Written Answers Nos. 801-834
801. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount allocated by the Traveller accommodation unit to each local authority for acquisitions specifically for the Traveller community between 2019 and 2025. [12251/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra802. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the criteria to get approval for funding for Traveller-specific acquisitions from the Traveller accommodation unit; and to outline any changes to these criteria since 2019. [12252/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra803. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications for Traveller-specific acquisitions that have been refused by his Department. [12253/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra804. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of Traveller liaison officer roles his Department has funded since 2019; and the number of requests for funding for these roles his Department has denied. [12254/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 801 to 804, inclusive, together.
The Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 provides that the role of my Department is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist local authorities in providing such accommodation, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.
The Act provides that housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) in their areas.
My Department ceased the practice of allocating specific budgets to individual local authorities following a review of arrangements for the disbursement of funding provision and related supports for Traveller-specific accommodation. Since 2020, it is open to all local authorities to apply for and drawdown funds at any time throughout the year and this is actively encouraged by my Department.
Accommodation for Traveller households is provided across a range of housing options ranging from social housing to Traveller-specific accommodation. The majority of Travellers live in standard housing, for example local authority and Approved Housing Body housing, and this is funded through their respective capital programmes. Funding through the Traveller accommodation capital provision is generally for Traveller-specific accommodation (i.e. halting sites, group housing schemes, transient sites, and caravan/trailer loan scheme).
My Department considers funding of the acquisition of standard housing for Traveller families using the Traveller-specific capital provision in certain exceptional circumstances, such as preventing homelessness or where there is an urgent medical need, and subject to available budget. Applications for acquisitions from the Traveller-specific accommodation budget are considered on a case-by-case basis and approval for acquisitions must be obtained from my Department prior to any purchase by a local authority. A case must be made for such acquisitions, including the provision of a clearly identified need, along with outlining what alternatives were considered and why these were deemed unacceptable. In the most recent 3 years from 2023 to 2025, the Traveller-specific accommodation capital provision funded 59 acquisitions and 10 applications were unsuccessful. In such cases, it is generally on the basis where a property is not considered value for money.
My Department funds local authority staff who support Travellers in respect of their accommodation needs for 90% of their time dedicated to supporting Travellers (pay and travel and subsistence). In 2025, my Department provided funding towards 58 posts, including social workers and Traveller liaison officers related posts, however, the full scope of information sought for such posts back to 2019 is not readily available and its compilation would involve a disproportionate amount of time and work.
806. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if it is necessary for local authorities to require evidence of income from the previous 12 months for example, 2025, when assessing housing adaptation grants, and so on, for people who are self-assessed earners, where their notice of assessment is usually not issued by the Revenue Commissioners until later in the calendar year; if 2024 self-assessment would be sufficient in this instance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12290/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides funding under the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and Disabled People, to assist those in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. The suite of grants, which include the Housing Adaptation Grant for Disabled People, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People Grant, are funded by my Department with a contribution from the local authority.
The Housing (Adaptation Grants for Older People and Disabled People) Regulations 2024 (S.I. No. 612 of 2024), which came into effect on 1 December 2024, provides the legal basis for the scheme as administered by all local authorities. My Department issues guidelines to local authorities to ensure the consistent operation of the scheme nationwide. The detailed administration of the scheme including assessment, approval, prioritisation and apportionment is the responsibility of local authorities.
The schemes are means tested. In line with the Regulations and save in exceptional cases, where the applicant or their spouse has had an immediate and substantial change in earnings on a long-term basis arising from illness, injury or disability, the local authority is required to assess the previous tax year annual gross income for the relevant assessable members of the household.
In the case of self-employed/self-assessed individuals, income will vary from to year to year therefore it is necessary for the local authority to establish the Office of the Revenue Commissioner’s position on the most recent self-assessment. It is open to self-employed/self-assessed individuals to seek a position on income tax self-assessment for the previous year from the Office of the Revenue Commissioners during the course of the following year. Further details would be available from the Office of the Revenue Commissioners.
807. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total amount allocated to each local authority for tenant-in-situ in 2024 and 2025; the total amount spent by each local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12325/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe funding drawndown by local authorities under my Department's Social Housing Second Hand Acquisition Programme in 2024 and 2025, including for Tenancy Sustainment or Tenant in Situ acquisitions, is set out in the table below.
My Department did not issue funding allocations to local authorities in 2024. Rather each local authority was provided with a number of acquisitions that could be supported through the Programme.
The expenditure covers all areas of activity, including the purchase price, the legal and professional fees to transact the sale, and necessary refurbishment works required to the property.
Expenditure in a year can include costs related to dwellings acquired by local authorities and AHBs in previous years.
|
Local Authority |
Amount Recouped to Local Authorities in 2024 |
Initial 2025 Allocation |
*Estimated Amount Drawndown by Local Authorities in 2025 |
|
Total |
|
€325,000,000 |
€290,001,654 |
|
Carlow |
€3,349,519 |
€3,500,000 |
€3,601,419 |
|
Cavan |
€3,170,440 |
€2,000,000 |
€766,744 |
|
Clare |
€3,368,912 |
€4,000,000 |
€2,039,138 |
|
Cork City |
€34,480,254 |
€20,000,000 |
€21,918,591 |
|
Cork County |
€27,675,697 |
€15,000,000 |
€10,049,155 |
|
Donegal |
€1,293,238 |
€2,000,000 |
€1,548,817 |
|
DLR |
€10,168,405 |
€12,000,000 |
€14,364,775 |
|
Dublin City |
€97,725,205 |
€95,000,000 |
€88,068,132 |
|
Fingal |
€31,109,755 |
€20,000,000 |
€24,039,607 |
|
Galway City |
€12,724,495 |
€8,000,000 |
€6,905,379 |
|
Galway County |
€5,160,979 |
€6,000,000 |
€1,594,630 |
|
Kerry |
€3,239,329 |
€3,500,000 |
€2,656,037 |
|
Kildare |
€21,373,864 |
€15,000,000 |
€11,734,908 |
|
Kilkenny |
€2,479,680 |
€3,500,000 |
€826,678 |
|
Laois |
€1,871,619 |
€3,000,000 |
€2,397,352 |
|
Leitrim |
€2,137,375 |
€2,000,000 |
€983,600 |
|
Limerick |
€18,055,376 |
€15,000,000 |
€12,746,076 |
|
Longford |
€4,582,267 |
€2,000,000 |
€2,558,064 |
|
Louth |
€26,174,106 |
€12,000,000 |
€12,054,709 |
|
Mayo |
€4,475,291 |
€3,500,000 |
€3,425,197 |
|
Meath |
€10,270,551 |
€6,000,000 |
€6,357,930 |
|
Monaghan |
€4,618,688 |
€2,000,000 |
€1,652,906 |
|
Offaly |
€3,731,304 |
€2,000,000 |
€1,486,545 |
|
Roscommon |
€2,300,709 |
€2,000,000 |
€1,658,085 |
|
Sligo |
€4,803,062 |
€3,000,000 |
€2,886,757 |
|
South Dublin |
€38,046,285 |
€25,000,000 |
€23,650,071 |
|
Tipperary |
€10,558,166 |
€5,000,000 |
€4,856,676 |
|
Waterford |
€10,310,743 |
€8,000,000 |
€8,049,472 |
|
Westmeath |
€13,215,921 |
€5,000,000 |
€2,854,685 |
|
Wexford |
€6,234,695 |
€6,000,000 |
€6,040,735 |
|
Wicklow |
€4,221,174 |
€6,000,000 |
€6,228,784 |
|
Contingency |
N/A |
€8,000,000 |
€0 |
An additional €50 million was provided to eight local authorities in September 2025 to support acquisitions in 2025/2026 for those households, particularly larger families with children, longest in emergency homeless accommodation.
|
Local Authority |
Additional Allocation |
|
Cork City |
€2.000,000 |
|
Dublin City |
€22,000,000 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
€2,500,000 |
|
Fingal |
€10,000,000 |
|
Galway City |
€4,000,000 |
|
Limerick City and County |
€3,000,000 |
|
South Dublin |
€5,000,000 |
|
Waterford City and County |
€1,500,000 |
This funding was largely unspent in 2025 and has been carried over for 'exits from homeless' acquisitions completing in this year.
808. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason a pre-school (details supplied) operating under the ECCE scheme has received a commercial rates bill; whether this is now the standard for all ECCE pre-schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12349/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTailte Éireann is an independent Government agency and provides a property registration system, property valuation service, and national mapping and surveying infrastructure for the State. Tailte Éireann is independent in the exercise of its valuation functions under the Valuation Act 2001, as amended (the Act), and I and my Department have no function in decisions in this regard.
Tailte Éireann has overall responsibility under the Act, for the maintenance of all Valuation Lists used by Local Authorities in the calculation of rates liability. Under the Act, all property is rateable unless it falls into one of the exempt categories listed in Schedule 4 of the Act. There is a very specific range of exemptions that can be applied, and Tailte Éireann has no discretionary latitude to grant exemptions not covered by Schedule 4.
Paragraph 22 of Schedule 4 of the Act, which was inserted by the Valuation (Amendment) Act 2015, refers specifically to early childhood care and education facilities and provides an exemption for:
“Any land, building or part of a building used exclusively for the provision of early childhood care and education, and occupied by a body which is not established and the affairs of which are not conducted for the purpose of making a private profit.”
Therefore, while the Act provides that early childhood care and education facilities that are operated on a not-for-profit basis are exempt from rates, it does not provide a general exemption from rates for all childcare or childminding facilities operating on a for profit basis. To avoid ambiguity, if an early childhood care and education facility is operated on a for-profit basis, then it does not fulfil the criteria for exemption under Paragraph 22.
As a matter of course, Tailte Éireann examines all properties on their individual merits by reference to the relevant statutory provisions governing the operation of the Act and case law arising from the independent Valuation Tribunal and the Higher Courts.
There are a number of avenues of redress for an occupier of rateable property who is dissatisfied with a determination of valuation by Tailte Éireann made under the provisions of the Valuation Act 2001, as amended. Firstly, before a determination is made, there is a right to make representations to Tailte Éireann in relation to a proposed valuation. Later in the process, if the occupier is still dissatisfied with the determination, there is a right of appeal to the Valuation Tribunal which is an independent body set up for the purpose of hearing appeals against determinations of Tailte Éireann. There is a right of appeal to the Higher Courts on a point of law.
Under Irish law there is a distinct separation of functions between the valuation of rateable property and the setting and collection of commercial rates. The commercial rates payable on a particular property is a product of the valuation of that property determined by Tailte Éireann multiplied by the “Annual Rate on Valuation” (ARV) which is set annually by the elected members of the local authority as part of its budgetary process. The billing and collection of rates is solely a matter for the relevant local authority. Tailte Éireann has no function in that regard.
809. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether there are any proposals, or funding available through his Department or Uisce Éireann to support community-led integrated constructed wetlands for village wastewater treatment; whether pilot projects of this nature are being considered, operating independently of Uisce Éireann capital funding, but in line with Uisce Éireann technical standards; whether such an approach could be considered for Cloghane/An Clochán, County Kerry, where wastewater capacity is limiting development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12351/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of public wastewater infrastructure is, in the normal course, the statutory responsibility of Uisce Éireann, which plans, delivers, and operates water services and undertakes the necessary capital investment.
My Department has approved significant funding for a pilot scheme to enable local authorities to develop wastewater infrastructure in a number of small settlements that currently cannot access existing Uisce Éireann services. This pilot was limited in scope and there are no plans at present to reopen or extend it.
I have also recently announced a new initiative to promote the delivery of wastewater solutions in locations without access to Uisce Éireann infrastructure or where existing capacity in constrained and no immediate upgrade in planned. It provides for developers to fund and construct wastewater infrastructure in compliance with Uisce Éireann’s technical standards and the applicable environmental requirements. These solutions may include nature-based approaches, such as integrated constructed wetlands. Infrastructure built under this initiative will be transferred to, and thereafter owned and operated by, Uisce Éireann.
There are no proposals within my Department to provide public funding to integrated constructed wetlands or similar schemes operating independently of Uisce Éireann’s capital programme.
Any proposals to address local wastewater capacity constraints must be developed in consultation with Uisce Éireann.
810. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a list of all organisations and projects that received matched and-or partner funding from his Department in 2023, 2024 and 2025; the amount of funding allocated to each organisation or project; what was achieved and the stated outcomes from the funding provided in each case; the plans his Department has for the provision of matched and partner funding in 2026 and 2027, including the way such funding aligns with his Department’s philanthropy policy and objectives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12413/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
811. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the maximum equity a person can hold in their home to still qualify for the mortgage to rent scheme. [12430/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Mortgage to Rent (MTR) scheme is targeted at households in mortgage arrears who have had their mortgage position deemed unsustainable by their lender under the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process. In order for a borrower to qualify for the MTR scheme, the mortgage, property and household must meet detailed eligibility criteria. One of the requirements of the scheme is that the positive equity amount must be below a certain limit, depending on what part of the country the property is located.
The allowable positive equity limits, updated in November 2024, are set out in the table below:
|
Band 1: Allowable Positive Equity - €50,000 |
Cork City, Dublin City, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown, Fingal, Galway City, Meath, South Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow |
|
Band 2: Allowable Positive Equity - €45,000 |
Carlow, Clare, Cork County, Galway County, Kerry, Kilkenny, Laois, Limerick City and County, Louth, Waterford City and County, Westmeath, Wexford |
|
Band 3: Allowable Positive Equity - €40,000 |
Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Longford, Mayo, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary |
812. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of successful applications up to and including January 31, 2026 for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, by county; and the number of unsuccessful applicants and the amount in funds released to date under the scheme, in tabular form. [12499/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, funded under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund, provides a grant of up to €50,000 for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent. A top-up grant of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed to be derelict, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000. In order to qualify for the grant, the property must be vacant for two years or more at the time of application.
My Department publishes data on applications for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant on its website on a quarterly basis, which includes the number of applications, approvals and the total number and value of grants paid per local authority. This data also includes a breakdown of applications for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant and the Derelict Property Top-up Grant. The Q4 2025 grant statistics were published on 26 January 2026. This data can be accessed at the following link: Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/vacant-property-refurbishment-grant-statistics/#2025) statistics.
813. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he expects the review of the code of practice for the Approved Housing Body (AHB) allocation process to be completed; to clarify the full membership of the working group undertaking the review, in light of his previous statement that it comprises representatives of his Department, local authorities, the AHB sector and the Housing Agency; to set out the criteria and process being followed in conducting the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12544/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe new national housing plan, Building Homes, Delivery Communities, commits to reviewing the Code of Practice for the Approved Housing Body (AHB) Allocation Process which is an agreed set of arrangements between the local authority and AHB sector, dating from 2022. The Code seeks to establish a collaborative and efficient approach to the social housing nomination and allocations processes. It's timely that the Code is reviewed to ensure in the first instance, that the nomination and allocation processes are working to avoid unnecessary vacancy periods in social housing.
In order to reinforce this collaborative approach, a Working Group, comprising my Department, the local authorities (CCMA), the AHB sector (represented by the Housing Alliance and the Irish Council for Social Housing) and the Housing Agency, has been established to carry out a review of the Code.
The purpose of this Working Group is to undertake a review of the Code, assessing its operation in practice, and identifying any amendments or recommendations required to improve effectiveness and consistency of practice in the allocations process, adopting the same collaborative approach underpinning the Code.
A number of meetings of the Working Group have been held to date, and both sectors have been asked to complete a comprehensive survey. The Housing Plan requires that the review is completed by mid-2026 with arrangements for its implementation also in place at that time.
814. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has issued any direction to local authorities regarding the installation of permeable surfaces such as permeable grass, grid tiles to manage rainwater and reduce flooding. [12550/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is an objective of the National Planning Framework (NPF), which was first published in 2018 and revised in 2025, to enhance water quality and resource management by integrating sustainable water management solutions such as Sustainable Urban Drainage (SUDS) systems, including non-porous surfacing (National Policy Objective 77). The NPF is a high level strategic plan that sits at the top of the planning hierarchy and is implemented at the regional level via Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies and by local authority County and City Development Plans.
Further requirements and guidance in relation to SUDs, at a national level, are contained within the Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlement Guidelines (SRDCSGs) which were issued as Ministerial Guidelines under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). Under the provisions of Section 28 of Act of 2000 Planning Authorities are required to have regard to Ministerial Guidelines in performing their functions and to apply any Specific Planning Policy Requirements contained within the Guidelines. Following the commencement Part 3, Chapter 3 (National Planning Statements) of the Planning and Development Act 2024, on 2 October 2025, Section 28 of the Act of 2000 has been repealed. National Planning Statements will, over time, replace Ministerial Guidelines issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). Until such time Ministerial Guidelines are revoked or replaced they will continue to have effect under Section 27 of the Act of 2024.
The SRDCSGs state that in the preparation of local plans, local authorities should promote urban greening and Nature-Based Solutions (including Sustainable Drainage Systems and slow-the-flow initiatives) for the management of urban drainage in all new developments and retrofitting in existing areas. This may include a range of measures, including permeable surfaces such as reinforced grass or permeable paving, that mimic natural hydrology by storing, infiltrating, or evaporating runoff close to its source, rather than relying solely on traditional pipes.
My Department has also published a range of documents that provide further advice and technical guidance to assist local authorities and other Government agencies with the implementation of SUDS, including the ‘Nature-based Solutions to the Management of Rainwater and Surface Water Runoff in Urban Areas and Water Sensitive Urban Design Best Practice Interim Guidance Document’ (2021) and ‘Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets, Advice Note 5 - Road and Street Drainage using Nature Based Solutions’ (with the Department of Transport and Local Authority Waters Programme, 2023).
In May of 2024, my Department also launched a ‘National Strategy for Nature Based Management of Urban Rainwater and Urban Surface Water Discharges’. The Strategy include proposes a range of actions in planning for nature-based solutions, climate adaptation, water services, the public realm, education and funding. A National Implementation Steering group that includes Uisce Éireann, LA Waters, Department of Transport, Department of Environment and Climate Change, the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Transport Authority meet quarterly to update progress on the strategy.
815. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the National Monuments Service has not carried out an official inspection following notification in August 2025 of the possible discovery of a rare Souterrain in Courtown Woods, north County Wexford; when such an inspection will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12597/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra816. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the interim measures that are in place to protect the site of the possible rare Souterrain in Courtown Woods, north County Wexford, pending an official inspection by the National Monuments Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12598/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra817. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the National Monuments Service has engaged with the local heritage group in Courtown Woods, north County Wexford, following notification in August 2025 of the possible discovery of a rare Souterrain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12599/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra818. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether staffing or resource constraints within the National Monuments Service contributed to the delay in carrying out an inspection of the possible rare Souterrain reported in August 2025 in Courtown Woods, north County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12600/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 815, 816, 817 and 818 together.
The National Monuments Service (NMS) of my Department receives numerous reports of possible archaeological discoveries each year and are extremely grateful for these reports which can potentially help us discover, document and protect Ireland's archaeological heritage.
A member of the public provided such a report to the NMS in September 2025 with regard to a potential souterrain discovery in Courtown Woods, County Wexford. The NMS has been in ongoing liaison with this member of the public.
The initial report and photographs that were supplied in 2025 did not suggest to NMS that this was a souterrain. A recent inspection of the stone-built structure by NMS has indeed confirmed that it is likely to be a drainage feature (culvert) associated with the landscaping of the grounds of Courtown House in the 19th century. The topography of the area in which the feature is located slopes into a gorge which connects to the Owenavorragh River.
As mentioned, the NMS welcomes all reports of possible discoveries and is very thankful to the public for their vigilance in this matter.
819. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of new homes built between the start of 2021 and to date in 2026 that have heat pumps installed in them; to provide a breakdown of the number of new homes built each year with heat pumps installed between the start of 2021 and to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12631/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra835. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide updated figures on the installation of heat pumps in new homes, with a year-by-year breakdown since 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13420/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 819 and 835 together.
The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive sets ambitious goals for energy efficiency and renewables in buildings by requiring Nearly Zero Energy Building or “NZEB” performance for new buildings from 31 December 2020.
All new dwellings are now A2 rated and electrical heating systems, which are mainly renewable heat pumps, are installed in nearly all new dwellings.
The Central Statistics Office publish quarterly statistics on domestic Building Energy Ratings (BERs). Available at the following link: []www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-dber/domesticbuildingenergyratingsquarter42025/. Table 9 of the QS4 2025 release shows that 94% of new dwellings constructed between 2020 and 2025 used electricity as their main source of heating. Heating systems using electricity in new dwellings are mainly renewable energy heat pumps.
The CSO have provided the following statistics based on BER data showing the number of dwellings with heat pumps by year of construction from 2021 to 2025.
New Dwellings with Heat Pumps based on BER data
|
Year |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
No. of Heat Pumps |
12,740 |
18,584 |
19,477 |
21,938 |
18,767 |
|
% of Dwellings |
75.5 |
76.2 |
81.7 |
87.7 |
79.2 |
Information for 2026 Q1 will become available following the end of the quarter.
820. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the exempted development guidelines for residential development will be brought into force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12666/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra821. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the proposed planning exemptions for modular units will be introduced; and if he will allow flexibility for side placement and generous square footage in constrained sites. [12788/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 820 and 821 together.
Significant progress on the review of Exempted Development Regulations has been made. A successful public consultation took place last year with over 900 submissions received via the online portal. The details in these submissions have been reviewed and have informed the on-going drafting of the updated Exempted Development Regulations that will be forthcoming across 2026.
The implementation of the update of these regulations is being done on a phased basis, by theme, with priority already having been given to the exemptions relating to domestic dwellings. These domestic dwellings regulations are at advanced draft stage and include exemptions for stand-alone detached housing units in the back gardens of residential properties. The final decisions on the specifics of these regulations will be communicated and brought forward for implementation as soon as possible.
The new draft Exempted Development Regulations will be subject to formal environmental consideration, before being laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. This will also necessitate engagement with the Joint Oireachtas Committee for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, which is expected to take place during 2026, an appearance will be sought before the Committee at the earliest opportunity once drafting of updated regulations is complete.
It is intended that updated Exempted Development Regulations for residential development, including cycle storage will be signed into law as soon as possible.
822. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 614 of 20 March 2024, the number of houses and duplexes that received planning permission with conditions restricting the bulk buying or multiple sales to a single purchaser and ring-fencing them for owner occupiers following the introduction of new guidelines in May 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12797/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment has implemented several measures in recent years to ensure a balanced housing market across all tenures, including home ownership, social housing, and private rental.
In May 2021, conscious of the need to increase stock for home ownership, the government introduced a series of measures designed to prevent the bulk buying of houses and duplexes. The Section 28 Guidelines for Planning Authorities "Regulation of Commercial Institutional Investment in Housing" aimed to prevent multiple housing and duplex units being sold to a single buyer.
These guidelines seek to provide an 'owner-occupier' guarantee by ensuring that new 'own-door' houses and duplex units in lower density housing developments should no longer be bulk-purchased by institutional investors in a manner than causes the displacement of individual purchasers or social and affordable housing, including cost-rental. The measure does not apply to apartments or housing set to be provided for social or affordable purposes.
The Guidelines include requirements that a new form of condition be inserted in applicable new planning permissions, to the effect that:
(1) all houses would have to be made available for sale and for first occupation by separate, individual households for a period of years after completion of the home. (In the case of mixed developments, the provision only applies to the houses and duplex units);
(2) exempts housing to be provided for social or affordable purposes from this requirement; and
(3) if, after a period of two years, the local authority is satisfied that despite reasonable efforts, a market has not emerged, the condition will lapse.
These measures have succeeded in preventing the inappropriate bulk purchase of a very significant number of homes and securing those homes for purchase by homeowners, with planning permission granted for over 63,000 units with conditions prohibiting bulk purchase by, or multiple sale to, a single purchaser of those homes since May 2021.
The Planning and Development (Amendment) (Large-scale Residential Development) Act 2021 provided that local authorities must ensure home ownership as a tenure type is provided for and estimated in their respective housing strategies. To this end, the Act introduces the principle of home ownership as a specific tenure type in a local authority housing strategy, with particular regard to developments of houses and duplexes, and gives further effect to the Section 28 Guidelines issued in 2021.
|
Planning authority |
No. of units |
Planning authority |
No. of units |
|
Carlow County Council |
147 |
South Dublin County Council |
3,643 |
|
Cavan County Council |
1,398 |
Tipperary County Council |
1,958 |
|
Clare County Council |
836 |
Waterford City and County Council |
2,114 |
|
Cork County Council |
2,439 |
Westmeath County Council |
2,886 |
|
Cork City Council |
2,615 |
Wexford County Council |
2,111 |
|
Donegal County Council |
550 |
Wicklow County Council |
2,168 |
|
Dublin City Council |
1,241 |
Meath County Council |
4,285 |
|
Dun Laoghaire / Rathdown Council |
1,754 |
Monaghan County Council |
495 |
|
Fingal County Council |
5,322 |
Offaly County Council |
770 |
|
Galway County Council |
1,408 |
Roscommon County Council |
172 |
|
Galway City Council |
497 |
Sligo County Council |
1,589 |
|
Kerry County Council |
2,460 |
Limerick City & County Council |
1,189 |
|
Kildare County Council |
2,978 |
Longford County Council |
0 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
1,303 |
Louth County Council |
2,704 |
|
Laois County Council |
2,193 |
Mayo County Council |
1,460 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
102 |
An Coimisiún Pleanála (SHDs) |
9,175 |
|
Combined Total |
|
|
63,962 |
824. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a fire station (details supplied) will be included in the new priority fire service infrastructural projects 2026-2030 given the inadequacy of the existing very old building which is not fit for purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12833/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Acts, 1981 & 2003. My Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for equipment and priority infrastructural projects.
Project consideration stages from a Department perspective include submission of preliminary and detailed appraisals; submission of design brief; selection of a site; application for approval in principle; appointment of design consultants; submission of a preliminary design; planning application; submission of a preliminary cost plan, detailed design and cost plans; and tender process and construction stages - each step subject to approval from my Department.
In December 2020, Minister Darragh O'Brien announced the Fire Services Capital Programme for the period 2021-2025, with a funding allocation of €61m. Following extensive engagement with fire authorities, a number of proposals for station works etc. were received.
The proposals were evaluated and prioritised on the basis of the:
• Area Risk Categorisation of the fire station (population, fire risks, etc.);
• established Health and Safety needs;
• state of development of the project;
• value for money offered by the proposal; and
• the totality of requests from all authorities.
At that time, Galway County Council indicated that a new fire station at Athenry to be their number one priority, with a new Galway City Fire Station considered the Council's second priority. A new fire station at Athenry was officially opened by Minister of State Anne Rabbitte in October 2024.
My Department will work closely with Galway County Council to progress their identified priority infrastructural projects within the context of the totality of requests from fire authorities countrywide for capital funding during the 2026 – 2030 Fire services Capital programme.
825. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of builders who have signed up to the statutory register under the Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022, broken down by year since 2014, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12872/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Construction Industry Register Ireland (CIRI) was established on a voluntary basis in 2014 by the Construction Industry Federation (CIF). The existing voluntary register known as the Voluntary Construction Register (VCR) lists approximately 500 building and contracting entities. It is intended to remain in existence until the statutory register is established. Information can accessed at: www.voluntaryconstructionregister.ie/
CIF was appointed in January 2023 as the statutory registration body for CIRI in line with the Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022.
The main objective of the Act is to develop and promote a culture of competence, good practice and compliance with the Building Regulations in the construction sector. This will benefit consumers and the general public.
CIRI will operate in a similar way to statutory registration schemes for other professions. An Admissions and Registration Board was appointed in September 2023 and an Appeals Committee is currently being established.
It is expected that registration for the initial divisions will commence in 2026. The first division required to register will likely be builders of housing schemes and apartments. Registration for various trades will happen subsequently.
826. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has assessed the number of homeowners nationally who remediated defective concrete block damage at their own expense prior to the introduction of the Defective Concrete Blocks Scheme, in circumstances where no State support was available; and if so, to provide details of that assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12876/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra827. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has carried out any costing in relation to providing retrospective or partial financial support to homeowners who undertook verified remediation works in good faith before the establishment of the Defective Concrete Blocks Scheme, and if so, to provide details if his Department has carried out any costing in relation to providing retrospective or partial financial support to homeowners who undertook verified remediation works in good faith before the establishment of the Defective Concrete Blocks Scheme, and if so, to provide details; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12877/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra828. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he accepts that the current operation of the Defective Concrete Blocks Scheme results in unequal treatment between homeowners who remediated defective concrete block damage prior to the scheme and those who did not, despite comparable levels of structural damage, and if not, to outline the basis for this position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12878/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra829. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the consideration given by his Department to recognising documented historic remediation works, including engineering reports and contractor invoices, for the purposes of eligibility or financial support under the Defective Concrete Blocks Scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12879/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra830. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has examined the potential financial, legal, and compensation exposure to the State arising from the exclusion of homeowners who remediated defective concrete block damage prior to the introduction of the Defective Concrete Blocks Scheme; and if so, to provide details; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12880/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra831. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has assessed the number of residential properties affected by defective concrete blocks within the area of Fingal County Council; the basis on which that local authority area is currently excluded from the scheme; when a decision will be made on its inclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12881/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 826, 827, 828, 829, 830 and 831 together.
The Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) grant scheme was established by my Department and approved by Government to assist certain homeowners to remediate defects to their dwellings caused by defective concrete blocks containing excessive amounts of deleterious material. Its primary aim is to remediate and ensure the habitability of homes.
The first DCB grant scheme (often referred to as the “90-10” Scheme) came into effect in January 2020. Following on from the Government decision of the 30 November 2021 to significantly enhance the DCB grant scheme, the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (2022 Act), which underpins the enhanced Defective Concrete Block (DCB) Scheme, was commenced in June 2023.
My Department does not assess, or carry out costing reports in relation to, the number of people who may have remediated defective concrete block damage to their properties before the introduction of, or in local authority areas currently outside of, the DCB Scheme.
It should be noted the 2022 Act, as approved by the Oireachtas, does not provide for the retrospective payment of remediation grants, where remediation work was completed prior to entry to the scheme.
The Scheme is currently open to applications in five counties, namely Clare, Donegal, Limerick, Mayo and Sligo.
On the basis of the recommendations made by the Agency in their final report to me, I intend to shortly bring the matter to Government seeking approval for the making of an Order designating the relevant parts of Fingal County Council as being part of the DCB Scheme.
832. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if any assessment has been made in relation to the legacy mortgage structures on 2008 purchases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12923/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra833. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are relief or restructuring mechanisms available for legacy mortgage structures on 2008 purchases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12924/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 832 and 833 together.
Local authorities operate a Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP). This process aims to provide assistance to borrowers who are having difficulty in meeting their mortgage repayments, and it is available to all local authority borrowers. Where any local authority borrower, including those who took out a loan in 2008, encounters difficulty with their mortgage they should contact their local authority as soon as possible to discuss the various solutions that may be available to them through this process.
834. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a list of all State agencies that allocate programme and project funding to section 10 organisations. [13419/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless services rests with individual housing authorities.
My Department does not fund any Section 10 organisation directly but provides funding to housing authorities towards the operational costs of homeless accommodation and related services under Section 10 of the Housing Act, 1988. Exchequer funding for homeless services is provided through my department to housing authorities on a regional basis with a lead authority in each region.
Financial reports from each of the homeless regions setting out expenditure on homeless services are published on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/80ea8-homelessness-data/#local-authority-regional-financial-reports
