Tom Brabazon
Ceist:561. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of water ingress due to defects at an apartment complex (details supplied). [51518/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraDefective Building Materials
Ceisteanna (561)
Freagraí scríofa
Remedial works for relevant apartment defects, which will include all eligible fire safety, water ingress and structural safety defects, will be funded under the forthcoming statutory Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Scheme. This Scheme will establish supports for remediation of relevant defects in purpose-built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013. It is envisaged that 100% of eligible remediation costs will be funded.
My Department is progressing the drafting of the legislation to underpin the Scheme, the Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Bill. Various issues requiring legal advice are currently under consideration. The General Scheme of the Bill will be made available to undergo pre-legislative scrutiny as soon as is practicable and I anticipate that this will happen during the Dáil autumn term.
Given the complexity of the issues, including the significant amount of Exchequer funding that this Government has committed to assist affected homeowners, sufficient time for drafting the legislation has been required to ensure that the scheme is fit for purpose, provides value for taxpayers' money and contains appropriate oversight and governance measures.
The administration of the Statutory Scheme, under which Owner Management Companies (OMCs) will receive funding to carry out the necessary remedial works, will be managed by the Housing Agency on behalf of my Department. My Department is unable to comment on individual cases.
Question No. 562 answered with Question No. 533.
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (563)
Rory Hearne
Ceist:563. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of CALF funding approvals granted to date in 2025, by local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51608/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
CALF funding is capital support provided to Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) by local authorities to facilitate the funding of construction and purchase of new social housing homes. This loan facility can support between 25% and 30% of the eligible capital cost of the housing project, with the remaining finance sourced by the AHBs from private lenders (usually the Housing Finance Agency (HFA)).
The properties are provided to local authorities for social housing use under long-term lease arrangements known as Payment and Availability Agreements. A nominal interest rate of 2% fixed per annum is charged by the local authority on the initial capital amount. Repayments on either the capital or interest are not required during the term of the loan (between 10 and 30 years), although where an AHB chooses to, repayments can be made during the term. At the end of the term, the outstanding capital amount plus the interest accrued, is owed and repayable to the local authority. The local authority issues the CALF monies to the AHB and the local authority, in turn, recoups same from the Department.
Since 1 January 2025 to 24 September 2025 the total number of CALF approvals granted is 116.
|
Local Authority |
Projects Approved |
|
Carlow |
2 |
|
Cavan |
1 |
|
Clare |
2 |
|
Cork City |
10 |
|
Cork County |
6 |
|
DLR |
3 |
|
Dublin City |
22 |
|
Fingal |
7 |
|
Galway City |
1 |
|
Kerry |
1 |
|
Kildare |
8 |
|
Kilkenny |
2 |
|
Laois |
4 |
|
Limerick |
9 |
|
Louth |
4 |
|
Mayo |
1 |
|
Meath |
4 |
|
Offaly |
1 |
|
South Dublin |
14 |
|
Tipperary |
1 |
|
Waterford |
3 |
|
Westmeath |
4 |
|
Wexford |
2 |
|
Wicklow |
4 |
|
Grand Total |
116 |
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (564, 565, 566)
Rory Hearne
Ceist:564. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of CREL funding approvals granted to date in 2025, by local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51609/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraRory Hearne
Ceist:565. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage of the CREL approvals granted to date in 2025, the number that were projects which first applied for funding in 2024, by local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51610/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraRory Hearne
Ceist:566. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of CREL projects awaiting approval, by local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51611/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 564, 565 and 566 together.
Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) funding is available to AHBs to provide affordable rented accommodation to those on middle incomes. The nature of the cost rental model means that cost rental homes are made available at a certain rent level, which is needed to cover the costs of delivery and maintenance of the cost rental homes, and must be at least 25 per cent below prevailing market rents.
Applications for CREL are regularly received by my Department and as such the assessment and approval of applications on hand is continual. As with all Exchequer-supported projects, my Department, as approving authority, assesses each project application for suitability, value for money and compliance with the various requirements of the applicable funding scheme. The processing time for individual applications can vary significantly depending upon the complexity and specific characteristics of each application.
The Table below sets out the number of CREL funding approvals granted from the beginning of 2025 to date by Local Authority, and the number granted for which the Department received the report in 2024.
|
Local Authority |
No. of Funding Approvals Granted in 2025 |
No. of Funding Approvals Granted in 2025 where the report was received in 2024 |
|
Cork City |
8 |
3 |
|
Cork County |
1 |
0 |
|
Dun Laoghaire - Rathdown |
2 |
0 |
|
Dublin City |
2 |
0 |
|
Fingal |
6 |
1 |
|
Galway City |
2 |
0 |
|
Kildare |
2 |
0 |
|
Kilkenny |
1 |
0 |
|
Laois |
1 |
0 |
|
Limerick |
2 |
0 |
|
Louth |
3 |
0 |
|
Meath |
4 |
0 |
|
South Dublin |
3 |
1 |
|
Westmeath |
3 |
1 |
|
Wicklow |
1 |
0 |
|
TOTAL |
41 |
6 |
It is important to note that there will always be projects on hand with my Department which are either under assessment or the subject of further engagement with LAs or AHBs. This is perfectly normal in the context of the Social and Affordable housing projects which have been or are being handled by my Department currently which are scheduled for delivery in the period 2025 – 2029.
Details of proposals awaiting approval cannot be released due to reasons of commercial sensitivity. However, my Department can confirm that it continues to work with the AHB sector to deliver cost rental homes at scale under the Cost Rental Equity Loan Scheme, with a view to achieving Housing For All targets.
Question No. 565 answered with Question No. 564.
Question No. 566 answered with Question No. 564.
Wastewater Treatment
Ceisteanna (567)
Martin Kenny
Ceist:567. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if funding can be secured to repair a sewerage system (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51620/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am aware of the concerns raised in relation to the sewerage system in the housing estate named in the details supplied. However, under Section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, I am precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case with which a planning authority or An Coimisiún Pleanala may be concerned.
The statutory process for remedial works and the taking in charge of estates is a matter for the local authority, and the decision on any such works rests with the Council.
Planning Issues
Ceisteanna (568)
Mark Ward
Ceist:568. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if exemptions exist for local authority planning development fees; if medically adapted extensions to properties are included in exemptions; the process to apply for exemptions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51654/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (Act of 2000), all development, unless specifically exempted under the Act or associated Regulations, requires planning permission. Any development which is classed as exempted development does not require planning permission and no fees are payable to the relevant planning authority.
Section 4 of the Act of 2000 and Schedule 2 of the Regulations of 2001 set out the various exemptions from the requirement to obtain planning permission. Any such exemptions are subject to compliance with any general restrictions on exemptions set out in the Act or the Regulations and to the specific conditions set out in each class of exempted development in Schedule 2 of the Regulations.
Class 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 2 of the Regulations of 2001 sets out the planning exemption provisions for house extensions subject to certain conditions and limitations. Where exemptions are available, they apply universally.
Where any individual is unsure if they can avail of any specific exemption such as for an extension to a house, section 5(1) of the Act of 2000, provides that “if any question arises as to what, in any particular case, is or is not development or is or is not exempted development within the meaning of the Act of 2000, any person may, on payment of the prescribed fee, request in writing from the relevant planning authority a declaration on that question, and that person shall provide to the planning authority any information necessary to enable the authority to make its decision on the matter.”
Environmental Policy
Ceisteanna (569)
Ciarán Ahern
Ceist:569. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 264 of 18 September 2025, to provide a timeframe for the completion of the prior risk assessment of cherry laurel and if it is expected to be added to the list of species of national concern; whether environmental NGOs and community woodland groups will be formally consulted in developing and implementing control measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51667/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I refer to the reply to Question No. 264 of 18 September 2025 which sets out the position in this matter.
Rental Sector
Ceisteanna (570)
Ciarán Ahern
Ceist:570. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the Housing for All commitment to introduce a minimum BER for private rental accommodation; the timeframe for its introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51726/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) published a research paper in February 2025, which explores the investment requirements for energy efficiency upgrades in the private rental sector. The research was funded by my Department under a joint programme the Department operates with the ESRI. Based on the data sets available, the ESRI paper explores the energy efficiency profile of the housing stock in the private residential rental sector, estimates the cost of upgrading in a range of scenarios and focuses on the financial capacity of household landlords to finance such investments.
The ERSI’s research is a valuable contribution to our understanding of future investment requirements to ensure the appropriate energy efficiency upgrades in the private rental sector. This information will support the development of future policy and actions to improve the energy efficiency of housing stock in the private rental market.
The findings from the ESRI report will feed into further research and wider consideration at Government level of the current and future supports required to upgrade energy efficiency in the residential private rental sector, aimed at both improving the quality of housing stock available to rent and contributing to meeting our overall national climate targets in relation to emissions reduction.
The appropriate balance will need to be struck between improving the energy efficiency of the rental stock and the potential impact any intervention may have on the private rental market, particularly around availability of accommodation.
Housing Schemes
Ceisteanna (571)
Mark Wall
Ceist:571. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the up-to-date position with a housing project in County Kildare (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51745/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
This social housing project in Kildare County Council has received approval from my Department.
A revised funding submission for this project was recently received, which my Department is reviewing.
Kildare County Council is responsible for the implementation of this project and, therefore, would be in a better position to provide a detailed response as to the up-to-date position on the project.
Housing Schemes
Ceisteanna (572)
Mark Wall
Ceist:572. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the up-to-date position with a housing project in County Kildare (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51746/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The project in question has been approved by my Department and in terms of the pre-construction process, is at an advanced stage. My Department has been advised by Kildare County Council that this project is progressing as planned. Kildare County Council is responsible for the implementation of this project and, therefore, would be in a better position to provide a detailed response as to the up-to-date position on the project.
Rural Recreation Policy
Ceisteanna (573)
Mark Wall
Ceist:573. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when an infrastructural project (details supplied) will open in Kildare south; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51748/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Barrow Blueway Project is a significant initiative that will support communities and create exciting opportunities for recreation and ways to experience interesting places from new perspectives.
Waterways Ireland is responsible for the delivery of the canal-side works elements while the roadside works elements are being undertaken by Kildare County Council.
Kildare County Council is the Project Manager for the Barrow Blueway Project and is responsible for overall project delivery.
The project is progressing well with all of the canal-side paths now complete. Further information on the roadside works and overall progress of the project is available from Kildare County Council or on its website from time to time at www.kildarecoco.ie.
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (574)
Mark Wall
Ceist:574. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of houses purchased and in the process of completing purchase under the tenant-in-situ scheme, by local authority, over the past three years, by quantity, by total cost, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51749/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department publishes comprehensive programme-level statistics on a quarterly basis for social housing delivery, including on second-hand acquisitions by local authorities. These statistics show:
• 1,829 second-hand acquisitions were completed in 2023, including 1,081 for tenants in situ;
• 1,501 acquisitions were completed in 2024, including 1,054 for tenants in situ; and
• 490 or so acquisitions have been completed to date this year, with 360 for tenants in situ.
A breakdown of data per local authority per year can be accessed on my Department’s website at www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/.
The table below sets out the funding recouped to local authorities from 2023 to date for second-hand acquisitions, including for tenant in situ, which category was introduced in 2023. Expenditure is recouped to local authorities for acquisition costs, including the purchase price and the legal and professional fees to transact the sale, and for any necessary refurbishment works required to the property. That said, refurbishment costs for tenant in situ acquisitions are not recouped to local authorities for properties purchased from 2025 onwards.
Expenditure is not always drawn down by local authorities in the year an acquisition completes.
Seanad Elections
Ceisteanna (575)
Malcolm Byrne
Ceist:575. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on preparations for the university panel poll in the next Seanad elections. [51793/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under Seanad Electoral law, the taking of the poll for the Higher Education Constituency is a matter for the Returning Officer, in this case the Vice-Chancellor of the National University of Ireland. As Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, I have no function in relation to the taking of the poll.
The Seanad Electoral (University Members) Amendment Act 2024 provided that the Seanad election that follows the next dissolution of the Dáil will see the newly established Higher Education constituency electing all six University Senators. It also named the National University of Ireland as the Central Registration Authority to administer the register.
Graduates of designated institutions, who hold a degree which is at least at bachelor level, and who are Irish Citizens aged 18 years or over, are eligible to apply to be entered on the electoral register for the Higher Education constituency. More information on this is available at Seanadvoter.ie.
The first register of electors in respect of the new constituency was published on 1 April 2025 and includes some 62,775 electors from across 16 designated institutions, nine of which are newly designated. This register of electors will be used for any Seanad general election but also enables the creation of a specific register for the Trinity or NUI constituencies which elected the sitting University Senators, should a by-election arise in the interim period.
The Chief Registration Officer, appointed by the National University of Ireland in line with the legislation, is statutorily responsible for preparing the register of electors and revising it annually in accordance with the Act. An awareness campaign is in preparation to support the first annual revision of the register of electors. The revised register will be published and enter into force on 1 June 2026.
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (576)
Malcolm Byrne
Ceist:576. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social homes completed by each approved housing body in the State, and the additional social homes provided directly by local authorities, in each of the years 2020 to 2024 and to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51794/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR), which provides details of social housing developments, their location and their funding programme that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of the design and tender processes. The report includes the names of the Approved Housing Bodies involved with the projects in the report. The most recent publication was for Quarter 1 2025. The Q1 2025 CSR and all previous versions of the CSR are available on the Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/.
A version of the CSR file can also be downloaded for analysis by local authority, Approved Housing Body etc. at this link: https://opendata.housing.gov.ie/dataset/social-housing-construction-status-report-q1-2025. The Q2 2025 Construction Status Report is currently being compiled.
My Department also publishes comprehensive programme-level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies in each local authority. This data is available to the end of Q1 2025 and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/. Data for Q2 2025 is currently being collated and will be published shortly.
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (577, 578, 585)
Malcolm Byrne
Ceist:577. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the circumstances under which a tenant in a home provided by an approved housing body can buy that home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51795/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMalcolm Byrne
Ceist:578. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the circumstances under which a tenant in a home provided by a local authority can buy that home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51796/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Ken O'Flynn
Ceist:585. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications made under the tenant purchase scheme in Cork city since 2022; the number which have been approved; and the number which remain pending. [51982/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 577, 578 and 585 together.
The Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme 2016 came into operation on 1 January 2016 and allows tenants of local authority houses to apply to purchase their home. The scheme is governed by the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 and Housing (Sale of Local Authority Houses) Regulations 2015, as amended, and is open to eligible tenants of local authority houses that are available for sale under the scheme.
In order to be eligible to purchase a house under the Scheme, tenants must have a reckonable annual income of €11,000 and have been in receipt of social housing supports for at least 10 years, as determined by the local authority in accordance with the rules of the scheme. Social housing supports include HAP, RAS or 10 years tenancy of a local authority dwelling, or a combination of these supports. In the case of joint applications, only one tenant is required to have been in receipt of social housing supports for a period of 10 years.
The method for determining a purchase price is set out in the Housing (Sale of Local Authority Houses) Regulations 2015. The Act also includes provision for a housing authority to take into consideration any material improvements made to the house by tenants, where written permission has been obtained in advance of these material improvements taking place. Prior written consent is not required for minor improvements, such as decorating.
Section 63(3) of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that, subject to law, a local authority is independent in the performance of its functions. The operation of and any decisions made in respect of the Scheme are, therefore, entirely a matter for the local authority concerned and it would not be appropriate for me to comment on individual cases.
Further information regarding the criteria under which a local authority tenant may purchase their home may be found on my Department's website: gov.ie - Incremental Tenant Purchase Scheme for existing local authority houses .
The Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme only provides for the purchase of local authority properties and does not extend to properties owned by Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs). AHBs (also called housing associations or voluntary housing associations) are independent, not-for-profit organisations. They provide affordable rented housing for people who cannot afford to pay private sector rents or buy their own homes; or for particular groups, such as older people or homeless people. Any sale of an AHB property must be in compliance with their Memorandum and Articles of Association and it is also advisable for the AHB to consult with the Charities Regulator in this regard if it is a registered charity. However, as not-for-profit bodies, AHBs are limited in their ability to sell any property on the open market at a value which is less than the market value of the property.
My Department monitors the local authority schemes on an ongoing basis to ensure that they remain effective and sustainable. However, as set out above, consideration cannot be given to extending the schemes to tenants residing in properties owned by AHBs.
Statistical information regarding the number of homes sold under the scheme until the end of 2024, broken down by local authority area, including the Cork City Council area, is available from my Department’s website: www.gov.ie/en/collection/0906a-other-local-authority-housing-scheme-statistics/#sale-of-local-authority-houses
Question No. 578 answered with Question No. 577.
Mayoral Election
Ceisteanna (579)
Roderic O'Gorman
Ceist:579. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the Government will enact the remaining provisions of the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024, to give local authorities the ability, specified in the legislation, to call plebiscites on directly electing their own mayors. [51863/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Programme for Government commits to supporting the office of the Directly Elected Mayor of Limerick and considering further plebiscites in Dublin and other cities.
Part 6 of the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024 makes provision for a local authority to hold a plebiscite on the question of whether to have a directly elected Mayor with executive functions for their administrative area.
A plebiscite of the electors of an administrative area may be proposed in three ways:
1. where a local authority Corporate Policy Group recommends it and the elected council approves it;
2. where a petition is signed by more than 15% of the electorate and the chief executive certifies it; or
3. where the Minister directs it.
A plebiscite must then be held within 12 months. Where the outcome of a plebiscite is in favour of a directly elected mayor, the 2024 Act requires that the Minister submits a report to the Oireachtas within two years, containing proposals for legislative measures to provide for a directly elected Mayor of that administrative area.
These legislative provisions have been commenced, and supporting regulations for holding plebiscites are being developed.
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (580, 581)
Ken O'Flynn
Ceist:580. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of new social housing units completed in Cork City in each of the past three years, with a breakdown by municipal district. [51977/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraKen O'Flynn
Ceist:581. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of Part V housing units delivered in Cork city since 2020; and the number located in Cork north central. [51978/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 580 and 581 together.
My 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. This data is available to the end of Q1 2025 and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/. Further data on Part V delivery is available on the Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/affordable-housing-and-part-v-statistics/. Data for Q2 2025 is currently being collated and will be published shortly.
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 processes. The most recent publication was for Quarter 1 2025. All CSRs are available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/.
A version of the CSR file can also be downloaded for analysis by local authority, location etc. at this link: https://opendata.housing.gov.ie/dataset/social-housing-construction-status-report-q1-2025.
The Q2 2025 Construction Status Report is currently being compiled.