Written Answers Nos. 137-156
145. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department is tracking the progression of commenced housing units through the construction pipeline, including build-out timelines and completion rates; and how this information is being used to identify and remove bottlenecks after commencement. [5000/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department tracks and monitors, on an on-going basis, a broad range of data in relation to housing delivery. This includes monitoring high-level indicators such as planning permissions, commencements and completions as well as various sectoral publications and commentary with a view to obtaining as comprehensive an overview as possible of overall delivery, to ensure we continue to have a sufficient pipeline of residential development.
For example, my Department has recently begun monitoring the use of commencement notices to track the adoption of Modern Methods of Construction. While further analysis of data is being carried out to assess construction times for MMC dwellings, such techniques can speed up delivery of construction projects by between 20% and 40%.
My Department also closely monitors the progress of public delivery programmes. Data in relation to the social housing pipeline is published on my Department’s website on a quarterly basis in the Social Housing Construction Status Report. My Department also publishes detailed programme-level statistics on a quarterly basis on social and affordable housing delivery activity by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies.
According to the most recent CSR Report for Quarter 3 2025, 25,848 social homes were at design and construction stages at the end of September - with 13,064 of those onsite and 12,784 at the design and tender stage.
In respect of affordable housing, the most recent data showed 2,061 affordable housing supports were delivered in Q3 of 2025, via AHBs, local authorities, the LDA, the Cost Rental Tenant-in-Situ scheme, the First Home Scheme, and through the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant.
A strong pipeline is being built but we are monitoring any potential bottlenecks. I have established a Housing Activation Office to ensure we identify and address infrastructure barriers to housing delivery as a matter of priority. That Office is now operational and co-ordinating and accelerating the delivery of infrastructure projects that are essential to unlocking housing development on sites nationwide, including through the new infrastructure fund which I launched yesterday.
149. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the powers local authorities have to pursue developers who do not finish housing estates in terms of lighting and roadways and footpaths; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4921/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe legislative process for the taking in charge of housing estates by local authorities is provided for under section 180 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act). The prescribed process in this regard applies to residential developments consisting of two or more dwellings that have been granted planning permission under section 34 of the Act.
Planning permissions for housing developments may contain conditions requiring the lodgement with the planning authority of a security for the purposes of providing funding for the satisfactory provision of public infrastructure (not the development) in case of default by the developer. In many instances this security is in the form of a cash deposit, an insurance policy or a construction bond.
Accessing funding by calling in bonds is a serious matter requiring adherence to clear procedures within Local Authorities around compliance and enforcement as well as effective communication systems with the providers of securities. Securities may only be accessed in respect of clear breaches of planning conditions and after a process of appropriate engagement with developers, owners and funders. In the case of successfully completed developments, the release and/or return of such securities are a key element of ensuring effective interaction between Local Authorities and financial institutions
There is no automatic requirement for local authorities to take charge of unfinished housing estates after a certain period of time. Under section 180 (1) of the Act of 2000, the planning authority is obliged to initiate the taking in charge process where requested by either the developer of, or by the majority of owners of the dwellings in, the estate in question. However, this is subject to the development being completed to the satisfaction of the authority and in accordance with the permission and any conditions attached thereto.
Where developments have not been completed to the satisfaction of the planning authority, and where enforcement proceedings in this connection have not been commenced by the planning authority within 4 years of the expiry of the planning permission relating to a development, section 180 (2)(a) of the Act provides that the planning authority shall, where requested by the majority of owners of the houses involved, initiate the taking in charge procedures under section 11 of the Roads Act 1993, as amended (the Roads Act).
Where this particular approach is being progressed, the authority may apply the security or development bond provided as part of the planning application for the purposes of ensuring the satisfactory completion of the development.
151. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage cén dul chun cinn atá déanta ag a Roinn chun déileáil leis na fadhbanna tithíochta ar leith atá i gceantair Ghaeltachta (tobar na teanga náisiúnta): an easpa suíomhanna seirbhísithe, gan an infheistíocht chuí á déanamh sna bonneagair uisce, séarachais agus leictreachais, agus nach bhfuil aon phlean cuimsitheach tithíochta Gaeltachta ann; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [4444/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMar atá leagtha amach i dTithe a Sheachadadh, Pobail a Thógáil 2025-2030 - Plean Gníomhaíochta don Soláthar Tithíochta agus chun Dul i nGleic leis an Easpa Dídine, aithníonn an Rialtas go bhfuil fáil ar mheascán cuí tithíochta ríthábhachtach d’inbhuanaitheacht na bpobal Gaeltachta.
Tá Clár an Rialtais tiomanta do leanúint ar aghaidh ag obair le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta agus le páirtithe leasmhara eile lena chinntiú go bhfuil soláthar tithíochta leordhóthanach sa Ghaeltacht. Tá freagracht reachtúil ag Údarás na Gaeltachta as forbairt eacnamaíoch, teanga, shóisialta agus chultúrtha laistigh de na 26 Limistéar Pleanála Teanga Gaeltachta a fhorordaítear faoi Acht na Gaeltachta 2012. Tacaíonn an eagraíocht le breis agus 9,000 post ina cliantchuideachtaí agus, le roinnt blianta anuas, tá saineolas forbartha aici maidir le háiseanna fuíolluisce a sholáthar a fhreastalaíonn ar a líonra páirceanna gnó agus eastát tionsclaíochta ar fud na Limistéar Pleanála Teanga Ghaeltachta go léir. Tá sé beartaithe scrúdú a dhéanamh ar fhéidearthacht Údarás na Gaeltachta, ag obair le hUisce Éireann agus le húdaráis áitiúla chun tacú le tógáil tithíochta do phobail Ghaeilge.
Ina theannta sin, bhunaigh mé an Oifig Gníomhachtaithe Tithíochta (OGT) sa Roinn Tithíochta a bhfuil foireann saineolaithe ag obair inti atá ar iasacht ó Uisce Éireann, Líonraí BSL, ón Údarás Náisiúnta Iompair, Bonneagar Iompair Éireann agus ón earnáil rialtais áitiúil. Tabharfaidh an Oifig aghaidh ar bhacainní i réimsí amhail bóithre, uisce, leictreachas, draenáil agus bonneagar pobail, chun forbraíochtaí tithíochta a chur ar aghaidh ar fud na tíre. Leis an bPlean Earnála um Thithíocht de chuid an Phlean Forbartha Náisiúnta (NDP), tugtar isteach ciste nua €1 bhilliún chun tacú leis an Oifig Gníomhachtaithe Tithíochta, agus €205 mhilliún den méid sin leithdháilte in 2026 amháin. D'fhógair mé an chéad ghairm ar thionscadail 'réidh le slua' níos luaithe an tseachtain seo chun tacú le hinfheistíocht dhíreach i mbonneagar tithíochta ar fud na tíre.
Tá mo Roinn ag obair le hUisce Éireann agus le húdaráis áitiúla freisin chun aghaidh a thabhairt ar riachtanais bonneagair uisce agus fuíolluisce tríd an gClár Uisce Tuaithe, lena n-áirítear pobail Ghaeltachta agus a chuidíonn le tacú le soláthar tithíochta sna ceantair seo.
Ina theannta sin, tá sraith beart curtha i bhfeidhm ag an mbeartas Lár Bailte ar dTús, comhthionscnamh idir mo Roinnse agus an Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta, chun tacú le hathnuachan, athdhaonrú agus forbairt bailte agus sráidbhailte tuaithe. Áirítear leis sin an Scéim Réidh le Tógáil atá maoinithe faoi Chiste Bailte Croí Cónaithe, a thacaíonn le húdaráis áitiúla láithreáin le seirbhísí fholmha i mbailte agus i sráidbhailte a chur ar fáil lena ndíol do cheannaitheoirí aonair ionchasacha ar lascaine ar luach margaidh an láithreáin, chun teach a thógáil. Braithfidh leibhéal na lascaine don duine aonair ar leibhéal an chostais sheirbhísithe a thabhaíonn an t-údarás áitiúil roimh dhíol an láithreáin ach ní sháróidh an lascaine €30,000.
Áirítear leis an Acht um Pleanáil agus Forbairt, 2024 forálacha sonracha a bhaineann le ceantair Ghaeltachta, lena n-áirítear, i gcás ina bhfuil ceantar Gaeltachta laistigh de limistéar feidhme údaráis pleanála, go gcaithfidh forálacha agus cuspóirí a bhaineann go sonrach le lonnaíocht a bheith sa phlean forbartha comhfhreagrach don cheantar sin chun oidhreacht teanga agus chultúrtha na Gaeltachta a chosaint, lena n-áirítear an Ghaeilge a chosaint mar theanga phobail na Gaeltachta. Sa chás go leagtar amach i bplean forbartha cuspóirí a bhaineann go sonrach le lonnaíocht i leith aon cheantair Ghaeltachta, tabharfar isteach ‘Plean Tosaíochta don Cheantar’ ina dhiaidh sin chun treoir a thabhairt dá fhorbairt, dá athnuachan nó dá athghiniúint agus chun a shonrú conas a chuirfear na cuspóirí ábhartha a bhaineann go sonrach le lonnaíocht sa phlean forbartha i bhfeidhm.
Is sonrú ar leith iad na Limistéir Pleanála Teanga faoi Acht na Gaeltachta 2012 agus baineann siad le pleanáil teanga a bhfuil freagracht fheidhmiúil ag mo chomhghleacaí, an tAire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta ina leith.
152. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update made on the Programme for Government commitment to earmark certain cost rental units for key local workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4872/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is acutely aware of the housing challenges faced by many sectors of society including key workers and we are working to address these challenges head on.
The Government's new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, reinforces and expands the range of existing measures being implemented by the State to tackle the issues of supply and affordability. This is enabled by a record €6 billion capital investment in 2026 alone - the highest ever capital investment in the history of the State. We will deliver 90,000 affordable housing supports over the lifetime of the plan, under the starter home programme, to provide for more affordable homes to purchase and rent.
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, including those who may be categorised as key workers. The core principle of Cost Rental is that the rents cover the development, management and maintenance costs of the homes. This ensures that the long-term future of the homes is financially secure, while also having rents that are not subject to the pressures of the open market. All Cost Rental projects, supported by the State, must also achieve starting rents that are at least 25% below comparable local market levels.
In line with the Programme for Government commitment to earmark certain cost rental homes for key local workers, I made the Affordable Housing Act 2021 (Cost Rental Allocation Plan) Regulations 2025, last July. These Regulations allow for Cost Rental landlords to employ Allocation Plans which may prioritise particular homes for those with a link to an area though residence, employment or education. This will support people to live and work in their local area.
The definition of key worker is complex. We have learned, especially through the Covid years, that very many people working in the economy and in public, health and social services are key workers and making that distinction is not straightforward.
My Department continues to explore further options for targeting cost rental homes at key workers.
153. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an overview of the National Development Plan sectoral plan for housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5059/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraLast November, the NDP Sectoral plan for Housing was published, reflecting the largest ever capital investment in housing and critical infrastructure over the period 2026-2030.
Over the lifetime of the plan, I have allocated almost €25 billion in funding for Housing Capital Programmes. This funding will be supplemented by investment through the Land Development Agency (LDA) and lending through the Housing Finance Agency (HFA).
The bulk of the €25 billion I have allocated for Housing Capital Programmes, almost €20 billion, has been allocated for Social and Affordable Housing Delivery, in order to help address the housing challenges being experienced by low and middle income households.
NDP funding will support the delivery of an average of 12,000 new social homes and 15,000 affordable housing supports under the Starter Homes Programme every year over the lifetime of the Plan. It will also ensure continued support for a second hand social housing acquisitions programme which targets households in the most precarious housing situations and supports exists from homelessness.
The NDP Housing Sectoral Plan also introduces a new €1 billion fund to support the Housing Activation Office, with €205m allocated in 2026 alone. I announced the initial Call for 'shovel ready' projects earlier this week.
I have also allocated €4.2 billion to other Housing capital programmes over the period 2026 -2030. These programmes provide key supports for households right across the country with funding of;
• €293 million allocated to fund the ongoing remediation of homes affected by building defects including pyrite, apartment defects and defective concrete blocks,
• €50m allocated to support local authorities to provide State owned emergency and transitional accommodation for people experiencing homelessness in order to reduce reliance on privately provided solutions.
• €130m allocated to support 17,000 housing adaptation grants, ensuring support for elderly and disabled persons.
• €140m allocated for the Local Authority Energy Efficiency Retrofit programme which will fund 3,500 retrofits to B2 standard,
• €40m allocated to the Voids/Planned Maintenance programme which will fund the return to use of 2,500 homes and
• €26m allocated to meet Traveller Specific Housing Needs
The NDP Sectoral Plan for Housing will support the single biggest priority for Government – ensuring every person has access to a secure home in a vibrant and sustainable community.
154. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the Land Development Agency’s plans in Dundalk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4927/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Land Development Agency manages State lands to develop new homes and regenerate underused sites. The Agency is also tasked with unlocking stalled private planning-consented developments via its market engagement and partnership initiative, Project Tosaigh, and working in partnership with local authorities to deliver housing on local authority owned land.
The Land Development Agency published its second Report on Relevant Public Lands in April 2025, which identifies a total of 102 parcels of State land as having potential to deliver housing-led development. Of the 102 sites identified, four are located within Louth, with three in Dundalk.
My Department is currently engaging with all landholding bodies to consider the sites identified and further assess the suitability of those sites for the development of housing with a view to making recommendations to me and then to Government to consider the deployment of further sites for housing and their transfer to the Land Development Agency.
Some of the sites identified by the Land Development Agency in the Report may be suitable to progress to design and planning following transfer, subject to achieving statutory consents and agreement, while others may be complex and/or in operational use. Many require further inputs, such as master planning, enabling works and relocation of existing operations before the LDA or a local authority could make applications for statutory consents or develop them for housing.
All planning authorities, including Louth County Council, are currently assessing their current development plans and undertaking a review of the adequacy of existing zoned lands to cater for the new Housing Growth Requirement figures and the potential for ‘additional provision.
With regard to social and affordable housing delivery in Louth, the Government's commitment to fund and support new homes delivery continues strongly. To end September last, over 870 Affordable Housing supports were delivered in Louth, via Louth County Council's Affordable Purchase Scheme, cost rental delivered by Approved Housing Bodies - through the First Home Scheme - and via the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant.
Furthermore, Louth County Council delivered over 1,100 new build social homes between 2022 and Q3 2025, exceeding their target by 54 homes, and has a strong pipeline of homes scheduled for delivery in 2026.
155. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the initiatives being taken to support affordable housing in north Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4875/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 2021, 275 affordable housing solutions have been delivered in Tipperary, through the various affordable housing delivery streams. Affordability, homeownership and secure rental supports are at the core of this Government’s housing policy, and we will continue that commitment through our new housing plan Delivering Homes, Building Communities.
There are currently two applications under assessment within my Department for funding under the Affordable Housing Fund in the Clonmel area of Co. Tipperary.
Furthermore, my Department held a meeting with Tipperary County Council recently to offer assistance in developing their affordable housing delivery programme.
In addition, three sites in Tipperary have been identified in the LDA’s 2025 Report on Relevant Public Lands that have the potential to yield up to 3,000 homes throughout the county.
I can also confirm that to the end of Q3 2025, 725 vacancy grant applications have been received in Tipperary, with 580 approved and 202 grants paid to the value of over €11 million. These much needed supports will assist new home owners in bringing vacant properties back into use.
My Department will continue to work intensively with all of the local authorities and delivery partners to expand the supply of affordable and starter homes, ensuring that all of the Government's programmes are responsive to real demand on the ground and continue to deliver tangible outcomes for individuals and families seeking to own or rent a home.
These plans will build on the delivery of almost 19,000 affordable housing solutions achieved under the Government’s previous plan Housing for all.
Quarterly housing delivery reports will continue to be published on my Department's website to help track the progress of Tipperary County Council and the other local authorities' affordable delivery output to 2030.
