Written Answers Nos. 665-689
665. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide the STAR allocations to each organisation that has been awarded equity payments under this scheme, with a breakdown by scheme and amount of STAR awarded, in tabular form; and the number of applications from private investors and, separately, the LDA, that have not progressed or have been refused to date. [14570/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Secure Tenancy Affordable Rental Investment Scheme (STAR) provides equity investment to support the delivery of Cost Rental homes, which will benefit from secure tenancies under Cost Rental housing legislation and will be let at a minimum of 25% below comparable market rental levels in high demand urban areas. Both private providers and public bodies are eligible to apply for funding to provide cost rental homes under the Scheme.
Since the inception of the Scheme, approval has been granted for funding totalling €312.19m in respect of ten applications for the delivery of 2,422 cost rental units.
A breakdown of the ten proposals is provided in the table below:
|
Organisation |
Local Authority Area |
No. of Units |
STAR Funding |
|
Land Development Agency |
Fingal County Council |
247 |
€31,616,000 |
|
Land Development Agency |
Kildare County Council |
73 |
€8,541,000 |
|
Land Development Agency |
South Dublin County Council |
236 |
€34,456,000 |
|
Land Development Agency |
Dun Laoghaire – Rathdown County Council |
86 |
€16,770,000 |
|
Land Development Agency |
South Dublin County Council |
184 |
€24,840,000 |
|
Land Development Agency |
Dublin City Council |
210 |
€31,185,000 |
|
Land Development Agency |
Dun Laoghaire – Rathdown County Council |
306 |
€28,735,500 |
|
Land Development Agency |
Limerick City & County Council |
81 |
€9,193,500 |
|
Land Development Agency |
South Dublin County Council |
392 |
€56,448,000 |
|
Land Development Agency |
South Dublin County Council |
607 |
€70,412,000 |
|
Total |
Total |
2,422 |
€312,197,000 |
The assessment of applications on hand is ongoing. For reasons of commercial sensitivity, details of specific proposals for the STAR Scheme cannot be released. However, my Department can confirm that seventeen applications have not progressed to date under the Scheme. Thirteen of the proposals were from private investors and four were from the Land Development Agency.
666. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the formal review of the housing assistance payment scheme will conclude; when a revised HAP scheme will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14664/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme continues to play a vital role in housing eligible families and individuals. At the end of Q3 2025, over 130,200 HAP tenancies had been set up since the scheme commenced, of which there were 50,705 households actively in receipt of HAP support.
Under HAP, a tenant sources their own accommodation in the private rented market. This accommodation should be within the prescribed maximum HAP rent limits, which are based on household size and the rental market within the area concerned.
Since 11 July 2022, each local authority has statutory discretion to agree to a HAP payment up to 35% above the prescribed maximum rent limit. Discretion can be increased up to 50% above the prescribed maximum rent limits for Homeless HAP tenancies in Dublin. Local authorities also have additional flexibility to apply a couple HAP rate to single person households. This additional measure recognises the challenges experienced by single person households, and the fact that both single and couple households have a one-bed need.
My Department has reviewed the use of these measures and their impact on the overall affordability of the HAP scheme for tenants. This review has highlighted that the affordability and sustainability of HAP tenancies continues to be impacted by pressures in the private rental market. My Department is now undertaking a review of existing HAP rent limits to ensure there is sufficient support under the HAP scheme to assist eligible households in accessing accommodation in the private rental sector.
It is intended that the review process will conclude before end of Q2 this year.
667. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the engagement he has had with local authorities on developing a protocol to allow households fleeing domestic, sexual and gender-based violence to transfer time spent on a social housing waiting list to another local authority; to provide details of the number of meetings he has had; the dates of the meetings and attendees; when the protocol will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14665/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with a commitment in Delivering Homes, Building Communities, a protocol to allow households fleeing domestic, sexual and gender-based violence to transfer time spent on a social housing waiting list to another local authority will be established and implemented in H1 2026. My Department is engaging with local authorities and the County and City Managers Association (CCMA) to develop this protocol and ensure that is workable, and meets the needs of those who can benefit from it.
668. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount spent on second hand acquisitions by each local authority, the number of properties acquired, by local authority, in each of the years 2023 to 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14666/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraComprehensive programme-level statistics for social housing delivery to end Q3 2025 are published on my Department's website, including for social housing acquisitions, the data is broken down by individual local authority. Q4 2025 delivery statistics are currently being compiled and validated and will be published in due course.
The number of units purchased and amounts recouped to local authorities in each year for purchases, including preliminary data for 2025, are summarised in the table below.
|
Year |
No. of Units Recouped |
Amount Recouped to Local Authorities |
|
2023 |
1,830 |
€417 million |
|
2024 |
1,501 |
€520 million |
|
2025 |
775 |
€290 million |
Details and allocations in respect of the 2026 Second Hand Social Housing Acquisitions Programme will be announced shortly. Significant funding will again be made available to help alleviate shorter-term pressures, affording local authorities the flexibility needed to respond while they scale up their construction programmes. I expect the allocations for 2026, when announced, will be more than adequate to support any priority acquisitions that may be needed throughout the year.
669. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether a formal decision was taken at Department level to cease centralised data collection and monitoring of the Room for a Student – Local Authority Tenancies Scheme after December 2024; the date on which that decision was made; whether the decision was recorded in writing; and the governance basis upon which that decision was taken [14681/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra670. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether any written impact assessment, performance review, or evaluation report was prepared prior to the cessation of central monitoring of the Room for a Student – Local Authority Tenancies Scheme; and, if so, whether he will publish or provide the title and date of any such document. [14682/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra671. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department holds any current aggregate national participation figure for the Room for a Student – Local Authority Tenancies Scheme for the period after December 2024; and, if not, the mechanism by which he satisfies himself that the scheme remains operational and effective across all local authority areas. [14683/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 669 to 671, inclusive, together.
I refer to my reply to Question Nos 394, 395 and 396 of 19 February 2026 which sets out the position in relation to the matters raised.
672. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department has undertaken any behavioural or financial analysis of the impact of treating income earned under the Room for a Student – Local Authority Tenancies Scheme as reckonable for differential rent purposes; and whether any policy review of that provision is currently under consideration [14684/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to my reply to Question No. 422 of 12 February 2026 which sets out the position in the matter.
673. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an overview of the progress made to expand social housing provision since 2020; the priorities for further expansion under the latest housing plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14748/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Delivering Homes, Building Communities, we are targeting 300,000 new homes by 2030, including 72,000 social homes, and provide 90,000 affordable supports to help people secure a home of their own. Increased supply is the single most effective way to moderate price growth, improve affordability, tackle homelessness, and allow more people to put down roots in communities.
The new housing plan will build on the progress of the past five years, which has seen delivery of over 53,000 build, acquisition and leased social homes (from 2020 to end Q3 2025)
To support this uplift in delivery, the updated National Development Plan has committed record levels of funding for new social and affordable housing, totalling almost €20 billion. In Budget 2026, the total Exchequer funding being made available for the delivery of housing programmes is €7.21bn, comprising €5.19bn in Capital Funding and €2.021bn in Current Funding. The Exchequer Capital provision of €5.19bn will be supplemented by Land Development Agency (LDA) investment (projected up to €1.6bn) and Housing Finance Agency (HFA) lending (projected over €2bn), resulting in an overall capital provision of over €9bn.
The Government remains committed to increasing social housing delivery and a key focus of the social housing programme is to increase the number of new-build homes.
To incentivise local authorities to deliver more ‘own build’ projects, a new performance fund will be established. Where a local authority exceeds their ‘own build’ target they will receive additional discretionary funding for the delivery of community and placemaking initiatives and projects. In addition, ring-fenced 'new-build' housing delivery teams in each local authority dedicated to own build new social and affordable housing delivery will be fully funded by my Department through reimbursement to local authorities on a performance pay basis.
Delivering Homes, Building Communities will further support additional social housing delivery by mandating the use of standard house layouts and specifications as part of the new approval process and facilitate the use of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) through a standardised design approach. To further promote the delivery of social housing I will embed the use of a Design and Build contract approach in all local authorities and the AHB sector in order to expedite the delivery of social housing.
Additionally, the new ‘single approval’ process for all new build social housing projects up to a value of €200m will support local authorities to streamline processes and encourage delivery of larger new build social housing developments.
Furthermore, the Land Acquisition Fund will be reformed, streamlined and expanded to ensure it is fit for purpose and can support the level of ambition in the Plan. To this end, the fund will also be increased from the current €239m to at least €500m.
The newly established Housing Activation Office (HAO) will identify and seek to address barriers to the delivery of public infrastructure projects required to enable housing development, through the alignment of funding; and co-ordination of infrastructure providers.
In addition to these measures, Government will establish a revamped contractor-led renewal programme focused on tackling dereliction and vacancy.
The second-hand acquisitions programme supports priority categories of need, including exits from homeless services, tenancy sustainment (tenant in situ), people with a disability and older persons requiring urgent housing responses. €50 million of funding was ring fenced to target acquisitions that support households, primarily larger families with children, to exit long-term emergency accommodation arrangements. The 2026 programme will maintain support for priority categories.
674. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding allocation for the tenant in situ scheme for 2026, including the amounts allocated to each local authority; and the measures in place to ensure that tenants at risk of homelessness, particularly in Dublin Fingal, are protected given the sharp drop in funding and the lack of an alternative scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14776/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra675. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason funding for the tenant in situ scheme is being cut, particularly in Dublin Fingal where allocations have fallen sharply from 131 homes in 2024 to just 36 in 2025; the measures being taken to ensure that tenants at risk of homelessness are not left without support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14777/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra676. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the Government has any plans to introduce a replacement scheme or alternative supports for tenants who would have been eligible under the tenant in situ programme, in order to prevent families from entering homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14778/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra677. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which he reconciles concerns about local authority “over-reliance” on the tenant in situ scheme with the ongoing urgent housing needs; the guidance or additional resources which are being provided to councils to ensure that at-risk tenants can remain in their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14779/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra678. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the shift from an acquisition tenant in situ target approach in 2024 to a capped funding allocation in 2025 is intended to reduce social housing acquisitions overall; and if so, the alternative strategies in place to meet the housing needs of those threatened with homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14780/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra679. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the criteria which will be used to determine which councils receive support under the tenant in situ scheme; whether Dublin Fingal will receive sufficient funding to continue protecting tenants at risk of losing their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14781/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 674 to 679, inclusive, together.
Tenancy sustainment, or tenant-in-situ, is a priority category under my Department's Second Hand 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.
The Programme for Government commits to continuing support for tenancy sustainment acquisitions as an option for local authorities to support households in the most precarious housing situations. Such acquisitions are, and will continue to be available to local authorities for use as a last resort when all other options have been exhausted. They will never be the sole option, and the default first options should almost always be the retention of the tenancy where possible, an alternative private rented tenancy, or the tenancy of a local authority or Approved Housing Body social home.
Delivery of new additional social homes is the only strategic solution to address long-term homelessness, with allocations from new and existing local authority and AHB social homes the primary means through which social housing qualified households should be accommodated. With the social housing new build programme gathering momentum and providing more social housing, this will allow for a reduced reliance on the second hand acquisitions programme over the coming years.
Financial allocations were not provided to local authorities in 2023 and 2024. Neither were targets set for tenancy sustainment or any other acquisitions in these years. Instead, each local authority was authorised to complete a specific number of acquisitions within the overall scope available under the Programme of 1,500 homes in each year.
A different approach was taken in 2025. A financial allocation (generally based on the level of acquisitions in previous years), rather than a 'unit allocation' was provided to each individual local authority to support acquisitions across the priority categories as deemed appropriate. This approach sought to promote best practice in obtaining value for money, while providing local authorities with the flexibility to respond to priorities locally within the priority categories. This model is likely to be continued in the 2026 programme.
More than adequate funding was available under the 2025 programme to complete any acquisitions needed to respond to urgent cases. Some €325 million was allocated initially and local authorities had sole discretion vis-à-vis the scale of acquisitions progressed under any of the priority categories. No decision was taken to limit acquisitions under any category.
Indeed, local authorities that indicated last year they would likely expend their full initial allocation, but could progress and complete additional acquisitions, and draw down funding from the Department before year-end, were given approval to do so. This included Fingal County Council, which was initially allocated €20 million, but recouped just over €24 million by year end.
Ultimately, local authorities only recouped €290 million of the initial €325 million made available. Moreover, at end-January 2026, they had committed less than half of the €95 million available to them to commit in 2025 for acquisitions completing in 2026.
Details and allocations in respect of the 2026 Second Hand Social Housing Acquisitions Programme will be announced shortly. Significant funding will again be made available to help alleviate shorter-term pressures, affording local authorities the flexibility needed to respond while they scale up their construction programmes. I expect the allocations for 2026, when announced, will be more than adequate to support any priority acquisitions that may be needed throughout the year.
680. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current status of the recommendations set out in a report (details supplied); the proposed review of noise regulation; the development of best practice guidance for local authorities managing night time venues in mixed use urban areas; the steps, if any, his Department has taken to advance these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14796/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Report of the Night-Time Economy (NTE) Taskforce was noted by Government and published in September 2021 and contains 36 practical recommendations in the areas of regulation, licensing, planning, transport, safety and increasing the diversity of activities as part of the night-time offering.
The Department of Culture, Communication and Sport leads the Implementation Group of the Taskforce Report. Work is progressing to implement the 36 actions laid out in the report in conjunction with the NTE Sector, relevant Government Departments, including my Department, and Agencies.
In relation to planning and urban policy supporting the NTE, planning guidance has been issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, which recognises the role of the NTE as an active element of planning for sustainable communities and urban revitalisation and provides guidance to facilitate a complementary mix of day time and night time uses to generate activity within urban centres.
The ‘Development Plans Guidelines for Planning Authorities’ (July 2022) promote consistency in integrating development and zoning objectives in city and county development plans, which provide the policy framework for decision making on individual planning proposals in the development management process. These Guidelines recommend that development plans include an objective for the preparation of a ‘Community, Social and Cultural Infrastructure Audit’ to identify existing assets and determine the need for new arts and cultural facilities within their administrative area.
In addition, the ‘Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlements Guidelines for Planning Authorities’ (January 2024) set out that planning authorities should plan for a diverse range of uses, including cultural uses, and for the adaption and re-use of the existing building stock and activation of outdoor spaces in city and town centres.
In terms of noise regulation, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the national authority for overseeing the implementation of the Environmental Noise Regulations, and this agency, in addition to responsibility for noise policy, is under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment. In this regard, my Department has inputted to the Working Group on the ‘Agent of Change’ (Action 18) that was established by the Department of Culture, Communication and Sport under the NTE Taskforce Report.
681. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider implementing a localised weather warning system, given the recent severe weather events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14816/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMet Éireann continuously engages with key stakeholders on its weather warnings system. The current system is well established, robust and aligned with international best practice.
Met Éireann is progressing on more localised, polygon-based weather warnings which will replace county-wide alerts with sub-county guidance that is more relevant to communities. This enhanced localisation will provide clearer direction to those at risk and support more targeted emergency preparedness. The aim is to have this system in place later in 2026.
682. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the updated renewable energy planning guidelines will be published; the current status of their preparation and consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13280/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with commitments in the Programme for Government 2025 – Securing Ireland’s Future, my Department is committed to the introduction of a number of National Planning Statements (NPS) related to Ireland's Climate Action Plan target to increase the share of electricity generated from renewable sources up to 80% in 2030. This includes the preparation of NPS solar energy developments and for wind energy, following the conclusion of a review of the existing 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. National Planning Statements replace Ministerial guidelines, often referred to as section 28 of the Act of 2000 and are subject to environmental screening and assessment and require approval by Government, such is the central importance of planning matters to delivery of objectives across a wide range of areas.
With regard to solar energy development, the Programme for Government 2025 – Securing Ireland’s Future reaffirms Ireland’s ambitious targets of 8 GW of solar capacity connected to the grid by 2030, to assist with meeting the requirement of 80% of electricity demand supplied by renewables. Solar energy is a growing source of electricity with circa 2.1 GW of solar power capacity currently installed in Ireland, however further solar capacity is required for Ireland to meet its domestic and international targets.
My Department has begun an initial scoping process to identify the component factors relevant to the preparation of the National Planning Statement for solar energy development, including any appropriate environmental assessment and public consultation requirements and other relevant European obligations such as the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), which will determine the timeframe for publication of said guidelines. This scoping process remains at an early stage but I am satisfied that the existing and evolving planning system, supported by Government policy more generally, provides a sufficiently robust policy and legislative framework to facilitate the rollout of solar energy development in a sustainable manner and to assist with meeting our renewable electricity requirements while balancing the perspectives of local communities and allowing for public and stakeholder engagement.
The Programme for Government is also committed to a Land Use Review to ensure that optimal land use options inform all relevant Government decisions. The second phase of the Land Use Review, which is currently underway, will seek to identify the key demands on land (both public and private) to inform policies for land use across key government objectives, improving socioeconomic, climate, biodiversity, water, and air quality outcomes. The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine are working towards the conclusion of the second stage of the review. Any National Planning Statement on solar energy development will take into careful consideration the findings of the Land Use Review.
With regard to wind energy development, a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines is underway as part of the development a new National Planning Statement on Wind Energy under the new Planning and Development Act 2024. The National Planning Statement will address key aspects of the Guidelines including noise, setback distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections. My Department is working towards concluding the finalisation of the National Planning Statement having regard to the intended public consultation and the impact of associated reforms and reviews including the revision of the NPF. The current 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force, pending the finalisation of the review.
684. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will meet with the Lough Neagh stake-holders group to discuss the current ecological crisis impacting the lake, and by extension to the sections of the wider river basin management area that fall within the counties under his jurisdiction. [14875/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra685. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on his Department's discussions with the Northern Executive Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir on collaboration between both administrations on water quality issues in Lough Neagh and surrounding environment; the actions that have been agreed; and if there is a timeline available on these actions; if he will meet with relevant stakeholders and their local political representatives on the matter. [14877/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 684 and 685 together.
I acknowledge the very challenging situation in relation to managing and reversing the poor water quality witnessed in Lough Neagh. The Government has taken a keen interest in the situation concerning the ecological status of Lough Neagh as the island of Ireland is a distinct environmental unit that benefits from cooperation on transboundary environmental management issues. At the North South Ministerial Council Plenary Meeting in April 2024, Ministers from Northern Ireland and Ireland discussed environmental challenges including those facing our water courses such as Lough Neagh and agreed both jurisdictions would share learning, expertise and research.
Responsibility for the management of environmental pressures in the catchment area of Lough Neagh lies primarily with the authorities in Northern Ireland, and this is reflected in the Lough Neagh Report and Action Plan that was approved by the Northern Ireland Executive on 18 July 2024. Monaghan County Council, with the support of the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) shared service, is the lead environmental authority in relation to catchment management in the small area of the Blackwater catchment that flows into the Bann catchment. (This represents 374 km2 or just over 6% out of a total area of 5,787km2 for the entire Lough Neagh catchment) This area of the catchment contains a mix of urban, agricultural, and forestry land, all of which can contribute to the problem of blue-green algae blooms.
Officials in both jurisdictions are in the early stages of developing a possible Shared Island co-operation proposal to support initiatives aimed at improving water quality, within the Neagh Bann International River Basin District encompassing Lough Neagh. I also understand that a request has been made through the office of my colleague, Christopher O'Sullivan TD, Minister for State with responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity to meet with relevant local stakeholders, and that efforts are being made to arrange this meeting at a mutually convenient time.
The level of cooperation between authorities north and south has been high historically and we wish to continue this cooperation. My Department is engaging with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs through the reconstituted North / South Water Quality Coordination Group, which will meet on a regular basis to discuss cross-border water quality matters.
686. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which the effectiveness of the Land Acquisition Fund is assessed in terms of its contribution to housing delivery; the number of housing units enabled on lands acquired through the fund; and whether any review of the Fund’s impact or design is planned. [14927/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the new housing plan, Delivery Homes, Building Communities, the Land Acquisition Fund (LAF) will be reformed, streamlined and expanded to ensure it is fit for purpose and can support the level of ambition in the Plan. To this end, the fund will be increased from €239m to at least €500m and this increased capacity will help establish the fund as a revolving fund, providing greater flexibility and also ensuring it will operate in perpetuity and help secure a sustainable pipeline of land for delivery of social and affordable housing over the long-term.
As of end of January 2026, €71,350,250 has been spent on 28 site acquisitions which can deliver 2,128 new homes. These numbers highlight how the fund is contributing to the delivery of social and affordable housing.
The number of acquisitions to date demonstrates the efficacy and accessibility of the fund and any additional reforms and streamlining measures that are introduced will build on this progress. The proposed LAF reforms aim to enhance the existing process and to scale up the operation of the fund.
With regards to any planned review of the fund, in 2025, following an instruction from my Department, the Housing Delivery Co-ordination Office, which is part of the Local Government Management Agency, convened a working group, comprising representatives from fifteen local authorities and two AHBs, to review the operation of the fund. Following their review, a completed report setting out 23 recommendations was returned to my Department. The recommendations put forward by the working group are being considered together with the findings of my Departments own internal review.
All aspects of the operation of the fund are being examined in the context of these recommendations and sectoral feedback will be taken into consideration when putting streamlining measures in place. It should be noted that, to date, no application for funding has been refused. The Housing Agency actively engages with local authorities and AHBs to ensure that the Land Acquisition Fund is easily accessible within optimal timelines.
687. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the implementation of the recommendations of the interdepartmental group on coastal change management, and the work of the steering group charged with addressing the recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14945/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government recognises the importance of progressing a coordinated, long-term approach to managing coastal change in Ireland. The Report of the Inter-Departmental Group on National Coastal Change Management Strategy, published on 26 October 2023, sets out 15 recommendations designed to inform the development of an integrated, whole-of-Government approach to coastal change management.
The 2023 publication is a scoping report which establishes the strategic framework and identifies priority actions required to underpin a National Coastal Change Management Strategy. The recommendations are structured across three overarching pillars:
1. Enhancing governance and capacity building
2. Improving understanding of risk and identifying potential technical options
3. Developing management responses to coastal change
Following publication of the Report, Government approved the establishment of an inter-departmental Steering Group, chaired by my Department, to coordinate progression of the recommendations. The Steering Group comprises representatives from relevant Government Departments and State bodies with responsibilities relating to climate adaptation, flood risk management, planning, environmental protection and local government. The Group continues to meet on a regular basis and provides overall strategic oversight of the implementation process.
To support this work, a number of dedicated working groups have been established to advance specific thematic areas. These include working groups on Planning, Legislation, Nature-Based Solutions, and Training and Skills. Additionally, the Office of Public Works (OPW) chairs a working group focused specifically on actions under Pillar 2 relating to risk assessment and technical options. These groups meet between Steering Group sessions and report directly to it, enabling detailed consideration of priority actions while maintaining overall strategic oversight.
Progress to date includes strengthening governance arrangements, enhancing the national evidence base on coastal erosion and flood risk, progressing technical and scenario analysis, and examining relevant policy and regulatory frameworks. The OPW continues to lead nationally on flood risk management and works in partnership with local authorities in the delivery of flood relief and coastal protection measures, including through established funding mechanisms such as the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme.
The recommendations of the 2023 scoping report are being advanced on a phased basis under the three strategic pillars. This structured approach will ensure that the foundations necessary for a robust National Coastal Change Management Strategy are put in place.
My Department will continue to work closely with the Steering Group and relevant stakeholders to progress this important work within the broader national climate adaptation and resilience framework.
688. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 do not apply to local authority dwellings; whether any review of this position is underway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14998/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal authority tenancies are governed by the Housing Acts 1966 - 2024, and associated regulations, which set out the framework for managing and regulating the rights and obligations of both the tenant and the local authority.
There are a number of significant protections and rights available to a local authority tenant under the Housing Acts, including strong security of tenure protections, access to a differential rent, access to maintenance and repairs, and access to tenant purchase schemes, among others. Local authorities also have significant powers under the Acts to limit and sanction breaches of the tenancy agreement for example in cases of anti-social behaviour or significant rent arrears. I have no plans to review this position at this time.
689. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he is taking to ensure that the forthcoming National Planning Statement on Short-Term Letting provides a workable and proportionate framework for small coastal towns where tourism is a key part of the local economy; whether a multi-year derogation will be made available for homeowners who commit to applying for planning permission for short-term letting but cannot secure such permission before the 20 May 2026 registration deadline imposed by Fáilte Ireland; if guidance will be issued to local authorities to enable them to make planning decisions that reflect the accommodation needs of towns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15001/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EU Short Term Rental (STR) Regulation was adopted by the EU on 11 April 2024 and is applicable from 20 May 2026. This Regulation lays down harmonised rules on the collection and exchange of data on short-term rental services for member states, hosts providing short-term accommodation rental services, and online platforms that offer services to hosts providing short-term accommodation rental services within the EU.
The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (DETE) has drafted the Short Term Letting and Tourism (STLT) Bill General Scheme in full alignment with the STR Regulation. The introduction of the STLT Bill will provide a more effective legal and administrative basis to regulate short term lettings. This Bill when enacted will provide the statutory basis for the introduction of a register for all Short Term Lettings in Ireland, which will be implemented and managed by Fáilte Ireland from 20 May 2026.
Following the approval received from Government on the 15 April 2025 for a threshold-based apporach to generally preclude new planning permissions for Short-Term Lets in larger towns and cities, my Department is working to give effect to this decision. Further to this, on 9 February last, the Cabinet Committee on Housing proposed to apply this to lettings in the largest 25 towns and cities with a population in excess of 20,000, at the most recent Census of Population, subject to Cabinet approval.
In line with the proposed introduction of DETE’s STLT Bill, all short-term letting accommodation providers will be required to register with Fáilte Ireland, as part of the registration process, accommodation providers will need to confirm that they are planning compliant.
Accommodation providers based in towns with a population of more than 20,000 at the last census, will need to confirm planning compliance on registration if they wish to register their short-term letting property with Fáilte Ireland. Accommodation providers in all other areas will have an extended lead-in period to meet planning compliance requirements.
To ensure that there is a clear view, both at national level and local authority level, as to the overall policy approach to determining planning applications for Short-Term Lets, my Department is currently finalising a National Planning Statement on Short-Term Letting to supplement and support the introduction of the STLT Bill.
It should be noted that in advance of publication of the NPS, local authorities can continue to make decisions on applications for change of use in respect of short-term letting properties. The decision of the local authority will be informed by local policy contained in the city and county development plans and local area plans, where applicable.
In January this year my Department issued Circular SPI 01/2026 on Short-Term Letting and the Planning System - www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/circulars/spi-012026-short-term-letting-and-the-planning-system/ - to clarify the current legislative and policy framework for the regulation of short-term letting of houses and apartments and other residential accommodation in the planning system. The circular was issued to all planning authorities and service providers, as well as other relevant stakeholders.
