Written Answers Nos. 538-558
538. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the 2026 funding for the tenant-in-situ scheme will be confirmed by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65917/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra539. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the 2026 funding for local authority acquisitions will be confirmed by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65918/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 538 and 539 together.
Tenancy 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.
More broadly, the Second Hand Acquisitions Programme currently provides funding to local authorities to support acquisitions under four priority categories, including:
• exits from homelessness,
• urgent responses for priority cohorts such as persons with disabilities, older persons, care leavers, &c.,
• tenancy sustainment (tenant in situ), and
• buy and renew tackling vacancy and dereliction.
I expect the local authority allocations for 2026, and funding allocated to the targeted priorities, to be notified to local authorities early next year.
In the meantime, local authorities can 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 flexibility 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.
540. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to clarify the role State savings play in housing delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65919/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra541. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to detail plans to utilise State savings products to support housing delivery; the expected level of funding to come through the ISS for housing delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65920/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 540 and 541 together.
Matters relating to Ireland State Savings (ISS) are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Finance.
The National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) is a State body which operates with a commercial remit to provide asset and liability management services to Government. It has evolved from a single function agency managing the National Debt to a manager of a complex portfolio of public assets and liabilities.
NTMA operates Ireland State Savings. They provide a range of products such as Bonds and Saving Certificates as well as regular deposit accounts operated through Post Offices. These products provide a safe way to save directly with the Irish Government and are 100% protected by the State.
The NTMA Annual Report and Financial Statements 2024 noted that at the end of December 2024, the total value held in State Savings schemes stood at c.€24.3bn. Of that 19% or c.€4.7bn was held in Post Office Deposit accounts.
The NTMA provides a source of funds to the Housing Finance Agency (HFA), Home Building Finance Ireland (HBFI) (NTMA through the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF)) and the Land Development Agency (LDA) (NTMA through the ISIF).
ISIF, managed and controlled by the NTMA, is a sovereign development fund with a mandate to invest on a commercial basis to support economic activity in Ireland. ISIF makes significant investments available to support high impact residential development, including for Small and Medium Enterprise home builders, urban regeneration, real estate and infrastructure projects.
The HFA approved €2.1bn in 2024 in new finance for Approved Housing bodies and HBFI has approved over €3bn since its inception in 2019 of which c.40% is for social housing.
Under the Government’s new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025 – 2030, ISS will prepare publications to explain the role State savings play in housing delivery.
542. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps his Department is taking to ensure meaningful public consultation in rural communities that are expected to accommodate renewable energy projects significantly larger than those envisaged under current planning guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60402/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraPublic participation is a crucial element of all substantive decision-making processes under the Planning and Development Act 2000, and the recently enacted Planning and Development Act 2024. The Programme for Government 2025 – Securing Ireland’s Future contains commitments to introduce planning guidelines for solar energy developments and to prioritise the publication of the Wind Energy Development Guidelines, having regard to international best practice and standards.
Regarding solar energy, my Department will prepare a new National Planning Statement on Solar Energy under the new Planning and Development Act 2024. My Department has begun an initial scoping process to identify the component factors relevant to the preparation of the National Planning Statement for solar energy development, including any appropriate environmental assessment and public consultation requirements and other relevant European obligations such as the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), which will determine the timeframe for publication of said National Planning Statement.
This scoping process remains at an early stage but I am satisfied that the existing and evolving planning system, supported by Government policy more generally, provides a sufficiently robust policy and legislative framework to facilitate the roll-out of solar energy development in a sustainable manner and to assist with meeting our renewable electricity requirements while balancing the perspectives of local communities and allowing for public and stakeholder engagement.
In the interim, there are currently no specific planning guidelines in place in respect of solar energy development. Proposals for individual solar energy developments are subject to the statutory requirements of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and the Planning and Development Act 2024, as amended, in the same manner as other proposed developments, with planning applications made to the relevant local planning authority, or An Coimisiún Pleanála on appeal.
Regarding Wind Energy, My Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines which will inform a new National Planning Statement on Wind Energy under 2024 Act. 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 National Planning Statement, 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 National Planning Statement. This work is now substantially complete.
My Department, in conjunction with DCEE, will make any further changes to the draft National Planning Statement which are deemed necessary or appropriate in the wake of this work to ensure that the finalised National Planning Statement, 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 Statement, once issued, is fit for purpose.
My Department intends to undertake a public consultation on both the solar and wind Energy National Planning Statements as part of the SEA process whereby all interested parties will have an opportunity to submit observations on the draft National Planning Statement. Finalised National Planning Statements will be prepared following detailed analysis and consideration of the submissions received during the consultation phase.
In addition, it is open to any member of the public to make an observation or submission on a planning application, including in relation to solar energy developments, and the planning authority is statutorily obliged to consider such submissions before making a decision on the application. Persons who make submissions are also entitled to be notified of any significant further information provided to the planning authority by the applicant and to be notified of the authority’s decision on the application.
543. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress being made in examining the benefits of a visitor accommodation levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62154/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with commitments in the Programme for Government, a Local Democracy Taskforce has been established to reform and strengthen local government. Its Terms of Reference sets out an ambitious and detailed work programme, which is expected to give rise to a series of reforms in the local government sector. The Taskforce will bring forward proposals for Government consideration, including in the area of enhancing local authorities’ fiscal autonomy.
The Taskforce met for the first time on 26 June 2025, and is to deliver its recommendations in early 2026. I look forward to engaging across Government on this important issue, in advance of any proposal being finalised next year.
544. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will provide an update on the Maynooth ring road project; the amount of funding his Department has given so far to the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60207/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund, or LIHAF as it is known, provides grant funding to public infrastructure projects that relieve critical infrastructure blockages impacting housing development.
The scheme seeks to enable the accelerated delivery of housing on key development sites in Dublin and in urban areas of high demand. It provides grant funding of up to 75 percent of the project cost, with the remaining 25 percent to be provided through local authority sourced funding.
The Maynooth Eastern Relief Road is one of 30 projects approved for funding under LIHAF in 2017. The Maynooth project comprises 1.55 km of roadway and a bridge crossing of a railway and canal.
My Department approved a total funding commitment of €24.24 million Exchequer funding for this project in October 2025, and an approval to proceed to construction stage. To date, Kildare Council has drawn down €1.6m in Exchequer funding towards design and pre-tender costs associated with the project.
Construction works are expected to commence in 2025 and the estimated construction timeline for this project is 12 to 18 months.
545. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider introducing a dedicated rural housing strategy to support population growth in villages, including incentives for young families and remote workers to settle in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54982/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs set out in Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030- An Action Plan on Housing Supply and Targeting Homelessness, we will publish a National Planning Statement in H2 of 2026 that will set out relevant planning criteria to be applied in local authority development plans for rural housing, based on the high level policy framework set in the NPF.
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 direct urban generated housing into cities, towns and villages. In a rural area suffering persistent and substantial population decline, the policy is to accommodate anyone wishing to build a house, subject to normal planning and environmental considerations.
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.
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 updated guidelines 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.
Our Rural Future, the Government's Rural Development Policy, recognises the opportunity for rural rejuvenation that remote working presents, and commits to establishing a comprehensive and integrated national network of 400 remote working hubs by the end of 2025. The Connected Hubs online platform was launched in May 2021 and is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (DRCDG). The platform provides hub owners and customers with a central, easy to use portal that offers and enables the booking of a range of services, particularly professional remote working spaces and meeting rooms. DRCDG announced on 13th November 2025, that there are 400 remote and co-working facilities across the country on-boarded to the platform. Details of all the on-boarded hubs are available on the Connected Hubs website.
The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht intends to launch the first National Hub Strategy shortly in collaboration with the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment. This strategy was developed following extensive engagement with relevant stakeholders such as hub managers, local authorities, government departments and agencies. The strategy will present a series of actions to support the future development and sustainability of remote working and enterprise hubs and to increase digital opportunities for local communities across the hub network. In this context it is also of note that the Programme for Government includes a commitment for a further iteration of the Connected Hubs Voucher Scheme.
DRCDG are committed to ensuring that the Connected Hubs initiative will continue to make a central contribution to the achievement to balanced regional economic development, supporting remote working and providing access to digital services in small towns and rural communities.
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are an initiative under the National Broadband Plan (NBP). BCPs are publicly accessible sites in areas that do not have adequate broadband services. 300 broadband connection points have been installed nationwide providing high-speed broadband connectivity to some of the most isolated and rural communities throughout the country. They are in publicly accessible buildings such as community centres, libraries, sports facilities, tourist locations and other public spaces.
549. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will support the development of a national requirement that all developers constructing new housing estates provide an automated external defibrillator (AED) within the estate; and if he will consider incorporating such a requirement into planning or building regulations in the interest of public health and community safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65983/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Building Regulations 1997, as amended, set out the legal requirements in Ireland for the construction of new buildings (including houses), extensions to existing buildings as well as for material alterations and certain material changes of use to existing buildings. Management matters in housing estates, such as the provision of automated external defibrillators, is outside the scope of the Building Regulations and it is not my intention to regulate on this matter.
The provision of automated external defibrillators is a community health matter and, while Local Authorities might be involved in such matters in their jurisdictions, they would do so in cooperation with the local health authorities and not under any policy guidance from my Department. Where local authorities apply specific conditions on planning permissions in relation to AED provision, they are with regard to the implementation of national policy set by Government.
550. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of former secretary general’s, retired civil servants, directors of service, retired city/county managers or those of a similar grade in his Department that have subsequently served on State boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65999/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is not held by my Department.
In making appointments to State boards under my remit, my Department operates in accordance with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards, published in November 2014.
The Public Appointments Service has responsibility for managing an open, accessible and transparent system to support Ministers in making State board appointments and it is open to the public to apply for positions advertised on the stateboards.ie website.
Although the information requested in the Question may be available as part of the original application and appointment processes for State board membership, under General Data Protection Regulation guidelines, my Department does not have access to this information once appointments have been made.
The names of individuals currently serving on State Boards under the aegis of my Department are available on the following link:
https://membership.stateboards.ie/en/
551. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding support for people who do not earn enough to qualify for cost rental housing but are over the income threshold for social housing supports; if cases such as this are under review within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66030/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra558. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware that people earning above the social housing income threshold but below the thresholds for affordable housing or private purchase are left with no options in Cork city. [66118/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 551 and 558 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.
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, 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.
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 including Cork City.
To note, eligibility criteria for affordable schemes differ from scheme to scheme with many not subject to any minimum income limits. Details on the schemes discussed below can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/campaigns/doors-open/.
Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme
Local authorities make newly built homes available at a reduced price for first-time and other eligible buyers who cannot afford to purchase a home at its open market value with a maximum mortgage and 10% deposit. The local authority will take a percentage equity share in the home equal to the difference between the open market value of the home and the reduced price paid. For more information visit www.affordablehomes.ie.
For affordable homes purchased under the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme (LAAPS), purchasers pay a price for their new home in accordance with their purchasing power, calculated as outlined in Affordable Housing Regulations of 2023. Homes of various types and in various locations made available under LAAPS will have different minimum sales prices. There are no specific income thresholds for this scheme.
First Home Scheme
The First Home Scheme is also a shared equity scheme and makes home ownership achievable by bridging the gap for first-time buyers and other eligible homebuyers between their deposit and mortgage, and the price of their new home within regional price ceilings which are available at https://www.firsthomescheme.ie/about-the-scheme/property-price-ceilings/. This Scheme takes a percentage ownership of your home, which a customer can buy back later. There are no specific income thresholds for this scheme.
Local Authority Home Loan
The Local Authority Home Loan (LAHL) is a Government-backed mortgage for creditworthy first-time buyers and certain other eligible applicants who have been refused a mortgage or have received an insufficient loan offer through a commercial mortgage lender. To qualify for LAHL an applicant must have an annual gross income of not more than €70,000 for a single applicant and €85,000 for a joint applicant.
The scheme is for the purchase of new or second-hand residential properties and for self-builds. It also includes the purchase of homes through Affordable Housing Schemes, with the exception of the First Home Scheme. The Local Authority Home Loan is available nationwide from all local authorities. More information on the Local Authority Home Loan is available at the following link: https://localauthorityhomeloan.ie/.
Cost Rental Homes
Cost Rental is a key element of the Government's strategy to improve affordability in the rental sector and to provide secure, long-term homes for moderate-income households above the income limits for social housing. The core principle is that rents cover the development, management, and maintenance costs of the homes, so that their long-term future is secure, without rents being subject to the pressures of the open market.
Since rents depend on actual delivery costs, particular Cost Rental homes will have different degrees of affordability for the range of potential applicants. My Department is supporting the delivery of homes at a range of cost and rent levels, depending on factors like location and the size or type of home, and affordability is always a key consideration. By providing significant capital funding, my Department helps to drive down the rents that must be paid by tenants. All funded Cost Rental projects must achieve starting rents that are at least 25% (and often significantly more) below comparable local market levels.
My Department continues to review the operation of Cost Rental housing, in order to ensure that the relevant cohort of potential tenants is targeted.
To qualify for a Cost Rental home, the applicant must be able to demonstrate that their annual net household income does not exceed €59,000 (€66,000 in Dublin), 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. Upcoming vacancies are advertised on http://www.affordablehomes.ie/.
Other measures such as the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Scheme, and the Ready to Build Scheme are also available to help make home ownership more affordable. These measures are primarily aimed at supporting affordability constrained households, first-time buyers and Fresh Start applicants. These supports are regularly reviewed by my Department.
552. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department is considering a new phase of supports for existing cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme applicants, as per a letter issued to said applicants earlier this year; the stage this consideration is at; when applicants will be informed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66034/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra548. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department is considering a new phase of supports for existing cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme applicants, as per a letter issued to said applicants earlier this year; the stage this consideration is at; when applicants will be informed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65952/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 552 and 548 together.
The Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme was established following engagement with stakeholders in 2011 for active domestic turf cutters arising from the restrictions on turf cutting on 53 raised bog special areas of conservation (SAC) and was extended in 2014 to include 36 raised bog natural heritage areas (NHA).
Eligible applicants on raised bog SACs where turf cutting ceased in 2011 received their final payment under the 15-year scheme in 2025. Applicants on SACs where turf cutting ceased in 2012 will receive their final payment in 2026. Where turf cutting ceased on the raised bog NHAs at different stages between 2014 and 2017; payments will continue to be made annually with final payments being made from 2028 to 2031.
Applicants on sites where the scheme concluded in 2025 have received average payments of €23,830. This scheme has compensated those impacted by restrictions on turf-cutting, and other supports, such as those operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland and the Department of Social Protection, will continue to offer support to those with older homes, inefficient heating systems and those most at risk of fuel poverty.
The Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme has helped to ensure the conservation of these important sites of unique ecological value. My Department will finalise shortly its considerations of any measures following the end of the scheme that continue to support the conservation of these sites.
553. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to clarify an issue in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66042/25]
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. 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.
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 legal drafting by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel and the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage is currently conducting it pre legislative scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Bill.
Rent re-setting will be allowed for new tenancies created (i.e. first time tenancy between parties) from 1 March 2026 only where any previous tenancy:
• was terminated by the tenant;
• was terminated by the landlord because of a breach of tenant obligations; or
• was terminated by the landlord because the dwelling was no longer suitable to the accommodation needs of the tenant household.
This measure will also facilitate landlords to reduce rents for tenants if they wish, knowing they would be able to reset to market rent at the start of a new tenancy.
All landlords will retain the right to terminate a tenancy where there is a breach of tenant obligations or where the dwelling is no longer suitable to the accommodation needs of the tenant household.
For existing tenancies (i.e. those created on or before 28 February 2026), re-setting of rents to market rent will not be allowed. The restriction on annual rent increases will continue to apply.
A detailed communications campaign will be undertaken by my Department, in conjunction with the RTB, before the introduction of the new legislative measures from 1 March 2026.
Further information is available at:
Rental Market Reforms in Ireland | Tenant Protections & Housing Legislation Updates.
554. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 1276 of 8 September 2025, if he will meet and engage meaningfully with a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66069/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Dáil Question No. 834 of 9 September 2024 which was provided by my colleague, Minister Darragh O’Brien TD, and my replies to Dáil Question No. 181 of 26 February 2025 and No. 1274 of 8 September 2025 regarding the location referenced and I can confirm that the position remains unchanged.
555. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of smaller landlords that own three or fewer rental properties in relation to the forthcoming changes in laws related to renting (details supplied); the extent to which these issues have been considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66070/25]
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.
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 Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage is currently conducting pre-legislative scrutiny.
For existing tenancies (i.e. those in place on 28 February 2026), landlords will continue to have the right to terminate a tenancy in line with the provisions of the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004 to 2025 (RTA) as they apply on 28 February 2026.
All landlords will continue to have the right, at any time, to terminate any existing or new tenancy if there is a breach of tenant obligations or where the dwelling is no longer suitable to the accommodation needs of the tenant household. All landlords will continue to have the right to sell a rented dwelling with the tenant in situ.
The enhanced tenancy protections will only apply to new tenancies created on or after 1 March 2026.
To offer greater protection to tenants, rolling 6-year tenancies of minimum duration (TMD) will apply for new tenancies created between parties on or after 1 March 2026. Such a new tenancy that continues for 6 months becomes a tenancy of unlimited duration, with rolling 6 year TMDs.
To mitigate the impact of TMDs on smaller landlords (i.e. landlords who have 3 or fewer tenancies and are not a company), they will be allowed to terminate a TMD during its 6 year term, if:
• the landlord intends to sell the rented dwelling due to financial hardship (to be prescribed in law) and does not wish to do so with the tenant(s) in situ; or
• the landlord requires the property for himself/herself or an immediate family member (spouse/civil partner, child or parent) to occupy as a principal private residence.
A smaller landlord will also, in advance of the end of each 6 year TMD, be allowed to serve a notice of termination with a termination date on/after the date of expiry of the 6 years, under any of the existing grounds for termination including:
• the landlord intends to sell the property;
• the landlord/family member requires the property for occupation;
• the landlord intends to substantially refurbish/renovate the property; or
• the landlord intends to change the use of the property.
A detailed communications campaign will be undertaken by my Department, in conjunction with the RTB, as soon as possible before the introduction of the new legislative measures from 1 March 2026.
Further information is available at:
https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/rental-market-reforms-information/
556. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount his Department and any body under his aegis have spent on the services of a company (details supplied), by year and organisation in the years 2020 to 1 November 2025, in tabular form. [66082/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not engaged the services of the company referenced, in the period specified.
My Department does not maintain the requested information in respect of the State bodies under its aegis. Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. These bodies may be contacted directly by e-mail by members of the Oireachtas, as set out in the attached table.
|
Bodies under the Aegis of DHLGH |
Oireachtas email |
|
An Coimisiún Pleanála |
oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie |
|
An Fóram Uisce |
oireachtas@nationalwaterforum.ie |
|
Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority |
oireachtasqueries@ahbregulator.ie |
|
Construction Industry Register Ireland |
info@ciri.ie |
|
Docklands Oversight and Consultative Forum |
infodocklands@dublincity.ie |
|
Gas Networks Ireland |
oireachtas@gasnetworks.ie |
|
Heritage Council |
oireachtas@heritagecouncil.ie |
|
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
Oireachtas@housingagency.ie |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie |
|
Land Development Agency |
oireachtas@lda.ie |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
oireachtasmemberqueries@lgma.ie |
|
National Oversight and Audit Commission |
oireachtas@noac.ie |
|
National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee |
ntacc@housing.gov.ie |
|
Office of the Planning Regulator |
oireachtas@opr.ie |
|
Property Services Appeal Board |
psabsecretary@psab.ie |
|
Property Services Regulatory Authority |
pq@psr.ie |
|
Pyrite Resolution Board |
oireachtasinfo@pyriteboard.ie |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie |
|
Tailte Éireann |
Oireachtas@tailte.ie |
|
Uisce Éireann |
oireachtasmembers@water.ie |
|
Valuation Tribunal |
oireachtas@valuationtribunal.ie |
|
Waterways Ireland |
oireachtas@waterwaysireland.org |
557. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount his Department and any body under his aegis have spent on the services of a company (details supplied), by year and organisation in the years 2020 to 1 November 2025, in tabular form. [66100/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not engaged the services of the company referenced, in the period specified.
My Department does not maintain the requested information in respect of the State bodies under its aegis. Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. These bodies may be contacted directly by e-mail by members of the Oireachtas, as set out in the attached table.
|
Bodies under the Aegis of DHLGH |
Oireachtas email |
|
An Coimisiún Pleanála |
oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie |
|
An Fóram Uisce |
oireachtas@nationalwaterforum.ie |
|
Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority |
oireachtasqueries@ahbregulator.ie |
|
Construction Industry Register Ireland |
info@ciri.ie |
|
Docklands Oversight and Consultative Forum |
infodocklands@dublincity.ie |
|
Gas Networks Ireland |
oireachtas@gasnetworks.ie |
|
Heritage Council |
oireachtas@heritagecouncil.ie |
|
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
Oireachtas@housingagency.ie |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie |
|
Land Development Agency |
oireachtas@lda.ie |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
oireachtasmemberqueries@lgma.ie |
|
National Oversight and Audit Commission |
oireachtas@noac.ie |
|
National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee |
ntacc@housing.gov.ie |
|
Office of the Planning Regulator |
oireachtas@opr.ie |
|
Property Services Appeal Board |
psabsecretary@psab.ie |
|
Property Services Regulatory Authority |
pq@psr.ie |
|
Pyrite Resolution Board |
oireachtasinfo@pyriteboard.ie |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie |
|
Tailte Éireann |
Oireachtas@tailte.ie |
|
Uisce Éireann |
oireachtasmembers@water.ie |
|
Valuation Tribunal |
oireachtas@valuationtribunal.ie |
|
Waterways Ireland |
oireachtas@waterwaysireland.org |
Question No. 558 answered with Question No. 551.
