements.
As things stand, I understand that Dublin City Council and the developers have concluded the negotiations on the Part V agreement for this 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.
206. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his response to the most recent monthly housing commencement figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17489/26]
View answer228. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his attention has been drawn to the complete lack of housing commencement notices lodged in Galway city so far this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17799/26]
View answerData on residential Commencement Notices, disaggregated by local authority and dwelling type, are published monthly on my Department's website, at Monthly Housing Commencement Data – Ireland | gov.ie
Commencement data shows commencement notices were lodged in respect of 2,046 new homes in January, up 73% on the 1,183 last year. While, commencement notices for 17,275 new homes were lodged in the 12-months to end January 2026, down 73% on the 67,129 notified as commenced in the same period last year.
Across 2024 and 2025 combined, a total of 85,723 commencement notices for new homes were lodged. This represents an increase of 43% compared with the combined total for 2022 and 2023 (59,758). Over the last five years (2021–2025), commencement notices were lodged for 176,205 new homes. While 16,412 commencement notices were lodged for new homes in 2025, this number was not unexpected given the extraordinary uplift in notices lodged in 2023 and 2024 and the likely shift in focus in the construction sector to progressing those homes already in the pipeline.
This has been mirrored in Galway City, some 1,322 commencement notices were lodged across 2024 and 2025, an increase of 238% on the 391 commencement notices lodged across 2022 and 2023.
That said, the five months to end January 2026 saw the highest monthly totals of commencements since the end of the Development Levy Waiver in December 2024, which may bode well for a return to increased commencement activity in 2026 as the large number of existing developments in the system build out.
Delivering Homes, Building Communities seeks to significantly accelerate delivery of new homes by focusing on activating land and creating the optimal environment to encourage housing activity – including regulatory reform, tax incentives and the largest ever capital investment in the history of the State, with €275 billion invested in infrastructure over ten years through the National Development Plan.
The recently revised National Planning Framework is a major step forward in this regard, and will help increase capacity and accelerate home building across the country, while new Housing Activation Office will work to address barriers to the delivery of infrastructure projects needed to enable housing development;
Budget 2026 included a suite of taxation measures aimed at stimulating the supply of new apartments including a reduced VAT rate on the sale of new apartments and an enhanced Corporation Tax deduction for apartment construction costs;
The Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2025 is essential legislation to deal with expiring planning permissions and to encourage activation of housing;
The continued calls for expressions of interest under the Croí Cónaithe Cities scheme since it began will help activate the thousands of planning permissions for apartments in our cities;
Government remain focused on continuing to bring forward measures that will continue to increase the supply of new homes across all tenures to make sure that everyone has a range of housing options available to them, whether they want to buy a house, rent one, or are in need of social housing.
209. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the support his Department is providing for the provision of cost-rental apartments at a location (details supplied); when the project will begin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17470/26]
View answerUnder Delivering Homes, Building Communities, the Government is fully committed to delivering housing at scale and continuing to accelerate housing supply across all tenures, including affordable purchase.
A key component of this plan, the new Starter Homes Programme, will deliver an average of 15,000 affordable housing supports annually to 2030, while at the same time having a keen focus on vacancy and dereliction. The plan supports the delivery of increased affordable home ownership and cost rental options, while revitalising villages, towns and cities.
To assist the delivery of cost rental homes by local authorities, funding is made available by my department from the Affordable Housing Fund to reduce the delivery cost of the homes to the local authority, and thereby reduce cost rents to a level at least 25% below market rents in the area.
Dublin City Council is availing of the highest level of funding support available from the Fund at €150,000 per unit to facilitate the proposed redevelopment of lands at Emmet Road, Inchicore, which includes the site of the former Saint Michael’s Estate. A total amount of €66.15m has been approved in principle from the Fund to support the delivery of the cost rental homes proposed within the project.
Dublin City Council has informed me that construction commenced on site in February 2026 and the project is due for completion in early 2028.
211. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of registration applications submitted to Tailte Éireann for 2024 and 2025 that are still pending; the measures being taken to address these backlogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17690/26]
View answerTailte Éireann is an independent Government agency under the aegis of my Department. Tailte Éireann provides a property registration system, property valuation service and national mapping and surveying infrastructure for the State. Under Section 8 of the Tailte Éireann Act 2022, Tailte Éireann is independent in the performance of its functions.
The continued increase in applications received for registration by Tailte Éireann year over year, and challenges in recruitment for some time, have resulted in longer processing times for certain application types, however these delays are alleviating.
As part of Tailte Éireann's resourcing strategy, an accelerated recruitment programme was launched to address the high volume of vacancies and strengthen operational capacities in response to the increasing service demands. As a result, the Registration team within Tailte Éireann are now fully staffed with additional capacity to support ongoing improvements in the delivery of registration services and contribute to the timely processing of applications.
Outside of recruitment, every effort is being made by Tailte Éireann to further reduce application processing times, including implementation of revised procedures for more efficient handling of the large volume of applications that are lodged that do not meet the minimum requirements to proceed to registration and a targeted approach to reduce the age profile of applications pending registration.
Information on the number of applications pending by year of lodgement has been provided below as requested. It is not possible to determine whether any delay in a particular case is, or is not, reasonable without knowing the history of progression of the case and whether the application is in order to proceed to registration.
|
Year of Lodgement |
Total Applications Received in each year |
Applications Pending as of 02/03/26 |
|
2024 |
262,661 |
18,883 |
|
2025 |
296,093 |
50,980 |
Applications for registration which involve a transfer, charge or release of registered lands, where no change to the registry map is required account for approximately 60% of applications. These applications are currently processed within 15 working days where the application is lodged in order.
Applications submitted electronically through eRegistration account for approximately 18% of all applications received and are processed within 10 working days. eDischarges are typically processed within 2 working days.
Processing times for applications which do require a change to the map, and those requiring first registration of property, are improving.
In accordance with Rule 58 of the Land Registration Rules 2012-2021, applications rank for priority of registration in the order in which they are received by Tailte Éireann. Tailte Éireann process applications in date of lodgement order, with the earliest lodged applications awarded priority of processing.
In cases where any delay in registration could have a potential impact, Tailte Éireann make every effort to expedite applications which are in order, where valid grounds exist, and where doing so does not impose a conflict in regard to priority given to any prior lodged dealing.
It may be noted that the Registration of the legal effect of a conveyance comes at the end of the process, after the documents are executed and should, in the vast majority of cases, not lead to any delay in the conveyancing process as the purchaser is already in occupation of the property.
Lodging parties may contact Tailte Éireann in relation to a specific case by email at info@tailte.ie. Further information in relation to specific cases may be obtained by Oireachtas members by contacting the dedicated e-mail address in respect of Tailte Éireann at oireachtas@tailte.ie.
Tailte Éireann has advised me that improvements have been made to date in throughput times and I am confident that they have the resources and procedures in place to further reduce waiting times across all application types.
212. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to confirm whether early learning and care providers delivering the Early Childhood Care and Education Programme exclusively from their own private property are exempt from liability for commercial rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16946/26]
View answer242. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether guidance has issued to the Valuation Office and to local authorities to ensure a consistent national approach to the rateability of early childhood care and education providers operating from private property; if so, to provide details of such guidance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16947/26]
View answerTailte Éireann is an independent Government agency and provides a property registration system, property valuation service, and national mapping and surveying infrastructure for the State. Tailte Éireann is independent in the exercise of its valuation functions under the Valuation Act 2001, as amended (the Act), and I, as the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, have no function in decisions in this regard.
Tailte Éireann has overall responsibility under the Act, for the maintenance of all Valuation Lists used by Local Authorities in the calculation of rates liability. Under the Act, all property is rateable unless it falls into one of the exempt categories listed in Schedule 4 of the Act. There is a very specific range of exemptions that can be applied, and Tailte Éireann has no discretionary latitude to grant exemptions not covered by Schedule 4.
Paragraph 22 of Schedule 4 of the Act, which was inserted by the Valuation (Amendment) Act 2015, refers specifically to early childhood care and education facilities and provides an exemption for:
“Any land, building or part of a building used exclusively for the provision of early childhood care and education, and occupied by a body which is not established and the affairs of which are not conducted for the purpose of making a private profit.”
Therefore, while the Act provides that early childhood care and education facilities that are operated on a not-for-profit basis are exempt from rates, it does not provide a general exemption from rates for all childcare or childminding facilities operating on a for profit basis. To avoid ambiguity, if an early childhood care and education facility is operated on a for-profit basis, then they do not fulfil the criteria for exemption under Paragraph 22.
In relation to the specific question, early learning and care providers delivering the Early Childhood Care and Education Programme exclusively from their own private property, it is assumed “own private property” relates to a provider’s domestic residence.
Section 3 of the Act defines ‘domestic premises’ as “any premises used as a dwelling which is neither a ‘mixed premises’ nor an ‘apart-hotel’”. If the property is used partly as a dwelling to a significant extent and partly for another purpose it may be a ‘mixed premises’, as defined in the Act, and consequently may not qualify for the ‘domestic premises’ exemption in accordance with Paragraph 6 of Schedule 4 of the Act.
As a matter of course, Tailte Éireann examines all properties on their individual merits by reference to the relevant statutory provisions governing the operation of the Act and case law arising from the independent Valuation Tribunal and the Higher Courts.
There are a number of avenues of redress for an occupier of rateable property who is dissatisfied with a determination of valuation by Tailte Éireann made under the provisions of the Valuation Act 2001, as amended. Firstly, before a determination is made, there is a right to make representations to Tailte Éireann in relation to a proposed valuation. Later in the process, if the occupier is still dissatisfied with the determination, there is a right of appeal to the Valuation Tribunal which is an independent body set up for the purpose of hearing appeals against determinations of Tailte Éireann. There is a right of appeal to the Higher Courts on a point of law.
213. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social homes his Department expects to deliver over the next five years. [17820/26]
View answerMy Department 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. 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/
The latest Construction Status Report shows that 13,064 social homes were onsite at the end of Q3 2025, with an additional 12,784 homes at design and tender stage – a cumulative total of 25,848 social homes at the design and construction stages. In total, the Construction Status Report provides details on 49,273 new-build social homes across 3,007 schemes.
Under the new housing plan, each local authority will prepare a Housing Delivery Action Plan (HDAP) setting out their planned delivery of social and affordable housing to 2030. The plans will align with targets set by the Department in order to ensure the 72,000 social homes will be delivered by 2030. My Department will be communicating with local authorities in this regard in Q1 2026. It should be noted that existing HDAPs run to the end of 2026 and it is expected that new HDAPs, which will run to 2030, will be in place by Q3/Q4 2026.
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 at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/.
The Q4 2025 CSR and quarterly statistics are currently being collated and verified and will be published in due course. For reference the Q4 2024 CSR and statistics were published in April 2025.
214. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the funding allocated to Cork County Council under the community monuments fund in 2024 and 2025; the projects approved in Cork during these years; when recipients of the 2026 fund will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16274/26]
View answerThe application date for the Community Monuments Fund 2026 has now passed and all applications received will be assessed by an expert team. It is expected that the awards announcement will be made in mid-April with a full list of awards published.
The awards for 2024 are published at www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/community-monuments-fund-list-of-awards-2024/.
The awards for 2025 are published at www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/community-monuments-fund-list-of-awards-2025/.
215. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline his approach and plans for local government reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16266/26]
View answer250. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to confirm the date the Local Government Taskforce is expected to deliver its report to Government; and whether he will agree to publish this on receipt. [16728/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 215 and 250 together.
On 4 June 2025, the Government approved the establishment of a Local Democracy Taskforce, which will finalise a programme for the reform and strengthening of local government in Ireland. The establishment of the Taskforce is a key commitment in the Programme for Government. The Terms of Reference for the Taskforce, agreed by Government, set out an ambitious and detailed work programme, which it is expected will give rise to a series of reforms in the local government sector.
The Taskforce met on 9 occasions, most recently on 25 February, and were supported in their efforts by Pillar Groups that provided subject matter and technical expertise to the Taskforce throughout the process.
It is expected that the Taskforce will submit its final report shortly for consideration by Government. I am keen see the momentum for implementing reform maintained and so it is my intention to prepare an implementation plan for consideration by Government over the coming weeks. Following this, the report and implementation plan will be published and the process of implementing the reform policy ultimately agreed by Government will commence.
216. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to encourage local authorities to allow older persons to downsize and sell their home to the council through the financial contribution scheme and then be housed by the local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17493/26]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No. 587 of 3 March 2026 which sets out the position in this matter.
217. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide clarity on when the villages of Broadford and Cooraclare, County Clare, can expect to have their long-promised sewerage schemes constructed, commissioned and operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17303/26]
View answerI have approved a significant increase in funding under my Department's Multi-annual Rural Water Programme, for the Broadford and Cooraclare wastewater projects, to address both village’s collection and treatment needs.
My Department has written to Clare County Council clearly setting out what is required from them to progress the projects, and responsibility now rests with the Council, working with Uisce Éireann, to progress and deliver the projects in accordance with the approved funding.
219. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the work undertaken to date in formalising national planning guidelines for solar energy developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17741/26]
View answer385. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has issued, or plans to issue, any guidelines, policy frameworks, or technical standards relating to the development of solar farms and battery energy storage systems; if he will outline the regulatory or planning guidance currently in place for these technologies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14787/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 219 and 385 together.
The Programme for Government – Securing Ireland’s Future has reaffirmed Ireland’s targets of 80% of electricity demand to be met by renewables in the near term, with plans to move to net zero by 2050. The deployment of renewable electricity, including solar energy, is vital for Ireland to meet its ambitious domestic targets and international commitments. Solar energy is a growing source of electricity with circa 2.1 GW of solar power capacity currently installed in Ireland, however there is no doubt that further solar capacity is required and the Programme for Government reaffirms Ireland’s ambitious targets of 8 GW of solar capacity connected to the grid by 2030.
From a planning perspective, which my Department is responsible for, the Programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce new planning guidelines for solar energy development which will also consider the issue of battery storage. An important development in this regards is that Chapters 1 through 4 of Part 3 of the Planning and Development Act of 2024, came into effect on October 2, 2025. This provides the statutory basis for the National Planning Framework as well as the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies, and introduces provisions for National Planning Statements (NPS) which will replace section 28 planning guidelines. Therefore, the solar guidelines, once finalised, will issue as a National Planning Statement under the 2024 Act.
My Department is currently working on a scoping exercise, which remains at an early stage, to identify the component factors relevant to the preparation of this National Planning Statement, including any appropriate environmental reporting and public consultation requirements, European obligations such as the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), battery storage facilities and the possible timeframe for publication of the National Planning Statement.
In line with EU Directive requirements, a strategic environmental assessment will likely be carried out on any draft National Planning Statement regarding solar energy development. The Department intends to undertake a public consultation on the draft Statement before it is finalised whereby individuals, communities and organisations will have an opportunity to submit observations on the draft Statement. Consequently, any draft National Planning Statement will be prepared following detailed analysis and consideration of the submissions received during the consultation phase.
The Programme for Government also committed to a Land Use Review to ensure that optimal land use options inform all relevant Government decisions. The second phase of the Land Use Review, which is led by DCEE and DAFM and is currently underway, will seek to identify the key demands on land (both public and private) to inform policies for land use across key government objectives, improving socioeconomic, climate, biodiversity, water, and air quality outcomes. My Department will need to factor the conclusions of this review into any draft National Planning Statement on solar energy development.
With regards to battery storage, grid scale electricity storage systems including battery electricity storage systems (BESS) play a vital role in Ireland’s energy transition by maximising the efficient use of renewable generated electricity. In support of electricity storage systems, the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, published the Electricity Storage Policy Framework for Ireland in 2024. Ireland conforms to EU legislation and all batteries in Ireland are manufactured, sold, and operated in line with EU regulation and standards; this includes safety certification and labelling for the marketing and the putting into service of batteries used in grid-connected electrical storage systems.
Until the finalisation of the National Planning Statement, it will remain the case that, as with the large majority of development types, there are currently no specific planning guidelines that deal with solar energy development. I am satisfied, that in the short to medium term, the current planning system provides a sufficiently robust policy and legislative framework to facilitate the proper planning and sustainable development of developments, which may be considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the relevant County Development Plan and Government Policy as applicable.
220. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will reintroduce the development levies waiver for one-off rural houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17672/26]
View answerOn 25 April 2023, the Government approved additional measures under the Housing for All Action Plan to incentivise the activation of increased housing supply and help reduce housing construction costs, including the introduction of temporary time-limited arrangements for the waiving of local authority “section 48” development contributions and the refunding of Uisce Éireann water and waste water connection charges.
The Government recognised that measures needed to be put in place to help address cost and viability with a view to incentivising the activation of a pipeline of new housing commencements, and assisting in the delivery of supply as quickly as possible. The waiver scheme applied to all permitted residential development including multi-unit developments, self-build houses and one-off houses, student accommodation and sheltered housing.
The schemes initially applied for one year to all permitted residential development that commenced on site between 25 April 2023 (the date of the Government Decision approving the measure) and 24 April 2024, and that are completed not later than 31 December 2025. On 23 April 2024, the Government approved an extension for the waiving of local authority “section 48” development contributions in respect of residential development commenced not later than 31 December 2024 and the refunding of Uisce Éireann water and waste water connection charges in respect of residential development commenced not later than 30 September 2024.
In April 2024, the final date for the completion of development works on qualifying houses under the schemes was extended from 31 December 2025 to 31 December 2026.
The temporary measures were also meant to be time-bound. I can confirm there are no plans to extend or re-introduce the waiver scheme.
221. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline his efforts to tackle dereliction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17081/26]
View answerI refer to my reply to Question No. 170 of 22 January 2026, which sets out my position in relation to this matter.
222. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will provide funding to Sligo and Leitrim and Donegal local authorities to carry out repairs to local authority houses that are occupied and also to return void houses to the housing stock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17287/26]
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. This programme caters to both tenanted and vacant stock. Programme requirements, including target number of units and allocations, will be formally notified to local authorities very shortly.
Details on funding recouped to local authorities under Voids Programme to end 2024 is available on my Department's website at www.gov.ie/en/collection/0906a-other-local-authority-housing-scheme-statistics/#voids-programme.
Detail of delivery under the 2025 Planned Maintenance/Voids Programme will be published shortly.
In addition to Voids funding my Department will also allocate €140m under the Energy Retrofit Programme, €28.5m Disabled Persons Grant Funding and €50m under Regeneration to local authorities for Stock improvement Works in 2026.
In total €260m will be allocated by my Department in 2026 to local authorities for stock improvement works.
223. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing units nationally with full planning permission that have not yet commenced construction; the measures being taken to activate these permissions and accelerate delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17620/26]
View answerMy Department tracks and monitors, on an on-going basis, a broad range of data in relation to housing delivery. This includes monitoring high-level indicators such as planning permissions, commencements and completions as well as various sectoral publications and commentary with a view to obtaining as comprehensive an overview as possible of overall delivery, to ensure we continue to have a sufficient pipeline of residential development.
Under the ‘4Dublin Housing Supply Pipeline’ initiative, the four local authorities in the Dublin Region (Fingal County Council, South Dublin County Council, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and Dublin City Council) provide combined quarterly data to my Department on new residential planning permissions and housing construction activity for permitted developments. The most recently published data is available at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/4dublin-housing-supply-pipeline-quarterly-2025-returns/.
The latest report shows a continued upward trend in residential construction activity, with a 24.1% year-on-year increase in active units in the Dublin region.
My Department also closely monitors the progress of public delivery programmes. Data in relation to the social housing pipeline is published on my Department’s website on a quarterly basis in the Social Housing Construction Status Report. My Department also publishes detailed programme-level statistics on a quarterly basis on social and affordable housing delivery activity by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies.
A strong pipeline is being built but we are monitoring any potential bottlenecks. I have established a Housing Activation Office to ensure we identify and address infrastructure barriers to housing delivery as a matter of priority. That Office is now operational and co-ordinating and accelerating the delivery of infrastructure projects that are essential to unlocking housing development on sites nationwide, including through the new infrastructure fund.
Delivering Homes, Building Communities seeks to significantly accelerate delivery of new homes by focusing on activating land and creating the optimal environment to encourage housing activity – including regulatory reform, tax incentives and the largest ever capital investment in the history of the State, with €275 billion invested in infrastructure over ten years through the National Development Plan.
Delivery of 161,334 new build homes between July 2020 and year end 2025, together with the significant potential currently in the delivery pipeline, shows a combination of policies and supports are clearly on track and addressing the scaled up approach now required.
224. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current level of delivery of purpose built and adapted housing for persons with disabilities, including new builds and adaptation grants, within local authority areas serving north Dublin; whether additional ring fenced targets or funding streams are under consideration to address unmet need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17797/26]
View answerGovernment is committed to ensuring that disabled people are supported and encouraged to live independently. Cooperation and collaboration of Government Departments, State agencies and others is critical in delivering housing and the related supports for disabled people.
My Department provides support to Local Authorities and Approved Housing Bodies in the provision of social housing across Construction, Lease and Acquisition funding programmes.
Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) are making an important contribution to social housing delivery and have a proven track record in the delivery and management of homes for social housing. Building or acquiring a home is only the starting point. AHBs have excellent systems in place for the ongoing management and maintenance of homes and tenant management throughout the lifetime of an agreement.
The relevant Local Authority, in this case Fingal County Council, determines the eligibility for the proposed development/scheme having regard to the location, suitability and demand for social housing in the relevant area and for the development of appropriate responses to the need identified. Local Authorities play a key role in the identification of suitable developments for social housing needs and ensure effective delivery in line with commitments and targets under Government policy.
My Department primarily supports the funding of such housing through the Capital Acquisition Scheme (CAS) but support is also provided to AHBs under the Capital Advance leasing Facility.
In order for an organisation to be eligible for CAS or CALF funding, at a minimum, they must be an Approved Housing Body (AHB) as per section 3 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024 and Housing Circular 35/2024, in that they must “Be on the AHB register maintained by the Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority available on AHBRA’s website”. In respect of CALF the AHB must also be able to demonstrate compliance with Housing Circular 13/2025.
In 2025, 15 homes in Fingal were delivered for older persons using CAS funding, and approvals are in place for an additional 38 homes across 4 sites in Fingal for older persons and people with disabilities to be delivered in coming years.
My Department also provides funding under the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and Disabled People, to assist those in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. The suite of grants, which include the Housing Adaptation Grant for Disabled People, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People Grant, are funded by my Department with a contribution from the local authority. The detailed administration of the scheme including assessment, approval, prioritisation and apportionment is the responsibility of local authorities.
Details of the number of grant claims provided by all local authorities, including Fingal County Council, under the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and Disabled People Scheme, are available on my Department's website at the following link:
https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/other-local-authority-housing-scheme-statistics/
The total number of grants claims provided by local authorities in 2025 will be available on my Department’s website in early 2026.
Additionally, my Department recently issued Circular: Housing 07/2026, which outlines the Arrangements for Social Housing Second-Hand Acquisitions in 2026. To support this I have made funding of €373m available for drawdown in 2026, within this there is a specific allocation of €50 million for AHBs to provide emergency responses for persons with disabilities, older persons and care leavers, €6m of which is allocated to Fingal County Council to support delivery in this area.
Furthermore, delivery of homes for this sector can be made utilising the Buy and Renew scheme, which involves the delivery of social housing by a local authority or AHB. The scheme targets vacant and derelict properties for return to use as new social homes through the purchase and refurbishment of the properties. The purchase of vacant/derelict properties and remediation work/ rebuild is managed directly by the relevant local authority or AHB. An updated guidance circular for Local Authorities is being prepared and will issue shortly.
225. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the operation of the interim fire safety defects remediation scheme. [17589/26]
View answerGovernment approval was received on 18 September 2024 for the priority drafting of the Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Bill. The purpose of this legislation is to place the defects remediation Scheme on a statutory footing, further to commitments contained in the Programme for Government and Housing for All.
The Scheme will provide supports for the remediation of relevant fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose-built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013. It is envisaged that 100% of eligible remediation costs will be funded under the Scheme.
The General Scheme of the Bill has undergone pre-legislative scrutiny during the Dáil autumn term 2025 and I expect the statutory scheme to be in place this year.
An Interim Remediation Scheme (Scheme) has been in place since December 2023, to provide an acceptable level of fire safety in buildings pending introduction of the Statutory Scheme and completion of the full remedial works. The Scheme is for the funding of emergency fire safety defect works in apartments and duplexes constructed between 1991 and 2013. The Scheme is being administered by the Housing Agency on a nationwide basis. Applications can be made via the Housing Agency’s website at www.housingagency.ie
As of the end of February 2026, 236 applications to the Interim Remediation Scheme have been validated, having met the required eligibility criteria. These applications represent 21,512 residential units, with circa 77% in the Dublin region.
Three of the four pathfinder projects have been approved for funding, in the amount of €21.3 million and remediation works have commenced at one project location. Payments in the amount of €2.5 million have been made to three pathfinder OMCs to date. Payments will continue to be made for remediation works, where commenced and certified.
Last month, the Government announced significant changes to the Scheme.
These changes will simplify procurement and cut through administrative hurdles, allowing works relating to fire detection and alarm systems to be completed more quickly while ensuring residents can remain safely in their homes until full building remediation is finished. The remediation process will prioritise the installation of fire detection and alarm systems ahead of full building remedial works which will follow under the upcoming statutory scheme.
