Written Answers Nos. 281-312
281. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to respond to matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53139/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy 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 currently gathers and publishes data on a monthly basis on the number of homeless persons accommodated in emergency accommodation funded and overseen by local authorities. These reports are based on data provided by local authorities, produced through the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS).
The monthly homelessness report includes details of individuals, families and the dependants of these families who accessed emergency accommodation during the relevant count week of the month in question. The most recently published data is in respect of August 2025. The reports are collated on a regional basis and are available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/homelessness-data/, and are also published to the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform & Digitalisation open data portal, www.data.gov.ie/.
My Department also 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. Refusals of reasonable offers of accommodation by households in emergency accommodation are published on a regional basis in the Department's performance reports.
The quarterly progress report summarises the data submitted to the Department.
The most recent published data is in respect of Q1 2025 and the report is available on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/homelessness-data/
My Department does not hold the specific information requested which may be available from Cork City Council.
282. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide the data he has available on the number of households that were rendered ineligible for social housing due to an uplift to the working families payment in January 2025. [53167/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not hold the data requested. Applications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.
The Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended, prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority in different bands according to the area concerned, with income defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy.
The policy provides for a range of income disregards and local authorities have discretion to disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once-off in nature. All income from social assistance payments, allowances and benefits, including the working family payment, is assessable.
The payments included in the Policy were last reviewed in 2021. As it was found that the majority of working family payment recipients are in receipt of the payment for more than one year, it was recommended that the working family payment should not be considered short term in nature and, therefore, should remain as assessable income. However, my Department keeps the Household Means Policy under regular review in order to ensure that it continues to be appropriate.
283. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the social housing income thresholds will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53169/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra284. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of times the income eligibility thresholds for social housing have been increased nationally in the past 15 years; the years in which those increases occurred; the increased that occurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53170/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 283 and 284 together.
A standard procedure for assessing applicants for social housing was introduced in every local authority on 1 April 2011, through the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.
The Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 prescribed maximum net income limits for eligibility for social housing supports in each local authority, in different bands according to the area, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy. Upon introduction of the 2011 Regulations, the maximum income limits per individual (main applicant) was set in three bands at €35,000, €30,000 and €25,000.
Housing for All includes a commitment to review income eligibility for social housing. From this review, completed in November 2021, it was recommended moving five local authorities from Band 3 to Band 2, ensuring the income eligibility thresholds better reflect housing costs in those counties. Government also agreed to increase the baseline income thresholds by €5,000 for all local authorities with effect from 1 January 2023. The thresholds thus increased to €40,000, €35,000 and €30,000 for bands 1, 2 and 3 respectively.
The review further recommended the commissioning of research to develop options for a revised or new social housing income eligibility model. My Department received this detailed research, commissioned by the Housing Agency. The scope of the research included examining the existing income limits in the context of current market and population conditions and the suitability or otherwise of the current framework having regard to the significantly changed landscape since the standardised income limits were introduced.
My Department's examination of the report is ongoing. This detailed examination will include consultation with stakeholders and will look at, inter alia, how the social housing income limits system interacts with other housing supports and ensure that they continue to target households correctly.
285. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a summary of all changes to the rental accommodation scheme in the past year, including any relevant circulars issued to local authorities, any changes to relevant regulations, any new funding made available for the scheme; and whether the scheme is now available to new applicants who are at risk of homelessness. [53229/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of Housing for All, a review of the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) was undertaken to evaluate the functioning of the scheme in relation to its established objectives and to ascertain what future direction the scheme might take.
A Review of the future of the Rental Accommodation Scheme was published in January 2025 and was circulated to all local authorities. It is available at the following link - www.assets.gov.ie/static/documents/a-review-of-the-future-of-the-rental-accommodation-scheme.pdf
The Review confirmed that RAS continues to play an important role in the suite of social housing supports and proposed 23 recommendations to refocus and rejuvenate the scheme. These modifications are required in order to retain landlords, ensure housing quality and provide more access to housing for vulnerable groups. My Department is working on the implementation of these recommendations. RAS remains available to eligible households, including those at risk of homelessness.
286. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a homeowner who withdraws from the statutory appeals process under the enhanced defective concrete blocks scheme thereby loses their statutory right of appeal permanently; and, if not, the provisions that exist for a subsequent appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53265/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra287. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a homeowner whose appeal under the enhanced defective concrete blocks scheme is unsuccessful may subsequently apply for a full technical review of their application by the Housing Agency; under what legislative or administrative basis such a review would be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53266/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra288. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the legal standing of the technical review mechanism announced in November 2024; if it will be placed on a statutory footing with a turnaround timeline; the means by which it is intended to interact with the statutory appeals process provided under the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged By the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53267/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra289. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he accepts that in the current absence of statutory clarity on the interaction between appeals and technical reviews under the enhanced defective concrete blocks scheme, homeowners risk making life-changing decisions without knowing the consequences; if he will urgently provide definitive guidance to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53268/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 286 to 289, inclusive, together.
The 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.
The 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.
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.
A homeowner can withdraw an appeal they have previously submitted to the Appeals Panel, and submit a revised appeal. The form and manner in which an appeal may be withdrawn is a matter under the Act for the Appeals Panel in the first instance.
In November 2024 following the receipt of preliminary results from scientific research in Donegal, my Department announced changes to the way the scheme works for certain homeowners. All homeowners who have been given a non-demolition option (options 2 to 5) have been offered a choice of continuing with the work on their dwelling under the option determined or the option of a full technical review of their application by the Housing Agency. This review will be informed by the current research once the full review of the national standard (I.S. 465:2018) is complete.
The National Standards Authority Ireland (NSAI) has been tasked with the review of the technical standard- I.S. 465:2018- that underpins the DCB Grant Scheme. The public consultation period finished on 11 July 2025 and the NSAI will finalise its review and publish the revised standard. This milestone follows on from the Government Decision of November 2021 and funding by the state into the required research for the NSAI to undertake its work on revising the standard. As Minister, I am obliged to commence a review of the operation of the Act within three months of the completion of any review of I.S. 465:2018 by the NSAI. A report to each House of the Oireachtas of the findings and conclusions resulting from that review is required not later than three months after the completion of the review.
Government approval was granted for the priority drafting of the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks (Amendment) Bill. Along with details of the wider group of relevant owners that can avail increases in the grant scheme cap and rates approved in October and November 2024 the Bill will also include a number of technical amendments. It will include an amendment to allow the Housing Agency, upon request of an applicant to the designated local authority, to carry out a review of previous remediation option and grant amount determination based on the provisions of the revised standard upon its publication. The precise details of this provision are in the process of being finalised but the right to appeal any decision made under this process will certainly be given to homeowner applicants. This legislation is being progressed as expeditiously as possible and the Bill is included in the Autumn 2025 Government Legislation Programme for Priority Publication.
290. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if jobs have been advertised to address the closure of tours for Glenveagh Castle in County Donegal on Mondays and Friday due to staffing issues; if not, when jobs will be advertised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53273/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to confirm that Glenveagh National Park remains open to visitors seven days a week all year around and, as with all National Parks managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), entry is free. In addition to amenities such as walks, trails, viewing points and toilets, the Visitor/Exhibition Centre, Castle Gardens and shuttle bus remain available to the public almost every day of the year with an on-site café also available. A charge is levied for the optional use of the shuttle bus and to tour Glenveagh Castle itself.
While the information desk in Glenveagh Castle itself remains open seven days a week, the tours of the Castle are currently operating on a 5 day-a-week schedule, with tours currently not scheduled for Mondays and Fridays. This arrangement was introduced to ensure health and safety requirements are met and to ensure available staffing resources are maximised across the Park while reflecting patterns of visitor demand and minimising impacts on the public.
Staffing levels across my Department, including the NPWS, are kept under regular review in line with emerging business needs and Government policy on public sector pay and staffing, as advised by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation. As part of its ongoing workforce planning processes my Department keeps these matters under constant review in order to ensure all priority vacancies are filled in a timely manner and that resource allocations are balanced across the Department to meet key priorities as necessary.
My Department's latest round of formal workforce planning is currently underway and the outcome of this process will determine the estimated number of vacancies in the Department including in Glenveagh National Park and the wider NPWS. The workforce planning process seeks to strategically assess gaps in service delivery that can be addressed on a priority basis in light of the available resources.
The NPWS continues to promote and ensure safe access to the amenities at Glenveagh National Park, delivering a high quality visitor experience whilst undertaking important conservation work, safeguarding the historic property of Glenveagh Castle and protecting the natural assets and biodiversity located throughout the Park.
291. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is satisfied by the adequacy of measures in the Planning and Development Act 2024, intended to disincentivise and criminalise the practice of seeking or offering money to withdraw planning objections where persons do not have a genuine interest in amending or objecting to plans. [53297/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraPublic participation is a long established and key element of all substantive decision-making processes under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (Act of 2000) and which will continue under the Planning and Development Act 2024 (Act of 2024). It is open to any person to make a submission or observation in relation to a planning application during the public consultation period and on payment of the required fee. Planning authorities and An Coimisiún Pleanála (the Commission) must have regard to any valid submission or observation made when making a decision to grant or refuse a planning application. In addition, a person who made a submission or observation on a planning application that a planning authority has decided to grant or refuse may subsequently appeal that decision to the Commission or may make a further submission in relation to an appeal of that decision.
The Act of 2024 will introduce new procedures to address 'spurious' planning submissions, appeals and judicial reviews. Section 587 of that Act prohibits a person from requesting from another person a payment, benefit in kind, or conferral of financial or economic benefit in order for that person to not make a planning submission or take a planning appeal or judicial review, or so that person will withdraw such a submission, planning appeal or a judicial review already made or taken. A person who contravenes this prohibition will be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both. It should be noted that section 587 does not apply to a request made by the owner or occupier of land or a maritime site which is made in good faith for the purpose of compensation for loss of enjoyment of that land or maritime site by the owner or occupier and which is likely to be occasioned by the proposed development.
Furthermore, section 587 also provides that an applicant for planning permission may apply to the High Court for a direction to be issued to a planning authority or the Commission to disregard such a submission or observation and the High Court may direct the Commission to dismiss an appeal in such circumstances. The High Court may also dismiss a judicial review brought where such a request in contravention of section 587 was made.
Section 588 of the Act of 2024 provides that submissions in relation to planning applications, appeals of applications and judicial reviews must be accompanied by a declaration stating that the submission, planning appeal or judicial review is not being made or taken for the purposes of delaying a development or for receiving a payment or other benefit. A declaration must also be made when withdrawing a submission, appeal or a judicial review. A person who fails to comply with these declaration requirements or knowingly makes a false or misleading declaration will be liable, on summary conviction, to a class A fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.
I am satisfied that the introduction of sections 587 and 587 will contribute significantly to the intended operation of the planning process while ensuring public participation for genuine purposes is maintained.
My Department is in the processes of commencing of the Act of 2024 on a phased basis to facilitate the transition to the new legislation across the planning system, taking into account the need to liaise with local authorities, planning bodies and other stakeholders. It should be noted that the existing provisions in the Act of 2000 will remain in place until repealed and the relevant provisions in the Act of 2024 are commenced. A detailed implementation plan is available at www.gov.ie/planning.
292. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the projects approved as part of the Uisce Éireann RC4 Capital Investment Plan 2025-2029; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53309/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister, I have no role in approving the Uisce Éireann, RC4 2025 -2029 Capital Investment Plan . Under Part 5 of the Water Services (No.2) Act 2013, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is the economic regulator of Uisce Éireann, and inter alia, reviews Uisce Éireann’s Capital Investment Plan.
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. Uisce Éireann may be contacted for the information requested at the following email address: oireachtasmembers@water.ie .
293. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the current proposals by Cork City Council, Cork County Council and approved housing bodies for the provision of cost-rental homes for 2025 and 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53310/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra306. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the progress to date on the delivery of cost-rental homes in County Laois; the steps being taken to ensure rents under these schemes remain affordable, relative to average local incomes; the additional measures being considered to assist working families facing high rental costs while awaiting cost-rental or affordable purchase opportunities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53591/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 293 and 306 together.
The Government is fully committed to delivering affordable housing at scale, and is continuing to accelerate housing supply across all tenures. A comprehensive implementation strategy is in place to support the various affordable housing schemes now being delivered by a range of delivery partners. Since the launch of Housing for All, over 14,500 affordable housing solutions have been delivered nationally, including almost 2,000 in Cork and over 300 in Laois.
Under Housing for All, a very strong cost rental pipeline is already in place across our delivery partners, including Local Authorities, Approved Housing Bodies and the Land Development Agency.
Building on this progress, my Department will continue to engage with all delivery partners to further the development of the affordable housing delivery pipeline, including cost rental, for 2026 and beyond, to ensure that the affordable housing programme responds effectively to the affordable housing needs identified at a local level.
Over 100 new homes have been delivered to date in Cork City through the Cost Rental Equity Loan, and further approvals are in place to deliver over 1,000 additional homes in Cork City by the end of 2029. In 2025 and 2026, 28 and 170 homes are due for delivery respectively in Cork City supported via CREL.
The first CREL project planned for Cork County was also approved earlier this year, for the delivery of 40 new homes. Also in Cork County, funding for 21 local authority led affordable schemes has been approved, to deliver 563 affordable purchase and 152 cost rental homes.
In line with the Government's commitment to identify and develop housing on vacant or underutilised publicly owned sites, 7 sites in Cork have been agreed by Government for transfer to the LDA, including St. Kevin’s in Cork City where construction is currently underway for the delivery of 267 homes, the first phase of which is expected to be delivered in Q1 2026.
The LDA is also planning to deliver over 300 cost rental and social homes at Horgans Quay with delivery beginning early in 2026, and 337 apartments at Marina Depot in Cork City, with the first phase targeted for delivery in 2027.
Cork is also seeing the delivery of new homes with funding from the Croí Cónaithe Cities scheme.
To date, funding has been approved for the delivery of 372 new homes in the Cork City area. (274 homes at Blackrock Villas, Cork, and 98 homes at Carr's Hill, Douglas, Cork). There are currently five further Croí Cónaithe Cities applications under assessment for proposed developments in Cork, with potential to deliver up to 570 new homes cumulatively.
County Laois has also seen some welcome delivery of cost rental homes, with 28 new homes delivered at The Maltings in Portlaoise in 2024 via CREL funding.
Cost Rents generally are set to cover the costs of delivering, financing, managing, and maintaining properties, without the influence of the supply and demand pressures of the private market. Where State funding has supported the delivery of new Cost Rental homes, it is a condition that projects achieve cost-covering rents which start at least 25% below those for comparable homes in the local private rental market.
294. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the targets for the CPO activation programme in 2024; and the numbers achieved by local authority, in tabular form. [53316/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra295. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the targets for the CPO activation programme in 2025, by local authority, in tabular form. [53317/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra296. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of buildings which are the subject of compulsory purchase orders under the CPO activation programme in 2023, by local authority, in tabular form. [53319/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 294 to 296, inclusive, together.
Addressing vacancy and dereliction is a key priority for Government.
The Vacant Homes Action Plan, published in January 2023, set out the various actions being pursued to return vacant properties back into use as homes. In March, I published the 2025 Progress Report which shows the significant progress that is being made and it is available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/df86c-vacant-homes-action-plan-2023-2026
The CPO Activation Programme was launched by my Department in April 2023. The Programme encourages a proactive and systematic approach by local authorities to address vacancy and dereliction. As part of the Programme, guidance and supports are provided for local authorities to actively use their legislative powers under the Housing Act and the Derelict Sites Act to compulsorily acquire vacant and derelict properties, where engagement with owners has been unsuccessful.
Implementation of the Programme requires cross team co-operation and co-ordination in each local authority to support a focused approach to addressing vacancy and dereliction. This is occurring in local authorities with reorganisation of staff resources and establishment of other structures to support co-ordination.
The data sought on the CPO Activation Programme is being verified and finalised and will be published in the coming weeks.
My Department, along with the Property Optimisation Unit in the Housing Agency, will continue to support local authorities in taking a proactive and systematic approach to identifying vacant and derelict properties and engaging with owners to bring those properties back into use, including through the use of their compulsory purchase powers.
297. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the merits of creating a grant scheme to support families with adult children, that have additional needs, to build garden dwellings that will allow their children to have independence while still being close to their support network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53323/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides grant funding for adaptations of dwellings under the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and Disabled People, to assist those in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. The suite of grants, which include the Housing Adaptation Grant for Disabled People, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People Grant, are funded by my Department with a contribution from the local authority. The detailed administration of the scheme is the responsibility of the local authorities, therefore the qualifying works is a matter for consideration and decision on a case-by-case basis by the local authority within the scope of the grant scheme.
I have no plans to create a grant scheme for the building of new dwellings in gardens.
298. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage with regard to the 'Section 28 Guidelines - NPF Implementation: Housing Growth Requirements' which issued in July 2025 and which contain the new annual housing supply targets for all local authorities, which display targets that appear in the final two columns of Appendix 1 on p.14, one column covering the period 2025-2034 and the other 2035-2040, the reason the figure for some local authorities like Carlow, Cavan and Sligo, employ exactly the same figures for the period 2025-2034 as used in their development plans, while others, such as Kildare, Laois and Monaghan, depart significantly from their development plan targets; the reason this is the case; why no reason or criterion of these differing treatments is offered in the guidelines themselves; if he will publish the precise methodology employed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53337/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Revised National Planning Framework (NPF) was finalised and approved by Government and the Oireachtas in April 2025. The Revised NPF identifies the need to plan for approximately 50,000 additional households per annum to 2040.
To ensure that local authority development plans reflect the requirements of the NPF in respect of housing as soon as possible, I issued the NPF Implementation: Housing Growth Requirements Guidelines under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 in July 2025. These Guidelines set out the housing demand scenario to 2040 for each local authority, by translating the NPF housing requirements into average annual figures and set out the requirement for planning authorities to commence the process of varying their development plan to meet the new housing growth requirements.
The housing demand scenario is aligned to the ‘50:50 cities’ distribution in the National Planning Framework. The national target set out in the Revised NPF also includes a provision for ‘unmet demand’ and it is an objective of the Guidelines that this unmet demand will be addressed in the near term, up to the year 2034, subject to monitoring of the implementation of the NPF.
The housing distribution at local authority level is based on the NPF 50:50 City scenario, which in turn is built on the NPF aim to achieve more regionally balanced population growth, split roughly 50:50 between the Eastern and Midland Region, and the rest of the Country (i.e. the Southern Region and Northern and Western Region).
The new housing growth requirements are set out in Appendix 1 to the Guidelines in the form of an annual housing figure for each local authority and provide, on average, a 60% increase on the housing figures issued under the 2020 Guidelines, i.e. to planning for an annual average output of c.55,000 new homes per annum over and above the current target of 33,000.
The current adopted Development Plans for the 31 local authorities already reflect, in many cases, the inclusion of ‘additional provision’ in relation to housing and land use zoning, with the result that the initial annual housing target of c.33,000 dwellings per annum, as set out in the Housing Supply Target Methodology/Guidelines in 2020, has been translated in to a cumulative annual target of c.48,000 in adopted plans. As a result, the 2025 Guidelines incorporate the current core strategy figures as published by local authorities within city/county development plans (CDPs) as a starting point. Accordingly, each the baseline figure for each local authority is at least the same at the current CDP target.
For local authorities where delivery against the current CDP targets has been relatively strong (at or in excess of 50%) over the past three years, the baseline figures have been adjusted upwards (for the period to 2034) to reflect this, with proportional allocation of the difference between the c.48,000 in adopted plans and the c.55,000 national figures distributed between the relevant local authorities. This approach ensures that additional growth figures are targeted, in the near term, in areas with the greatest likelihood of housing delivery.
In addition to the baseline housing growth requirement, planning authorities have also been requested to address the scope for additional provision of up to 50% in excess of the baseline housing growth requirement, in light of the urgent need to increase housing delivery and to optimise the ability to deliver on the housing requirements of the Revised NPF. This approach recognises the fact that, for a variety of reasons, a relatively significant proportion of zoned lands are not activated over the period of a development plan.
299. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage given the lack of pace in zoning additional land for housing, the reason Sligo County Council has been left waiting for the finalisation of the draft Ministerial Order dated 8 November 2024, thus leaving the council unable to implement its development plan as adopted in autumn 2024; if he will issue the final ministerial direction; if he will provide a date on which this will be done; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53338/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 31 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 empowers the Minister to direct a planning authority to take such measures as he or she may require to ensure that its development plan complies with the requirements of the Act.
The use of this power is conditional on the Minister first receiving a formal recommendation on the matter from the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) and thereafter forming the opinion that one or more of the criteria set out in section 31(1) of the Act apply. These matters include, but are not limited to, where a plan fails to set out an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, or a plan is not consistent with the objectives of the National Planning Framework (NPF) and the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES).
Since its establishment in April 2019, the OPR has had statutory responsibility for the evaluation and assessment of local authority plans in accordance with section 31P of the Act. The Office is statutorily independent of the Minister in the performance of this function pursuant to section 31R of the Act.
In the exercise of its plan evaluation function, the OPR may make submissions to the relevant planning authority including such recommendations as it considers necessary to ensure effective co-ordination of national, regional and local planning requirements by the relevant planning authority in the discharge of its development planning function.
With respect to the preparation of the Sligo County Development Plan 2024-2030, the OPR made three submissions to Sligo County Council at different stages of the plan-making process, as set out below:
• 24 September 2021 – OPR submission on the development plan’s pre-draft issues paper.
• 22 December 2023 – OPR submission on the draft development plan.
• 5 July 2024 – OPR submission on the material alterations to the plan.
Copies of these submissions may be viewed on the website of the OPR at the following link:
www.opr.ie/submissions-submitted-by-the-opr/
The Sligo County Development Plan 2024-2030 was made by the elected members of Sligo County Council on 30 September 2024. Pursuant to section 31AM(6) of the Act, the Council subsequently issued a notice to the OPR informing it of the recommendations that it had decided not to comply with.
In accordance with the provisions of section 31AM(8) of the Act, where it considers that it is merited, the OPR may recommend that the Minister exercise his or her function to issue a direction to a planning authority in relation to a development plan. In such instances, the OPR issues a notice letter to the Minister setting out its recommendation. The OPR issued a notice to the Minister regarding the Sligo County Development Plan on 27 October 2024.
Pursuant to the recommendation received from the Office of the Planning Regulator, on 8 November 2024 the then Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Alan Dillon TD, wrote to the Chief Executive of Sligo County Council giving notice of his intention to issue a direction in relation to the Sligo County Development Plan 2024-2030. A draft of the proposed direction was contained in the notice in accordance with section 31(4) of the Act, and accordingly, those parts of the development plan referred to in the notice shall be taken not to have come into effect, been made or amended.
The draft Direction was made available for public inspection by Sligo County Council and submissions were invited during the period from 25 November 2024 to 9 December 2024. Subsequently, the Chief Executive of Sligo County Council prepared a report dated 14 January 2025 on submissions received during the consultation period and made recommendations on how to give effect to the draft Direction. The OPR considered this report and on 31 January 2025 issued a notice under section 31AN(4) of the Act recommending that the Minister issue the Direction with minor amendments.
On 20 February 2025 Minister James Browne TD published a notice in The Irish Times pursuant to section 31AN(16)(a) of the 2000 Act giving notice that:
- having regard to the nature and number of amendments recommended to be directed, the giving of the Direction to the planning authority would require the making of a material alteration to the Sligo County Development Plan 2024-2030;
- the Minister’s decision under section 31AN(4A) of the Act shall be subject to section 31AN(16).
Section 31AN(16)(b) of the Act requires that the Minister shall, before giving a direction, determine—
i. whether or not a strategic environmental assessment or an appropriate assessment is required to be carried out as respects a material alteration to a development plan that would be required in order to comply with the direction, and
ii. where he or she determines that a strategic environmental assessment or an appropriate assessment is so required, the period that it would take to carry out such strategic environmental assessment or appropriate assessment.
Detailed work in respect of these requirements is nearing conclusion within my Department and further details will be communicated in due course in line with statutory requirements. As the aforementioned statutory process is yet to conclude it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.
With regard to the intervening period, it is important to note that section 31(6)(b) of the 2000 Act specifies that if a part of a development plan proposed to be replaced contains a matter that corresponds to any matter contained in a plan which is referred to in a draft Direction, that part of the previous development plan shall not cease to have effect in respect of that matter. Accordingly, the Act makes specific provision for the period in which a draft Direction is operative, pending the conclusion of the statutory process. Those parts of the development plan unaffected by the draft Direction continue to operate as normal.
300. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a detailed outline of the strategic environmental assessment (SEA) process that can be undertaken between the drafting of a draft Ministerial Direction following recommendations from the Office of the Planning Regulator and the preparation and publication of the corresponding final Ministerial direction; the criteria by which it is determined that an SEA is required; who makes such a determination; the step by step approach undertaken in carrying out an SEA; the statutory timeframes set out within legislation or statutory instruments for the completion of same; who specifically carries out this work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53339/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 31 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 empowers the Minister to direct a planning authority to take such measures as he or she may require to ensure that its development plan complies with the requirements of the Act. The statutory procedures governing the issuing of ministerial directions are found in sections 31, 31AM and 31AN of the Planning Act 2000, and the provisions specifically governing Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) are found in section 31AN(16).
The power to issue a direction is conditional on the Minister first receiving a formal recommendation on the matter from the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) and thereafter forming the opinion that one or more of the criteria set out in section 31(1) of the Planning Act apply. These matters include, but are not limited to, where a plan fails to set out an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, or a plan is not consistent with the objectives of the National Planning Framework (NPF) and the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES).
Since its establishment in April 2019, the OPR has had statutory responsibility for the evaluation and assessment of local authority plans in accordance with section 31P of the Act. The Office is statutorily independent of the Minister in the performance of this function pursuant to section 31R of the Act.
In the exercise of its plan evaluation function, the OPR may make submissions to the relevant planning authority including such recommendations as it considers necessary to ensure effective co-ordination of national, regional and local planning requirements by the relevant planning authority in the discharge of its development planning function.
In accordance with the provisions of section 31AM(8) of the Act, where it considers that it is merited, the OPR may recommend that the Minister exercise his or her function to issue a direction to a planning authority in relation to a development plan. In such instances, the OPR issues a notice letter to the Minister setting out its recommendation.
The Minister considers the recommendation of the OPR in accordance with section 31AN(1) of the Act and where the Minister agrees, he or she proceeds to issue a draft Direction to the planning authority concerned.
The draft Direction is made available for public inspection by the relevant planning authority and the Local Authority Chief Executive subsequently prepares a report on any submissions received. The OPR considers the Chief Executive’s report, in addition to any submissions received directly from the elected members, before issuing a notice to the Minister under section 31AN(4). If applicable, this provision also provides for the potential to appoint an inspector.
Where the OPR recommend that the direction be issued, the Minister considers this recommendation in accordance with section 31AN(4A) of the Act, subject to section 31AN(16), which addresses Strategic Environmental Assessment. The need to consider Strategic Environmental Assessment in the context of a Ministerial Direction arises only where the giving of a Direction would require a material alteration to the development plan, in accordance with the following provisions of the Act:
Section 31AN(16)(a) provides that where the giving of a direction by the Minister would require the making of a material alteration to a development plan, the Minister shall, not later than 3 weeks after the making of the recommendation by the OPR:
(i) publish a notice of the material alteration that would be so required in at least one newspaper circulating in the administrative area of the local authority that prepared the development plan, and
(ii) send a copy of that notice to the planning authority concerned, the regional assembly concerned, the OPR, An Coimisiún Pleanála and the prescribed authorities.
Section 31AN(16)(b) of the Act requires that the Minister shall, before giving a direction, determine:
(i) whether or not a strategic environmental assessment or an appropriate assessment is required to be carried out as respects a material alteration to a development plan that would be required in order to comply with the direction, and
(ii) where he or she determines that a strategic environmental assessment or an appropriate assessment is so required, the period that it would take to carry out such strategic environmental assessment or appropriate assessment.
The statutory process thereafter depends on the determination reached, and the applicable provisions are set out in paragraphs (c) to (i) of section 31AN(16).
In my Department, screening for SEA is undertaken by a qualified person with the requisite skills and expertise to carry out this function. The SEA Directive also outlines, at Annex II, the criteria to be taken into account when determining whether a plan is likely to have significant effects on the environment.
301. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if consideration has been given to the question as to whether the procedures and standards imposed by his Department on local authorities seeking to relet properties are giving rise to the significant delays and considerable costs which are arising in such cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53344/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra302. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the policies that exist within his Department or across local authorities in relation to a prospective tenant undertaking necessary refurbishment or improvement works to a vacant unit immediately after allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53345/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 301 and 302 together.
The management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, is a matter for each individual local authority under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966.
Furthermore, the standards for rental accommodation are prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 and specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, natural light, fire safety and the safety of gas, oil and electrical supplies.
These Regulations apply to all properties let or available for letting, both private rental and social housing. All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with the standards set down in these Regulations. Therefore, it would be expected that the dwellings allocated to local authority tenants should meet the legal obligation as set out in these regulations and additional refurbishment or improvement works should not be necessary.
My Department also provides annual funding support to local authorities in preparing vacant units for re-let under the Voids Programme. This funding is provided to support local authorities in their efforts to manage their housing stock efficiently and is in addition to funding from the local authorities own resources.
The emphasis of the programme is on those refurbishment works necessary to comply with the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 to ensure quick turnaround and re-letting times. Works which may be desirable but which are not required to comply with the aforementioned regulations at the time of vacancy, should be deferred and carried out under planned maintenance over the lifecycle of the asset. Where a local authority chooses to do works over and above those which are necessary to comply with the rental standards, it can impact re-let times and result in additional costs for the local authority.
Consequently, where local authorities take a pragmatic approach and implement the Voids Programme as prescribed, this results in improved turnaround times for vacant stock and reduced costs for local authorities at the time of vacancy.
303. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of approved housing bodies owning and-or managing fewer than 50 residential units in the years 2010, 2020 and 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53346/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority (AHBRA) was established on 1 February 2021 with the over-arching role to provide regulation of Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) for the purposes of protecting housing assets provided or managed by such bodies.
One of the functions of AHBRA is to collect and publish information (including statistical information on the number of dwellings in AHB ownership) concerning AHBs as it considers necessary and appropriate. AHBRA conducted its first monitoring programme in September 2022, the most recent annual statistical publication was for 2024 and is available on their website at the following link: www.ahbregulator.ie/ahbra-publishes-annual-sectoral-analysis-insights-from-the-2024-annual-monitoring-programme/
The AHBRA Sectoral Analysis separates AHBs into five categories with micro being those with 20 dwellings or less, and small being those with 20 to 100 dwellings. The 2024 Sectorial Analysis indicates 224 AHBs in the small and micro categories (fewer than 100 dwellings). It should be noted that there are a further 123 AHBs classified as Care and Support organisations, AHBRA's statistical analysis does not break these down further and it is likely that a percentage of these organisations will also fall into the category of having fewer than 50 residential units.
Prior to the setting up of AHBRA a Voluntary Regulation Code (VRC) was in place. Under the VRC AHBs were broken into small, medium and large. Small AHBs were classified as those with under 50 units, and in 2020 there were 200 AHBs in that cohort. However, it must be stressed that, it is likely that most of the remaining 274 AHBs (that were not signed up to the VRC at the time) would also fall into that cohort. My Department does not hold figures from before the VRC regime.
304. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if Afghani families who have been allowed to enter the state as part of “Community Support Programme” and who are in receipt of full social welfare benefits can be considered for standard local authority housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53354/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy colleague Minister Foley, Minister for Children, Disability and Equality is responsible for matters relating to the Irish Refugee Protection Programme and coordinating across Government Ireland's international obligations in this area and resettlement and integration objectives.
As social housing support is intended to address a household’s long-term housing need it is expected that households applying for such support have a long-term right to reside in the State. It is the responsibility of the local authority, to make a decision in each individual case with regard to qualification for social housing support, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended and associated Housing Circulars.
Persons granted international protection status can access State provided supports and services on the same basis as Irish nationals. 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 solely for the local authority concerned.
305. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the engagement his Department has had with local authorities as to the concerns in new housing estates being connected for both water supply and sewage connection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53405/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to establishing a new procedure for large developments where Developers can meet with local authority planners and Uisce Éireann on site to iron out issues at pre-planning stage.
My Department has commenced discussions with Uisce Éireann in the first instance on the implementation of this commitment, with a view to engaging with the local authority sector thereafter.
307. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of transitional applications that remain to be processed by the Housing Agency arising from the transfer of applications from the original defective concrete blocks grant scheme to the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53666/25]
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.
The 2022 Act sets out the role of the Housing Agency which act as agents on behalf of the local authorities under the terms of the Scheme. Determinations made by the Housing Agency on transitional applications are undertaken in line with transitional provisions provided for under the Act that allows the transfer of applications from the previous scheme to the current scheme.
The Housing Agency has twenty-five transitional applications that remain to be processed. Four transitional applications await a damage threshold determination and twenty-one transitional applications await an appropriate remediation option and grant amount.
308. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the defective concrete blocks social homes scheme intended to provide remediation for local authority and approved housing body-owned dwellings; if he will clarify when this scheme has been formally implemented in Donegal; the timelines envisaged for its roll-out; the means by which applications will be triaged for remediation works; whether the damage threshold criteria applied under the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme will also apply to these dwellings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53667/25]
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 enhanced grant scheme and adopted the related Regulations on 29 June 2023.
The Act also provides for the Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) Social Homes Scheme. This is a scheme for the purpose of enabling a designated local authority or an Approved Housing Body (AHB) with dwellings located in a designated local authority area to remedy damage caused to dwellings, owned by the local authority/AHB, by the use of defective concrete blocks in their construction.
Section 36 of the Act provides that social homes will receive the same remediation options as those covered under the Enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme for private housing, and the same grant cap, grant rates and damage threshold requirements, along with access to ancillary grants. The manner in which the Scheme will be operationalised in practice by local authorities has been the subject of careful consideration before the Scheme can be finalised. A draft Scheme has now been prepared by my Department and it is my intention to bring proposals to Government shortly so that work can begin on remediating social homes in the affected counties in the near future.
309. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to clarify if bird shooting is prohibited at the Broadmeadow Estuary, Donabate in the vicinity of the Corballis Cottages; to give consideration to this area becoming a protected area given its proximity to an SAC and SPA and given the sensitivity of this site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53668/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Broadmeadow Estuary site is an integral part of the Malahide Estuary Special Protection Area SPA4025 and Special Area of Conservation SAC205. Details of the SPA/SAC can be viewed here: www.npws.ie/protected-sites
Under the Wildlife Act 1976, shooting of birds is prohibited, except during the open season, when shooting of birds, except those breeds not on the open seasons order is allowed. Details are available at the link here: www.npws.ie/legislation/irish-law/open-seasons-order
The National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department will make contact with the Deputy for further information concerning the issue raised including the exact location referred to.
311. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the strategic review of the approved housing body sector. [53703/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Approved Housing Body Strategic Forum (AHBSF), established in December 2023, undertook a comprehensive review of the AHB sector throughout 2024, in line with commitments under Housing for All. The Forum was mandated to consult key stakeholders in order to develop a vision for the evolution of the sector over a 10yr+ time horizon, and to identify the principals and reforms that would enable the realisation of this vision.
The AHBSF concluded its structured engagements and analysis at the end of 2024, which included a series of national workshops involving over 150 participants, broad stakeholder consultations (with 32 formal submissions), and targeted research into not-for-profit housing association models in four peer European jurisdictions. The work also drew on the work and recommendations of the Housing Commission relevant to the AHB Sector.
My Department has provided me with a detailed report of the Forum's work and findings.
I am considering the findings and recommendations in the context of the finalisation of the successor plan to Housing For All. This important report builds on the the continued support from the State for the AHB sector as an vital delivery partner and provides a roadmap that would guide the sector’s evolution and continued contribution over the decade ahead.
It is expected that this report will be published in the coming weeks, following the publication of the updated National Housing Plan.
312. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on when the scheduled five-year review of the Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority will commence. [53704/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs provided for in Section 4 of the Housing (Regulation of Approved Housing Bodies) 2019 (the Act), a review of the effectiveness and operation of the Act shall take place not later than 6 months after a period of 5 years from the establishment of the Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority (AHBRA).
AHBRA was established in February 2021, my Department is currently considering the legislation in consultation with AHBRA and intend to have a legislative review prepared in Q1 2026 for my consideration. On review of the draft report, it is intended that wider stakeholders will be consulted before finalising the review within the required timelines in 2026. When finalised, the review will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas as provided for in the the Act.
