Written Answers Nos. 106-126
106. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his targets for the delivery of social and affordable housing in County Monaghan in each of the years 2019 to 2025 and to date in 2026; the outturn; and his targets in each year until 2030. [69300/26]
View answerMy Department publishes comprehensive programme-level statistics on a quarterly basis on social and affordable housing delivery activity by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in each local authority. These statistics provide delivery data at local authority level, including data on housing delivery vs targets. Data is available to Q1 2026 and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website.
Under the housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, each local authority, including Monaghan County Council, is preparing a Housing Delivery Action Plan (HDAP) setting out planned delivery of social and affordable housing to 2030 which will be set by my Department to ensure 72,000 social homes and 90,000 affordable housing supports will be delivered by 2030. In preparing their HDAP, each local authority will reflect local need to ensure the right mix of homes to respond to need and priorities. Existing HDAPs run to end-2026; new HDAPs to 2030 will be in place in Q4 2026.
Affordable targets were not allocated to Monaghan for the period 2019 to 2025. Social and Affordable data is available for County Monaghan in each of the years from 2022 as follows:
• In 2022, 140 new build social houses were delivered against a target of 125. 3 Affordable Supports were provided.
• In 2023, 76 new build social houses were delivered against a target of 56. 12 Affordable Supports were provided.
• In 2024, 100 new build social houses were delivered against a target of 57. 54 Affordable Supports were provided.
• In 2025, 81 new build social houses were delivered against a target of 61. 123 Affordable Supports were provided.
• In Q1 2026, 31 affordable supports were provided. No new-build social homes were delivered against a target of 62; however, 177 homes were in the design and procurement stages.
107. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the additional resources he will make available to assist people with chronic disabilities to find suitable housing. [69353/26]
View answerMy Department jointly published the National Housing Strategy for Disabled People 2022-2027 and Implementation Plan with the Department of Health and the Department of Children, Disability, and Equality. The Strategy and Implementation Plan are available on my Department’s website.
The Implementation Plan sets out the actions to achieve the vision of the joint Strategy for delivering housing and related supports for disabled people in the period 2022-2027. Both the Strategy and Implementation Plan operate within the framework of the Government's national housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, which aims to deliver 300,000 new homes by the end of 2030.
A record level of investment is being provided for the delivery of housing in 2026, with €5.2 billion in Exchequer capital funding complemented by investment through the Land Development Agency, LDA, and lending from the Housing Finance Agency, HFA, bringing the total capital funding for housing in 2026 to over €9 billion.
Each local authority is preparing a Housing Delivery Action Plan (HDAP) setting out their planned delivery of social and affordable housing to 2030 in line with their targets. Local authorities will reflect local need to ensure the right mix of homes to respond to need and priorities, including housing for disabled people for whom targets for the period 2027-2030 will be agreed with each local authority. This will include minimum targets for priority groups including disabled persons and specifically designed housing for disabled people, such as community dwellings particularly for intellectually disabled people. It is expected that new HDAPs will be in place by Q4 2026.
My Department, in conjunction with local authorities and AHBs, will continue to work and engage with the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, and the HSE within the framework of the National Housing Strategy for Disabled People 2022-2027. This is to ensure the coordinated provision of independent living accommodation to meet the needs of disabled people, in conjunction with the delivery of the disability services supports for independent living for disabled people which is the responsibility of the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, and the HSE.
108. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to give additional powers to local councillors in particular to strengthen municipal districts; and the functions he is planning to devolve. [69113/26]
View answerThe Local Democracy Taskforce Report was published, and its Implementation Plan launched, by myself and Minister Cummins on 22 July 2026. The Implementation Plan, developed in response to the Local Democracy Taskforce report, sets out a comprehensive programme of reforms designed to strengthen local democracy, empower communities and enhance the role of elected Councillors across Ireland. These reforms include establishing municipal councils with enhanced budgetary and decision-making powers nationwide, replacing municipal districts and area committees across all local authorities. As set out in the Implementation Plan this will require legislative change so that municipal councils will be in place following the 2029 local elections.
Municipal councils will have a specific focus on towns and will develop Town Priority Programmes. New municipal council budgets will provide for town specific funding within overall budgets. Decisions that can currently be exercised at either municipal or plenary level will move to municipal level by default, so greater decision-making will happen locally.
Local government already plays a key role in delivering public services and implementing national policy at local level. Over time responsibilities have expanded across a wide range of areas and the Taskforce identified the need for a structured devolution framework. Criteria will be developed to guide decisions on the devolution of appropriately resourced and funded functions, grounded in the principle of subsidiarity. In addition, priority consideration will be given to reviewing areas where local authorities already have a significant role, such as housing, transport, and community health and well-being, including recreation. Building on this work, a dialogue between the local government sector and central government regarding the devolution of functions will be facilitated through the National and Local Government Forum.
109. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the action being taken to tackle vacancy and dereliction. [69285/26]
View answerWorking to end vacancy and dereliction is a key priority in the Government's housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities.
One of the key measures in the plan is the delivery of 20,000 homes through the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant. As committed to in the Plan, the Grant has been expanded and extended to 2030. A Vacant Above the Shop Grant and an Expert Advice Grant have also been launched, providing additional support of up to €140,000 to owners of these buildings to support bringing vacant above shop space into residential use.
The Derelict Sites Act 1990 continues to be an important statutory tool for local authorities in addressing dereliction. To strengthen the approach and work towards ending dereliction, a new Derelict Property Tax was announced in Budget 2026. The tax will be collected by the Revenue Commissioners, and I expect it will be included in this year's Finance Bill.
My Department provides annual funding to each local authority to reinforce their capacity and focus on vacancy and dereliction. Vacant Homes Officers are in place in each local authority, playing a vital role in working with property owners and promoting the wide range of schemes in place.
The CPO Activation Programme supports a proactive approach by local authorities to identifying vacant and derelict properties, and engaging with owners to bring those properties into use. The Programme includes active use of compulsory purchase powers where engagement with owners is not successful.
The Programme is supported by Call 3 of the Towns and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund. Call 3 provides a revolving fund of €150 million to support local authorities to acquire long-term vacant or derelict properties in eligible towns and cities.
Cabinet recently approved revisions to the Repair and Lease Scheme to simplify the rules on property ownership and direct local authorities to prioritise the delivery of studio and promote one. My Department will issue a circular to local authorities very shortly to notify them of these changes.
These measures and more are working. While there are different data sources and definitions, the overall trend in vacancy levels is downwards.
I firmly believe the commitment Government has made to addressing vacancy and dereliction and the actions under Delivering Homes, Building Communities will continue to play a vital role in delivering homes across the country.
110. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the role envisioned by his Department for artificial intelligence and quantum computing in predicting and responding to climate and weather events. [65728/26]
View answerMet Éireann is actively exploring the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in weather and climate prediction and in the delivery of weather services. AI is being considered as a complement to existing numerical weather prediction (NWP) systems, with the potential to improve the speed, resolution, accuracy and usefulness of weather information.
Through the AI for Meteorological Service Innovation and Research (AIMSIR) Centre, in partnership with University College Dublin, a range of research projects are exploring potential applications of AI. Some of these include AI-based nowcasting, impact-based forecasting, fog forecasting, sub-catchment flood forecasting, automated quality control of observations, and the use of AI to improve the personalisation of weather information. The programme is intended to build national expertise and to explore how successful research can potentially be developed towards operational weather services.
Met Éireann is also working closely with national and international research partners, including University College Dublin, the Irish Centre for High-End Computing (ICHEC), the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), United Weather Centres West (UWC-W) and EUMETNET E-AI. These collaborations provide access to expertise, research capability, datasets and high-performance computing resources, and support Met Éireann in keeping pace with rapid developments in AI-based weather prediction.
Internally, Met Éireann is developing its own dedicated data-driven modelling expertise and the supporting infrastructure required to develop AI weather predictive models. This is based on ECMWF Anemoi Software library, with access to high-performance computing and large datasets.
Quantum computing is an emerging technology which Met Éireann and my Department will continue to monitor, particularly in relation to its potential future applications in weather and climate modelling. While recent developments are highly promising, quantum computing remains largely at the experimental and proof-of-concept stage. Hybrid approaches, combining conventional and quantum computing technologies, may have potential applications in operational workflows in the future. At present, AI and the associated computing infrastructure are the more mature technologies and are therefore the primary focus of Met Éireann’s current research and development activity in this area.
111. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if councils have been given housing targets; and if these targets are being monitored. [69341/26]
View answerMy Department publishes comprehensive programme-level statistics on a quarterly basis on social and affordable housing delivery activity by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in each local authority. These statistics provide delivery data at local authority level, including data on housing delivery vs targets. Data is available to the end of Q1 2026 and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website. Data for Q2 2026 is being collated and will be available in due course.
My Department also publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR), which provides details of social housing developments and their location that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of the design and tender process. This report allows the construction of all social housing projects to be monitored as they progress each quarter. The most recent publication was for Q1 2026. All CSRs are also available on my Department’s website. The CSR for Q2 2026 is due to publish alongside the rest of the Q2 2026 delivery statistics.
Under the housing plan ‘Delivering Homes, Building Communities’, each local authority is preparing a Housing Delivery Action Plan (HDAP) setting out its planned delivery of social and starter homes to 2030, in line with targets set by my Department to ensure the 72,000 social homes and 90,000 starter home supports are delivered nationwide by 2030.
It should be noted that existing HDAPs run from 2022 to the end of 2026, and it is expected that new HDAPs, which will run to 2030, will be in place in Q4 2026. Each local authority's current HDAP is published on its website.
These HDAPs are informed by social and affordable housing need within the local authority area and involve collaboration with the delivery partners, including the Land Development Agency and the Approved Housing Bodies, as applicable.
112. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures are in place to help older social housing tenants who wish to move from a larger home to a smaller, suitable home in their own community; and whether additional right sizing homes are planned for Cork Northwest. [69268/26]
View answerThe Government is committed to increasing housing available to older people to facilitate ageing in place with dignity and independence and to supporting rightsizing on a voluntary basis. Delivering Homes, Building Communities includes measures to increase delivery of social housing for older people, increase delivery of more suitable homes and choice for older people in private housing, and increase choice to support voluntary rightsizing, including supporting social housing tenants who wish to rightsize to more suitable accommodation.
Delivering Homes, Building Communities also includes a commitment to develop an action plan on delivering housing for older people and this plan is currently under preparation and it is expected it will be completed in the coming months.
For older people living in social housing, rightsizing is facilitated through the social housing transfer process, where older people who choose to do so, may transfer from one local authority dwelling to another on the basis of their current dwelling being too large for their needs and local authorities will continue to support this.
The allocation and subsequent transfer of a tenancy is a matter for the relevant local authority in accordance with the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and associated regulations. Local authorities work proactively with their tenants, having regard to their allocation scheme and the needs of their tenants, to actively support tenants who wish to rightsize to more suitable accommodation.
Under Delivering Homes, Building Communities each local authority, including Cork County Council, will prepare a Housing Delivery Action Plan (HDAP) setting out their planned delivery of social and affordable housing to 2030. In preparing their HDAP, each local authority will reflect local need to ensure the right mix of homes to respond to local need and priorities, including delivering social housing for the needs of older people. I expect these significant plans to be finalised before the end of the year.
113. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is planning to review the income criteria for cost rental. [69029/26]
View answer123. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 990 of 18 March 2026, if progress has been made on the review of the qualifying income thresholds for cost rental housing developments. [67911/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 123 together.
As Deputies are aware, Cost Rental was introduced in late 2021 as an entirely new tenure in Ireland.
Since then its growth has been remarkable. We have delivered over 6,600 new cost rental homes by the end of Q1 2026 and have a substantial pipeline of future developments in place.
I know that there is significant demand for these homes, and I understand why. Tenants now have homes were they have strong security of tenure and rents well below market value. Recent ESRI analysis shows that there are substantial affordability gains, with rents on average almost 30 per cent below comparable private market rents. Feedback from tenants has also been extremely positive about the quality and management of the homes.
While we have delivered thousands of cost rental homes for thousands of families, we know there is more to do in delivering these homes at scale. This is why Cost Rental forms a key part of the Starter Homes Programme in the Government’s housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities.
In order to deliver on that, the Government has committed significant funding and worked closely with delivery partners to bring forward cost rental projects at scale. Over €2.4 billion in Exchequer funding had been approved for cost rental projects since 2021.
Cost Rental is intended to assist moderate-income households, with new tenants required to have net household incomes of no more than €66,000 for homes in Dublin, and €59,000 elsewhere.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to "keep the income criteria for cost rental under review”. These net income limits, which are calculated as gross income less tax, PRSI, USC, and pension contributions, are currently under review.
The legislation gives me broad scope to consider a range of factors when setting income limits, rather than tying the decision to any one single metric or issue. The relevant factors may include changing economic conditions, Government policy priorities, the current state of the Cost Rental sector, and future plans for the tenure. These issues are currently under consideration and any decision on changes to the limits will be communicated in due course.
As the Deputies may be aware, the legislation does not set a minimum 'income threshold' for Cost Rental tenants. As with any letting of a home, however, the landlord must consider the issues of affordability and tenancy sustainability. A landlord such as an Approved Housing Body, a Local Authority or the Land Development Agency will assess prospective tenants to ensure they can afford the rent over the long term, and to do this a landlord may employ financial metrics like a rent-to-income ratio. As a result, not every applicant may be considered an appropriate tenant for every available home, since rents will vary according to underlying costs. Landlords can, however, apply flexibility to their assessments, particularly where an applicant can demonstrate a history of meeting similar or higher rent in the private rental sector.
The Government is committed to driving down delivery costs of homes, as you have seen with measures introduced in last year's Budget, including a reduction of VAT on new apartments to 9%, to improve the viability of apartment development. At the same time, we are focused on reducing construction and delivery costs more broadly through standardisation, improved procurement, and increased efficiency, while maintaining high quality and sustainability standards. These measures help to address challenges posed by inflation and increasing delivery costs and help to provide more cost rental homes.
My Department and our delivery partners continue to actively manage costs to ensure that new cost rental homes are provided at the best rents possible so that we can deliver more homes for families at more affordable rents.
114. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on whether a child spending months or years living in emergency accommodation is not merely a housing issue but a serious children's rights and equality issue; the assessment his Department has made of the impact of prolonged homelessness on children (details supplied); whether he is satisfied that the State is meeting its obligations to children experiencing homelessness; and the specific measures he is taking to ensure that children do not spend their formative years living in emergency accommodation. [65798/26]
View answerOur housing plan, ‘Delivering Homes, Building Communities: An Action Plan on Housing Supply and Targeting Homelessness’ is an integrated housing and homelessness plan. The 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.
Our housing plan recognises that homelessness is the single most pressing social issue that we face and introduces a number of key measures to address homelessness. 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.
Addressing child and family homelessness is a key priority for Government. I recognise that the experience of homelessness for a child goes beyond housing alone and requires a response across Government. Our housing plan commits to the development of a Child and Family Homelessness Action Plan. Development of the plan has brought 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. A Child Rights Impact Assessment was undertaken as part of the development of the Child and Family Homelessness Action Plan. It is anticipated that the Child and Family Homelessness Action Plan will be published shortly.
Young Ireland, the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2023-2028, was developed using the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child as a guide and was launched by the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Roderic O’Gorman T.D., in 2023. The Convention provides the framework for our understanding of the rights of children and young people and our commitment to them. Young Ireland is a whole of government framework and the actions are owned by Departments across Government. It is the responsibility of each department to ensure that the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and other obligations are considered in the development of policy. The scope of Young Ireland shows the cross-government commitment to children’s rights.
In developing the Child and Family Homelessness Action Plan, my Department engaged with the Young Ireland governance structures, allowing the Advisory Council an opportunity to contribute its views on important child rights considerations.
115. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider introducing legislation or regulations to make it mandatory for all new residential developments comprising of more than ten units to include solar energy systems, or alternative renewable energy technologies, together with battery storage facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69272/26]
View answerBuilding Regulations set out the legal requirements for the construction of new buildings, extensions to existing buildings, material alterations and certain material changes of use to existing buildings. They are performance based and technology neutral.
A minimum renewable energy ratio for all new dwellings is required, and already includes solar energy systems and alternative renewable energy technologies as defined in the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. The renewable energy provided by these systems is taken account of for the purpose of Building Regulations compliance.
The primary responsibility for compliance with the requirements of the Building Regulations rests with the designers, builders and owners of buildings. Technical Guidance Document L presents several compliance examples, including solar energy systems.
The EU Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations 2019 introduced the Nearly Zero Energy Building, or NZEB standard, for all new dwellings from 31st October 2020.
When compared with new dwellings built in 2005, new NZEB dwellings achieve:
- at least 65% less carbon emissions;
- at least 70% less primary energy use; and
- at least 20% of their energy use comes from renewable sources.
Changes to Building Regulations in Ireland over the past 20 years have led to healthier dwellings being constructed today that are overall energy efficient, emit significantly less carbon emissions and use more energy from renewable sources.
In line with the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, the energy performance requirements in the Building Regulations are set at the lowest life cycle cost over a 30-year period. This takes account of capital, energy, maintenance and disposal costs.
Having regard to the current requirements in place, which are technology neutral, and are already achieving very high energy performance, it is in my view, appropriate to allow the designers, builders and owners of dwellings to choose the specific renewable technology that is right for the dwelling in question, provided it meets the minimum requirement that 20% of their energy use comes from renewable sources.
116. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his Department's assessment of the purchase prices being sought for homes under affordable housing schemes in Galway County; his Departments views on whether such prices are genuinely affordable for average-income households in the county. [68939/26]
View answerSupporting affordable home ownership is at the centre of Government’s housing policy and our Housing Plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities.
To this end, the Affordable Housing Fund is available to support local authorities like Galway County Council to address identified affordability needs in their area by providing a grant subsidy ranging from €50,000 to €100,000 per Starter Purchase home. The level of subsidy depends on the location and density of the housing scheme concerned and acts as a direct subvention towards the costs of developing the scheme.
This subsidy enables local authorities to make homes available under the Starter Home Purchase Scheme (formerly known as the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme), at affordable prices at least 15% below market rates.
Under the scheme, purchasers pay a price for their new home in accordance with their own individual purchasing power. This price is calculated as outlined in Affordable Housing Regulations of 2023 and will vary from person to person depending on their income, mortgage, deposit and savings. Calculations are based on the previous 12 months income as at the date of application and to be eligible, an applicant must have an affordability gap of at least 5% between what they can fund and the open market value of the home.
To date, Galway County Council has received Affordable Housing Fund approval to support the delivery of over 230 Starter Homes for purchase across four schemes, including 37 homes at Fearann na hEascrach in Athenry which were recently advertised with minimum sales prices approximately 18% below market prices.
My Department, along with the Housing Agency and the Housing Delivery Coordination Office of the Local Government Management Agency, continue to be available to advise and support Galway County Council in respect of their planned response to affordable housing needs.
117. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the proposed establishment of national planning guidelines for solar energy developments. [69123/26]
View answer143. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when planning guidelines for solar energy, particularly utility scale solar, will be published. [64787/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 143 together.
In line with commitments in the Programme for Government 2025, my Department is working with the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE), which holds policy responsibility for renewable energy matters, in respect of the introduction of a number of National Planning Statements related to Ireland's Climate Action Plan target to increase the share of electricity generated from renewable sources up to 80% in 2030. This includes the preparation of a National Planning Statement for solar energy development.
Further to the commencement of Chapter 3 of Part 3 of the Planning and Development Act 2024 on 2 October 2025, provisions for National Planning Statements have been introduced to replace the provisions for Ministerial guidelines issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. All existing Section 28 guidelines will, over time, be revoked and replaced with new National Planning Statements. Any current section 28 guidelines will however remain in force until revoked or replaced by a corresponding National Planning Statement. The timing of the issuing of National Planning Statements will be based on Government priorities.
In respect of sectoral national planning statements in particular there is also an important role for the relevant policy Department in collaborating with my Department on the development of these National Planning Statements. In that context, my Department is working closely with the DCEE as the Department with policy responsibility for this area of Government policy in order 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 the interim it is the case that, as with the vast majority of development types, there are not specific guidelines for the development of solar energy. I am satisfied that the existing and evolving planning system, supported by Government policy more generally, provides a sufficiently robust policy and legislative framework to facilitate the rollout of solar energy development in a sustainable manner and to assist with meeting our renewable electricity requirements while balancing the perspectives of local communities and allowing for public and stakeholder engagement.
In line with EU Directive requirements, a strategic environmental assessment will be carried out on any draft National Planning Statement regarding solar energy development, with opportunity for consultation by the public and all stakeholders on the draft National Planning Statement.
118. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the policy for the number of car parking spaces to be delivered in new housing developments; if current public transport connectivity is taken into account or if it based on future routes; to outline the options for people who do not have a car parking space included in their accommodation; and if the current policy is being reviewed. [69354/26]
View answerMaximum parking rates for new residential developments are addressed at a national level in the Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlement Guidelines “the Settlement Guidelines”, issued in 2024 under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended).
The Settlement Guidelines aim to support the use of public transport, walking and cycling to reduce traffic congestion, lower emissions and improve air quality, contributing to national climate goals. The Settlement Guidelines are designed to strike the balance between the need for residents to have access to parking but also to support investments in public transport services and active travel (walking and cycling). The provision of car parking can also add significant cost to developments, in particular high-density schemes (i.e. apartments) where higher ratios of parking necessitate a podium or basement car park.
The Settlement Guidelines set out graduated maximum car parking rates based on proximity to urban centres and sustainable transport options. Sustainable transport includes existing or planned public transportation. Planned public transportation refers to transport infrastructure and services identified in a Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy for the five cities, where a public authority (e.g. the National Transport Authority, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, or Iarnród Éireann) has published a preferred route option and stop locations for the proposed public transport service.
Maximum car parking rates range from 1 space per dwelling in central or accessible locations to 2 spaces per dwellings in more peripheral or intermediate locations with higher rates of car dependency. These rates do not include bays assigned for use by a car club, designated short stay on–street Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations or accessible parking spaces.
It should be noted that prior to the issuing of the Settlement Guidelines in 2024, parking rates were generally set by planning authorities through their development plans.
Where planning permission is sought for particular residential development proposals, planning authorities and, where relevant, An Coimisiún Pleanála, will need to be satisfied that the necessary and appropriate provision of parking is provided in accordance with the requirements of the Settlement Guidelines. For developments of 100 residential units or more, the Settlement Guidelines recommend that a Mobility Management Plan/ Travel Plan is prepared in support of the proposed parking arrangements.
It should also be noted that local authorities are independent in their functions under the Local Government Acts, and under the provisions of Section 36 of the Road Traffic Act, which falls under the responsibility of the Minister for Transport, roads authorities may make bye-laws for the control, management and regulation of on-street parking of vehicles (including Residential Parking Permits) in public areas.
119. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to change the regulations regarding back yard dwellings as the current regulations and guidelines mean that for the vast majority of households, if there is a class three building on the site it is not possible to have a dwelling and a modular unit. [69266/26]
View answerOn 27 July 2026, a suite of exempted development regulations came into effect to expand the exemptions available to home owners to maintain and improve existing residential dwellings. The central purpose of the changes introduced is to facilitate the efficient use of residential space through enhancements, expansion or adaptation over the different stages of the life cycle, while also lifting a regulatory burden on both the citizen and the planning authorities.
The Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) (No. 3) Regulations 2026 (S.I. No. 340 of 2026) introduced a new Class 3A in Part 1 of Schedule 2 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended (the Regulations of 2001), which allows for the construction, erection or placing of a detached house in the rear garden of a principal house, subject to certain conditions and limitations. Furthermore, all relevant building control legislation applies to such structures, including the Building Regulations, Building Control Regulations and fire safety requirements.
The use of Class 3A depends on compliance with all conditions and restrictions prescribed in the Regulations, together with all relevant requirements under building control legislation. Each individual development must therefore be considered on a case-by-case basis.
On the 28 July 2026, the Department published guidance on the application of Building Regulations and Building Control Regulations, highlighting the principal matters (including fire safety) that need to be considered when building an auxiliary dwelling in the rear garden of an existing dwelling house. This material highlighted that the performance requirements of the building regulations for a new dwelling will apply to such structures and confirmed the key building control procedures that apply, including the requirement for certification by appropriate qualified professionals.
A planning circular was also issued to the planning authorities at the end of July with guidance on the expected operation of the measure. Those who wish to utilise the planning exemption must notify the relevant planning authorities at least 14 days before they commence the work on the development (as set out in condition number 16 of Class 3A). The regulations also require the Planning Authorities will report to the Minister on the notifications received regarding the use of Class 3A.
This will provide a basis to review the uptake and operation of this measure over time, as is appropriate for such a new measure. Such a review will also include the impact of the cumulative limitation that applies where there are one or more existing garden structures on the operation of the exempted development measure to facilitate detached auxiliary dwellings.
In the meantime, where any person is unsure whether they can avail of the exemption under Class 3A, they may engage with the relevant planning authority. Under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act of 2000), a person may seek a declaration under section 5 as to whether a proposed development is or is not exempted development. This provision assists individuals in determining whether a proposed development complies with the requirements of Class 3A or whether planning permission is required. It is a matter for the planning authority to investigate any concerns raised on a case by case basis.
121. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the delivery of cost-rental housing; the measures being taken to support local authorities and approved housing bodies in increasing supply; and his priorities for the further expansion of the cost-rental sector. [69166/26]
View answer133. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on commitments to build more cost-rental units through the LDA, local authorities and Cost Rental Equity Loan funding to AHBs and embedding cost rental as a category of tenure on a permanent basis. [69028/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 121 and 133 together.
The Programme for Government commits to supporting the building of more Cost Rental units through the States Land Development Agency (LDA), the local authorities and the Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), embedding cost rental as a category of tenure, on a permanent basis.
The Programme for Government also commits to keeping the income criteria for cost rental under review, to ensure sufficient cohorts of tenants qualify for the scheme.
My Department operates three schemes targeted at supporting the delivery of Cost Rental homes. The Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) scheme, which is delivered by the AHB sector; the Secure Tenancy Affordable Rental investment scheme (STAR), which is delivered by the LDA and potentially private operators; and the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF), which supports local authority delivery of Cost Rental.
Cost Rental is gaining traction as a significant tenure type. Over 6,600 Cost Rental homes were delivered by the end of Q1 2026, by the AHBs, local authorities and the LDA.
The AHB sector has delivered more than 3,500 Cost Rental homes through CREL, since the passing of the Affordable Housing Act 2021.
Under STAR, a further 2,422 Cost Rental homes have been approved.
53 CREL projects were approved for delivery during 2025 and 2026, equating to 4,059 homes to be delivered by the end of 2029.
All Cost Rental delivery partners are actively managing costs to ensure that new homes are provided at the best rents that are achievable, and since 2021 approximately €2.25 billion in Exchequer funding has been approved for Cost Rental projects.
Cost Rental delivery will continue to be expanded and will, along with other measures aimed at increasing the supply of homes to rent, help to moderate rent levels in the private rental sector over time.
My Department continues to review the operation of the Cost Rental housing tenure.
122. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of affordable houses that have been delivered in County Meath in 2025 and to date in 2026; and his plans to increase the amount of affordable housing in County Meath. [67875/26]
View answer156. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the delivery of affordable purchase and cost-rental homes in County Meath; and the opportunities he sees to build on that progress in towns such as Navan and Trim. [69086/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 122 and 156 together.
Affordability and the chance to own a home is at the heart of the Government’s housing policy, as embodied within the housing action plan Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025 - 2030. This action plan reinforces and expands the range of existing measures being implemented by the Government to tackle the issues of supply and affordability, thereby supporting the increased provision of new homes to purchase and rent.
Over 1,260 starter home supports have been delivered in Meath to the end of Q1 2026, through the Affordable Purchase scheme (107 homes), the First Home scheme (880 homes), the Vacant Properties Refurbishment Grant (118 homes), the Cost Rental scheme (via Approved Housing Bodies - 154 homes), and the Cost Rental Tenant in Situ scheme (6 homes).
Meath County Council has received funding approval to deliver 330 new homes for purchase across 19 schemes, supported by the Affordable Housing Fund, to end 2027. By the end of Q1 2026, 92 of these homes had already been delivered.
A further three schemes are currently under assessment, with the potential to deliver an additional 8 new homes for purchase.
In addition, 8 projects have been approved to date under the Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) scheme in County Meath, with 154 Cost Rental homes delivered to date, and a further 164 expected to be delivered by the end of 2028.
In order to further drive the delivery of Starter Homes under the new action plan, local authorities, including Meath County Council, have commenced the preparation of new Housing Delivery Action Plans (HDAPs) for review by my Department, setting out how the Starter Homes Programme will be implemented within their area. These plans are progressing at local authority level and are expected to be published by local authorities in November.
In addition, to further support the output of Starter Homes in Meath, my Department is funding 5 additional affordable housing administrative and technical staffing posts, within Meath County Council.
124. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline his proposals and associated targets to deliver age friendly housing in counties Cavan and Monaghan. [69323/26]
View answer165. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures being considered to make it easier for older people to adapt existing homes and remain living independently within their communities. [66730/26]
View answer200. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps being taken to ensure local authorities identify suitable sites for age-friendly housing developments within existing communities. [66729/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 124, 165 and 200 together.
The Government is committed to increasing housing available to older people to facilitate ageing in place with dignity and independence and to supporting rightsizing on a voluntary basis. Delivering Homes, Building Communities includes measures to increase delivery of social housing for older people, increase delivery of more suitable homes and choice for older people in private housing, and increase choice to support voluntary rightsizing.
Delivering Homes, Building Communities also includes a commitment to develop an action plan on delivering housing for older people and this plan is currently under preparation and it is expected it will be completed in the coming months.
Under Delivering Homes, Building Communities each local authority, including Cavan and Monaghan, will prepare a Housing Delivery Action Plan (HDAP) setting out their planned delivery of social and affordable housing to 2030 in line with targets set by my Department to ensure the 72,000 social homes will be delivered by 2030. In preparing their HDAP, each local authority will reflect local need to ensure the right mix of homes to respond to need and priorities, including housing for older people.
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 Q4 2026. Each local authority's current HDAP is published on their individual websites.
My Department supports the delivery of social housing for older people across a range of funding programmes including the Social Housing Capital Investment Programme (SHCIP), Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) and the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS).
In cases where a local authority or Approved Housing Body (AHB) intends to acquire sites, they can apply to the Land Acquisition Fund (LAF) which was established to fund the acquisition of developable land to underpin the delivery of housing out to 2030. My Department has also supported the development of the DHLGH ASSIST GIS Mapping tool, which helps local authorities identify suitable locations for building housing suitable for older people.
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 Exchequer funding provision for 2026 has been increased by €30 million to a total of €129.5 million with an aim of delivering over 17,000 grants when combined with the local authority contribution. When including the local authority contribution, it will provide for a total of over €152 million for the scheme.
Additionally, my Department provides funding on an annual basis under the Disabled Persons Grants (DPGs) scheme to local authorities for adaptations and extensions to their existing social housing stock to meet the needs of local authority tenants. The scheme applies to works that are necessary to address the needs of older people or disabled people.
In July of this year, the Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) Regulations 2026, Nos. 1-7, were introduced to facilitate the efficient use of residential space through its enhancement, expansion and adaptation at different stages of the life cycle, while also reducing the regulatory burden on both homeowners and planning authorities. This change introduced will create more choice for people who wish to convert their homes into separate living spaces.
Supports for independent living are particularly linked to the health and social care supports which are provided by colleagues in the Department of Health.
125. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will publish data on the collection of derelict sites levies in 2025. [68565/26]
View answer196. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline his efforts to tackle dereliction. [68511/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 196 together.
Working to end vacancy and dereliction is a key priority in the Government's housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities. The Plan aims to ensure that the activities and resources used to address vacancy and dereliction are co-ordinated and effective and that legislative powers are used proactively to work to bring vacancy and dereliction to an end.
One of the key measures in the Plan is the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, introduced in July 2022 under the Croí Cónaithe Towns fund. 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.
As set out in Delivering Homes, Building Communities, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant has been improved and expanded as of 1 April 2026 with a new Vacant Above the Shop Grant introduced along with a new Expert Advice Grant to support property owners to bring these vacant upper floors into use as homes.
The Derelict Sites Act 1990 imposes a general duty on every owner and occupier of land to take all reasonable steps to ensure that land does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site as defined in the Act. The Act also imposes a duty on local authorities to take all reasonable steps, including the exercise of appropriate statutory powers, to ensure that any land within their functional area does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site.
Each local authority maintains a Derelict Sites Register under section 8 of the Act for sites which they consider are derelict under the Act. Sites entered on the Derelict Sites Register are subject to an annual derelict sites levy of 7% of market value which will continue to apply until the site is rendered non-derelict.
Local authorities are required to submit an annual return to my Department providing information on the operation of the Derelict Sites Act 1990 in their functional areas, including information on the collection of derelict sites levies. These returns for 2025 are currently being collated.
The CPO Activation Programme, launched in April 2023, requires a proactive and systematic approach by local authorities to identifying vacant and derelict properties and engaging with owners to bring those properties back into use. This includes the active use of compulsory purchase powers by local authorities.
The Programme is supported by Call 3 of the Towns and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund. Call 3 provides a revolving fund of €150 million to support local authorities to acquire long-term vacant or derelict properties in eligible towns and cities.
All 31 local authorities have a full-time Vacant Homes Officer in place as a key point of contact in their Vacant Homes Office teams. My Department provides annual funding to each local authority to reinforce their capacity to ensure a dedicated focus on tackling vacancy and dereliction. Vacant Homes Officers are supported in their role by the Vacant Homes Unit in my Department, the Housing Agency and through the Vacant Homes Officer Network.
Vacant Homes Officers play a vital role in working with property owners to ensure these properties are brought back into use. They are actively promoting the wide range of schemes in place to address vacancy and dereliction, such as the Repair and Leasing Scheme, Buy and Renew Scheme, the Living City Initiative, Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme (THRIVE) and planning exemptions for certain vacant commercial premises.
To further strengthen our approach to tackling this issue, a Derelict Property Tax was announced in Budget 2026 and it is intended to introduce legislation providing for the tax in Finance Bill 2026. When it comes into effect, the tax will be collected by the Revenue Commissioners. Levies under the Derelict Sites Act that remain outstanding when the new tax is introduced will remain the responsibility of each local authority to collect.
The Plan's new measures build on the significant work that has been done and outcomes achieved over the past number of years, as well as improving and expanding existing schemes. These initiatives are working and vacancy levels are declining across the country.
I firmly believe the commitment Government has made to addressing vacancy and dereliction and the actions under Delivering Homes, Building Communities will continue to play a vital role in delivering homes across the country.
126. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his priorities with regard to the provision of affordable housing. [69015/26]
View answer155. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way he will ramp up the provision of affordable housing. [69287/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 155 together.
The Government's housing action plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025 - 2030, reinforces and expands the range of existing measures to tackle the issues of supply and affordability, under a new Starter Homes Programme. This programme will deliver an average of 15,000 starter home supports annually to 2030.
To achieve this, the existing affordable housing supports have been retained and developed to form a Starter Homes Programme, backed by an unprecedented level of investment by Government.
Key priorities under the programme include scaling up the delivery of starter homes for purchase, particularly for fist time buyers and fresh start applicants, through the local authorities and the Land Development Agency.
The Affordable Housing Fund is available to assist local authorities in the delivery of starter home solutions, where they identify significant affordability need.
Cost Rental, which provides secure homes at an affordable rent, including through the Cost Rental Equity Loan Scheme (CREL), has also contributed significantly to the delivery of starter homes in Ireland, with Approved Housing Bodies and the Land Development Agency delivering Cost Rental homes at scale, with rents at below market rates, based on the cost of delivery and maintenance of the homes.
It is also worth noting that the First Home Scheme, which supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market, through the use of an equity share model, is also available to support eligible new home purchasers and has been availed of nationally.
Additionally, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant supports the purchase and refurbishment of vacant and derelict properties.
To ensure delivery at local level, a key action of the housing plan is the requirement on all local authorities to prepare Housing Delivery Action Plans (HDAPs), to set out how the need for Starter Homes within their area will be met to 2030, in conjunction with their delivery partners, including the AHB’s and the LDA. These HDAPs, which will be completed and published during 2026, will play an important role in ensuring that starter home supply is aligned with demand within local authority areas and is delivered at pace.
The Help to Buy Scheme, administered by the Revenue Commissioners, will also remain available for first-time buyers under the action plan, to assist with the deposit required to purchase or self-build a new home. This scheme can be used in conjunction with both the First Home and Affordable Purchase schemes and allows eligible applicants to claim up to €30,000 or 10% of the property value, whichever is lower.
Scheme criteria and support levels for affordable purchase schemes are kept under regular review, taking account of developments in the housing market. I will continue engaging with all delivery partners to ensure that the Starter Homes Programme enables the delivery of a strong pipeline of affordable housing supports, over the lifetime of the plan.
