Written Answers Nos. 81-103
81. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he will introduce strengthened compulsory acquisition powers to enable local authorities to prioritise residential, mixed-use, and community development within town centres, rather than peripheral greenfield development, and to support the regeneration of derelict properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2554/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraReply not received from the Department.
82. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he will support legislation to ensure that vacant or derelict properties in town centres are brought back into active use within defined and enforceable timeframes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2555/26]
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 aims to ensure that the activities and resources used to address vacancy and dereliction are co-ordinated and effective 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 across the country, including in town centres.
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. There has been significant interest in the grant since its launch, with over 15,600 applications made to local authorities as of December 2025 and over €230 million of grant funding paid out across the country. In December, I announced a new enhanced support package of up to €140,000 to bring vacant ‘above shop’ space in our cities, towns and villages into use as homes, which will be made available in Q1 this year.
The CPO Activation Programme was launched in 2023. This requires local authorities to take a proactive, systematic approach to identifying and activating vacant and derelict properties. It includes use of their compulsory purchase powers under the Derelict Sites Act and the Housing Act, when engagement with the owners of these properties is not successful in bringing them back into use.
In October 2025, my Department published data for 2023 and 2024 on the CPO Activation Programme on its website, which includes the number of properties that entered the Programme, the number of compulsory purchase/acquisitions commenced and the number of compulsory purchase/acquisitions completed per local authority. This data can be accessed at the following link: assets.gov.ie/static/documents/bdfef028/CPO_Activation_Programme_-_LA_use_of_CPO_powers.pdf.
Under the Derelict sites Act 1990, local authorities have been provided with a range of powers and measures to deal with the issue of derelict properties. Local authority powers include requiring owners or occupiers to take appropriate measures on derelict sites, acquiring derelict sites by agreement, or compulsorily, and applying a derelict sites levy on derelict sites.
A new Derelict Property Tax was announced in Budget 2026 and it is intended to introduce legislation providing for the tax in 2026. This tax will, when it comes into effect, replace the Derelict Sites Levy and will be collected by the Revenue Commissioners. Updating and maintaining their Derelict Sites/Property Registers will continue to remain the responsibility of local authorities, and Derelict Sites levies that remain outstanding when the new tax is introduced will remain as charges on the land and will be the responsibility of each local authority to collect.
The Government’s ‘Town Centre First’ (TCF) Policy was launched by my Department and the then Department of Rural and Community Development in 2022, and since then, a range of supports and measures to encourage more people to live, do business and visit our town centres have been introduced.
Using the Town Centre First approach, town centres are developed so that they become viable, vibrant and attractive locations for people to live and work in and to visit, while also supporting the retail and economic role of our towns. A network of Town Regeneration Officers in the local government sector assist the delivery of Town Centre First initiatives. These officers lead the local efforts, and collaborate with their colleagues and stakeholders to ensure an integrated approach is taken.
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 bringing properties in town centres back into use, and deliver homes across the country.
83. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the tendering and procurement process currently in place for the appointment of building professionals to carry out building condition assessments under the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme; the way in which tenders are invited, evaluated and awarded; the criteria used in assessing submissions; to provide a list of the successful tenderers appointed to carry out such assessments in County Donegal; the number of assessments allocated to each appointed tenderer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2557/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the terms of the scheme, where it is suspected that a dwelling has been damaged due to the use of defective concrete blocks in its construction, a homeowner should engage a competent building professional to carry out of a Building Condition Assessment report on their home as prescribed in Schedule 1 of the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Regulations 2023 (S.I. 347 of 2023).
The purpose of this report is to identify if the dwelling is exhibiting damage consistent with the use of defective concrete blocks containing excessive amounts of deleterious material and to quantify the extent and significance of such damage.
If the report concludes that the damage to the home is consistent with defective concrete blocks and the building professional considers that the damage to the home is likely to meet the damage threshold, the homeowner may then be eligible to submit an application.
This must be submitted, with the full application, to the relevant local authority, who in turn sends it to the Housing Agency for assessment. The Housing Agency acts as agent on behalf of the local authorities under the Scheme. The Housing Agency will assess the Building Condition Assessment report to determine if the dwelling has met the damage threshold.
The Housing Agency works with Chartered Engineers from an approved framework to help assess applications under the scheme. More information in relation to that framework can be sought from the Housing Agency via publicreps@housingagency.ie.
84. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the two-year tenancy requirement in the tenant-in-situ acquisition scheme is currently under review; if he will commit to amending or removing this requirement to improve access to the scheme for households at risk of homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2558/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTenancy sustainment, or tenant-in-situ, is a priority category under my Department's Second Hand Acquisitions Programme. It is not, and was never, an independent scheme outside of the Second Hand Acquisitions Programme. Rather it is policy tool available to local authorities to prevent social housing supported households in the private rented sector from falling into homelessness, and it should only be used as a last resort by local authorities when all other options have been exhausted.
The 'two year eligibility criterion' applying to tenant in situ acquisitions applies to the property rather than an individual tenancy. Accordingly, regardless of the duration of an individual tenancy, an acquisition may be eligible if the relevant property has been rented to social housing supported tenants for a continuous period of at least two years. I have no immediate plans to change this requirement for the 2026 Second Hand Acquisitions Programme.
My Department continues to engage with local authorities on any challenges which have emerged to ensure tenant in situ acquisitions remain an option in 2026 where other solutions cannot be found.
85. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will commit to a public information campaign to inform tenants of their existing rights and protections under residential tenancies legislation, in light of reports that tenants are being warned by landlords of potential exits from the rental market ahead of new tenancy rules coming into effect in March 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2559/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 14 October 2025, the Government approved the General Scheme of the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2025, which is now the subject of priority drafting by the Office of Parliamentary Council. The Bill will amend the current system of rent controls and provide new measures to protect tenants, including stronger security of tenure, to come into effect for new tenancies created on or after 1 March 2026.
The text of the Bill will be finalised for publication as soon as possible, taking account of input from the sector and interested parties. The Bill will be subject to debate, and open to amendment, during the legislative process in the Houses of the Oireachtas.
On of the key roles of the Residential Tenancies Board, (RTB), which was established as a quasi-judicial independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2025 is to provide information to tenants and landlords.
A detailed communications campaign by my Department, in conjunction with the RTB, will continue to publicise the new legislative measures from 1 March 2026. My Department will continue to work closely with the RTB on the implementation of these critical reforms and the RTB will continue to provide relevant information to tenants and landlords.
Up-to-date information is available at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/government-reforms-to-the-rental-sector-starting-1-march-2026/.
86. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he expects the Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Bill 2024 to be passed and open for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2571/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment approval was received on 18 September 2024 for the priority drafting of the Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Bill. The purpose of this legislation is to place the defects remediation Scheme on a statutory footing, further to commitments contained in the Programme for Government and Housing for All.
The Scheme will provide supports for the remediation of relevant fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose-built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013. It is envisaged that 100% of eligible remediation costs will be funded under the Scheme.
The General Scheme of the Bill completed pre-legislative scrutiny in December 2025 and I expect the legislation to be placed before the Oireachtas this year.
87. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of appeals made to date under the remediation of dwellings damaged by the use of defective concrete blocks scheme; the number of appeals that have been heard by county, by year, in tabular form; and the current timeline for a determination of appeals lodged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2572/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act) was commenced on 22 June 2023 which contains the enhanced grant scheme and adopted the related Regulations on 29 June 2023.
An Appeals Panel has been established to assess appeals made under the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the use of Defective Concrete (DCB) Blocks Grant Scheme.
The points of appeal that are available to a DCB applicant include the validation stage by the local authority, the damage threshold determination made by the Housing Agency, the remediation option, and the grant amount approved and where a local authority refuse to make a grant payment pursuant to grant approval.
To date, 180 appeals have been received from homeowners. A breakdown showing appeals received from relevant owners, by designated local authority, is available in the table below:
|
Designated local authority |
Appeals Received |
|
Donegal |
150 |
|
Mayo |
5 |
|
Clare |
14 |
|
Limerick |
11 |
|
Sligo |
0 |
|
Total |
180 |
It should be noted that the Appeals Panel is statutorily independent in the performance of their functions of myself as Minister, my Department and of the Housing Agency. My Department provides limited administrative support during the initial stage of the process, in that appeals submitted by homeowners are forwarded to the Panel.
However, I understand that the Panel is in the process of assessing appeals and that decisions have begun to issue to appellants.
88. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the costs incurred, by each local authority as a result of storm Éowyn; and the amount each local authority has been reimbursed, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2573/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra89. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the tenant-in-situ scheme; if he proposes to increase the level of funding allocated to Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council to support this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2617/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra90. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the level of funding that will be allocated to the tenant-in-situ scheme at a national level for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2618/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra91. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the level of funding that will be allocated to the tenant-in-situ scheme for Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2619/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 89 to 91, inclusive, together.
Tenancy sustainment, or tenant-in-situ, is a priority category under my Department's Second Hand Social Housing Acquisitions Programme. It is not a scheme, rather it is a policy tool available to local authorities to prevent social housing supported households in the private rented sector from falling into homelessness, and it should only be used as a last resort by local authorities when all other options have been exhausted.
I expect the parameters of the 2026 Second Hand Acquisitions Programme, including individual local authority allocations, to be notified to local authorities in Q1 this year.
Local authorities have been authorised to enter into commitments for 2026 up to a value of 30% of their original 2025 acquisitions budget. This flexibility effectively provides for a multi-annual approach to programme delivery, facilitating local authorities to plan and progress acquisitions between annual programmes, and from one year to the next, with a higher level of certainty vis-à-vis future funding availability.
In the meantime, my Department will continue to engage with individual local authorities as needed regarding the 2025 programme in order to inform learnings for the 2026 programme and ensure local authorities continue progressing acquisitions pending rollout of the full details of the 2026 Second Hand Acquisitions Programme.
92. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the work being carried out by his Department into the population growth of seagulls in a location (details supplied), their migration patterns and status as a protected species; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2639/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department has primary responsibility for nature conservation, wildlife protection and the presentation and preservation of our National Parks and Nature Reserves. The mission of the NPWS, as stated in its Strategic Plan 2023-2025, is to protect nature.
The NPWS monitors the breeding populations of all breeding seabirds in Ireland including gulls, to inform assessments at both the site (Special Protection Area or SPA) and national levels. In 2021, my Department surveyed Balbriggan, in the first ever national survey for urban nesting gulls in Ireland. The national survey report noted that it is a well-known area for urban breeding gulls with records showing as many as 57 nests as far back as 1996. The survey recorded 597 breeding Herring Gull territories and 10 breeding Lesser Black-backed Gull territories, which is higher than those recorded in a 2018 survey of the area. The 2021 survey also indicated that as many as 1,485 pairs of Herring Gull and 10 pairs of the Lesser Black-backed Gull attempted to breed in Balbriggan in 2021. In terms of their migration patterns, both the Herring Gull breeding and winter populations are considered short-distance migrants. The Lesser Black-backed Gull breeding population was found to be a long-distance migrant but the winter population is considered to be a short-distance migrant.
All wild birds naturally occurring in the state in Ireland are afforded protections under the Birds Directive and national legislation.
93. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the application process for higher scales for administrative grades below the grade of assistant principal operated in his Department (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2654/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department assigns staff below Assistant Principal to Higher Scales based on seniority and suitability following an agreement with the staff panel of unions in the Department in 2017. An exercise assessing the number of higher scales to be awarded in accordance with the centrally agreed figures for each grade is carried out on an annual basis.
94. Deputy Máire Devine asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are plans to review or increase the income eligibility thresholds for social housing support administered by Dublin City Council; and the housing options available for households, particularly working couples, whose incomes are marginally above the social housing threshold but who cannot afford private rental accommodation and may be at risk of homelessness (details supplied). [2689/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraReply not received from the Department.
95. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current status of apartments (details supplied); the status of the scheme; the funding granted to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2691/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment approval was received on 18 September 2024 for the priority drafting of the Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Bill. The purpose of this legislation is to place the defects remediation Scheme on a statutory footing, further to commitments contained in the Programme for Government and Housing for All.
The Scheme will provide supports for the remediation of relevant fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose-built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013. It is envisaged that 100% of eligible remediation costs will be funded under the Scheme.
The General Scheme of the Bill completed pre-legislative scrutiny in December 2025 and I expect the legislation to be placed before the Oireachtas this year.
As of the end of December 2025, 230 applications to the Interim Remediation Scheme have been validated, having met the required eligibility criteria. These applications represent 20,940 residential units, with circa 77% in the Dublin region.
Three of the four pathfinder projects have been approved for funding, in the amount of €19.5million. Payments totalling €300,000 have been made to two pathfinder OMCs to date. Payments will continue to be made for remediation works, where commenced and certified.
With regard to the specific apartments details supplied, the management and operation of the scheme, including application processing is a matter for the Housing Agency.
All queries regarding applications to the Interim Remediation Scheme should be directed to Interim.remediation@housingagency.ie.
96. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if, where a house commences a lease before 1 March 2026 for a period of 12 months, with the possibility of extending the lease after the 12 months, the lease will fall under the new legislation after the 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2700/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Residential Tenancies Acts 2004 to 2025 (RTA) regulates the landlord-tenant relationship in the rented residential sector and sets out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the RTA to operate a national tenancy registration system and to facilitate the resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants.
The Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2021 provided for Tenancies of Unlimited Duration. All new tenancies created on or after 11 June 2022 will become tenancies of unlimited duration after six consecutive months in occupation under the tenancy, without a valid notice of termination having been served during that period. This means that if a tenancy began on or after 11 June 2022, once a tenant has lived in the property continuously for 6 months and has not been served with a valid Notice of Termination within that period, the tenant can continue to reside under that tenancy for an unlimited duration. Such a tenancy may be terminated by the tenant or by the landlord, under the limited grounds for termination under the RTA.
Anyone residing under tenancy in the general rental market (i.e. not in student specific accommodation) for a fixed term longer than 6 months accrues security of tenure protection under Part 4 of the RTA - revisedacts.lawreform.ie/eli/2004/act/27/revised/en/html#PART4. This means that if the fixed term is for a period longer than 6 months, the tenancy does not end on the expiry of the fixed term, as tenants acquire what are known as “Part 4” tenancy rights. Part 4 of the RTA does not apply to student specific accommodation given the nature of the letting agreements in that sector.
The forthcoming legal changes will only apply to a new tenancy (i.e. first time tenancy between parties) created on or after 1 March 2026. A detailed communications campaign by my Department, in conjunction with the RTB, will continue to publicise the new legislative measures from 1 March 2026. Up-to-date information is available at: Government Reforms to the Rental Sector – Starting 1 March 2026.
The information provided in this reply is based on the policy measures approved by the Government on 10 June 2025 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.
97. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the plans his Department has to reverse the declining water quality in the Barrow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2723/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra98. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the plans his Department has to reverse the declining water quality in the Nore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2724/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 98 together.
Ireland's water protection legislation is comprehensive, driven primarily by the 2003 Water Policy Regulations (as amended) which transposes key elements of EU Water Framework Directive (WFD). Other national legislation transpose other water protection directives, principally in relation to urban wastewater treatment and agricultural sources of pollution. The Water Pollution Acts (1977-2007) also play an important water protection role. A wider range of other national legislation also include water protection provisions.
A new revised and strengthened national River Basin Management Plan, called the Water Action Plan 2024, was launched by my Department in September 2024. The plan is a requirement of the WFD. The Water Action Plan is a strategic plan that outlines the national policies and high level goals that will protect and restore our natural waters up to 2027, and advances Ireland’s commitment to the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD).
The aim of the plan is the identification and implementation of the “right measure in the right place”. The Plan contains targeted measures to both restore and protect all waterbodies, which will be supported by the integrated catchment approach through the development of Sectoral Action Work Plans and Catchment Management Work Plans. The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO), which is funded by my Department, coordinates efforts among Local Authorities to achieve good or high water quality in our water bodies.
LAWPRO is providing significant support in the Nore Catchment through the Community Water Development Fund and the Catchment Support Fund and working closely with Nore River Catchment Trust to maximise collaborative opportunities. LAWPRO's community engagement in 2025 focused on high status objective streams in Muckalee, facilitating water quality training with the local biodiversity officer and Heritage Week events. In addition, LAWPRO catchment scientists will carry out local catchment assessments in 13 Priority Areas for Action in the Nore catchment to identify reasons for declined water quality and identify the actions needed to secure improvements. Currently catchment scientists are working in the Ballyroan, Bregagh and Brownstown-Pococke catchments.
LAWPRO is also working closely with the Climate and Biodiversity team in Carlow County Council on advancing the water quality message in communities though engagements and events. LAWPRO continues to support the restoration of Drummin Bog through the Catchment Support Fund. Awareness raising and engagement will continue in 2026 with a focus on communities in Co. Laois. In addition, LAWPRO catchment scientists will carry out local catchment assessments in 13 Priority Areas for Action in the Barrow catchment to identify reasons for declined water quality and identify the actions needed to secure improvements. Currently catchment scientists are working in the Greese catchment.
The Water Action Plan’s Programme of Measures contains specific actions to address the different pressures on water quality. Measures introduced to help address the impact of agriculture on our water quality include the sixth Nitrates Action Programme (NAP), while through the National Agricultural Inspection Programme, funding has been provided for an additional 57 local authority inspectors with an aim of carrying out inspections of 4,500 farms per annum. These inspections are targeted where there is a risk of impact on water quality using EPA information.
A Water European Innovation Partnership (EIP) project “Farming for Water” was launched last year. The project focuses on reducing losses of phosphorous, nitrogen, sediment and, where relevant, pesticides to water from agricultural lands by promoting the adoption of innovative best practice in nutrient management, and measures such as the application of Nature-based solutions. All of these initiatives will contribute to the reduction of agriculture as a pressure on our water quality.
In terms of addressing the physical habitats of natural water bodies a new National Hydromorphology Programme has been established with the long-term vision of mitigating the negative impact of past construction on rivers to restore their “flow, form and function”. Inland Fisheries Ireland, with co-funding from my Department has launched the National Barrier Mitigation Programme, which is being supported by a dedicated Hydromorphology Expert Group, which includes representation from all key stakeholders in this area.
This Government is also delivering a sustainable funding path to further enhance the ongoing significant improvements in our public water and wastewater services, including addressing environmental compliance issues such as upgrading Waste Water Treatment Plants. Uisce Éireann has set out an ambitious programme of water infrastructure development and upgrades under its new Strategic Funding Plan, and this will be further enhanced through the multi-billion euro allocation it is receiving under the revised National Development Plan launched last July.
It is important to note that Uisce Éireann has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. The scope, prioritisation and progression of individual projects and operational issues is a matter for Uisce Éireann and is approved through its own Board and internal governance structures.
99. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the new rules, from March 2026, for landlords, which allow them, their executors or families to terminate leases and sell properties when necessary to repay nursing home loans or distribute estates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2761/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 14 October 2025, the Government approved the General Scheme of the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2025, which is now the subject of priority legal drafting by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.
The Bill will include a number of provisions to mitigate the impact of 6 year Tenancies of Minimum Duration (TMDs) on a smaller landlord (i.e. a landlord who is not a company and has 3 or fewer tenancies). A smaller landlord will be allowed to terminate a tenancy at any time during a 6 year TMD 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. The matter raised in your Question is being considered during the legal drafting process.
The Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2026 will be published in the coming weeks and will be subject to debate, and open to amendment, during the legislative process in the Houses of the Oireachtas.
100. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to report on the derelict sites levies levied, collected, owed and cumulatively owed; the number of sites CPOed in the previous 12 months; the number of sites for which a levy was applied; the total value of sites on the register; and the number of sites on their register on 31 December 2024 and to date in 2025, by local authority, in tabular form. [2829/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraReply not received from the Department.
101. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has received a business case and or released funding for the development of a local authority site (details supplied). [2834/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 22 May 2025 my Department received a revised funding submission from Wicklow County Council for the construction of 53 units at the site referred to.
On 18 June 2025, my Department approved this application and communicated same to the Council.
It is anticipated that the Council will go to tender for the construction of these units in the coming months.
102. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has received an updated and or amended proposal from bodies in respect of a site for public housing (details supplied). [2845/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 28 October 2025 my Department received a revised funding submission from Wicklow County Council in respect of the site referred to.
On 18 December 2025, my Department approved this application and communicated same to the Council.
103. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Social Protection the current status of the Government's commitment to introduce a cost of disability payment; the proposed timeline for its introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2523/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra104. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Social Protection the research, analysis, and impact assessments undertaken by his Department in developing proposals for a cost of disability payment; the estimated additional cost of living with a disability these considerations are based on; and if he will publish this information. [2524/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra105. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Social Protection whether any proposed cost of disability payment will be universal or means-tested; how eligibility will be determined; and how the payment will interact with existing disability-related supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2525/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra106. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Social Protection the engagement his Department has had with disability organisations and representative groups in relation to the introduction of a cost of disability payment; how the views of disabled people are being reflected in policy development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2526/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 103 to 106, inclusive, together.
The Department of Social Protection provides a range of income support payments for disabled people. There are currently approximately 231,000 recipients of disability income support payments, with estimated expenditure of €3.24 billion in 2025.
The Government recognises the many additional costs that disabled people can face in their daily lives and is committed to improving outcomes for disabled people by introducing permanent measures to help them address these costs.
That is why the Programme for Government includes a range of commitments to support disabled people - commitments which have been further developed in The National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030. The strategy adopts a whole-of-Government approach with individual Departments and Agencies responsible for planning and delivering the commitments that come under their remit across five key pillars. The commitment to introduce a permanent Annual Cost of Disability Support Payment sits within this framework as a matter on which my Department is to take the lead. Subject to the overall budgetary context I am determined to include the payment as part of Budget 2027.
Importantly the strategy requires that the delivery of its various commitments should be informed by, and should include, the active input of disabled people and their advocates.
Accordingly, as set out in the strategy, my Department will lead a Strategic Focus Network on the Cost of Disability with the involvement of other relevant Departments and Agencies.
The work of this network, which will include disabled people and their advocates, will inform the approach to be taken in addressing the cost of disability. Officials have held bi-lateral meetings with a number of organisations to discuss the structure and content of the Strategic Focus Network with the matter also being discussed at my Department's Disability Consultative Forum, on December 2nd last.
A meeting with the Disabled Persons Organisation's network is being organised and that is expected to take place next Friday, 23rd January.
Given my intention to include a cost of disability for consideration in Budget 2027 I have asked my officials to continue to prioritise this work with a view to bringing a proposal to Government in the first half of this year.
I trust this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
