Written Answers Nos. 136-148
136. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when his Department will issue a section 28 directive to local authorities to commence the review of their county development plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36281/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe local authority Development Plan is the principal planning strategy document which sets out the relevant policies and objectives to guide the physical development of each city and county over a six-year period and is required to be consistent with the National Planning Framework (NPF) and the relevant Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy.
The Revised NPF was approved by Government and the Oireachtas in April 2025. The Revised NPF provides the basis for the review and updating of Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies and local authority development plans to reflect matters such as updated housing figures, projected jobs growth and renewable energy capacity allocations, including through the zoning of land for residential, employment and a range of other purposes.
Given the urgent need to ensure that the updated housing requirements can be incorporated into the planning system as quickly as possible to address housing need and demand, local authorities will be required to update their current development plans, in line with a clear policy direction, which is intended to issue as soon as possible. It is intended that this will involve the variation of current development plans under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) in the first instance, with the steps associated with the variation process set out within Section 13 of the 2000 Act.
Each of the local authorities will be required to prepare 10 year development plans in due course by each of the local authorities under the relevant provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2024, which is being implemented on a phased basis over the coming months. These 10 year plans will also be required to take the updated planned housing growth requirements arising from the Revised NPF into account.
137. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the up-to-date position regarding a project (details supplied); the likely timeline for this project to proceed to the next stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36322/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraWaterways Ireland is a North South Implementation Body established under the British Irish Agreement of 10 April 1998. It is funded by my Department and the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland.
The detailed information requested in relation to the proposal to extend the Shannon Navigation from Lough Allen to Dowra is not held in my Department. However, arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost-effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for Waterways Ireland is oireachtas@waterwaysireland.org.
138. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average waiting time for social housing allocation in each local authority in 2024 and 2025; and the average length of stay in emergency homelessness accommodation. [36445/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe oversight and practical management of housing waiting lists, including the allocation and transfer of tenancies, is a matter for the relevant local authority in accordance with the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, and associated regulations. Decisions on the qualification of households for social housing support, the most appropriate form of such support, and the allocation of that support are a matter for the local authority concerned.
My Department does not hold data in relation to the average waiting time for a social housing allocation. However, details on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority administrative area is provided in the annual statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments. The most recently published summary for all counties, conducted in November 2024, is available at: www.gov.ie/en/collection/62486-summary-of-social-housing-assessments/
Figure 2.8 and Table 2.8 provide details on the length of time households have been on the record of qualified households (the Waiting List).
My Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of local authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual local authorities.
My Department publishes quarterly progress reports which are based on quarterly performance reports submitted by the nine regional lead authorities responsible for the administration of homeless services at local level. These quarterly performance reports include details of the numbers of individuals prevented from entering emergency accommodation, and those exiting emergency accommodation into tenancies and the duration of stay in emergency accommodation. The quarterly progress report summarises the data submitted to the Department.
The duration of stay data is reported as six-monthly bands ranging from less than six months to more than 24 months and is also disaggregated by household type. These bands refer to consecutive stays in emergency accommodation and are based on a point-in-time count, informed by emergency accommodation usage on the last night in the quarter. The most recent published data is in respect of Q1 2025 and the report is available on my Department’s website: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/homelessness-data/
139. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current status of the Corncrake LIFE programme; if the programme will be extended beyond December 2025; in what capacity the conservation measure will continue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36447/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraCorncrake LIFE is a five year (2021-2026) €5.9m project improving the conservation status of one of Ireland’s most iconic farmland bird species.
Led by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department, in collaboration with project partners, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), Fota Wildlife Park, Atlantic Technological University and Údarás na Gaeltachta, the project works with farmers, land owners and local communities across counties Galway, Mayo and Donegal. The project is part funded by the EU under the Nature and Biodiversity Stream of the LIFE Programme with the balance of funding provided by my Department and the project partners.
The project is widely renowned as an example of successful LIFE project implementation, having delivered a very significant increase in the national corncrake population within four years of its five year lifecycle.
There are currently 150 farmers and landowners active in the project covering more than 1,600 hectares in conservation and management measures under the results-based scheme. These measures have been incorporated into the national Agri-environmental programmes (ACRES) and together with direct project actions have restored a significant footprint of corncrake habitat.
The most recent survey from the NPWS shows an increase of 35% in the corncrake population in the past five years with a total of 233 calling male corncrakes recorded nationally in 2024. Already this year’s numbers are once again indicating a positive trend. These results are testament to the collaboration between farmers, landowners and the NPWS and the project has become a model for community-focused nature protection.
LIFE Programmes by their nature are time-limited Pilot programmes which explore best practice and ways of contribution to nature protection. Reflecting the success of the Corncrake LIFE project, I am pleased to reaffirm the 2024 NPWS commitment to continuing the work of the Corncrake LIFE project by its incorporation into the core NPWS programme, ensuring that the significant gains made in the breeding numbers are built on when the LIFE project itself concludes.
140. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if further to the recent fires on Tara Hill, Gorey, County Wexford, there will be a review or recommendations into the matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36452/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Act 1981 & 2003. My Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for priority infrastructural projects and equipment.
Under the Fire Services Act (1981 & 2003) each fire authority maintains a "Section 26" fire and emergency operational plan detailing the provision made by it in respect of organisation, appliances, equipment, fire stations, water supplies and extinguishing agents, training, operational procedure and such other matters as may be relevant for the provision of a fire and emergency service incident response.
Local authorities have responsibility for the assessment of their individual fire cover needs, including the provision and management of fleet and equipment adequate to their specific risk requirements and are free to request funding of specific equipment and fleet which may be deemed necessary in response to an identified fire risk from the fire services capital programme.
The National Directorate for Fire & Emergency Management has issued a Standard Operating Guideline on fighting fire in remote and rural areas to assist fire services to prepare for and respond to wildland fires.
Following the incident referenced, it is a matter for the local authority to determine if a review is necessary and to carry out such a review, if required.
141. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if, in the context of the reform of the private rental sector, he accepts that an unintended consequence of changes could be the departure of landlords who have four properties or fewer from the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36464/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with a commitment in Housing for All, a review of the Private Rental Market was undertaken by my Department and published in July 2024. One of its recommendations was that a comprehensive examination of the current RPZ system should be undertaken.
The key focus of the review, which was undertaken by the Housing Agency, was to assess the operation of Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) since their introduction and consider their impact on the market and relevant stakeholders, including the retention of landlords and new investment. It was also to consider whether RPZs should continue without change or be removed, modified or replaced.
The review involved engagement with a wide variety of stakeholders, including investors, representatives of landlord and tenant advocacy groups, academics and the RTB. The Housing Agency submitted its report, ‘Review of Rent Pressure Zones and Potential Policy Options’ to my Department at the end of April and advised that its preferred recommendation was to modify the current RPZ rent controls.
Taking account of the Housing Agency report and its preferred recommendation, the Government has approved changes to rent regulation, which will be introduced nationally from 1 March 2026. The Government also approved stronger tenancy protections, which would apply to tenancies created from 1 March 2026. As new properties enter the rental market, and there is turnover of existing tenancies, the proportion of tenants who benefit from the protections will gradually increase over time.
In order to stimulate new investment and keep existing landlords in the market, resetting of rents to market value for new tenancies (i.e. a first time tenancy between parties) created on or after 1 March 2026 will be allowed as part of the reform of rent controls. Resetting rent to market value will be allowed for the first rent setting and at the end of each 6-year period while the tenancy continues to exist, irrespective of the current number of tenancies a landlord has entered.
Resetting will only be allowed where a tenant leaves a tenancy of their own volition, has breached their tenant obligations or the dwelling is no longer suitable to the accommodation needs of the tenant household.
Legislation will be developed later in 2025 to give effect to the new rent control and stronger tenancy protections. Significant enhancements to the current provision of tenancies of unlimited duration will be provided by introducing tenancies of minimum duration (TMD), involving rolling 6-year tenancies, for any new tenancy created from 1 March 2026 by a smaller landlord (with 3 or fewer tenancies) with a new tenant. In limited circumstances during a 6 year TMD, a smaller landlord will be allowed to end a tenancy. A smaller landlord will also be allowed to terminate a tenancy using the limited grounds under section 34 of the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004 to 2025 (the RTA) at the end of each 6-year period while the tenancy continues to exist.
For existing tenancies, landlords continue to have the right to terminate a tenancy in line with the provisions in place in the Residential Tenancies Acts that applied at the time the tenancy was created.
142. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if, in respect of those landlords with four properties or fewer, who had intended their properties to be part of a pension arrangement, said landlords are obliged to sell the properties within the tenant in situ scheme, he agrees that there is a risk of tenant n situ arrangements reducing market value of such property and-or limiting availability of such properties to first-time buyers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36465/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is currently no such obligation on any party, namely, Landlords, Local Authorities or Tenants to engage with the tenant-in-situ scheme.
143. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the public consultation on widening planning exemptions to allow people to build garden rooms and extend their homes; if there is a timeline for when it will be launched; if the parameters of the consultation can be outlined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36481/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the Planning and Development Act 2024 (Act of 2024) was enacted in October 2024, it is in the process of being commenced. The provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (Act of 2000), and associated Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (Regulations 2001) remain in force until the relevant sections of the Act of 2024 are commenced and the corresponding sections of the Act of 2000 are repealed.
A review of the current Exempted Development Regulations is ongoing and a public consultation on exempted development regulations is due to be undertaken this month. Members of the public, state bodies and all other parties will be able to make submissions in writing via an online portal as part of the consultation process.
The Government cannot pre-empt the outcome of any consultation and therefore no decision has been made in respect of any revisions to current exempted development provisions, including those in relation to larger unattached structures, sometimes referred to as ‘log cabins’ and ‘garden rooms’, and extensions to dwellings in rear gardens.
Any update to Exempted Development Regulations will require positive resolutions by both Houses of the Oireachtas before it can be signed into law.
144. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a list of the dates at which processes and consultation around local authority development plans will begin over the next three years. [36491/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe local authority Development Plan is the principal planning strategy document to guide the physical development of each city and county over a six-year period. The relevant statutory provisions governing the preparation, adoption and variation of development plans are currently primarily found in sections 9 to 13 of Planning and Development Act 2000.
Section 9(1) of the Act requires each planning authority to adopt a new development plan every 6 years. Within 4 years of making a development plan, each planning authority must commence a review process and begin work on the preparation of a new development plan for its area. Planning authorities retain discretion to choose the date on which to commence this process, once it occurs within the relevant statutory time period. Time limits specified within the Act are also subject to section 251 which makes an allowance for the period from 24th December to 1st January. A detailed overview of the plan-making process can be found in the Development Plans Guidelines for Planning Authorities, issued by the Minister in July 2022.
The Planning and Development Act 2024 ("Act of 2024") was enacted on 17 October 2024. Given its scale, the Act of 2024 is being commenced on a phased basis to facilitate the transition from arrangements under the current Planning and Development Act (Act of 2000) to the new legislative framework. A comprehensive Implementation Plan has been published that includes a detailed commencement schedule for the Act and a range of initiatives to support training and engagement for the planning sector. The Implementation Plan is a ‘living document’ that informs and guides the commencement and rollout of the Act of 2024 and it will be updated as required to remain relevant throughout the period of its implementation. This is available at gov.ie/planning.
On 27 May 2025, Government approved the priority drafting of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2025. The Bill includes provision to ensure that following the approval of the revised NPF, the updated housing requirements can be incorporated into the planning system as quickly as possible and to give clarity to the sector that this can be done under the Act of 2000 while the Act of 2024 is being commenced. Amendments to Part 3 of the Act of 2024 will allow for variations to development plans and local area plans underway under the Act of 2000 upon commencement of the Act of 2024 to continue under the Act of 2000. It also provides for the assessment of variations to Development Plans that were made under and have continued in force from the Act of 2000. It is intended to that this Bill will be enacted before the Summer recess, subject to approval of the Oireachtas.
Under the Act of 2024, all existing development plans are to be replaced with a new form of development plan incorporating a number of thematic strategies, which will have a longer lifespan of 10 years. Further information will be communicated to planning authorities upon commencement of the relevant provisions. Section 68 of the Planning and Development Act 2024, includes transitionary arrangements which allow, in certain circumstances and where necessary, existing development plans to continue in force as the planning system transitions to operate under the new structures provided for in the 2024 Act.
The table below sets out the current timespan of each of the 31 local authority development plans. Specific details in relation to the review of individual plans may be found on the website of the respective local authorities.
|
Local Authority |
Lifespan of Development Plan |
|
Carlow County Council |
2022 - 2028 |
|
Cavan County Council |
2022 - 2028 |
|
Clare County Council |
2023 - 2029 |
|
Cork City Council |
2022 - 2028 |
|
Cork County Council |
2022 - 2028 |
|
Donegal County Council |
2024 - 2030 |
|
Dublin City Council |
2022 - 2028 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
2022 - 2028 |
|
Fingal County Council |
2023 - 2029 |
|
Galway City Council |
2023 - 2029 |
|
Galway County Council |
2022 - 2028 |
|
Kerry County Council |
2022 - 2028 |
|
Kildare County Council |
2023 - 2029 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
2021 - 2027 |
|
Laois County Council |
2022 - 2028 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
2023 - 2029 |
|
Limerick City & County Council |
2022 - 2028 |
|
Longford County Council |
2021 - 2027 |
|
Louth County Council |
2021 - 2027 |
|
Mayo County Council |
2022 - 2028 |
|
Meath County Council |
2021 - 2027 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
2025 - 2031 |
|
Offaly County Council |
2021 - 2027 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
2022 - 2028 |
|
Sligo County Council |
2024 - 2030 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
2022 - 2028 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
2022 - 2028 |
|
Waterford City & County Council |
2022 - 2028 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
2021 - 2027 |
|
Wexford County Council |
2022 - 2028 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
2022 - 2028 |
145. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department is considering increasing the €475,000 cap on new builds in Dublin under the first home scheme. [36551/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe First Home Scheme, which launched in July 2022, is a shared equity scheme, designed to help bridge the gap for eligible first-time buyers, eligible homebuyers, and self-builders, between their deposit and mortgage, and the price of their new home (within price ceilings established across the country). Full details are available on the First Home Scheme website, www.firsthomescheme.ie.
The First Home Scheme Designated Activity Company (DAC) is fully responsible for the operation of the First Home Scheme on behalf of all shareholders, including price ceiling reviews. At its launch, the First Home Scheme Designated Activity Company (DAC) announced it would review all price ceilings at 6-month intervals. The DAC take into account a range of factors as part of these reviews, including the median price and volume of new builds purchased by first time buyers in each local authority area.
At the end of June, the First Home Scheme DAC published the outcome of its scheduled 6-monthly review of the price ceilings that apply to qualifying homes and subsequently revised price ceilings in relation to 16 local authority areas. This includes an increase in the ceilings in the four Dublin Local Authorities from €475,000 to €500,000. The revised price ceilings came into effect on 1 July. The next 6 monthly review will take place in December 2025.
More information on price-ceiling reviews is available at the following link: www.firsthomescheme.ie/about-the-scheme/property-price-ceilings/
146. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of planners employed by An Bord Pleanála, broken down by grade, from 2014 to 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36582/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Coimisiún Pleanála is the national independent statutory body with responsibility for the determination of planning appeals and direct applications for strategic infrastructure and other developments under the Planning and Development Act 2024, the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and certain other Acts.
There is sanction in place for up to 313 posts at An Coimisiún Pleanála, of which there are 299 people equivalents in post as of 30 June 2025. As of 30 June 2025, the number of planners employed by An Coimisiún Pleanála is as follows:
|
Planning Inspectors |
34 |
|
Senior Planning Inspectors |
60 |
|
Assistant Directors of Planning |
8 |
|
Directors of Planning |
2 |
The question refers to figures dating back to 2014 which are not held by my Department, but I can advise that there were a total of 146 sanctioned posts at An Coimisiún Pleanála in 2014.
Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for An Coimisiún Pleanála in this regard is Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie.
147. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends to introduce an additional Project Tosaigh, with provision for small developers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36588/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Land Development Agency (LDA) was established with a focus on managing the State’s lands to develop new homes and regenerate underutilised sites. The Agency has also been tasked with unlocking stalled, private, planning-consented developments in the shorter-term through Project Tosaigh, its market engagement initiative.
The LDA is targeting 8,000 new homes over the course of the Project Tosaigh initiative. They are currently on track to deliver 5,000 new homes for Cost Rental, Affordable Purchase and Social Housing to eligible households by the end of 2026.
In an evolution of the original Project Tosaigh approach whereby the LDA entered into advance purchase arrangements for uncommenced, planning consented private developments, a framework panel consisting of 15 of Ireland’s largest and most experienced home-builders was established in 2024 to accelerate the delivery of homes. This framework provides a range of delivery partnership options, including construction milestone payment mechanisms. The LDA has entered into three contracts to deliver over 1,100 further homes under this procurement framework and four further contracts to deliver over 2,000 homes are in legal drafting.
The LDA is currently operating an expression of interest window for developers to submit projects for forward purchase. This window is open to all developers and will focus on higher density developments in the key city areas (Dublin, Waterford, Cork, Galway and Limerick) where there is significant demand for high density housing. The LDA is seeking projects which are planning approved with potential for over 100 units. Decisions on which projects to purchase will be made by the LDA based on their evaluation criteria.
The operation of Project Tosaigh remains under constant review and responsive to housing policy decisions and market conditions.
148. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current allowances payable under the mortgage allowance scheme to assist householders who are tenants or tenant purchasers of local authority houses to become owner-occupiers of other dwellings; the date on which those allowances were last amended, if he proposes to increase the allowances under this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36591/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Mortgage Allowance scheme provides for an allowance of up to €11,450 payable over a 5-year period, to tenants or tenant purchasers of local authority housing, to assist them to purchase or have a private house built with a mortgage. The current rates are underpinned by the Housing (Mortgage Allowance) Regulations 2001 and have been in place since 1 January 2002. New applications are still being accepted by local authorities and there are no plans to undertake a review of the scheme at present.
