Written Answers Nos. 541-560
542. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review the eligibility areas of grant aid schemes administered by a local authority to upgrade, repair or replace domestic wastewater treatment system/septic tank systems; if he will ensure those previously tested with high risk factors can be later included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51175/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe proper operation and maintenance of domestic wastewater treatment systems, including septic tanks, is the responsibility of the property owner. Owners must ensure that their systems are working effectively and do not pose a risk to human health or the environment.
Grant assistance is available in specific circumstances to support householders where defective systems pose the greatest environmental or public health risk. In particular, grants may be accessed where a system has failed an inspection under the National Inspection Plan and an Advisory Notice has issued, or where a householder lives in a designated area identified as being particularly vulnerable to the impacts of defective systems.
The focus of the scheme is to target areas of greatest priority, so as to protect water quality and public health and ensure the most effective use of available resources. The terms and conditions of the grants have recently been significantly improved to encourage greater uptake.
I have no plans to make further changes at this time.
543. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if an independent ecological damage assessment will be undertaken in respect of the River Allow, in view of its designation under the Munster Blackwater Special Area of Conservation (site code 0021700) and its blue-dot high-status objective; and when the assessment is expected to be completed and reported. [51226/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra544. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the National Parks and Wildlife Service has been formally informed by the Environmental Protection Agency and Inland Fisheries Ireland of recent reported incidents concerning the River Allow; if not, when such notification will occur; and the measures in place to ensure timely inter-agency communication in future. [51228/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 543 and 544 together.
The River Allow is within the Blackwater River (Cork/Waterford) Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Under Regulation 27 of the European Communities Birds and Natural Habitats Regulations (S.I. 411/2011, as amended), the competent authority in relation to fin fish species in the first instance is Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), with the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) and Cork County Council (CCC) also having statutory functions in relation to licensing and water quality in the River Allow.
There have been 2 incidents reported to the National Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS) impacting the River Allow in recent years and I refer to these specifically.
The first reported incident was at Freemount Water Treatment plant in June 2024 when a chemical was accidently released into the river causing fish mortality. Uisce Éireann notified the NPWS of this incident on 10 June 2024. Officials of the NPWS visited the Allow River on 3 separate occasions in July 2024. Having observed 70 to 80 live Freshwater Pearl Mussels downstream of the Water Treatment Plant, the NPWS advised Uisce Éireann on the type of surveys that should be under taken. Uisce Éireann commissioned these independent surveys, the reports of which have been furnished to the NPWS.
Secondly, more recently, a short-term pollution event of unknown origin occurred in the River Blackwater of which the River Allow is a tributary to the Munster Blackwater catchment area. On 11 August 2025, IFI began investigating reports of dead or ailing fish in the River Blackwater, County Cork. An Inter-Agency group was established in response to the incident on 25 August 2025. The NPWS was invited to attend and was represented alongside other key State Bodies and Agencies.
The NPWS has been actively liaising with the local community, and other State Agencies and bodies since the incident and undertaking site visits and monitoring. The NPWS undertakes monitoring programmes for habitats and species in accordance with the requirements of the EU Birds and Habitats Directive and Regulations under a six-year cycle, with surveys to assess the condition of protected species such as the Freshwater Pearl Mussel scheduled for 2026. This includes the River Allow and Munster Blackwater Special Area of Conservation, with NPWS divisional staff undertaking regular patrols in the Munster Blackwater Special Area of Conservation (SAC) as a key function.
Fish samples were collected and water testing was undertaken by IFI, the EPA, Cork County Council and the Marine Institute. The fish samples were sent for laboratory testing for over 900 chemicals including pesticides and heavy metals to determine if there was a chemical pollutant responsible. This proved inconclusive, with the final report of the Inter-Agency group being published on 25 September 2025.
The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Water Programme works with others to monitor and assess the health of our rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal waters under the Water Framework Directive. Blue Dot water bodies, like the River Allow, are those which have been assigned a high status objective under the Water Framework Directive. Ireland’s Blue Dot Programme, managed by the Local Authorities Waters Programme (LAWPRO) aims to preserve and protect, or to restore these water bodies where necessary, through targeted actions set out in the Water Action Plan 2024.
No other incidents concerning the River Allow have been reported to the NPWS. My Department continues to liaise with and work closely with other State agencies and bodies as appropriate to provide a comprehensive, co-ordinated response to such cases.
545. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 651 of 17 September 2025, if he is satisfied with the adequacy of the current enforcement regime; if reform or direction to a body (details supplied) is being considered to deal with persistent breaches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51254/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 18 of the Building Control Act 2007 details prohibition against using the term “architect” unless registered to do so. The registration body in Ireland for this is the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland. As detailed in the legislation, consequences for a person who practises or carries on business under any name, style or title containing the word “architect”, unless he or she is registered shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding €5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both.
Complaints relating to the use of the title are a matter for the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) as the designated competent authority in respect of the architectural profession.
Neither my Department nor I has any direct role in the operation of this register, nor do my Department or I receive reports in relation to complaints. It is not intended to reform the legislation at this time.
546. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a circular will be issued to outline the changes to tenancy laws that are coming into force in March 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51270/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra593. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to publication of the Government’s Autumn legislative programme, to set out the matters to be addressed in the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill; the timeline for the preparation and publication of the Bill; whether pre-legislative scrutiny is planned in respect of the bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52134/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 546 and 593 together.
On 10 June 2025, the Government approved policy measures to provide for the enhancement of rent controls and tenancy protections for new tenancies created (i.e. first time tenancy between parties) from 1 March 2026. Legislation is being prepared and will be published later this year to give effect to these policy measures. Further information is available here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/press-releases/government-to-introduce-major-reforms-to-the-rental-sector/
The new measures have been informed by the findings of the Housing Agency Review of Rent Pressure Zones and Potential Policy Options and its preferred recommendation to modify the existing operation of the current RPZ rent controls. The report can be accessed here: www.housingagency.ie/publications/review-rent-pressure-zones-report.
In order to boost the supply of homes available for rent, the Government approved modifications to rent controls, to come into effect on 1 March 2026. The changes will provide significantly stronger tenancy protections and are finely balanced between the interests of tenants and the need for further private investment in the rental market across the country.
The General Scheme of the Bill is expected to be submitted to Government in October for its approval as a basis for priority legal drafting to commence in the Office of Parliamentary Counsel. Once approved by Government, the General Scheme will be forwarded to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage for pre-legislative scrutiny. Publication of the Bill is expected later this year. A detailed communications campaign will be undertaken by my Department, in conjunction with the Residential Tenancies Board, between the publication of the Bill and the introduction of the new legislative measures from 1 March 2026.
547. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on legislation to allow for retrospective payments under the defective concrete blocks scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51271/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act) commenced on 22 June 2023 which contains the current grant scheme and the related Regulations were adopted on 29 June 2023.
Government approval was granted for the priority drafting of the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks (Amendment) Bill which will contain details of the wider group of relevant owners that can avail of increases in the grant scheme cap and rates approved in October and November 2024 along with a number of technical amendments. This legislation is being progressed as expeditiously as possible and the Bill is included in the Autumn 2025 Government Legislation Programme for Priority Publication.
548. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of appeals made under the remediation of dwellings damaged by the use of defective concrete blocks grant scheme have been processed to completion in 2025; the number of appeals which remain active; the average turn-around time of appeals nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51272/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act) was commenced on 22 June 2023 which contains the enhanced grant scheme and adopted the related Regulations on 29 June 2023.
An Appeals Panel has been established to assess appeals made under the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the use of Defective Concrete (DCB) Blocks Grant Scheme. The Panel offers those affected by decisions made by the Housing Agency and Local Authorities an opportunity to have their cases assessed by an independent group of industry experts.
The points of appeal that are available to a DCB applicant include the validation stage by the local authority, the damage threshold determination made by the Housing Agency, the remediation option, and the grant amount approved and where a local authority refuse to make a grant payment pursuant to grant approval.
The Panel will review the merits of each individual case and consider all details free from any undue influence or restrictions. At the time of writing 176 appeals have been received from homeowners.
It should be noted that the Appeals Panel is statutorily independent in the performance of their functions of myself as Minister, my Department and of the Housing Agency. My Department provides limited administrative support during the initial stage of the process, in that appeals submitted by homeowners are forwarded to the Panel.
However, I understand that the Panel is in the process of assessing appeals and the Chair of the Appeals Panel has begun to issue notifications to appellants.
549. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to the publication of the National Development Plan Review, when the towns and cities infrastructure investment fund will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51284/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe agreed Programme for Government included a commitment to establish a new Towns and Cities Infrastructure Investment Fund to:
- invest in infrastructure to acquire land, assemble sites, de-risk sites;
- support the development of new transport orientated development towns as necessary; and
- to continue and expand URDF (Urban Regeneration and Development Fund) investments in project to regenerate the public realm.
Following publication of the National Development Plan Review in July, allocations to programmes and subheads, including the level of additional capital funding to support these commitments, will be determined in the coming weeks. This will enable the detailed arrangements for the implementation of these funding streams to be clarified further.
550. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider conducting an audit to date of a public project's (details supplied) financial, physical, social, and economic aspects following the closure of multiple organisations tasked with delivering the project and the previous publication of a Comptroller and Auditor General Report identifying large cost overruns, delays to delivery of physical regeneration and numerous other failings. [51290/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Ballymun regeneration programme spanned a long number of years, with Departmental funding first arising in 1999. This substantial programme, which comprised 24 projects, is now complete. The overall programme is estimated to have cost approximately €972 million. Funding of €775.3 million was provided via my Department.
Largely completed by the end of 2013, the Ballymun programme represents the largest regeneration initiative undertaken in the State. The State's investment resulted in almost 2,000 new replacement homes being constructed for the former residents of the original flats. An additional 1,350 homes were provided via private sector investment.
In addition, the programme provided state-of-the-art community facilities, such as the Axis theatre, along with neighbourhood centres to improve services. In recent years the regeneration activity has focused on improving the area’s environmental performance with various green initiatives, new parks and playing pitches. Enterprise and employment generation has focused on the main street and retail parks, with many new employment opportunities created for residents of the area.
An enduring regeneration project must extend beyond physical redevelopment alone. In order to be successful and sustainable over the long term, a regeneration project requires the rebuilding of a community and a strengthening of community bonds. Taken together, the provision of state-of-the-art community facilities, large-scale housing regeneration and new development, and support for local enterprise and employment, have enabled the Ballymun regeneration programme to be completed on a sustainable basis.
I am advised that an audit was conducted on Ballymun Regeneration Limited as part of the Statutory Audit Report to the Members of Dublin City Council 2023. At the time of audit, the financial statements for Ballymun Regeneration Limited were not available for 2023. The company has yet to be liquidated, however, to date, total assets released to Dublin City Council by the company amounts to €567,200,457, which includes 1,694 completed housing units. The 2022 financial statements recorded a nil balance for both assets and liabilities. The financial statements included an audit opinion identifying an emphasis of matter paragraph explaining that the financial statements were no longer prepared on a going concern basis given the intention by the Directors to liquidate the company.
Based on the above information Ballymun Regeneration Limited is fully consolidated into the Council’s AFS in accordance with the Accounting Code of Practice.
Accordingly the audit suggested on the spending of the company has been completed. My Department continues to work closely with DCC on further regeneration projects throughout the city.
552. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the process by which his Department determines the polling day for elections; if maximising turnout rates are considered in this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51303/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraArrangements for the holding of elections and referendums, including the setting of the polling day, are set out in legislation. Electoral law allows for the taking of the poll at elections and referendums on any day of the week and this flexibility allows all relevant factors to be taken into account at any given time in setting the polling day.
Under Section 67 of the Electoral Reform Act 2022, An Coimisiún Toghcháin is tasked with promoting public awareness of, and participation in, the State’s electoral and democratic processes and encourage the public to vote at electoral events. This function supports measures to increase turnout at electoral events.
553. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to advise when updated wind energy guidelines will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51317/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. The review is addressing a number of key aspects of the Guidelines including noise, setback distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections.
My Department, in conjunction with the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE), which has primary responsibility for environmental noise matters, has been working to advance guidance on the noise aspect of the Guidelines, which is highly technical in nature. The two Departments have been engaging on proposals regarding the measurement and assessment of noise from wind turbines to ensure they are robust and fit for purpose having regard to, inter alia, the revised 2030 target to generate up to 80% of our electricity from renewable sources.
Further to this engagement, DCEE, in the context of its environmental noise remit, appointed noise consultants in May 2023 to inform any amendments to the noise aspect of the Guidelines. This work is now substantially complete.
My Department, in conjunction with DCEE, will make any further changes to the draft Guidelines which are deemed necessary or appropriate in the wake of this work to ensure that the finalised Guidelines, once issued, are fit for purpose to provide guidance in line with renewable energy and climate targets, whilst having appropriate regard to the impacts of wind energy development, including in relation to noise annoyance.
The evolving policy and technical context including the new Planning and Development Act 2024, which was signed by the President on 17 October 2024, and the recent revision of the National Planning Framework (NPF) reinforces the need to ensure that the finalised Guidelines, once issued, are fit for purpose.
In addition to this work, and in line with EU Directive requirements, a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is being carried out on the draft Guidelines as part of the review process. In this regard, my Department intends to undertake a public consultation on updated draft Guidelines as part of the SEA process whereby all interested parties will have an opportunity to submit observations on the draft Guidelines. Finalised Guidelines will be prepared following detailed analysis and consideration of the submissions received during the consultation phase.
My Department notes the commitment in the recently published Programme for Government 2025 – Securing Ireland’s Future to prioritise the publication of the Wind Energy Development Guidelines, having regard to international best practice and standards. In light of this commitment, my Department is working towards concluding the finalisation of review of the Guidelines as a matter of priority, having regard to the intended public consultation and the finalisation of associated reforms and reviews including the revision of the NPF.
The current 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force, pending the finalisation of the review.
554. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department plans to examine the current boundaries as they pertain to the administrative areas of existing local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51334/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraPart V of the Local Government Act 1991, as amended, contains provisions relating to local authority boundary alterations, including procedures in relation to proposals for such alteration; provision for the establishment of a boundary committee to review boundaries; and power for the Minister, subject to specified conditions, to alter boundaries by order.
There are currently no proposals as provided for in the legislation for an alteration of the administrative area boundaries of existing local authorities.
555. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department plans to examine the current funding mechanism for local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51335/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal authorities are entirely independent corporate entities having full responsibility under law for the performance of their functions and the discharge of their governance and other responsibilities. They provide in excess of 1,000 services on behalf of over 30 public bodies. Accordingly, the funding system for local authorities is a complex one, as authorities derive their income from a variety of sources including commercial rates, charges for goods and services, Local Property Tax (LPT) as well as funding from Government Departments and other bodies. Central Government funding of local authorities similarly presents a complex picture, with transfers, both current and capital, coming from a wide range of Departments and Offices for a variety of purposes. It is a matter for each local authority as to how it can maximise local income sources and manage its own spending, in the context of the annual budgetary process.
I acknowledge the current financial environment in which all local authorities, are operating, and the pressures facing them in respect of general inflation and higher costs. Every effort has been made to provide support to the sector in the delivery of its functions.
In line with commitments in the Programme for Government, a Local Democracy Taskforce has been established to reform and strengthen local government. The work of the Taskforce is focused across four themes. One such theme is the funding of local authorities. The Taskforce will bring forward proposals for Government consideration, including in the area of enhancing local authorities’ fiscal autonomy. I look forward to engaging across Government on these matters of importance to local democracy in advance of any proposals being finalised.
556. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount expended on cloud storage solutions in the past five years and to date in 2025; and if he will provide the data storage supplier, in tabular form. [51367/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has several cloud SaaS solutions. Cloud storage is an integrated part of these SaaS solutions and storage is not billed separately. Accordingly, it is not possible to give specific figures on cloud storage solutions.
558. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of two funding streams announced for the tenant-in-situ scheme, an additional €50m announced through press release and an additional 30% of tenant-in-situ budget for local authorities; if there are two separate funding streams, if the €22 million allocated to Dublin City Council is contained in the additional 30% allocation to local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51468/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI recently secured an additional €50 million on foot of the National Development Plan discussions to expand the social housing Second-Hand Acquisitions Programme this year, bringing the budget available for the programme to €375 million.
I am targeting this additional funding at acquisitions supporting households, particularly larger families with children, to exit long-term emergency homeless accommodation. To this end, the funding has been allocated to the eight city and city and county councils, which have the highest number of households that have been emergency accommodation for longer than 24 months in the Dublin region and 12 months or more in the remaining four authorities.
It is a distinct and separate allocation within the broader Second-Hand Acquisitions Programme.
Recognising the lead-in time required to complete such acquisitions, any uncommitted or unspent monies from the additional €50m allocation can be carried forward into 2026. This will allow local authorities to maximise the impact of the funding for vulnerable households. Funding carried forward will remain ring-fenced and separate from any allocation provided generally under the Second-Hand Acquisitions Programme in 2026.
Separately, all local authorities have been given approval to enter into financial commitments for 2026 to a value of up to 30% of their original 2025 acquisitions budget. This flexibility applies to acquisitions for all priority cohorts, including for tenancy sustainment, exits from homelessness, and for other priority groups, such as persons with disabilities, older persons, care leavers, &c.
This is not a new or separate funding stream. Rather it is a flexibility afforded to local authorities that effectively establishes a standard multi-annual approach for the programme, providing local authorities with greater certainty of funding into next year and ensuring priority acquisitions initiated this year and in particular in the last quarter of 2025 which are unlikely to complete until 2026 can continue to be progress.
560. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline any grants available to a person wishing to convert an old building into an interpretive museum, and if there are any grants available for preservation of old buildings if used to educate, or as a museum. [51508/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder my Department, the National Built Heritage Service (NBHS) provides two main grant schemes to support for the protection of eligible heritage buildings and historic structures. These include capital grants for conservation works as well as financial assistance for owners to obtain conservation advice for their historic structures. The Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) and the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) are, in the main, administered by the local authorities, while applications for the Conservation Advice Grant are made directly to my Department.
The BHIS provides capital funding of between €2,500 and €50,000 for repair or conservation works to the following types of buildings:
Protected structures
Proposed protected structures
Structures in Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs)
Vernacular buildings
Under BHIS, each local authority receives an allocation of funds from my Department based on the proportion of structures on their Register of Protected Structures (RPS) when compared to the national total. Each local authority can award funding to eligible applications within their area that meet the terms and conditions of the BHIS circular. Within the BHIS separate ring-fenced funding is available for thatched buildings under the Historic Thatch Grant. The purpose of this scheme is to protect the heritage value of historic thatched roof buildings. Any historic thatched structure, including domestic or commercial, is eligible for this scheme.
The Historic Structures Fund provides capital funding of between €50,000 and €200,000 for works to qualifying structures which include the following:
Protected Structures: Structures in the Record of Protected Structures (RPS) of each Local Authority;
Structures eligible for or proposed for inclusion in the RPS but not yet formally approved for inclusion.
Structures or works within Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs), or within the amenity of a National Monument, where exceptional circumstances apply.
Eligible projects should be:
projects proposed by local authorities on foot of applications from private applicants who are the owners or custodians of historic structures
projects proposed by a Local Authority for works to historic structures in public ownership, where a clear heritage focus and community or public benefit has been demonstrated
The HSF is a nationally competitive scheme, whereby local authorities present a shortlist of eligible applications for consideration to my Department each year. The standard of conservation projects received is always very high and the scheme is always over-subscribed. For the 2025 awards, each local authority could present up to three privately owned structures for consideration. These are assessed at a national level by officials from the NBHS within my Department, with 28 projects ultimately being awarded funding for 2025 last March.
It is important to note that these grants fall under the Heritage remit of my Department.
Grants facilitating a museum and /or educational aspects, may be able to seek funding from Departments with responsibility for culture, tourism, and education for example.
