Written Answers Nos. 83-107
86. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the level of support available to protect and restore vulnerable built-heritage and archaeological sites in Cork; if he will commit to enhanced funding under schemes such as the built heritage investment scheme and the historic structures fund for the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65169/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Oireachtas votes funding each year for a variety of programmes to encourage and support investment in our built and archaeological heritage, including the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS), the Historic Structure Fund (HSF), and the Community Monuments Fund (CMF). Earlier this year, the National Built Heritage Service (NBHS) under my Department awarded a record allocation of €8.1m of funding under the BHIS, and a further €3.6m of funding under the HSF. The National Monuments Service (NMS) also awarded a further €7.5m to projects under the CMF.
Cork City Council and Cork County Council have received almost €2 million between the two local authorities from these three schemes. The process for the award of funding for next year is well underway, with local authorities currently processing applications received under the BHIS call which closed at the end of September, while also accepting HSF applications under the current open call which is due to close in January. The CMF application process is due to open imminently for applications for 2026. Notices of successful applicants under each of these schemes will issue early next year.
As is usual for these schemes, demand for grants exceeded the funding available, and projects seeking built heritage funding were prioritised according the significance of the structure in question, the quality and efficacy of the proposed works, and the contribution which the works would make to public amenity. Where a project awarded a BHIS grant does not proceed for some reason during the year, the local authority may re-allocate the savings to a project on its reserve list, which allows for efficient use of the allocated vote funding.
In view of the strong demand for these schemes and the excellent public value which it delivers, I hope to continue to maintain and enhance the allocation for these schemes in future years, subject of course to competing priorities and the availability of funds.
88. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of one bed, two bed, three bed and four bed houses that have been constructed or acquired by Cork City Council and Cork County Council, since 2020 to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65629/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department publishes comprehensive programme-level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies in each local authority. This data is available to the end of Q2 2025 and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/.
My Department also publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR), which provides details of social housing developments, their location and their funding programme that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of the design and tender processes. The most recent publication was for Quarter 2 2025. The Q2 2025 CSR and all previous versions of the CSR are available on the Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/.
A version of the Q2 2025 CSR file can also be downloaded for analysis by local authority, Approved Housing Body etc. at this link: https://opendata.housing.gov.ie/dataset/social-housing-construction-status-report-q2-2025.
The table below sets out the number of social housing new builds and acquisitions by Cork City Council and Cork County Council by number of bedrooms (1-4) between 2021 to Q2 2025. Unit level details such as bedroom number were only reported from 2021 onwards, therefore 2020 has been excluded from this table. This data represents 2,801 of the 4,990 social homes constructed or acquired by Cork City and Cork County Councils in those years and my Department is working with local authorities to obtain data for the outstanding units.
|
No. of Bedrooms |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
Q1-Q2 2025 |
Total Constructed/Acquired |
|
1 |
5 |
144 |
106 |
226 |
2 |
483 |
|
2 |
13 |
419 |
281 |
311 |
17 |
1,041 |
|
3 |
77 |
421 |
309 |
313 |
35 |
1,155 |
|
4 |
14 |
44 |
30 |
28 |
6 |
122 |
|
Total |
109 |
1,028 |
726 |
878 |
60 |
2,801 |
89. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps his Department will take to assist Cork County Council in addressing high levels of vacancy and dereliction in towns and rural areas across Cork; if additional supports under the croí cónaithe scheme, urban regeneration and development fund and other schemes will be made available to encourage refurbishment and reuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65168/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraWorking to end dereliction and vacancy is a key priority in the Government's new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities. The Plan will ensure that the activities and resources used to address vacancy and dereliction are co-ordinated, and that legislative powers are used proactively to work to bring dereliction and vacancy to an end.
The Vacant Homes Action Plan outlines the range of initiatives and funding mechanisms that have been introduced in recent years and these measures are successfully reducing the levels of vacancy and dereliction right across the country, including Cork County.
One of the key measures in the Action Plan is the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, introduced in July 2022. The grant provides up to €70,000 for the refurbishment of vacant and derelict properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent.
Since the launch of the Grant, Cork County have received the second highest number of applications nationwide with over 1,260 at the end of Q3 2025. Over 280 grants have now been issued upon completion of refurbishment works, amounting to over €15 million paid out so far.
Under Delivering Homes, Building Communities, the grant will be improved and expanded, with a new 'Above the Shop' grant and a new Expert Advice Grant to support property owners to bring these vacant upper floors into use as homes. Additional financial support will be provided to local authorities to assist them in the administration of the grant.
A new Derelict Property Tax will be introduced, administered and collected by the Revenue Commissioners, to bring derelict properties back into use.
Another focus is the active and timely use of the Derelict Sites Act, increasing the number of properties on the Derelict Sites Register and increasing and enforcing the collection of levies.
Under the CPO Activation Programme, local authorities are required to take a proactive and systematic approach to tackling vacancy, and actively use their compulsory purchase powers where engagement is unsuccessful.
Other measures taken include extending Call 3 of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, introducing a contractor led renewal programme to help tackle dereliction and extending the planning permission exemptions for the conversion of certain vacant commercial properties to residential use.
All 31 local authorities have a full-time Vacant Homes Officer in place as a key point of contact in their Vacant Homes Office teams. My Department provides annual funding to each local authority to reinforce their capacity to ensure a dedicated focus on tackling vacancy and dereliction.
Vacant Homes Officers are supported in their role by the Vacant Homes Unit in my Department, the Housing Agency and through the Vacant Homes Officer Network.
The new measures outlined in the Plan will build on these schemes and the significant work that has been done and outcomes achieved over the past number of years.
I firmly believe the commitment Government has made to addressing vacancy and dereliction and the actions under Delivering Homes, Building Communities will play a vital role in delivering homes across the country.
90. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of housing adaptation grant funding that will be provided in 2026 for counties Wicklow and Wexford; the number of social housing tenants that are awaiting essential works in both counties to date, by age category, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59145/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides funding to local authorities under the Disabled Persons Grants scheme (DPGs) to carry out works on social homes to address the needs of older people, people with a disability or overcrowded situations. Typical works include adaptations such as stair-lifts, level deck showers, ramps and grab rails, widening door opening widths, and improving circulation spaces. Extensions to provide for ground floor bathrooms and bedrooms can also be supported.
The programme will provide €25m to local authorities in 2025 The budget for 2026 will increase and the details will be finalised shortly.
My Department will shortly request local authorities to identify their expected funding requirements for 2026. This process ensures local authorities are able to meet the needs of their tenants within the available funding envelope, while emergency cases will be provided for as they arise throughout the year.
Prior to formally notifying local authorities of their allocations for 2026, and to remove impediments to priority works, they are allowed to commit up to a maximum value of 65% of this year's allocation on works to completed next year.
Once allocations allocations for next year are notified, it will be a matter for each local authority to prioritise the works required within the funding available and per the terms of the DPG scheme.
Data on the number of tenants awaiting essential works are not collected by my Department and should be sought directly from the respective local authorities.
91. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to address the rapid increase in short-term let listings with a provider (details supplied) in the Gaeltacht, given the widely reported housing shortages for local people and for those seeking to settle in the Gaeltacht to raise their families with Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65842/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EU Short Term Rental (STR) Regulation was adopted by the EU on 11 April 2024 and is applicable from 20 May 2026. This Regulation lays down harmonised rules on the collection and exchange of data on short term rental services for member states, hosts providing short-term accommodation rental services, and online platforms that offer services to hosts providing short-term accommodation rental services within the EU.
The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment has drafted the Short Term Letting and Tourism (STLT) Bill General Scheme in full alignment with the STR Regulation. The introduction of the STLT Bill will provide a more effective legal and administrative basis to regulate short-term lettings. The proposed STLT Bill will provide the statutory basis for the establishment of a register for short term lets in Ireland and for the implementation of the new EU STR.
From 20 May 2026, all short-term letting hosts offering accommodation for periods up to and including 21 nights will be obliged to register with Fáilte Ireland via a digital system and confirm their compliance with planning requirements. The registration process will take just 5 minutes to complete and will result in a unique registration number being issued for each short-term letting unit registered. This number must be displayed when listing the short-term letting unit on any online platforms.
Following the approval received from Government on the 15 April to generally preclude new planning permissions for short-term lets in large towns and cities, my Department is working to give effect to this decision. My Department is currently drafting a National Planning Statement (NPS) to provide a policy context for local planning authorities to appropriately address short-term letting accommodation.
93. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department is aware of the vital need for a second bridge in Celbridge; to provide an update on the project currently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60446/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraA key measure in Project Ireland 2040, the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) is supporting a programme of significant transformational capital projects that will contribute to the regeneration and rejuvenation of Ireland’s five cities and other large towns, in line with the objectives of the National Planning Framework. In line with the agreed Programme for Government, and as set out in Delivering Homes Building Communities, the initial €2 billion allocation to the URDF has been extended by a further €500 million to 2030 under the updated NDP. Working alongside other funding streams, this additional funding will expand URDF-type investments to provide broader public investment, including in social and community facilities to support regeneration and the development of sustainable communities.
While overall responsibility for roads policy and funding for the implementation of transport strategies is a matter for the Minister for Transport, the URDF provides part-funding to support certain applicant-led road projects, such as projects that enable the delivery of residential and mixed-use development.
In that context, approximately €10 million of URDF funding has been allocated towards Kildare County Council’s proposal for a Celbridge to Hazelhatch Link Road. This project involves the proposed delivery of a 2km link road, a second bridge over the River Liffey, the land purchase and construction of the bridge and 300m of road. It would provide essential infrastructure to support compact urban growth in Celbridge as well as enhanced connectivity between the town and Hazelhatch Train Station.
Following engagement with the Council and initial review of the Council's submission of a Preliminary Business Case (PBC) for the project, which outlined a substantial increase in overall project costs, my Department recently met with the Council to discuss how best to progress the project. At this meeting, a revised proposal to utilise the approved URDF allocation to provide for further design work and some construction elements, including completion of the bridge, was discussed.
On foot of this meeting, my Department wrote to the Council on 11 November 2025 confirming provisional support for its proposal. This provisional support is subject to the Council forwarding a revised PBC submission detailing its proposed options for proceeding with the revised proposal. This submission will also set out options for delivery of the remainder of the original proposal.
My Department is currently awaiting this submission.
94. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which Delivering Homes, Building Communities will support the provision of modular homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65689/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraDelivering Homes, Building Communities, published 13 November 2025, is Ireland’s new national housing plan. It is a wide-ranging action plan focused on housing supply and targeting homelessness.
Pillar 1 focuses on activating the supply of 300,000 homes. Increasing the adoption of Modern Methods of Construction, including modular homes, will be critical to achieving this aim. Other action to be taken includes increasing the skills in the residential construction sector, activating more land, providing more housing-related infrastructure, securing more development finance for home building, addressing viability challenges particularly those seen in apartment delivery and working toward ending dereliction and vacancy.
The updated National Development Plan secured investment of almost €20 billion in building new social and affordable homes. My Department will ensure that the weight of the State’s significant spending power is put firmly behind leaner, more efficient, faster supply by introducing a new target for the use of MMC in at least 25% of all new build social and affordable housing. This will mean a pipeline of thousands of homes that will be built using MMC over the lifetime of the Plan. It will provide significant opportunities for those in the building sector to invest in innovation, supporting the delivery of more modular homes.
In order to directly support the use of modular or 3D volumetric methods, my Department is providing funding and support for pathfinder projects. Limerick City and County Council and the Mayor’s Office will advance the initial phase of their SMART (Short-term Modular Affordable Rental Transition) Modular Housing Project and Wexford County Council is being supported to commence a project at a site in Cluain Fada, New Ross, to develop 22 permanent social homes utilising 3D volumetric systems. These will help to explore the potential for these innovative systems and facilitate the sharing of best practice across the social and affordable housing delivery partners.
95. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans for a draft National Planning Statement to replace the 2025 apartment guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65674/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Planning Design Standards for Apartments Guidelines for Planning Authorities, 2025 “the Apartment Guidelines” were issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) on 8th July 2025. Section 28 of the Act provides that planning authorities and An Coimisiún Pleanála shall have regard to Ministerial guidelines in the performance of their functions. Where the Guidelines contain specific planning policy requirements (SPPRs), planning authorities and An Coimisiun Pleanála are required to comply with these requirements in the performance of their functions.
The commencement of provisions within Part 3 of the Planning and Development Act 2024 on 2 October 2025 provides the statutory basis for the issuing of National Planning Statements. Under the provisions of the Act of 2024 the Minster may, at any time and with the approval of Government, issue a National Planning Statement in relation to planning matters to support proper planning and sustainable development. National Planning Statements will replace Ministerial guidelines issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). Existing Ministerial Guidelines issued under Section 28 of the Act of 2000 will, over time, be revoked and replaced with National Planning Statements. The sequence and timing of replacing existing guidelines with National Planning Statements will be decided based on Government priorities.
The delivery of housing is a top priority for Government. The Government’s new housing action plan “Delivering Homes, Building Communities” supports the delivery of the revised National Planning Framework housing projections which set out the need to plan for the delivery of approximately 50,000 additional homes per annum to 2040. Fulfilling these commitments will require a substantial increase in housing output of all types, including the building of apartments at central and accessible urban locations.
An application for a judicial review was lodged with the High Court in October 2025, challenging the validity of the decision to issue the Apartments Guidelines in July 2025. Having regard to the impact that any potential delay to the conclusion of the legal proceedings would have on the delivery of much-needed housing, including the potential for a reference to the European Court of Justice or any appeal against a judgment of the High Court, and strictly without prejudice to the legal proceedings which the Government will continue to robustly defend, I intend to prepare a draft National Planning Statement under the Planning and Development Act 2024 for the approval of the Government relating to Apartment Standards.
In the interests of clarity, the current Apartments Guidelines are operational and will continue to have effect under the Act until such time as a National Planning Statement is in place.
96. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to re-introduce town councils; the way in which he will approach this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65158/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Government Reform Act 2014 dissolved 80 town councils which represented just 14% of the population. The previous town council system also led to duplication both in administrative and electoral terms. Instead, the Act saw the introduction of 95 municipal districts, representing 100% of the population in 25 of the 31 local authorities at sub-county level, while area committees would operate in the 3 city authorities of Cork, Dublin and Galway, and the 3 Dublin county authorities.
Each municipal district can include several towns and villages and their hinterlands, with local matters dealt with at municipal district level and wider strategic issues decided at county level. The result is an integrated administrative structure in each county, which maximises operational efficiency while ensuring devolved decision-making throughout the county.
The Programme for Government commits to the establishment of a ‘Local Democracy Taskforce’ with the local government sector to finalise a programme for the reform and strengthening of local government. The Taskforce will bring forward proposals in 2026 which the Government will consider on matters relating to the structure, finance, functions and governance and accountability of local government. I look forward to receiving and considering the recommendations of the Taskforce in due course.
97. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to ensure greater downsizing options for persons in private housing who wish to downsize their home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65630/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra537. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to introduce a national financial contribution scheme, based on the local authority model (details supplied), administered by local authorities, and funded by the Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65916/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 537 together.
Government is committed to increasing housing available to older people to facilitate ageing in place with dignity and independence and to supporting rightsizing on a voluntary basis. The Government’s new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030, includes measures which will increase delivery of housing for older people through increased delivery of social housing, increased delivery of more suitable homes in private housing and increased choice to support voluntary rightsizing.
The new Housing Plan will increase delivery of more suitable homes and choice for older people in private housing including through a review of the planning exemptions for those who wish to convert their homes into separate living spaces. The new Housing Plan will increase choice for older people to voluntarily rightsize through advancing consideration of the availability of bridging finance to support rightsizing, a review of the operation of existing local authority financial contribution schemes and supporting social housing tenants who wish to rightsize to more suitable accommodation.
My Department is advancing these measures now incorporated in the new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030.
98. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider increasing the housing assistance payment thresholds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65776/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HAP scheme continues to plays a vital role in housing eligible families and individuals. At the end of Q2 2025, over 128,500 HAP tenancies had been set up since the scheme commenced, of which there were 51,736 households actively in receipt of HAP support.
Since 11 July 2022, each local authority has statutory discretion to agree to a HAP payment up to 35% above the prescribed maximum rent limit, and for new tenancies to extend the couple’s rate to single person households. Discretion can be increased up to 50% above the prescribed maximum rent limits for Homeless HAP tenancies in Dublin. The additional discretion available to homeless households recognises the difficulty this cohort of households face in sourcing and securing properties in a highly competitive rental market. It is a matter for the local authority to determine whether the application of the flexibility is warranted on a case by case basis and also the level of additional discretion applied in each case.
My Department has reviewed the use of these measures and their impact on the overall affordability of the HAP scheme for tenants. This review has highlighted that the affordability and sustainability of HAP tenancies continues to be impacted by pressures in the private rental market. I have approved a review of existing HAP rent limits and my Department is now finalising the parameters for this review. It is intended that the review will consider the existing rent limits with a view to providing sufficient support to assist eligible households to access and maintain tenancies.
100. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the timeline for moving to a proactive maintenance approach. [65561/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, implementing a planned maintenance programme and carrying out responsive repairs, are matters for local authorities under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966.
Notwithstanding their obligations via-a-vis managing and maintaining social homes, my Department supports local authorities to undertake stock condition surveys supported by an ICT Asset Management system. Currently, a contribution of €150 is provided per survey, with all local authorities now live on the ICT Asset Management system. Funding is also being provided to support works on foot of of these surveys.
Some €5m was made available to local authorities in each of 2022, 2023 and 2024 to commence and, in some cases, continue the transition from a largely response-based approach to maintenance to a planned maintenance approach, based on planned work programmes informed by stock condition surveys. This funding increased to €10m this year and should increase further over the coming years as Voids funding decreases. Critically, the Planned Maintenance programme aims to support all local authority housing, and not only vacant units.
By end-2024, local authorities owned an estimated 155,000 social homes. The ambition is for condition surveys to be carried out and completed for all these homes over four to five years, with 2025 considered as year zero. These surveys will inform future work programmes and ensure they are strategic and focused with a cyclical programme of inspection, repair and replacement.
Surveys are progressing, with more than 8,634 completed to mid-November.
101. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the tenant-in-situ scheme for Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council; if he can commit to multiannual funding of this scheme; if allowances for the increased cost of housing in Dublin will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65276/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraTenancy sustainment, or tenant-in-situ, is a priority category under my Department's Second Hand Acquisitions Programme. It is not a scheme, but a policy tool available to local authorities to prevent social housing supported households in the private rented sector from falling into homelessness. It should only be used as a last resort by local authorities when all other options have been exhausted.
Some €12 million has been allocated to Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council (DLR) under the Second Hand Acquisitions Programme this year. To date, and with just weeks left to year-end, only €8.5 million has been drawn down. The programme has supported 18 acquisitions by DLR so far this year as follows:
• 13 acquisitions for tenancy sustainment (tenant in situ)
• 2 acquisition for exits from homelessness
• 3 acquisitions for housing suitable for persons with a disability or the elderly, and
• no acquisitions for buy and renew to tackle vacancy.
I expect the 2026 Second Hand Acquisitions Programme to maintain support for the tenancy sustainment in 2026. Funding allocations will be agreed and notified to local authorities as early as possible next year, with allocations likely informed by the expected level of demand nationwide, the average cost per home in respective local authority areas and, most importantly, the overall budget available.
In the meantime, local authorities have been authorised to enter into commitments for 2026 to a value of up to 30% of their original 2025 acquisitions budget. This allows them commit, pending an agreed programme budget for next year, some €95 million extra in 2025 for acquisitions that will complete and draw down in 2026. This effectively provides for a multi-annual approach to programme delivery, facilitating local authorities to plan and progress acquisitions from one year to the next with a higher level of certainty vis-à-vis future funding availability.
For DLR, this provides scope to commit €3.6 million to acquisitions that are likely to only complete and drawdown in 2026, including acquisitions to support exits from homelessness, tenancy sustainment via tenant in situ, and other priority cohorts such as older persons, persons with disabilities, care leavers, etc.
An additional €2.5 million was also allocated to DLR in September to support acquisitions for households, particularly larger families with children, to exit emergency homeless accommodation into housing. While the DLR has not drawn down any monies from this allocation to date, any funding not drawn down this year will be carried into 2026 and will remain ringfenced from the council's broader 2026 Second-Hand Acquisitions allocation.
102. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 270 of 18 September 2025, where he specifically states that “There are no plans at this time to expand the number of such terrestrial sites," and by implication there are “no plans at this time to” consider Rathcoole Alluvial Woodland as a potential candidate site for designation as an SAC, to clarify that he and his Department and agencies realise that the lack of designation means Rathcoole Alluvial Woodland has no protection from the impacts of prospective development of lands surrounding it or from other activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59453/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAlluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (AlnoPadion, Alnion incanae, Salicion albae) (habitat code 91E0) is a habitat listed in Annex I of the Habitats Directive. This habitat’s name is often shortened to “alluvial woodland” in Ireland. Under the Habitats Directive, member states must designate a representative national sample of each habitat listed in Annex I of the Habitats Directive as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). The criteria for undertaking the selection of sites is set out in Annex III of the Directive. A series of Biogeographical Seminars between EU Member States in the Atlantic region and the EU Commission, and subsequent bilateral meetings between Ireland and the EU Commission, established that the network of terrestrial SACs meets EU sufficiency targets for the protection of Ireland’s habitats and species. The Habitats Directive also defines favourable conservation status of a habitat across the entire national resource, including areas outside SACs. Under Article 17 of the Directive, Member States are required to report on the national conservation status of each habitat listed in Annex I every six years.
The EU Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR) entered into force on 18 August 2024. It sets out a framework for EU Member States to restore nature, with legally binding targets for the restoration of a wide range of ecosystems; namely rivers, forests, oceans, urban and agricultural areas, and including protected habitats and species. The NRR reflects the ambition of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 by making provision for the non-deterioration of the condition of habitats that are listed in Annex I of the Habitats Directive. Article 4(12) of the Regulation indicates that “…….Member States shall, by the date of publication of their national restoration plans in accordance with Article 17(6) of this Regulation, endeavour to put in place necessary measures with the aim of preventing significant deterioration of areas where the habitat types listed in Annex I to this Regulation occur and which are in good condition or are necessary to meet the restoration targets set out in paragraph 17 of this Article.” Annex I of the NRR comprises the list of habitats listed in Annex I of the Habitats Directive, including Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (AlnoPadion, Alnion incanae, Salicion albae)..
104. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he is taking to support renters in Roscommon and Galway facing very high rents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65682/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAffordability is at the heart of Government’s housing policy, as embodied within the new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025 – 2030. The plan reinforces and expands the range of existing measures being implemented by Government to tackle the issues of supply and affordability, thereby supporting the increased provision of new homes to purchase and rent.
In addition to a keen focus on tackling vacancy and dereliction, the plan provides for an expanded remit for the Land Development Agency, work to further extend the First Home and Help to Buy Schemes to 2030, an increase in affordable tenancies and an expanded local authority delivered starter homes for purchase programme.
The Programme for Government commits to build more cost rental units through the Land Development Agency, local authorities and Cost Rental Equity Loan funding to Approved Housing Bodies, embedding cost rental as a category of tenure on a permanent basis.
Under the Cost Rental model, targeted at middle-income households, rents for homes are set to cover only the cost of financing, building, managing and maintaining the homes. State subventions can be used in order to reduce the initial capital cost and make this starting cost rent more affordable. The Cost Rental system offers prospective tenants the advantages of security of tenure, rents which are at least 25% below the rents charged for similar dwellings in the same areas and minimal rent increases, as rents can only increase in line with inflation.
To qualify for a Cost Rental home, the applicant must be able to demonstrate that their annual net household income does not exceed €66,000 in Dublin and €59,000 elsewhere, that they are not in receipt of any social housing supports, that they do not already own a property, that their household size matches the size of the property advertised, that they can afford to pay the cost rent for the home and that their household has only entered one application for a specific Cost Rental property. More information is available at https://affordablehomes.ie
On 10 June 2025, the Government approved stronger tenancy protections to provide greater certainty for the rental sector, including the introduction of a national rent control. From 1 March 2026, a national rent control will be introduced to all tenancies, which will limit rent increases for properties, other than new build apartments, to inflation according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) up to a maximum of 2%. For new build apartments, rent increases will be capped at the level of inflation (CPI), aimed at supporting investment in the construction of new apartments. These changes are being introduced to promote greater investment in the rental market and to increase the supply of properties.
As an interim measure, the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2025 was signed into law on 19 June 2025. The Act came into operation on 20 June 2025 to immediately extend and expand the operation of Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) to cover the entire country until 28 February 2026. This ensured that all tenancies nationally were protected from rent increases exceeding 2% pending the introduction of national rent controls in 2026. Further legislation is being prepared to give effect to the policy proposals recently announced by Government, to regulate rent increases nationally and to introduce stronger protection for renters.
Further Government measures introduced to support renters include the increase in the tax credit for renters under Budget 2025 to a maximum of €1,000 for each renter in a household. Budget 2026 extends the Rent Tax Credit, which was due to expire at the end of 2025, for a further three years, to the end of 2028.
I will work with my colleagues in Government to implement changes as necessary for the sector during this Government's term. My Department and the RTB keep the operation of the RTA and the residential rental sector under constant review and will work to ensure that an appropriately balanced policy and legislative framework is maintained, and future changes will build on recently strengthened tenancy protections and supports.
105. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will release the funds to allow Donegal County Council to remediate the huge amount of homes in their housing stock affected by defective concrete blocks. [65160/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 commenced on 22 June 2023 which contains the enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme and adopted the related Regulations on 29 June 2023.
The Act also provides for the Defective Concrete Blocks Social Homes Scheme. This is a scheme for the purpose of enabling a designated local authority or an Approved Housing Body with dwellings located in a designated local authority area to remedy damage caused to dwellings, owned by the local authority or Approved Housing Body, 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. Thus, any legislative changes to the Act will apply where appropriate, equally to social homes affected by Defective Concrete Blocks, as they do to private housing.
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.
106. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his assessment of home completions in the first nine months of 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65569/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra126. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his assessment of home completions in the first nine months of 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65638/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 126 together.
Increasing the supply of new homes is critical to alleviating pressures in the housing market – in this regard, supply has increased significantly over the last five years, with more than 157,500 new homes delivered since the beginning of 2020.
Indeed, more than 92,000 new homes were completed in 2022, 2023 and 2024 combined, exceeding the Housing for All target for the period by around 5,200 homes alongside significant potential currently in the delivery pipeline.
New dwelling completions data are published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) on a quarterly basis and are available on its website at: https://data.cso.ie/table/NDQ05
CSO data show some 24,325 new homes completed in the first nine months of the year, up 13% on the same period last year and the highest first three quarters completions figure since the data series began in 2011.
Encouragingly, after a very significant drop-off in apartment delivery in 2024, the figures show a 30% increase in apartments in the first three quarters of this year as compared with the same period in 2024, with more than 7,950 apartments completed. This is the highest first three quarters completions figure for apartments since the data series began.
Almost 33,000 new homes were completed in the 12-months ending Q3 2025, up 4% year-on-year and the highest rolling 12-month completions since the CSO data series began.
Government is focused on continuing to increase the national housing stock and ensuring a suitable range of housing, across tenure types, is available to all. The new housing plan Delivering Homes, Building Communities builds on the foundations laid under Housing for All and will deliver a minimum of 300,000 new homes, including record levels of new social homes, an ambitious nationwide Starter Homes Programme and the provision of additional delivery in the areas of Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) and vacant and derelict properties brought back into use, as set out in the Programme for Government.
107. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to support affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65480/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra114. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the key measures to increase affordable housing availability under Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025 - 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65543/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 107 and 114 together.
Affordability and the chance to own a home is at the heart of Government’s housing policy, as embodied within the new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025 – 2030. The plan reinforces and expands the range of existing measures being implemented by Government to tackle the issues of supply and affordability, thereby supporting the increased provision of new homes to purchase and rent.
Since 2021, close to 16,900 supports nationwide have been provided via these measures. The new housing plan reinforces and expands the range of existing measures being implemented by Government to tackle the issues of supply and affordability, thereby supporting the increased provision of new homes to purchase and rent.
Government is investing an unprecedented level of funding to support housing supply, which will underpin, inter alia, the new Starter Homes Programme, delivering an average of 15,000 affordable housing supports annually to 2030.
In addition to a keen focus on tackling vacancy and dereliction, the plan provides for an expanded remit for the Land Development Agency, the extension of the First Home and Help to Buy Schemes to 2030, an increase in affordable tenancies and an expanded local authority delivered starter homes for purchase programme.
With a strong focus on deliverability, the Plan will enable housing delivery partners to accelerate the supply of new starter home supports, providing thousands of individuals and families with increased access to secure and affordable housing solutions nationwide.
