Written Answers Nos. 450-474
450. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the details of the vacant buildings owned by his Department or by agencies under the remit of his Department in Dublin 2, 4, 6, and 6W, including, the address and size in square meters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57106/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn general, matters relating to property for my Department are the responsibility of the Office of Public Works as my Department does not own any properties.
I am advised that my Department does not own any vacant buildings in Dublin 2, 4, 6 and 6W.
The details of any buildings owned by agencies under the remit of my Department is an operational matter for those agencies.
451. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether there are any funding streams available to young people playing darts on the world stage. [57252/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSport Ireland, which is funded by this Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards, including the allocation of funding under its various programmes. Sport Ireland does not provide direct funding for clubs or individuals but channels the funding through the relevant National Governing Body (NGB).
As there is no Sport Ireland-recognised NGB for darts there is no mechanism by which darts organisations/clubs or players can secure funding from Sport Ireland. There is no discretionary funding available to my Department through which financial assistance can be provided to dart players or other individual athletes.
Sport Ireland operates a formal recognition process for organisations wishing to become eligible for support as NGBs. The recognition criteria set out the minimum requirements for NGB recognition and the additional criteria that may need to be met to receive financial investment from Sport Ireland.
Any organisation wishing to gain Sport Ireland recognition as an NGB is advised to engage directly with Sport Ireland which can advise as to the application process. Sport Ireland can be contacted directly in this regard via e-mail at [recognition@sportireland.ie] or by telephone on 01-8608800.
452. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the details of all reports, including consultancy reports commissioned by his Department from 1 January 2024 to date in 2025, that could be categorised as not for external publication or marked for internal use only; the cost of each report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57286/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe details sought by the Deputy are included in my response to Dáil Question No. 552 (PQ 55157/25) of 14 October 2025.
453. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in view of the recent EPA's report on the ecological collapse of Our Lady's Island Lake (lagoon), a priority area under the EU Habitat Directive, if he will instigate a coordinated response to this report and insure funding is forthcoming to protect and restore this lagoon, as it is of enormous ecological, historical and spiritual significance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57196/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe “Coastal Lagoons: Ecology and Restoration: CLEAR” report published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), produced under funding from the EPA and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department, identified severe water quality problems in Lady’s Island Lake.
In terms of coordinating a response, I have established an inter-agency working group, which includes the NPWS, Water Policy Section in my Department, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Wexford County Council, LAWPRO and, more recently, Teagasc, to progress solutions. The working group is chaired by Wexford County Council and has met a number of times already. Wexford County Council has been tasked with preparing a specific action plan to deal with the pollution at the lake. Any additional funding requests that may arise out of this will be prioritised by me on receipt of relevant business cases.
454. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to review the 20 year claw back requirement for owners of rental properties that avail of remediation under the defective concrete blocks grant scheme. [56505/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act) on 22 June 2023 which contains the enhanced grant scheme and adopted the related Regulations on 29 June 2023.
The Grant Scheme applies to the owners of dwellings located in designated local authorities, which are damaged due to the use of defective concrete blocks.
The dwelling must be:
a) the individual's principal private residence, that is, a house which an individual owns (or co-owns) and occupies as his or her only or main residence.
b) a rented dwelling with a registered tenancy that was registered with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) on or before 1 November 2021 subject to a maximum of one rental property per household.
Relevant RTB registered properties are subject to charging order that creates a charge over the relevant dwelling, equal to the payments made to the landlord who is the relevant owner for a period of 20 years.
I currently have no plans to amend these conditions as set down by the Oireachtas.
455. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the proposed purchase of lands at Glen of the Downs, County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56511/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), the executive agency with responsibility for managing Ireland's National Parks and Nature Reserves, occasionally purchases land for strategic and conservation purposes. Such acquisitions are considered carefully on a case by case basis, weighing the environmental and operational benefits of a site against the overall cost.
In light of the commercial sensitivity of these considerations and the strategic implications of bringing these considerations into the public domain, I am not in a position to comment on any individual site that is offered for sale.
456. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 57 of 9 October 2025, the timeframe in which he intends to progress legislation to amend eligibility criteria for the accommodation recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56542/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 29 July 2025, the Government approved the drafting of proposed amendments to the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 to limit the eligibility of certain properties for the Accommodation Recognition Payment and to amend the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004 to 2025 (RTA) to provide for necessary data sharing between the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB ) and the Department of Social Protection. The aim is to protect the supply of accommodation for long term renting covered by the tenancy protections in the RTA.
The relevant provisions are now being drafted by the Office of the Attorney General.
457. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of local authorities that consider carers allowance payments as income and include it in the calculation for social housing rent reviews; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56558/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal authorities set and collect rents on their dwellings in accordance with section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. The making or amending of such rent schemes is generally a matter for local authorities within broad principles set out by my Department, including that rent levels should be based on income and reflect tenants’ ability to pay.
Local discretion and flexibility are inherent in the devolved administration of rent schemes and different approaches are taken to rent setting across local authorities. Accordingly, decisions regarding the sources of income, such as Carer's Allowance, included and disregarded for rent assessment purposes are matters solely for individual local authorities. I have no role in this regard.
My Department does not hold information on which local authorities include or disregard Carer's Allowance for rent assessment purposes. This information is available form the individual local authorities concerned.
458. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to encourage purpose built housing for older adults by designating it as a specific use class or housing typology, as has been done for purpose built student accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56563/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the provisions of Part 5 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, as amended, each local authority is required to develop a Housing Strategy which informs their development plans. The Housing Strategy is informed by an evidence based Housing Need and Demand Assessment (HNDA), which is an estimate of the type and tenure of housing required within a local area over a longer timescale. Each local authority is required to make a determination of housing needs including for older people.
The Sustainable Development and Compact Settlements Guidelines for Planning Authorities, issued as Ministerial Guidance in January of 2024, state that the creation of sustainable communities requires a diverse mix of housing and variety in residential densities across settlements. This will also require a focus on the delivery of innovative housing types that can facilitate compact growth and provide greater housing choice that respond to the needs of single people, families, older people and people with disabilities, informed by the HNDA.
The Programme for Government – Securing Ireland’s Future includes a number of commitments to deliver “Practical Housing Options for Positive Ageing”. These commitments build upon the policy objectives in 'Housing for All', which commit to increasing the housing available to older people to facilitate ageing in place with dignity and independence.
Work on these commitments is ongoing within a policy group to consider the implementation of these commitments through specific measures in the new housing plan that is currently being prepared by my Department.
459. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to extend the eligibility to avail of the defective concrete blocks grant scheme to homeowners who purchased their primary home in late 2020 and past the current cut-off point of January 2020. [56568/25]
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 Act defines a relevant owner as an individual who owns, whether jointly or not, a relevant dwelling and:
• became an owner of the dwelling prior to 31 January 2020,
• inherited the dwelling on or after 31 January 2020, or
• subject to Section 9(4) of the Act, purchased the dwelling on or after 31 January 2020.
Section 9 (4) states that an individual who purchased a relevant dwelling on or after 31 January 2020, other than a dwelling in respect of which a letter of assurance has been issued, shall not be a relevant owner where he or she knew or ought to have known that defective concrete blocks were used in the construction of the dwelling.
Individuals who acquire a dwelling on or after 31 January 2020 will generally not be eligible for a grant. However, in certain limited circumstances, as an exception to the general rule, a relevant local authority may consider an application from an individual applying in good faith, on the honest belief that they either did not know, or could not have known that defective concrete blocks were used in the construction of the dwelling.
I currently have no plans to amend these conditions as set down by the Oireachtas.
460. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the timeline for publication of the updated wind energy guidelines. [56583/25]
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.
The evolving policy and technical context including the new Planning and Development Act 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 impact 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.
461. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there has been any increase in the housing adaption grants in Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56589/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. 603 of 14 October 2025 which sets out the position in this matter.
462. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to confirm if there is a practice of applying cost deductions on AHB scheme approvals, in the form of disallowing major portions of land, construction, communal, and financing costs; to clarify if this practice is in some cases disallowing costs ranging from €2-4 million of the cost to build the schemes, making the schemes unviable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56596/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraApproved Housing Bodies (AHBs) are making an important contribution to social housing delivery, as envisaged under current Government policy. My Department operates a number of funding programmes that assist local authorities to work in partnership with AHBs to construct, purchase and lease new homes and make them available for social housing. One such programme that AHBs progress construction projects through is the Capital Advance Loan Facility (CALF).
CALF funding is capital support provided to Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) by local authorities to facilitate the funding of construction or acquisition of new social housing units. 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 housing units are provided to local authorities for social housing use under long-term lease arrangements known as Payment and Availability Agreements (P&A). 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.
The P&A and CALF financial assessment is currently carried out by the Housing Agency on behalf of my Department. This assessment involves analysing the eligible capital costs, projected income and projected expenditure against a standard set of agreed assumptions which have been published and are available to the sector. As part of the financial assessment, the Housing Agency examines the overall capital cost indicated in the application and, where appropriate, costs that are ineligible for inclusion in the assessment are deducted. Any such deductions are explained to the AHB. The purpose of the assessment is only to determine the appropriate level of funding that my Department is willing to provide, in line with the parameters of the scheme and it is not intended as a viability assessment of a project. Viability assessment of any proposed project is a matter for each AHB.
As with all Exchequer-supported projects, my Department as sanctioning authority, assesses each project proposal for suitability as determined by the Local Authority, value for money and compliance with the various requirements of the funding programme before approval is issued.
With the allocation of additional monies the Government approved in July 2025, the total combined budget for CALF in 2025 stands at €710 million, which is the highest annual allocation since the Funding Scheme commenced. This is a significant increase from 2024 budget of €440 million, highlighting the strong support provided to the AHB sector by the Government.
The application process for AHB developments under the Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) scheme is managed by the Housing Agency. The funding made available to CREL projects is a function of modelling the costs of constructing or acquiring, financing, managing, and maintaining the cost rentals homes subject to the terms and condition of the Scheme.
Under my Department’s Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS), funding of 100% is available to Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) for the capital development costs for new social homes for priority category needs tenants and while each project is considered on its own merits there is no practice of applying cost deductions to CAS approvals in the form of disallowing major portions of land i.e. land utilised for housing by the AHB is fully funded by my Department. With regard to construction, costs are approved in line with accepted tenders. Financing costs are, in the main, not an issue for AHBs advancing projects under this delivery programme on the basis of 100% capital funding being provided. Communal Facilities Grant scheme funding to compliment a CAS project is allowed at 95% of the costs of the works or €7,500 per unit of accommodation whichever is the lesser.
463. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the progress of the new voids programme, as promised in the Programme for Government 2025, to improve the turnaround of vacant social housing units and if AHBs are now being provided with tenant nominations prior to housing completions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56597/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is working, in line with Programme for Government commitments, to introduce a new voids programme. I am focussed on building on the strong progress made over recent years to tackle local authority vacancy levels. This progress has been enabled by significant funding from my Department over the last 10 years, with over €360m recouped to local authorities under the voids programme since 2014 and supporting the refurbishment and re-let of 25,672 dwellings.
Given the significant scale of investment over the decade, all legacy vacancy issues should have been dealt with local authorities at this stage. Accordingly, local authorities should be in a strong position regarding long-term vacancy and, with the ongoing support of my Department, being able to further transition to a strategic and planned stock management and maintenance approach.
With this in mind, I intend the new voids programme will renew the emphasis on prompt turnaround and re-letting of vacant units by focusing only on those works necessary to comply with the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019. Non-essential works should be carried out under each local authority’s planned maintenance programme informed by stock condition surveys, whereby all housing components are on an inspection, repair and replacement cycle.
While the management and maintenance of local authority housing stock is a matter for each local authority under s.58 of the Housing Act 1966, the approach being developed is necessary to ensure a strategic approach to managing and maintaining housing stock, informed by stock condition surveys, is in place, and vacancies are turned around quickly.
My Department has been working with local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies to identify opportunities to reduce the time it takes to allocate and tenant a social home. It is critical the allocation systems and procedures utilised by local authorities and AHBs operate to ensure there is no avoidable delay in households in need of accommodation being provided with these homes. The Local Government Sector published a code of practice for AHB nominations in 2022, which sought to standardise the end-to-end allocation process and eliminate avoidable delays that could result in a property remaining vacant. My Department is establishing a working group to review this code to ensure it is being consistently implemented across AHBs and local authorities.
464. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a dwelling in County Sligo (details supplied) is eligible for the pyrite remediation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56611/25]
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 Act defines a relevant owner as an individual who owns, whether jointly or not, a relevant dwelling and:
• became an owner of the dwelling prior to 31 January 2020,
• inherited the dwelling on or after 31 January 2020, or
• subject to Section 9(4) of the Act, purchased the dwelling on or after 31 January 2020.
Section 9 (4) states that an individual who purchased a relevant dwelling on or after 31 January 2020, other than a dwelling in respect of which a letter of assurance has been issued, shall not be a relevant owner where he or she knew or ought to have known that defective concrete blocks were used in the construction of the dwelling.
Individuals who acquire a dwelling on or after 31 January 2020 will generally not be eligible for a grant. However, in certain limited circumstances, as an exception to the general rule, a relevant local authority may consider an application from an individual applying in good faith, on the honest belief that they either did not know, or could not have known that defective concrete blocks were used in the construction of the dwelling.
Local authorities have responsibility for the administration of the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme. This includes the initial validation of applications. Detailed queries of this nature surrounding individual applications should be addressed in the first instance to the relevant local authority, in this case, Sligo County Council.
465. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are plans to review the unit cost threshold of €15,000 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56656/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme (MARWP) provides capital funding to address the key challenges faced by the rural water sector, particularly group water schemes, with a primary focus on ensuring the supply of safe and secure drinking water to households in rural areas.
Under the current MARWP cycle, covering 2024 to the end of 2026, the programme’s funding measures, terms, and conditions were reviewed, and the maximum grant available per house was increased from €9,000 to €15,000.
All applications must meet the criteria and conditions set out in the programme framework.
I have no plans at present to further increase the maximum grant level.
466. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount that has been spent by his Department to conduct tendering processes for public infrastructure projects in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56696/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
467. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are plans to increase funding for the vacant property refurbishment grant (Croí Cónaithe towns fund); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56761/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant provides a grant of up to €50,000 to support the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent. A top-up grant of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed to be derelict, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000. In order to qualify for the grant, the property must be vacant for two years or more at the time of application.
The maximum grant amounts were increased in May 2023 from €30,000 to €50,000 for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant and from €50,000 to €70,000 for homes considered derelict.
In conjunction with the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, other supports and grants may be used to bring these vacant and derelict properties into use as homes.
The Conservation Advice Grant Scheme for Vacant Traditional Houses is an expanded funding scheme to provide grants for expert conservation advice to owners of vacant traditional houses who are availing of, or considering, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant.
A Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) Better Energy Home Scheme Grant may also be used alongside the VPRG. Further information on the SEAI grants available can be found here: www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants.
A comprehensive review of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was undertaken in 2024 , which considered all aspects of the scheme.
The review of the grant and the commitments contained in the Programme for Government are being considered as part of the next Housing plan which will be launched over in the coming weeks.
468. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider incorporating ‘EnergyCloud Ready’ standards into the design and specification of new social and affordable housing developments, ensuring that heat pumps, storage heaters, batteries, and smart water tanks installed in new builds can be remotely activated to make use of surplus renewable energy; the way in which new-build housing can contribute to demand-side flexibility and the reduction of energy poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56767/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSocial and affordable housing is specified in accordance with the requirements of the Building Regulations. The Building Regulations apply to the design and construction of a new building (including a dwelling) and certain works to an existing building.
The minimum performance requirements that a building must achieve are set out in the Second Schedule to the Building Regulations. These requirements are set out in 12 parts (classified as Parts A to M). Technical Guidance Documents (TGDs) are published to accompany each part indicating how the requirements of that part can be achieved in practice. Part L of the Building Regulations, relates to Conservation of Fuel and Energy.
Regulation 8(d) of The European Union (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations 2019 (S.I. No. 183 of 2019) requires for new dwellings the provision and commissioning of energy efficient space and water heating systems with efficient heat sources and effective controls.
Technical Guidance Document L 2022 (Conservation of Fuel and Energy) Dwellings subsection 1.4.3 provides guidance on the minimum provisions for space heating and hot water supply systems controls as follows:
Space and water heating systems should be effectively controlled so as to ensure the efficient use of energy by limiting the provision of heat energy use to that required to satisfy user requirements, insofar as is reasonably practicable. The aim should be to provide the following minimum level of control:
- automatic control of space heating on the basis of room temperature;
- automatic control of heat input to stored hot water on the basis of stored water temperature;
- separate and independent automatic time control of space heating and hot water;
- shut down of boiler or other heat source when there is no demand for either space or water heating from that source.
The guidance in paragraphs 1.4.3.2 to 1.4.3.5 is specifically applicable to fully pumped hot water-based central heating systems using gas, oil or biomass boilers.
The minimum requirements for controls for heating systems using heat pumps are set out in Tables 2 and 3.
The minimum requirements for controls for all other heating systems are set out in Heating and Domestic Hot Water Systems for Dwellings – Achieving compliance with Part L and Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations 2019.
There are no plans to amend these requirements at this time.
Specifications for the installation of additional devices for communicating with the smart grid are a matter for the building’s provider of electricity and the responsible local authority.
469. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware that local authorities are stalling applications to the social housing list by homeless individuals if they cannot provide a utility bill in their name or a sworn affidavit by people who are allowing them to couch surf, though this might include tenants in social housing who may be reluctant to provide such an affidavit for fear of being found in breach of their own tenancy agreement; if he agrees that these are bureaucratic barriers unsuitable for homeless individuals; if a new, more suitable set of application criteria can be formulated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56822/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraApplications 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 requirements in relation to the documentation required to support an application is set out in the “Checklist for Applicants” on the prescribed social housing application form. This checklist sets out the documentary evidence required for proof of current address, which includes, utility bill, lease or rental statement, where applicable.
As specified on the application form, in cases where a particular document cannot be provided, the local authority may, at its discretion, request alternative documentation to satisfy itself in relation to the specific information being sought.
Ultimately, it is a matter for the local authority to determine what information is required in individual cases. My Department would expect that any information sought by a local authority in this regard would be appropriate, having regard to the circumstances of the household concerned.
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.
470. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans regarding the rental reform scheduled to take place in March 2026 in order the minimise current speculation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56829/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 10 June 2025, the Government approved policy measures including modifications to rent controls to come into effect on 1 March 2026 in order to boost investment in the supply of homes available for rent and keep existing landlords in the market. The changes agreed will also 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 modifications to rent controls have been informed by the findings of the Housing Agency review of Rent Pressure Zones and Potential Policy Options. This review was undertaken to assess the operation of Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) since their introduction and consider their impact on the market and relevant stakeholders, including the retention of landlords and new investment. It was also to consider whether RPZs should continue without change or be removed, modified or replaced. The review involved engagement with a wide variety of stakeholders, including investors, representatives of landlord and tenant advocacy groups, academics and the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB). The review recommended a modification of rent controls. It also recommended allowing landlords to reset rents to market levels between tenancies and providing for stronger tenant protections to guard against economic evictions.
My Department consulted extensively with the Office on the Attorney General in relation to the proposed amendments to the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004 to 2025. On 14 October 2025, Government approved the General Scheme of the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2025. This legislation is now subject to priority drafting by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel, and the General Scheme has been forwarded to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage for pre-legislative scrutiny.
A detailed communications campaign will be undertaken by my Department, in conjunction with the RTB, between the publication of the Bill and the introduction of the new legislative measures from 1 March 2026.
471. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of the impact of the 45 days completeness check, as part of the European Union (Planning and Development) (Renewable Energy) Regulations 2025, (details supplied); if he will consider extending the period of time for submissions, to ensure the deadline for submissions comes after the 45 days completeness check and therefore, allows time for submissions post-pre-validation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56869/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Renewable Energy Directive III (RED III) entered into force on 20 November 2023. It provides for the increased deployment of renewable energy across the EU by 2030, including provisions to simplify and accelerate the permit-granting procedure for renewable energy projects. It allowed for an 18-month period to transpose most of its provisions into national law ending on 21st May 2025 and a shorter deadline of the 1st July 2024 for provisions relating to permit granting for renewable energy projects.
Specifically, the deadline for transposition of articles 15e(5), 16, 16b, 16c(2), 16c(3), 16d, 16e and 16f of the Directive which relate to permit-granting procedures for renewable energy projects was 1st July 2024. The European Union (Planning and Development) (Renewable Energy) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 274 of 2025) transposed these provisions into the planning code.
Article 16(2) of RED III provides that for applications for development outside renewable acceleration areas, the competent authority shall acknowledge the completeness of the application within 45 days.
The completeness check required by RED III is more than the validation check which applies to the development management process in planning presently. The completeness check requires greater scrutiny of the information and documentation included with a planning application to the extent that a planning authority or An Coimisiún Pleanála is satisfied that the application could proceed to full assessment and final determination.
The completeness check period of 45 days is longer than the 5 week public consultation period. Therefore, if an application is acknowledged as complete at the end of the completeness check process, any 3rd party submissions received during the 5 week public consultation period will be valid as they will have been made based on the application going forward for assessment and final determination.
There are no plans presently to extend the standard 5 week public consultation period.
472. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reasons a research stipend of a PhD student cannot be included as income in an application for a local authority home loan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56891/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIncome arising from a scholarship held by an individual receiving full-time instruction at a university, college, school or other educational establishment is exempt from income tax, Universal Social Charge (USC) and PRSI where the conditions for the relief, in accordance with Section 193 of the Taxes Consolidation Act (TCA) 1997 are met.
Ph.D. researchers who avail of the reliefs under this section of the Taxes Consolidation Act are not currently considered as employees and the stipend paid is non-taxable as it is treated as a scholarship for tax purposes, not income.
Repayment capacity for the Local Authority Home Loan is generally assessed on earned income. As the income from this type of Ph.D research is not classified as earned income for taxation purposes it is not included in the calculation of repayment capacity for a loan under the Local Authority Home Loan scheme.
473. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider extending the defective concrete blocks grant scheme to include additional counties, such as Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56930/25]
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.
The scheme is now open to applications in five counties: Clare, Donegal, Limerick, Mayo and Sligo with comprehensive information of all aspects of the Scheme available on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/service/8002e-enhanced-defective-concrete-blocks-grant-scheme/.
When a local authority that is not designated under the Scheme determines through the established mechanisms that homes within their functional area have been damaged by defective concrete blocks, they can seek to have the scheme extended to include any such county or part of such county.
Section 5 of the Act contains details on this process. This statutory designation process can commence upon a request by a local authority or by myself, as Minister, to the Housing Agency. The Agency thereafter carries out technical testing of dwellings in a given local authority administrative area. As soon as practicable after the completion of any testing, the Housing Agency shall make a recommendation to me whether an order to designate the whole or part of a local authority's administrative area should or should not be made by the Government.
I understand that Louth County Council, in accordance with Section 5(7) of the Act, were in contact with the Housing Agency on 25 April, 2024 stating they would be writing to the Housing Agency regarding three properties potentially affected by defective concrete blocks. I understand there has been some engagement on this matter between Louth County Council and the Housing Agency in February 2025 but that as of yet, no formal request has been made to the Agency for inclusion in the Scheme.
474. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends to include the additional areas which have been classed as high status objective catchment area and priority areas for action which were published as part of the ‘Water Action Plan 2024, Ireland’s third River Basin Management Plan’, so that all the new areas can qualify for grant aid assistance under the domestic wastewater treatment systems grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57030/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraGrant assistance is available in specific circumstances to support householders where defective Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (DWWTS), including septic tanks, present the greatest risk to the environment or to public health.
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 dwelling is located within a designated area identified as being particularly vulnerable to the impacts of defective systems.
The operation and maintenance of DWWTS remains the responsibility of the property owner, who must ensure that their system functions effectively and does not pose a risk to human health or the environment.
My Department is currently reviewing the grant support arrangements being provided in light of evolving environmental objectives. Consideration of the additional areas now identified as high status objective catchment and priority areas for action will form part of this review.
My Department is currently finalising its review, and I will consider recommendations on this matter once they are submitted.
