Written Answers Nos. 1127-1135
1127. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason Lough Corrib was never added to the protected area register under the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD); the timeline for this oversight to be rectified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20718/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Protected Area Register under the EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) (WFD) includes the River Corrib but not Lough Corrib. This was an administrative oversight in the transfer of the details of the S.I. into the Protected Area Register. This is currently being rectified, and I have been informed that this will be undertaken by the Environmental Protection Agency when the Protected Area Register is next updated, which will be by the end of 2026.
As previously referenced the River Corrib and Lough Corrib are both designated as salmonid waters under S.I. No 293 of 1988, and both covered by the Lough Corrib Special Area of Conservation (SAC). SACs are prime wildlife conservation areas in the country, considered to be important on a European as well as an Irish level. The legal basis on which SACs are selected and designated is the EU Habitats Directive, transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477 of 2011), as amended. The Directive lists certain habitats and species that must be protected within SACs, including salmon, which is listed as a qualifying interest in the Corrib SAC:
https://www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/protected-sites/conservation_objectives/CO000297.pdf
In addition, the WFD requires all Member States to protect and improve water quality in all waters so that we achieve Good Ecological status by 2027. The waters of the River Corrib and Lough Corrib are both meeting their water quality targets of achieving at least Good Ecological Status, as required under the WFD.
1128. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures his Department is implementing so that Lough Corrib and the Corrib River in County Galway can achieve a 'High Ecological Status' as referenced in the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20719/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraLough Corrib and the Corrib River waterbodies are classified as Good Ecological Status Objective waterbodies under the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD). Both waterbodies are currently achieving their objective status and therefore meet their WFD environmental objectives.
On a national level a new revised and strengthened River Basin Management Plan, the Water Action Plan 2024, was launched by my Department in September 2024. The Water Action Plan is a strategic plan that outlines the national policies and high level goals that will protect and restore our natural waters up to 2027, and advances Ireland’s commitment to the implementation of the WFD. The Water Action Plan 2024 sets out a roadmap to restore Ireland’s water bodies to ‘Good Ecological Status’ or better and to protect water from any further deterioration. This plan fulfils a legal obligation under the EU Water Framework Directive. The aim of the plan is the identification and implementation of the “right measure in the right place”, and contains targeted measures to both restore and protect all water bodies. It is being supported by the integrated catchment approach through the development of Sectoral Action Work Plans and Catchment Management Work Plans by the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO).
LAWPRO, which is funded by my Department, coordinates efforts among Local Authorities to achieve our water quality objectives in our water bodies. LAWPRO has carried out and continues to undertake assessments within several Priority Areas for Action (PAAs) that flow into Lough Corrib including the Owenriff, Failmore, Cregg River and Headford Stream, and the Upper Clare and Sinking River PAAs.
Since 2024, a total of €127,210.59 has been allocated to projects across the Lough Corrib area through the Catchment Support Fund and Community Water Development Fund. Provided by my Department, this funding is administered by LAWPRO’s Communities team and has supported water quality improvement projects undertaken by groups such as Cáirde an Chlár, Corrib Beo, Annaghdown Anglers, Carra Mask Corrib Water Protection Group and the Headford and Corrib Anglers Association.
Funding is also provided by my Department towards the administration costs of the Farming for Water EIP, which is delivered by LAWPRO. The Farming for Water EIP funds a Community Animator through Corrib Beo to work directly with local farmers to encourage participation and implement practical and nature-based solutions to reduce nutrient loss and improve riverbank management in targeted areas for action in need of mitigation measures. The Farming for Water EIP project has received 21 applications to the value of €156,880 from farmers in the Corrib catchment to implement 162 measures that improve water quality and promote sustainable land management.
In addition, Local Authorities are also required to prepare a Local Authority Water Action Work Plan setting out the specific actions assigned to each authority for the protection and restoration of water quality under the Water Action Plan. LAWPRO is working with Local Authorities to develop a template for the work plans. I have been informed that a final version of the work plan template will be ready for use by local authorities in Q2 2026.
1129. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will clarify a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20744/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 34(8) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 remains the operative provision governing the planning authority’s initial decision period. In the ordinary case, that period is 8 weeks from receipt of the application, subject to the statutory variations provided for in section 34(8).
For RED III applications falling within section 34E, the new provisions do not replace section 34(8) with a 52-week decision period. Instead, section 34E introduces a maximum decision period of 52 weeks, measured from the date of the section 34D(a) completeness acknowledgement notice. While section 34(8) continues to govern the initial decision timetable, the planning authority must, in any event, issue its decision before the expiry of this 52-week long-stop.
Section 34(9) also continues to apply in these cases. Under that provision, a planning authority may seek an extension of the 8-week decision period with the applicant’s consent. However, any such extension cannot extend the decision period beyond the 52-week limit provided for in section 34E(2).
Guidance has issued to planning authorities on the implementation of RED III. This includes Departmental Circulars CEPP 1/2025, CEPP 2/2025 and CEPP 1/2026, the Department’s “Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) – Further Information” document, and guidance materials published by An Coimisiún Pleanála for planning authorities and prospective applicants
1130. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if all removals from a list (details supplied) or exceeding the income threshold for 2025/2026 could be postponed until the review is completed. [20752/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraApplications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria in force at the time of assessment under section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.
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.
1131. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if any assistance is available to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20805/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department, through the National Built Heritage Service (NBHS) and in conjunction with the local authorities, operates two annual schemes which aim to assist owners of historic structures in maintaining, preserving, and adapting these buildings to enable their protection.
The first of these schemes is the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) which provides up to €50,000 for qualifying works. BHIS is aimed chiefly at smaller-scale repairs, upgrades, or other interventions, often being awarded to projects focused on individual homes, or to smaller or less complex structures or projects. Subject to funding, the next round of applications will open this summer for projects to be completed in 2027. Applications are made through the relevant Local Authority.
The second scheme is the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) which awards grants of up to €200,000. The HSF is targeted at large scale conservation works and applications must demonstrate a clear community or public benefit.
The HSF provides capital funding for works to qualifying structures which include the following:
• Protected Structures: Structures in the Record of Protected Structures (RPS) of each Local Authority;
• Structures eligible for or proposed for inclusion in the RPS but not yet formally approved for inclusion. Such structures must meet the criteria for inclusion in the RPS by the Local Authority, i.e. must be of special interest from an architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical point of view;
• Structures or works within Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs), or within the amenity of a National Monument, where exceptional circumstances apply.
An announcement of successful applications made under the 2026 scheme is expected to be made at the end of this month. Subject to funding, applications for the 2027 scheme will open later this year. Applications are made through the relevant Local Authority.
It is important to note that both BHIS and HSF operate on a match-funding basis whose awards are capped at 80% of costs, meaning any successful applicant will be required to invest a minimum 20% of project costs from their own funds. As both BHIS and HSF are extremely competitive funding programmes, it is also likely that awards will total less than 80% of costs in most cases, requiring a higher proportion of capital investment from the applicant themselves.
1132. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the 2026 budget allocation for the tenant-in-situ scheme; and for housing acquisitions for each of the 31 local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20837/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1133. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can confirm that short- or long-term leases properties where the tenant qualifies for social housing, the property meets their housing need, and they have received a notice to quit are suitable for consideration by all local authorities for acquisition under the tenant-in-situ scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20838/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1132 and 1133 together.
Tenancy sustainment, or tenant-in-situ, is not a stand alone programme or scheme. It is a priority category of my Department's Social Housing Second Hand Acquisitions Programme.
The parameters of the 2026 Social Housing Second Hand Acquisitions Programme, including individual local authority priority category allocations were notified to local authorities via Department Circular in February.
€373 million is available for drawdown by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies under the 2026 programme priorities as follows:
• Exits from Homelessness Acquisitions - €150 million
• AHB Priority Delivery Acquisitions, supporting older persons, persons with disabilities, care leavers - €50 million
• LA Priority Acquisitions including tenancy sustainment or tenant-in-situ acquisitions - €157 million.
A contingency fund of €16 million will also be retained. It will be available for local authorities that have drawndown most of their initial allocation but still have capacity to complete further acquisitions and drawdown funding from my Department this year.
The multi-annual approach introduced last year will continue in 2026. Local authorities may commit up to the value of 30% of their base 2026 allocations (total c.€85 million) for acquisitions that will complete or drawdown funding in 2027. This will allow priority acquisitions to progress in the closing months of 2026, with certainty on funding in 2027, if such purchases do not complete this year.
Further to this, Tenant in situ is 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.
However, they will never be the sole, or even the primary, option. The default first options should almost always be securing the sustainment of the tenancy with the landlord, securing alternative accommodation through the Tenancy Sustainment and Placefinder services, or allocating a local authority or Approved Housing Body tenancy via a new build home or re-let.
Where acquisitions are deemed necessary, Local authorities have delegated sanction to pursue individual priority acquisitions without recourse to my Department, where these acquisitions are in line with the broad parameters and criteria of the Second Hand Acquisitions Programme.
Those broad parameters include the following eligibility criteria:
• The property being acquired (not the tenant) must have been the subject of social housing support payments for a continuous period of at least two years.
• Tenancies must be registered with the Residential Tenancies Board and local authorities and AHBs must confirm they are responding to a valid ‘no fault’ NoT issued to the HAP or RAS tenant, and not landlord overtures.
• Tenancy Sustainment Acquisitions are not be permitted for households that have refused a reasonable offer of local authority or AHB social housing accommodation following receipt of a NoT
1134. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will work with community groups to restore native trees at a location used by the State (details supplied); and if not, the supports or funding he can provide in the context of restoration of biodiversity and nature. [20858/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department offers funding for a number of initiatives to support efforts to restore biodiversity. The NPWS-operated Local Biodiversity Action Fund (LBAF) acknowledges the important role that targeted local action can play and provides targeted funding directly to local authorities to assist with the implementation of projects that support the objectives of the National Biodiversity Action Plan. Projects supported through this fund cover a range of biodiversity related activities, including tree planting, invasive alien species control, dune restoration, wetland surveys and hedgerow work. For further details, see www.npws.ie/legislation/national-biodiversity-action-plan/local-biodiversity-action-fund.
The Peatlands and Natura Community Engagement Scheme (PNCES) is a competitive grant program designed to support community-led initiatives that conserve and restore protected habitats. It encourages local groups to engage with their natural heritage, specifically targeting Natura 2000 sites (Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas) and all peatland areas. The target audience of the scheme is community-led and volunteer groups, heritage organisations, environmental groups, and educational institutions. Individuals are not permitted to apply to this scheme. See www.npws.ie/peatlands-and-turf-cutting/peatlands-and-natura-community-engagement-scheme-2026.
In addition to these focussed efforts, the NPWS also administers and supports a diverse range of broader nature restoration initiatives, including the NPWS Farm Plan Scheme and the Breeding Waders EIP.
1135. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the progress of the drafting and publication of the Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Bill 2024, in light of the recent publication of the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage's report on pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme; his response to the recommendations contained in that report; and the expected timeline for the introduction of the Bill to the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20890/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment approval was received on 18 September 2024 for the priority drafting of the Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Bill. The purpose of this legislation is to place the defects remediation Scheme on a statutory footing, further to commitments contained in the Programme for Government and the national housing plan.
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 have received the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage's report on pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme and it is being considered in the context of the drafting of the Bill. Many of the recommendations were already being progressed in some form by my Department prior to the PLS process and, as such, I expect that a good deal of it will be taken on board in the Scheme where possible.
The content of the final Bill will be a matter for the Government to agree in due course. The drafting of the Bill is being progressed at pace and I expect the legislation to be placed before the Oireachtas this year.
