Written Answers Nos. 499-509
499. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total commercial rates intake from businesses in the town of Kiltimagh, County Mayo by Mayo County Council, in the most recent year and for each of the previous five years. [57358/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by Tailte Éireann under the Valuation Act 2001, as amended. The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority.
Information in relation to the collection of commercial rates is available in the Income and Expenditure Account and in Appendix 7 of each local authority's Annual Financial Statement (AFS). 2023 is the latest year for which audited local authority annual financial statement data is available.
Rates income reported in a local authority's AFS is not analysed by geographical area. Therefore the information requested in relation to rates income from businesses in kiltimagh, Co. Mayo is not available in my Department.
500. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a controlled derogation of planning permission law can be introduced during the term of this Government, to allow a much increased number of homes be built (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57359/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll development proposals require planning permission unless they are specifically exempted under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act) or the supplementary Planning and Development Regulations, 2001, as amended (the Regulations).
Historically there has been a strong tradition of rural housing construction in Ireland, with approximately one-quarter of all delivery nationally for the last 30 years falling within this category. Rural housing continues to be an important component of new housing delivery with on average c.4,000-5,000 new rural dwellings being built annually.
Rural Housing Guidelines were last issued in 2005 as Ministerial Guidelines under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. These Guidelines provide that people who are an intrinsic part of the rural community, on the basis of an economic or social need, should be facilitated in all rural areas. In areas under strong urban influence, the policy is to encourage the delivery of urban generated housing in cities, towns and villages. In a rural areas suffering persistent and substantial population decline, the policy is to accommodate anyone wishing to build a house, subject to normal planning and environmental considerations.
Since the publication of the current Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines in 2005 (which continue to have effect in addition to subsequent clarifications and national policy changes in the National Planning Framework) there have been important changes to our planning system. Most notably, obligations under European Directives and international agreements relating to the management and protection of the environment and adapting to and mitigating climate change have become more central to the operation of the planning system.
Updated policy direction and guidance in respect of rural housing, initially in the form of a section 28 Guideline which will now be reviewed and prepared as a National Planning Statement, is currently being considered by my Department. The updated policy approach will expand on the high level spatial planning policy of the National Planning Framework (NPF), in particular on National Policy Objective (NPO) 28 which relates to rural housing. This objective makes a clear policy distinction between rural areas under urban influence (i.e. areas within the commuter catchment of cities, large towns and centres of employment) on the one hand, and structurally weaker rural areas where population levels may be low or declining, on the other. NPO 28 is also aligned with the established approach whereby considerations of social or economic need are to be applied by planning authorities in rural areas under urban influence.
The draft National Planning Statement will set out relevant and consistent planning criteria to be applied in local authority development plans for rural housing, based on the high-level policy framework set by the NPF.
While planning policy is a national, as opposed to an EU competence, due care is being taken to ensure the draft National Planning Statement will not operate to conflict with fundamental EU freedoms, comply with EU environmental legislative requirements and have due regard to decisions of the European Court of Justice. The draft National Planning Statement will address these complex environmental and legal issues, while also providing a framework for the sustainable management of housing in rural areas.
501. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he is taking to ensure that the electoral register is maintained in an updated manner; the evidence he has that suggests it is up to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57384/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal authorities, in their capacity as registration authorities, are responsible for the management and maintenance of the electoral register. It is the duty of each authority to ensure, as far as possible, and with the cooperation of the public, the accuracy and completeness of the Register in respect of its own administrative area.
The Electoral Reform Act 2022 provided for significant changes to streamline and modernise the electoral registration process. These changes, supported by awareness raising have already delivered substantial progress in relation to data quality – in June 2025 the local government sector reported that almost 1 in 5 entries on the register had been updated and have an associated PPSN which means those entries have been checked and confirmed. 73% of entries had a date of birth and 71% an Eircode; and over half of registered electors have both.
An Coimisiún Toghcháin, published its first annual report on the electoral registers in May 2025. In it, An Comisiún recognises the enormous amount of work carried out by local authority franchise staff in implementing the provisions of the Electoral Reform Act 2022. The report also puts forward constructive proposals to address the legacy issues around register data including accuracy in particular. These issues are being addressed and I am committed to supporting local authorities in that work, building on the significant reforms delivered to date. Two key actions already underway include:
• Dublin City Council, with the support of my Department, is developing a national shared electoral registration system for all Local Authorities to use. This system, which will be operational across the Sector by end-2026 will enable Local Authorities to check data at national level, will integrate the death events service, and will streamline administration of the register within a modern and highly secure architecture;
• I have made funding of over €3m available to Local Authorities in 2025 alone to support the significant data quality work they are doing to prepare for migration to the new system including standardisation, translation and the management of duplicates and deceased electors. This builds on funding in 2023 and 2024 to support data quality work and also provides each Local Authority with two additional staff members to undertake this task.
This extra funding is part of a renewed commitment under the Programme for Government 2025 – Securing Irelands Future and will support a detailed plan for Local Authorities to improve electoral register data over the next 18 months.
In addition, the engagement of the public is critical. Every eligible elector is responsible for ensuring that they are correctly registered and to update their details when needed – it’s never been easier and can be done up via a simple online process through either checktheregister.ie or Voter.ie.
502. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to urgently examine issues raised in regard to the first home scheme and the inaccessibility of the help-to-buy scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57390/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe First Home Scheme, which launched in July 2022, is a shared equity scheme designed to help bridge the gap between a purchaser’s deposit and mortgage, and the price of their new home, within regional price ceilings, for eligible first-time buyers, Fresh Start applicants and those who wish to build their first home. The Government’s clear priority is accelerating and increasing new housing supply.
The First Home Scheme Designated Activity Company (DAC) is fully responsible for the operation of the First Home Scheme on behalf of all shareholders, including price ceiling reviews. At its launch, the First Home Scheme Designated Activity Company (DAC) announced it would review all price ceilings at 6-month intervals. The DAC takes into account a range of factors as part of these reviews, including the median price and volume of new builds purchased by first time buyers in each local authority area.
At the end of June, the First Home Scheme DAC published the outcome of its scheduled 6-monthly review of the price ceilings that apply to qualifying homes and subsequently revised price ceilings in relation to 16 local authority areas. This includes an increase in the ceiling in Kerry County Council from €350,000 to €375,000. The revised price ceilings came into effect on 1 July. The next 6 monthly review will take place in December 2025.
More information on price-ceiling reviews is available at the following link: www.firsthomescheme.ie/about-the-scheme/property-price-ceilings/.
The Programme for Government indicates that it will work with the Banks to expand the First Home Scheme to first time buyers of second-hand homes. I have requested that the First Home Scheme undertake the required analytical and technical work to examine the potential for such an expansion and the matter is under consideration.
All local authorities, including Kerry County Council, have developed and published their Housing Delivery Action Plans setting out their plans to deliver social and affordable housing from 2022-2026, following a comprehensive Housing Needs and Demand Assessment. A copy of Kerry County Council’s Housing Delivery Action Plan is available on its website at the following link: www.kerrycoco.ie/housing-delivery-programme/.
The Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) is available to all local authorities to assist towards the cost of developing affordable housing at locations where significant affordability needs have been identified. My Department met with the Housing Delivery team in Kerry County Council in December 2024 to support their work towards the identification and development of appropriate proposals which may lead to the delivery of affordable housing with the support of the AHF in response to localised needs identified by the local authority at key urban locations such as Killarney and Tralee.
In support of City and Towns regeneration policies, such as Towns Centre First, the Ready to Build serviced sites scheme is available which supports local authorities to provide sites at a discount to people who want to build their own home. Further information with regard to the scheme is available on my Department's website at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/33209-ready-to-build-scheme-serviced-sites-for-new-homes/ or by contacting Vacant Homes officer directly from Kerry County Council.
My Department, the Housing Agency and Housing Delivery Co-ordination Office of the Local Government Management Association continue to be available to assist Kerry County Council in relation to ongoing development of its response to meeting affordable housing needs in Kerry.
Please note the Help to Buy incentive is not within the remit of my Department, and is operated by the Revenue Commissioners. The Department of Finance (policy) and the Revenue Commissioners (operation) should be in a position to assist with queries regarding the scheme. More information is available at: www.revenue.ie/en/property/help-to-buy-incentive/who-can-claim-htb.aspx.
503. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the work of the Water Conservation Working Group ; the members of this group; the dates on which it met in the past 24 months; and a report on the discussions and outcomes from these meetings. [57391/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Water Conservation Working Group was established in mid-June 2025.
The first meeting of the Working Group took place in person on 18 June of 2025. Membership of the NWCWG comprises representatives/nominees from the following organisations - my Department, The Environmental Protection Agency, The Water Forum - An Fóram Uisce, National Federation of Group Water Schemes; The City and County Manager’s Association and Uisce Éireann
Discussions are at an early stage and no reports have been compiled as yet.
504. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the transposition of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, 2024 revision; and the date on which the directive will be fully transposed into domestic law. [57392/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EU/2024/1275) (EPBD) is the European Union’s main legislative instrument aiming to promote the improvement of the energy performance of buildings. The recast Directive, which was adopted by the European Parliament and Council, came into force in May 2024. The Directive requires transposition of the relevant Articles by 29 May 2026.
Significant work is being undertaken across Government and by the SEAI to determine the impacts of the requirements of the Directive, including those related to minimum energy performance requirements, BER Ratings and the progressive renovation of the residential building stock.
Articles with earlier transposition dates have been transposed in accordance with the Directive. These are Article 17(15) related to subsidies for fossil fuel boilers and Art 13(10)d related to Building Automation and Control systems.
Work is continuing in my Department on the transposition of the Directive.
505. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the interim fire safety remediation scheme; the data on the amount of funding which has been approved for each pathfinder project; the amount of work which has been drawn down; and whether fire safety remediation work has actually occurred. [57395/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra506. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the pathfinder projects for retrospective payment to owners management companies for building defects remediation work carried out and funded by the owners. [57396/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 505 and 506 together.
In December 2023, the then Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien TD announced the opening of the Interim Remediation Scheme (the Scheme) for Fire Safety Defects in Eligible Apartments and Duplexes. The Scheme provides for the funding of emergency fire safety defect works within the scope and defined parameters of the scheme in order to provide an acceptable level of fire safety in buildings, pending completion of the full remedial works. Apartments and duplexes built between 1991 and 2013 with eligible defects qualify for the Scheme. Full remedial works, which will include all necessary fire safety measures as well as those related to water ingress and structural damage, will be funded under the statutory scheme that will be legislated for in 2025.
As of the end of September 2025, 217 applications to the Interim Remediation Scheme have been validated, having met the required eligibility criteria. These applications represent 19,891 residential units, with circa 76% in the Dublin region.
Four “pathfinder” projects within the Interim Remediation Scheme were identified in April 2024 to allow the mapping of the application and remediation process into simple steps, to identify pinch points and their solutions and to provide consistency across submissions by Competent Professionals (CP) and related Local Authority Fire Services (LAFS) workings.
Three pathfinder projects are located in the Dublin area involving three local authorities, and one in Kildare. These projects vary in size and complexity, providing valuable insights for both the interim and future statutory schemes, including:
• Resource Identification: identifying and allocating essential resources, such as personnel, required for subsequent projects to the interim and future full remediation schemes.
• Standardisation of Documents: establishing templates and standards for documents to be prepared by the CP, including procurement arrangements, proposals for fire safety assessments, fire safety risk assessments, interim measures remedial work plans, and other project-related paperwork. This standardisation streamlines processes, ensuring consistency across all Scheme projects, thereby reducing errors, and increasing efficiency.
• Learning and Improvement: presenting valuable opportunities for learning and development. All stakeholders can gather insights, lessons learned, and best practices during the engagement phase with the LAFS, which can then be applied to optimise subsequent projects to the interim and future full remediation schemes.
The Scheme has an eight phase application process, from application submission to funding and final documentation, as follows:
Application Submission: The Owners’ Management Company (OMC) submits an online application to The Housing Agency, including development details and contact information.
Confirmation of Validity: The Housing Agency validates the application, assigns a Case Number, and provides an Applicant Pack (Guidance Document) outlining next steps.
Defect Discovery and Planning Phase: The OMC engages a Competent Professional (CP) to assess fire safety issues and develop interim and full remediation plans, consults with Local Authority Fire Services (LAFS), and gathers cost estimates from Competent Builders (CBs) for interim works.
Submission for Funding: The OMC submits required documentation to The Housing Agency for an eligibility and provisional funding assessment.
Grant Agreement Issuance: Upon approval, The Housing Agency issues a Grant Agreement for the OMC’s review, acceptance, and signature.
Funding Confirmation: After receiving the signed Grant Agreement, The Housing Agency confirms funding approval and returns a countersigned copy, authorising the start of interim works.
Interim Works Initiation: The OMC begins onsite interim fire safety works under the CP’s supervision, per the Grant Agreement.
Completion Documentation: The OMC provides The Housing Agency with completion certificates and supporting documents for final review.
Three of the pathfinder project OMCs have submitted the required documentation to The Housing Agency for an eligibility and provisional funding assessment. All funding for eligible and agreed works is available for drawdown, subject to Grant Agreement exchange and commencement of remedial works.
One pathfinder project OMC has received funding of €200,000 for Competent Professional fees and approval has been issued to The Housing Agency to enter into a Grant Agreement to fund Fire Safety works in excess of €13million.
Fire safety remediation work is expected to commence within weeks.
The pathfinder project OMCs are being kept up to date as necessary.
On 22 October 2024 the Government approved:
the establishment of a pathfinder exercise from a representative sample of multi-unit developments to identify and develop a potential appropriate process to address retrospective issues, based on fire safety remedial works completed;
the purpose of the pathfinder exercise is solely to inform a potential future scheme which will help identify a suitable process for funding of eligible works retrospectively; and
that the Minister will return to Government before any retrospective payments are made to update on the outcome from the pathfinder exercise including an estimate of costs for the retrospective aspects of the scheme, based on lessons learned from the pathfinder exercise.
Eight Owner Management Companies (OMC) were invited by The Housing Agency to participate. OMCs were required to submit relevant documentation, which included details of fire safety remedial works undertaken, certification of works by a Competent Professional (CP) and associated supporting financial documentation. A very large volume of documentation was received. The Housing Agency has reported that the Retrospective Costs Pathfinder Exercise has provided valuable early insight into the complexity of developing the potential future scheme for completed fire safety remedial works.
This work is ongoing and a number of key policy recommendations are under consideration.
507. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage with respect to the Social Housing Support Household Means Policy 2021, the criteria with respect to maintenance payments received by an applicant. [57407/25]
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 2011 Regulations prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority, in different bands according to the area concerned, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy.
Under the Policy, net income for social housing assessment is defined as gross household income less income tax, PRSI, Universal Social Charge and Additional Superannuation Contribution. The Policy provides for a range of income disregards, and local authorities have discretion to decide to disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once-off in nature. However, with the exception of the specific payments listed in the Policy as being disregarded, all income from social insurance and social assistance payments, allowances and benefits, and maintenance payments received is assessable. More detail on what income is assessable and the full list of disregards is available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/fb1f2-social-housing-support-household-means-policy/.
My Department keeps the Household Means Policy under regular review in order to ensure that it continues to be appropriate.
508. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the transfer of responsibility for the regulation of owners’ management companies from the Department of Justice to his Department; and if he will confirm that this transfer will be completed before the summer recess; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57416/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt present, the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration and his Department continue to have responsibility for the oversight of Owner Management Companies (OMCs) and related regulations.
Under Housing for All, to ensure that OMCs are financially sustainable, the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration (DJHAM) in collaboration with my Department is committed to making regulations under the Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011 (MUDs Act), with regard to both sinking funds and service charges. I understand that these Regulations are now at an advanced stage of preparation within that Department.
Under the Programme for Government, my Department will take responsibility for the Multi-Unit Development Acts to streamline support for owners’ management companies and improve oversight. A timeline for the transfer of functions from the DJHAM is being advanced and engagement between our Departments is ongoing to ensure this happens in a well-managed and efficient manner.
