Written Answers Nos. 1079-1099
1079. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will ensure that the refund process for a location (details supplied) will commence as soon as possible to allow the residents repair the roofs in their apartment block. [19744/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1095. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will ensure that the refund process for a location (details supplied) will commence as soon as possible to allow the residents to repair the roofs in their apartment block. [19955/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1079 and 1095 together.
Government approval was received on 18 September 2024 for the priority drafting of the Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Bill. The purpose of this legislation is to place the defects remediation Scheme on a statutory footing, further to commitments contained in the Programme for Government and Housing for All.
The Scheme will provide supports for the remediation of relevant fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose-built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013. It is envisaged that 100% of eligible remediation costs will be funded under the Scheme.
The General Scheme of the Bill completed pre-legislative scrutiny in December 2025 and I expect the legislation to be placed before the Oireachtas this year.
The Government is committed to consideration of remediation costs already incurred as part of the drafting of the Bill. Remediation costs already incurred or levied prior to the introduction of the statutory scheme will be covered, once such costs fall within the scope and defined parameters of the Scheme.
On 22 October 2024 the Government agreed the establishment of a Retrospective Costs Pathfinder Exercise from a representative sample of eight multi-unit developments, in order to identify and develop a potential appropriate process to address retrospective issues, based on fire safety remedial works completed.
The Housing Agency received a large volume of documentation from the respective Owner Management Companies (OMCs) which is being used to help identify an appropriate process to address retrospective issues more broadly. In particular, the Pathfinder Exercise will support development of a robust process around:
• Alignment with the existing Interim Remediation Scheme processes;
• Supporting Documentation and Timeframes;
• Certification and Standardisation of Evidence;
• Verification and Payment processes.
With regard to the specific apartments details supplied, the management and operation of the scheme, including application processing is a matter for the Housing Agency.
It would not be appropriate for myself, as Minister, to comment on individual cases.
1080. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether homeowners under the defective concrete blocks grant scheme are provided with the engineer’s final report relating to their dwelling before being asked to indicate whether they wish to avail of a technical review following an assessment by the Housing Agency under I.S. 465; whether electing to avail of a technical review delays or prevents the issuance of the Remediation Option Grant approval to the relevant local authority; whether, in practice, homeowners may be required to decide whether to seek a technical review before being entitled with the full technical report on which the remediation decision relating to their dwelling is based; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19761/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1081. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason correspondence issued by the Housing Agency to homeowners under the defective concrete blocks grant scheme, following completion of an assessment under I.S. 465:2018, asks homeowners to indicate whether they wish to avail of a technical review or allow the Remediation Option Grant approval to issue to the relevant local authority but does not reference the statutory right of appeal provided for under the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022; whether he considers it consistent with principles of procedural fairness and natural justice that homeowners could be asked to decide whether to challenge a remediation decision affecting their dwelling without first being furnished with the full technical report underpinning that decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19762/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1082. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the Housing Agency uses a standard template for correspondence under the defective concrete blocks grant scheme, specifically the wording asking homeowners to ‘please reply… with your instructions of how you wish to proceed’ after a technical assessment; if a template exists, to provide a copy; if not, the basis on which individual correspondence is drafted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19763/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1080, 1081 and 1082 together.
The Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act) commenced on 22 June 2023 which contains the grant scheme and the related Regulations were adopted on 29 June 2023.
Following changes to the current Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme announced on 6th November 2024, the Housing Agency has confirmed to my Department that the Housing Agency offers all applicants with a non-demolition option (options 2-5) appropriate remediation option recommendation the choice of:
continuing as per legislation with the non-demolition remediation option recommendation issued to the local authority as a determination, or
have a full technical review of their application by The Housing Agency against the revised IS 465.
If an applicant decides to continue with the remediation work on their dwelling as per the appropriate remediation option recommendation, in accordance with Section 16(4) of the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act of 2022) the Housing Agency formally notifies the local authority of the appropriate remediation option determination and the Housing Agency’s Chartered Engineer’s report is issued to the local authority. The local authority will notify the applicant of the determination and include I understand the report for their information, and advise the applicant of their right to appeal.
If an applicant opts for a technical review, The Housing Agency do not provide applicants with the Chartered Engineer’s final report as this process is not provided for within the Act of 2022.
Separately, The Housing Agency also notifies the applicant of their statutory right to appeal in the issued correspondence to applicants surrounding a request to avail of a technical review.
The Housing Agency has confirmed that they use a standard template email correspondence in providing applicants this information. However it may be modified where required to address the specific circumstances relating to an applicant. All correspondence confirms the non-demolition (option 2-5) remediation option recommendation by a Chartered Engineer and the corresponding grant amount.
Where an applicant has received a non-demolition determination from their designated local authority, upon commencement of section 17 of the DCB (Amendment) Act 2025 they will be able to apply to their designated local authority for a review of their approved remediation option subject to certain criteria.
1083. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the working family payment is included as assessable income under the Household Means Policy 2026, of which he issued in February 2026, given that it is a payment for low income households; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19774/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraApplications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.
The 2011 Regulations prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority, in different bands according to the area concerned, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy.
The policy provides for a range of income disregards, and local authorities have discretion to decide to disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once-off in nature. However, with the exception of the specific payments listed in the Policy as being disregarded, all income from social insurance and social assistance payments, allowances and benefits, including the Working Family Payment (WFP), is assessable.
The findings of the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES) report found the majority of WFP recipients are in receipt of the payment for more than one year. As such, the WFP is not considered to be short-term in nature and therefore is assessable income under the HMP.
My Department has been examining the existing income limits in the context of current market and household income conditions, including the suitability or otherwise of the current framework having regard to the significantly changed landscape since the standardised income limits were introduced. This includes examining the findings of research commissioned by my Department and this work is ongoing.
I am not in a position at this point to indicate the outcome of these considerations but I envisage that the analysis will be concluded early in 2026 to facilitate a final determination on next steps.
1084. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department is considering legislative measures to provide greater clarity regarding the status of licence agreements in residential accommodation where occupants have exclusive use of a room and share common areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19789/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1085. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he is aware of concerns that licence agreements are being used in some residential settings to exclude occupants from Rent Pressure Zone protections; whether his Department has assessed the impact of this practice on the operation of RPZ rent increase limits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19790/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1086. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department is considering any legislative clarification to ensure that residential arrangements which operate as tenancies in substance are treated as tenancies for the purposes of the Residential Tenancies Acts and Rent Pressure Zone rules, regardless of how they are labelled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19791/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1084, 1085 and 1086 together.
The Residential Tenancies Acts 2004 to 2026 (the RTA) regulate the landlord-tenant relationship in the private rented sector and set out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants.
The RTA, including the rent increase restriction, apply to every dwelling that is the subject of a tenancy, subject to a limited number of exceptions. The dwellings to which the RTA does not apply are set out in section 3(2) of the RTA, and include for example, a dwelling within which the landlord also resides.
Section 12 of the RTA provides that, in addition to the obligations arising by or under any other enactment, a landlord of a dwelling shall allow the tenant of the dwelling to enjoy peaceful and exclusive occupation of the dwelling.
Where a dwelling is occupied by a person under an arrangement or agreement which is not a tenancy covered by the RTA, for example, where a bona fide licensing arrangement exists, the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) does not have any jurisdiction or function. It is a private contractual matter between the parties as to type of agreement/arrangement to put in place. If a dispute arises as to whether a purported licence is in fact a tenancy, the RTB can determine on the matter and if it is a tenancy, the RTA applies. There does not appear to be any need for legal clarification in this regard.
Traditionally, rent-a-room arrangements are entered into on the basis of goodwill and to the satisfaction of both the licensor and licensee. It is possible for rent-a-room arrangements to be formalised by way of a licence agreement between the parties, but this is a matter of choice for the parties.
1087. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of serviced sites delivered by each local authority for each of the years 2022 to 2025, in tabular form. [19797/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Ready to Build Scheme, funded by the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund, to support addressing vacancy, was launched in September 2022.
Under the scheme, local authorities identify suitable vacant sites in their ownership or purchase vacant sites in towns and villages and make them available for sale to individual purchasers for the purpose of building a principal private residence. Once serviced, the local authority will make the site available for sale at a discount on the market value of the site. The level of discount to the individual will depend on the level of servicing cost incurred by the local authority before the sale of the site, up to a maximum of €30,000.
Local authorities can be supported by my Department to make vacant sites available for sale in towns and villages throughout the country.
The scheme is managed and administered by local authorities on behalf of my Department. To date 32 sites have been made available for sale by 4 local authorities - 5 sites in Wicklow, 16 sites in Laois, 4 sites in Tipperary and 7 sites by Kildare County Council. The relevant local authority assesses the applications they receive based on the framework of priorities contained in the scheme outline.
|
Local Authority |
Year Advertised for Sale |
No. of sites |
|
Wicklow |
2023 |
5 |
|
Laois |
2023 |
8 |
|
Tipperary |
2024 |
4 |
|
Kildare |
2024 |
7 |
|
Laois |
2025 |
8 |
|
Total sites advertised for sale |
|
32 |
A further c.100 sites have been identified by various local authorities for possible inclusion in the scheme. These sites are at various stages of consideration to determine the costs involved to service the sites and ascertaining the potential level of interest in site purchase. The Vacant Homes Unit in my Department is continuing to engage with local authorities in relation to these.
The new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Supporting Communities, further commits to extending the operation of the Ready to Build Scheme with a new support for local authorities to service sites in, and close to, towns and villages to enable construction of clusters of homes. A mix of private, social and affordable homes can be delivered on the same site, creating new mixed tenure communities. My Department is currently progressing this work.
1088. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he intends to publish the National Planning Statement, which is required in order for the publication of the Planning Guidelines in order to enact Section 44b of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19810/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Planning Design Standards for Apartments Guidelines for Planning Authorities, 2025 (“the Apartment Guidelines”) were issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) on 8th July 2025. Section 44B of the Act of 2000 (to be inserted by section 29 of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2025) allows, subject to the commencement of the provisions in conjunction with the related secondary legislation, the holder of a relevant grant of planning permission to make a limited number of modifications to an existing permission where such modifications are made in accordance with the Apartment Guidelines. Section 44B of the Act of 2000 has not been commenced.
An application for a judicial review challenging the validity of the decision to issue the Apartment Guidelines was lodged with the High Court in October 2025. A hearing was held in the High Court on 4 December 2025 and a judgment issued on 10 February 2026. The judgment sets out three questions on matters relating to EU law for referral to the European Court of Justice.
Provisions contained within Part 3 of the Planning and Development Act 2024, which were commenced on 2 October 2025, set the statutory basis for the issuing of National Planning Statements. Under the provisions of the Act of 2024, the Minster may, at any time and with the approval of Government, issue a National Planning Statement in relation to planning matters to support proper planning and sustainable development. National Planning Statements will replace Ministerial guidelines issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended).
The delivery of housing is a top priority for Government. In November 2025 the Government published a new Housing Action Plan “Delivering Homes, Building Communities”. his plan supports the delivery of the revised National Planning Framework housing projections, which set out the need to plan for approximately 50,000 additional homes per annum to 2040. Fulfilling these commitments will require a substantial increase in housing output of all types, and in particular apartments at central and accessible urban locations.
In order to provide much needed certainty to support housing delivery, and strictly without prejudice to the legal proceedings which the Government will continue to robustly defend, I have taken a pragmatic approach and my Department is currently preparing a draft National Planning Statement for the approval of the Government to replace the current Apartment Guidelines. This work is being undertaken as a matter of priority, noting the importance of providing certainty to all stakeholders.
In the interests of clarity, the current Apartment Guidelines continue to have effect under Section 27 of the Act of 2024 until such time as they are replaced by a National Planning Statement.
1089. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 767 of 17 February 2026, his views on whether submissions in relation to localised public infrastructure that come from individuals or organisations that do not live or work in the area impacted are in contravention of the guidelines issued for inclusive community engagement (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19820/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1090. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on whether it is appropriate for objections or submissions in relation to localised public infrastructure to come from individuals or organisations that do not live or work in the area impacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19821/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1091. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views of the adequacy of the existing public submission aspect of the planning system; his views on whether it should be more targeted in terms of who any potential change will most impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19822/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1089, 1090 and 1091 together.
Public participation is a long established and key element of most decision-making processes under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (Act of 2000) and this will continue to be the position under the Planning and Development Act 2024 (Act of 2024).
It is open to any person to make a submission or observation in relation to a planning application during the public consultation period and on payment of the required fee. Planning authorities and An Coimisiún Pleanála (the Commission) must have regard to valid submissions or observations when making a decision to grant or refuse a planning application. In addition, a person who made a submission or observation on a planning application may subsequently appeal the planning authority's decision to the Commission or may make a further submission in relation to an appeal of that decision.
With regard to the 2023 'Guide for Inclusive Community Engagement in Local Planning and Decision Making' (the Guide), that was co-produced by the Department of Rural and Community Development alongside Pobal, Community Work Ireland, and the Irish Local Development Network, I do not consider the public participation procedures set out in the Act of 2000 and Act of 2024 to conflict with or be in any way incompatible with the principles for inclusive community engagement set out in the Guide. On the contrary, the key principles of inclusivity, collaboration, accountability and accessibility as set out in the guide are also hallmarks of the Irish planning system.
The Act of 2024 will introduce new procedures to address 'spurious' planning submissions, appeals and judicial reviews. Section 587 of that Act prohibits a person from requesting a payment, benefit in kind, or conferral of financial or economic benefit for not making a planning submission or taking a planning appeal or judicial review, or for withdrawing a submission, appeal or judicial review. A person who contravenes this prohibition will be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both. It can be noted that section 587 does not apply to a request made by the owner or occupier of land which is made in good faith for the purpose of compensation for loss of enjoyment of that land by the owner or occupier.
Furthermore, section 587 also provides that an applicant for planning permission may apply to the High Court for a direction to be issued to a planning authority or the Commission to disregard a submission or observation and the High Court may also direct the Commission to dismiss an appeal in such circumstances. The High Court may also dismiss a judicial review where it was brought in contravention of section 587.
Section 588 of the Act of 2024 provides that submissions in relation to planning applications, appeals of applications and judicial reviews must be accompanied by a declaration stating that the submission, planning appeal or judicial review is not being made or taken for the purposes of delaying a development or for receiving a payment or other benefit. A declaration must also be made when withdrawing a submission, appeal or a judicial review. A person who fails to comply with these declaration requirements or knowingly makes a false or misleading declaration will be liable, on summary conviction, to a class A fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.
I am satisfied that the introduction of sections 587 and 588 of the Act of 2024 will support and strengthen the intended operation of the planning process while ensuring public participation for genuine purposes continues to be maintained.
My Department is in the process of commencing the Act of 2024 on a phased basis to facilitate the transition to the new legislation across the planning system, taking into account the need to liaise with local authorities, planning bodies and other stakeholders. It should be noted that the existing provisions in the Act of 2000 will remain in place until repealed and the relevant provisions in the Act of 2024 are commenced. A detailed implementation plan and corresponding commencement schedule is available at www.gov.ie/planning.
1092. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide clarity on the application of current planning regulations governing the installation of solar PV panels on non-domestic structures, such as agricultural sheds; if he is aware that the requirement for a 500 mm clearance at both the top and bottom of panels can dramatically reduce the number of panels that may legally be installed, thereby rendering many rural renewable-energy projects financially unviable and ineligible for grant support; if he will review these regulations, originally designed for dwellings, with a view to ensuring that rural outbuildings are not subjected to disproportionate constraints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19872/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department introduced new planning regulations in October 2022 that significantly enhanced existing provisions regarding planning exemptions for rooftop solar installations.
There is now no rooftop limit on houses and new exemptions were also introduced for the erection of solar panels on apartments and certain non-domestic structures including hospitals, libraries and places of worship, subject to certain conditions and limitations. These provisions are considered to be an effective measure which have significantly assisted with the roll out of rooftop solar, particularly on the domestic level, and meeting climate targets in this regard.
Further to this, there has been significant progress on the review of Exempted Development Regulations. 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. Other themes such as those regarding solar will be completed in later phases and will involve continued engagement with DCEE.
Any 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. Therefore, a timeline cannot be provided at this stage.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Schemes (TAMS 3) provides grants to farmers to build and/or improve a specified range of farm buildings and equipment on their holding. In particular, the Solar Capital Investment Scheme will encourage the purchase of solar investments thereby reducing dependence on fossil energy. The solar scheme will be ring fenced with its own investment ceiling of €90,000 and will be grant aided at the enhanced rate of 60%. The scheme is now open for applications. The scheme is operated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine and is jointly funded by the European Union and the national exchequer.
1093. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of, and average cost per unit, of new build social housing delivered in 2025 by SHIP construction, SHIP turnkey, CALF construction, CALF turnkey, CAS construction, CAS turnkey, Local Authority Part V and AHB Part V and PPP, in tabular form. [19889/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe relevant details are being compiled and will be provided to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
|
2025 |
|
Construction Costs (incl. abnormals) |
|
Abnormal Costs |
|
Average Cost Per Unit € |
Range of Costs per Unit € |
Average Cost Per Unit € |
Range of Costs per Unit € |
|
|
Overall (1-4 beds) |
318,387 |
217k - 425k |
31,716 |
1k - 110k |
|
Scheme |
Average Cost per Unit |
|
SHIP Turnkey |
€347,339 |
|
LA Part V |
€326,575* |
|
CAS Turnkey |
€338,185 |
|
CAS Part V |
€216,493 |
|
|
Average Capital Outlay Units delivered 2025 |
Average CALF Amount Units delivered 2025 |
|
CALF Turnkey |
€410,358.56 |
€119,717.61 |
|
CALF Construction |
€385,418.17 |
€73,229.45 |
|
CALF Part-V |
€356,643.38 |
€103,043.21 |
1094. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to clarify the way in which savings or deposits should be treated in an application for social housing given the application form does not seek information on savings, only income, yet applications get refused when the Local Authority becomes aware of savings over a certain limit which seems undefined. [19902/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll applications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.
The Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended, prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority in different bands according to the area concerned, with income defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy. The Policy provides for a range of income disregards and local authorities have discretion to disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once-off in nature.
A revised Household Means Policy 2026 issued to all local authorities recently. The accompanying Guidance, which sets out how local authorities should assess household means, provides savings are only relevant to the assessment in so far as they generate income for applicant households through dividends or interest.
More detail on what income is assessable and the full list of disregards is available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/fb1f2-social-housing-support-household-means-policy/.
1096. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the statutory oversight mechanisms that exist where a property managing agent appears to be operating in place of, or without effective oversight from, an owners' management company in a residential estate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20006/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1097. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to governance concerns raised by residents in relation to the management of an estate (details supplied), including the role of a managing agent and the apparent absence of regular AGMs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20008/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1096 and 1097 together.
Matters in relation to the management of Multi Unit Developments are currently under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. However, it is my understanding that the Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011 (MUDs Act) facilitates the fair, efficient and effective management of OMCs. In multi-unit developments, the property management agent is engaged by the Directors of the OMC to provide a property service to that OMC. The OMC engages with the Property Management agent on behalf of homeowners. In the case of renters in multi-unit developments, it is the landlord who is the OMC member.
The Property Services (Regulation) Act 2011 requires a formal contract for services, i.e. a Letter of Engagement (LOE) between the OMC and the Property Management agent, with templates provided by the Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA). This LOE protects both the OMC and the property management agent. It should clearly outline in a very prescriptive manner all property services to be provided, and all detailed costs involved.
Where a homeowner or renter in a multi-unit development has a dispute with a Property Management Company with regard to a concern in the management of the development, their first recourse is to contact the Directors of the OMC.
Under the MUDS Act, where Directors fail to deal with the dispute from homeowner or renters, they have a right of recourse to the Circuit Court to address these matters.
Under the Property Services (Regulation) Act, 2011, a person can make a complaint to the Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA) in relation to licensed Property Services Providers, however the PSRA will make a determination on receipt of the complaint on whether the matter which is the subject of the complaint falls within the remit of the PSRA or under the definition of improper conduct as set down in the Property Services (Regulation) Act, 2011.
The Property Management Company is engaged by the Directors of the OMC to provide a property service to that OMC. The Property Management Company takes instruction from the Directors of the OMC.
Responsibility for the Property Services Regulation Act 2011 and the Property Services Regulatory Authority transferred to my Department in 2025. The Programme for Government committed to moving the responsibility for the MUDS Act to my Department to streamline support for OMCs and improve oversight. Legislation is required to bring about that transfer and I understand that this is being progressed by the Minister the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
Once responsibility for MUDS has moved, my Department is committed to reviewing the MUDs Act and to the making of regulations under the MUDS Act where required. A timeline for the transfer of functions from the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration (DJHAM) is currently being advanced, and will be enabled by the necessary legislative amendments. Engagement between Departments is ongoing to ensure this happens in a well-managed and efficient manner.
1098. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the financial contribution scheme; and the rationale to no longer fund this scheme. [20062/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030, includes measures to increase delivery of housing for older people through increased delivery of social housing, increased delivery of more suitable homes in private housing and increased choice to support voluntary rightsizing, including a review of the operation of existing local authority financial contribution schemes.
I understand that existing financial contribution schemes in place in some local authorities are non-statutory and therefore a matter for the individual local authorities. Consideration will be given to a review of the operation of existing local authority financial contribution schemes and my Department is advancing these measures now incorporated in the new housing plan.
1099. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the ongoing review of I.S. 465, the Irish standard used for the assessment and remediation of dwellings affected by defective concrete; the current status of this review; whether any interim findings or updates will be made publicly available; the estimated timeframe for the completion and publication of the revised standard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20099/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act) commenced on 22 June 2023 which contains the grant scheme and the related Regulations were adopted on 29 June 2023.
The National Standards Authority Ireland (NSAI) has been tasked with the review of the technical standard- I.S. 465:2018- that underpins the DCB Grant Scheme. In July 2025, the public consultation undertaken by the NSAI on the draft concluded.
On 20 November 2025, the NSAI provided an update on the status of this review on its website, which confirms the NSAI expect the revision of I.S.465 to conclude in Q1 2026 following approval from the NSAI board. This position was further confirmed by the NSAI at the recent Joint Committee on Housing Local Government and Heritage on 10 February 2026.
The NSAI have not indicated to my Department that interim findings or updates will be made publicly available in advance of the final standard.
