Written Answers Nos. 168-187
168. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will reverse the decision not to proceed with regenerating the Oliver Bond flats; if he will prioritise repairs and regeneration of dilapidated Dublin flat complexes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37234/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra172. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will expedite the approval and funding process for a regeneration project (details supplied); to address the urgent living conditions of residents; if he will commit to a clear timeline for the commencement of works; and if he recognises that the complex community needs and overcrowding within the complex necessitate a flexible, site-specific funding model that prioritises delivery speed, quality of life and the long-term regeneration of the area. [37545/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra204. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on funding for inner city regeneration projects; if he will acknowledge the need for housing regeneration to have a separate and distinct funding stream to housing delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37552/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra214. Deputy Máire Devine asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he will visit locations (details supplied) to view conditions in these social housing complexes which are the subjects of severely delayed regeneration projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37485/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra600. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of bed spaces that will remain in a location (details supplied) based on his Departments proposals for the regeneration of these blocks as set out by his Department in a letter to Dublin City Council on 27 April 2026. [37104/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra626. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will reinstate funding to the Oliver Bond Regeneration Forum which ended in August 2025. [37606/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 168, 172, 204, 214, 600 and 626 together.
My Department remains fully committed to the regeneration of Oliver Bond Flats, including the regeneration of Blocks L, M and N of the complex.
Contrary to recent reports, the significant funding already ear-marked for the regeneration of these Blocks - almost €25 million - has not been withdrawn. The funding remains in place and there has been no decision not to progress these works. At this this point, my Department has requested Dublin City Council to revisit certain aspects of the Council's proposals, namely those that would see a significant number of homes lost following regeneration works.
Ultimately, any revised regeneration approach or project plan is a matter for Dublin City Council, having regard to the current regeneration policy requirements that there should generally be no significant loss of homes arising from the regeneration of local authority social housing estates or flat complexes. While my Department's recent correspondence with Dublin City Council re-emphasised these requirements, it also outlined a possible approach, recognising the overwhelming number of single adult households on the Dublin City Council social housing waiting list, that would maximise the number of homes retained, while providing much needed Studio, 1-Bed and 2-Bed homes.
Dublin City Council is not obliged to advance these proposals, but the Council should have regard to the mix and quantum of homes that can be delivered through alternative approaches, while aligning broadly with national policy requirements.
Only a few hours ago, I met with the with residents of Oliver Bond Flats and the Oliver Bond Regeneration Forum. The meeting afforded an opportunity for a meaningful and productive discussion with the residents on mine and the Government’s commitment to the project, and the need to progress and complete it without further delay.
Some of the housing standards and living conditions within the estate fall well below minimum standards and are unacceptable. This was articulated very clearly to me by the residents at our meeting through their lived experience and through the various health and environmental reports which have been completed on the conditions within Oliver Bond House. It is for those very reasons that the regeneration of the estate remains a priority project for my Department and Dublin City Council.
I commend the efforts of the Oliver Bond Regeneration Forum and the wider Oliver Bond community for their contributions to the regeneration proposals for the complex. I am committed to working with them to accelerate the regeneration works, and provide them with the homes they expect and deserve.
To this end, I have instructed my officials to secure as speedy a resolution as possible to the current challenges and the delivery of the Oliver Bond regeneration project with the utmost urgency. Engagement continues between my Department and Dublin City Council in this regard and I am confident, with further collaboration with the Regeneration Forum, that an agreed regeneration proposal will emerge and allow for a quick delivery of Phase 1 of the project.
A dedicated, and ring-fenced, social housing regeneration funding programme is already in place. Indeed, some €1 billion has already been committed by my Department to regeneration projects across Dublin City through this programme since 2016. This scale of funding unquestionably demonstrates Government's commitment to regenerating flat complexes across Dublin City. Many regeneration projects have already been successfully completed, while others continue to progress. Projects supported by the regeneration programme include St. Teresa’s Gardens, O’Devaney Gardens, Dominick Street, Dorset Street, An Droichead Órga, along with many others.
Department funding will continue to be available for regeneration projects submitted by Dublin City Council for funding approval, with funding likely to increase significantly in the coming years as more Dublin City led regeneration projects are approved by the Department.
Notably, the current Programme for Government commits to continuing and accelerating social housing regeneration schemes across Dublin City. This is reaffirmed by the new Housing Plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, which commits to expanding the current model and introducing a revised regeneration and remedial works programme nationwide. I expect to announce details of the revised programme later in the year.
Some €50 million is available this year under the current regeneration programme. Critically, this is only one element of the significant funding being provided via my Department's stock improvement programmes this year.
Some €260 million will be provided through the Department's Planned Maintenance and Voids Programme, Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme, Disabled Persons Grant scheme, and national regeneration programme, in 2026. This is a 65% increase since 2016, and a 32% increase on the €196 million available through these programmes last year.
While the Department will continue to provide very significant funding to support local authorities' management and maintenance of their social homes, this support is not, and can never be, a replacement for a local authority’s own investment in the upkeep of its social homes. Ultimately, the management and maintenance of local authority owned social homes is a statutory responsibility of each local authority and, to this end, local authority officials and elected members are obliged to ensure adequate funding is provided for this purpose as part of their annual budget process.
169. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the up-to-date position on the review of the housing assistance payment scheme; when it will be concluded and the report published; how quickly the report’s recommendations will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37525/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of the Ombudsman completed an investigation into the administration of the HAP scheme to look at ways to improve the operation of the current scheme and highlight good practice in this area. In total, the Office of the Ombudsman reached 19 findings with associated recommendations. The report was published on the Office of the Ombudsman's website in June 2025.
My Department continues to engage with the Office of the Ombudsman in relation to these recommendations and is working with all the relevant stakeholders regarding their implementation. My Department is committed to making any viable changes to ensure that the HAP scheme continues to provide a vital social housing support which assists those with a long-term housing need to access accommodation in the private rental market.
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, or up to 50% in the case of homeless households in the Dublin region. Local authorities also have additional flexibility to apply a couple HAP rate to single person households.
My Department reviewed the use of these measures and their impact on the overall affordability of the HAP scheme for tenants. This review 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 by end of Q2 this year.
170. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to set out the specific statutory provisions currently used to restrict or prohibit private domestic turf cutting by households, including in cases involving claimed traditional or inherited turbary rights; and to provide the number of instances in which such provisions were applied in enforcement actions against private individuals in the past five years, together with the outcomes of those actions. [35765/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra175. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of reported cases in each of the past five years where individuals or households were prevented, stopped, or directed to cease private domestic turf cutting; to provide a breakdown of these cases by county, land designation (including SAC, NHA, raised bog or undesignated land, and the legal basis invoked in each case; and to confirm the agencies responsible for issuing such directions. [35764/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 170 and 175 together.
Turf cutting is regulated through various statutory regimes including planning, licensing and Ministerial consent. A guidance document ‘The Regulatory Framework Applying to Peat Extraction’ (available on www.gov.ie) commissioned by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) addresses the differing regulatory requirements which apply to peat extraction at specific thresholds at the time of its publication (January, 2022).
Peat extraction, other than existing authorised developments and activities, is controlled generally through the provisions of the Planning and Development Acts. For large scale activities (activities involving in excess of 50 hectares) a licence from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is also required.
Under Birds and Natural Habitats Regulation 2011 and Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000 it is a criminal offence subject to prosecution to carry out turf cutting on a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) or a Natural Heritage Area (NHA) without the consent of the Minister.
In circumstances in which turf cutting is restricted on lands designated (for nearly a quarter of a century) as SACs under the Habitats Directive or a NHA under the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000, my Department has introduced compensation and voluntary land purchase schemes in which a person may apply, subject to eligibility. Payments made under the Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme by my Department total €88 million since 2011.
The NPWS monitors SACs and NHAs where the requirement to cease turf cutting applies, through a combination of aerial flyover and site visits. Enforcement and compliance actions which the NPWS have taken in respect of unlawful activities, including relating to peat extraction and associated activities, on SACs and NHAs include (inter alia):
• Prosecutions of criminal offences under the 2011 Regulations relating to unlawful peat extraction
• Restoration orders made under the 2011 Regulations relating to damaging activities
• letters to landowners and turbary rights holders on protected sites.
• Engaging in programmes of monitoring (both ground and aerial) for the detection and prevention of unlawful peat extraction.
• Taking of civil actions against individuals.
• Regulation of activities through Ministerial consents.
• Cross-compliance reporting to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
• Defending Ireland's position at the EU Court of Justice on enfringement proceedings taken on the Habitats Directive, involving, inter alia, protected peatlands' cutting.
The detailed information sought on enforcement actions and in the format requested is not held centrally in my Department.
Enforcement of planning legislation and the EPA Act is a matter for the planning authorities and the EPA respectively. Court judgements are a matter of public record.
The regulations and restrictions of turf-cutting on protected peatlands is to ensure compliance with Ireland's legal obligations under the Habitats Directive to protect and restore such sites. The State is addressing the needs of turf cutters through compensation schemes and other initiatives whilst recognising that these needs must be balanced with the legal obligations of the State.
171. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will commit to funding targeted support hubs for children and families impacted by the defective concrete crisis, given that children and families are experiencing significant trauma, psychological distress and instability as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29466/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 as amended by the Act of 2025 underpins the Grant Scheme which provides grant funding to people whose homes have been affected by Defective Concrete Blocks.
The priority is to ensure that homes being occupied as principal private residences are remediated and Government has therefore prioritised owner occupied principal private residences and tenanted rental properties which were RTB registered as at 1 November 2021. Provided a property meets this criteria of principal private residence or the property is an RTB registered property as at 1 November 2021 it is eligible to apply for entry to the scheme.
I am absolutely committed to assisting homeowners to remediate their homes to allow them to move on with their lives.
Further to Government and the Department of Health's commitment to mental health supports for individuals and families affected by the defective concrete blocks issue, free counselling sessions are available to individuals and families in the five designated counties. As additional local authority areas are designated under the grant scheme homeowners will in these areas will also be able to avail of these supports.
The Department of Health have worked with the HSE to ensure that mental health supports are available through My Mind which offers free counselling, psychotherapy and psychological support sessions.
In terms of other additional supports, I have also been supportive of applications by designated local authorities for Defective Concrete Block grant scheme facilitator posts to assist homeowners through the grant scheme process. These facilitators provide direct assistance to homeowners and prioritise homeowners and families who are most vulnerable.
I have no plans at this time to introduce any additional measures.
Question No. 172 answered with Question No. 168.
Question No. 173 answered with Question No. 149.
174. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures he is taking to ensure there is adequate public greenspace, playing pitches and playgrounds in growing communities in County Meath; the measures his Department is taking to support the delivery of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37327/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the making of a development plan is a reserved function of the elected members of each planning authority under the Planning and Development Acts, the Development Plans Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2022) require that when making zoning decisions, consideration must be given to the future availability of (or the capacity to provide) supporting local community and amenity services and infrastructure, including recreation and sports facilities.
The Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlements Guidelines (2024) indicate that planning authorities should plan for an integrated network of well-designed neighbourhoods that can meet day-to-day needs (including sporting needs) within a 10 to 15-minute walk of all homes. In the case of larger settlements, the residents of less central neighbourhoods should have opportunities to travel by public transport and other sustainable modes such as greenways to access higher order services and amenities at more central and accessible locations.
Policy Objective 5.1 of these Guidelines states that statutory development plans include an objective(s) relating to the provision of public open space in new residential developments (and in mixed-use developments that include a residential element). The requirement in the development plan shall be for public open space provision of not less than a minimum of 10% of net site area and not more than a minimum of 15% of net site area save in exceptional circumstances. Different minimum requirements (within the 10-15% range) may be set for different areas. The Guidelines state that public open spaces should be designed to cater for a range of active and passive recreational needs (including play, physical activity, active travel, cultural uses and community gardens and allotments, as appropriate to the context).
Facilities to be funded by development contributions schemes made by elected members under section 48 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, and conditions attached to permissions requiring contributions to be made towards such schemes, may include open spaces, and recreational and community facilities.
In accordance with section 63(3) of the Local Government Act 2001, local authorities are independent in the performance of their functions.
The Deputy may be interested to note that Sport Ireland is a prescribed body for the purposes of plan-making in accordance with the Planning and Development (Prescribed Persons - Statutory Plans) Regulations 2025 (S.I. No. 458 of 2025), and accordingly may be consulted by planning authorities on the preparation of statutory plans.
Question No. 175 answered with Question No. 170.
Question No. 176 answered with Question No. 166.
177. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures he is taking to mitigate against the impact of the Iran war on the supply and price of housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37567/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, I am acutely aware of the challenges presented to the housing sector by on-going events in the Middle East, particularly in terms of the ongoing impact on the price of construction materials.
In recent years my Department has introduced measures to reduce the level of inflation risk that contractors are expected to bear on public works projects. For example, as a result of post-pandemic inflation, supply chain disruptions and the subsequent Russian invasion of Ukraine the Inflation/Supply Chain Delay Co-operation Framework was introduced in May 2022 to manage the impact of exceptional inflation and supply chain disruptions on public works projects.
My Department continues to monitor the potential impacts of this situation on housing supply through tracking all the available indicators and engaging closely with the sector.
More broadly, Delivering Homes, Building Communities aims to significantly accelerate the delivery of new homes by focusing on activating land and creating the optimal environment to encourage housing activity. Much of the actions in this area are designed to ultimately reduce the all-in delivery cost of a home.
This includes significant regulatory reform in both the planning and rental market areas, optimised design standardisation, a suite of taxation measures in Budget 2026 aimed at stimulating the supply of new apartments including a reduced VAT rate on the sale of new apartments as well as a new enabling approach to infrastructure via the Housing Activation Office coupled with the largest ever capital investment in the history of the State, with €275 billion invested in infrastructure over ten years through the National Development Plan.
This level of funding, reform and focus underpins a sustained collaborative effort across the multiple stakeholders, and we remain responsive to creating the conditions to support the required increase in public and private sector delivery.
While it is important to acknowledge the very significant challenges ahead, equally it is important to highlight that a continued level of intensity of effort will be brought to bear to reach the scale required to meet our shared goal of 300,000 new homes by 2030.
178. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures he is taking to address the lack of affordable housing in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37326/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAffordability and the chance to own a home is at the heart of the Government’s housing policy, as embodied within the new housing action plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities. This action plan reinforces and expands the range of existing measures being implemented by the Government to tackle the issues of supply and affordability, thereby supporting the increased provision of new homes to purchase and rent.
Over 1,200 starter home supports have been delivered in Meath to the end of 2025, primarily via the Affordable Purchase scheme (102 homes), the First Home scheme (842 homes), the Vacant Properties Refurbishment Grant (105 homes), the Cost Rental scheme (via Approved Housing Bodies - 154 homes), and the Cost Rental Tenant in Situ scheme (6 homes).
To date, Meath County Council has received funding approval to deliver 300 new homes for purchase across 16 schemes, supported by the Affordable Housing Fund to end 2027. By the end of 2025, 102 of these homes had already been delivered.
A further three schemes are currently under assessment, with the potential to deliver an additional 32 new homes for purchase.
In addition, 8 Approved Housing Bodies projects have been approved to date under the Cost Rental Equity Loan scheme in County Meath, with 154 Cost Rental homes delivered to date, and a further 164 to be delivered by the end of 2028.
To further support the development of Meath’s work in this area, my Department is funding 5 additional administrative and technical staffing posts to help deliver on affordable housing.
As outlined in the housing action plan, all local authorities will be required to prepare a new Housing Delivery Action Plan (HDAP), which will identify housing needs within their areas and set out how this will be met over the rest of the decade. Scheme criteria and support levels for affordable homes schemes are kept under regular review, taking account of developments in the housing market. My Department will continue to engage with all delivery partners to further develop delivery and to ensure that we continue to address demand identified at a local level.
179. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he supports proposals to review local authority tenants’ rents every one-to-two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37232/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra225. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he supports closer alignment with market rent for households with higher income levels who are living in local authority housing; if he has considered the impact this would have on poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37233/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra236. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends introducing a universal rent scheme for social housing; if the aim of such a scheme will be to increase rents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37231/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 179, 225 and 236 together.
Currently, local authorities charge rent under the 1966 Housing Act, this is known as the 'differential rent' system and is a critical piece of the State's welfare apparatus, subsidising housing costs and supporting households who can not meet their long term accommodation needs from their own resources.
The making or amending of such rent schemes is generally a matter for the executive of local authorities within broad principles set out by my Department, including that rent levels should be based on income and reflect tenants’ ability to pay and also that they contain a hardship clause, under which tenants can pay a reduced rent for a specified period and under certain circumstances. These good practice principles also include periodic reviews of a tenant's rent to reflect current household income and circumstances. Local authorities should also review their schemes regularly to ensure their scheme is equitable and appropriate to household means.
The new Housing Plan "Delivering Homes, Building Communities", commits to reviewing rents paid by local authority and AHB social housing tenants with a view to introducing a national framework that provides a consistent and equitable system of rents and protects vulnerable households.
My Department is progressing, with the assistance of the Housing Agency, detailed analysis of existing rents schemes in order to explore the range of reform options that may be available. It is essential that any potential options place sufficient emphasis on achieving the best blend of equity, progressivity and sustainability, and critically, protect those on lowest incomes and at greater risk of poverty.
I will give careful consideration to the results of my Department's analysis which I expect will be submitted for our consideration later this year. Any proposal to implement a standardised national rents framework or alternative reform will be considered by Government thereafter, as appropriate.
180. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the Programme for Government commitment to establish a new procedure for large developments where developers can engage with Uisce Éireann and Local Authority Planners to ensure that services can be delivered in a timely manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37229/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUisce Éireann’s Pre Connection Enquiry (PCE) process allows developers to engage when seeking a new or modified connection. The PCE process facilitates early engagement between Uisce Éireann and developers prior to a Planning Application being submitted by a developer; it provides an indication of capacity, the scope of work required to facilitate a connection and allows Uisce Éireann to work with developers in meeting their timelines and in seeking planning consent. Within this pre planning process, Uisce Éireann Connections and Developer Services (CDS) team attend developer meetings on site where required.
Uisce Éireann, in its role as a statutory consultee, currently provides pre planning support to the delivery of Large Residential Developments (LRD) through attendance at LRD Stage 1 pre planning and Stage 2 LRD Opinion meetings to inform on water and wastewater services.
To supplement this activity, Uisce Éireann is in the process of providing additional resources to its dedicated Development Planning Team to provide further supports to the LRD pre planning stages, meetings and engagement. Currently, planners from the Uisce Éireann Development Planning Team make themselves available for a large proportion of Pre Planning meetings for LRDs; with additional resources it will be in a position to continue to provide and reinforce this support for LRDs.
My Department continues to liaise with Uisce Éireann closely on new connections to support housing delivery.
Question No. 181 answered with Question No. 166.
182. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures he is taking to address the growing gap between wages and house prices, including the affordability gap facing first-time buyers and renters; and the further policy or legislative measures planned to improve housing affordability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37221/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Governments housing action plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, reinforces and expands the range of existing measures being implemented by Government to tackle the issues of supply and affordability, under a new Starter Homes Programme, which will deliver an average of 15,000 starter home supports annually to 2030.
In particular, the plan provides for an expanded remit for the Land Development Agency, extends the First Home Scheme and increases affordable cost rental tenancies. It also expands the local authority delivered Starter Homes Purchase Scheme, which will see an increase in the number of starter homes for purchase nationwide.
The Help to Buy Scheme, administered by the Revenue Commissioners, will also remain available for first-time property purchasers under the new plan, to assist with the deposit required to purchase or self-build a new home. This scheme can be used in conjunction with both the First Home and Affordable Purchase Schemes and allows eligible applicants to claim up to €30,000 or 10% of the property value, whichever is lower.
Scheme criteria and support levels for affordable purchase schemes are kept under regular review, taking account of developments in the housing market. I will continue engaging with all delivery partners to ensure that the Starter Homes Programme enables the delivery of a strong pipeline of affordable housing supports, over the lifetime of the plan.
More broadly, increased housing supply will help moderate price growth, ease affordability challenges across the country and help those aspiring to own their own home realise this goal. Over 38,000 homes were completed in the 12 months ending Q1 2026, the highest level of rolling 12-month completions since the CSO began recording the series in 2011. While the number of new homes purchased by first-time buyers in the 12 months to end Q1 2026 has increased almost 24% year-on-year from 6,414 to 7,944.
Overall, the housing action plan seeks to continue to accelerate delivery of new homes by focusing on activating land and creating the optimal environment to encourage housing activity – including regulatory reform, tax incentives and the largest ever capital investment in the history of the State, with €275 billion invested in infrastructure over ten years through the National Development Plan.
183. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the review of the 2006 wind energy development guidelines; when new guidelines will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27608/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra638. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the regulations and guidelines being considered relative to the development of on shore wind farms; and if an indicative timeframe will be provided for their implementation [37644/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 183 and 638 together.
In line with commitments in the Programme for Government 2025, my Department is working with the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE), which holds policy responsibility for renewable energy matters, in respect of the introduction of a number of National Planning Statements 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 National Planning Statements in relation to onshore wind energy development, following a review of the existing 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines.
Further to the commencement of Chapter 3 of Part 3 of the Planning and Development Act 2024 on 2 October 2025, provisions for National Planning Statements have been introduced to replace the provisions for Ministerial guidelines issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. All existing Section 28 guidelines will, over time, be revoked and replaced with new National Planning Statements. Any current section 28 guidelines will however remain in force until revoked or replaced by a corresponding National Planning Statement. The timing of the issuing of National Planning Statements will be based on Government priorities.
In respect of sectoral national planning statements in particular, such as the onshore wind energy development, there is also an important role for the relevant policy Department in collaborating with my Department on the development of these National Planning Statements. In that context, my Department is working closely with the DCEE as the Department with policy responsibility for this area of Government policy in order to identify the component factors relevant to the preparation of this National Planning Statement, including any appropriate environmental reporting and public consultation requirements, European obligations such as the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), and considerations such as noise, setback distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections.
In the interim, the current 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force.
In line with EU Directive requirements, a strategic environmental assessment will be carried out on any draft National Planning Statement regarding wind energy development, with opportunity for consultation by the public and all stakeholders on the draft National Planning Statement.
184. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the tenant-in-situ scheme in 2026; if there will be an increase in funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37544/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTenancy sustainment, or tenant-in-situ, is not a stand alone programme or scheme. Rather it is an eligible category of acquisition introduced as part of my Department's Social Housing Second Hand Acquisitions Programme in 2023.
Tenant in situ acquisitions are 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.
The parameters of the 2026 Social Housing Second Hand Acquisitions Programme, including individual local authority priority category allocations were notified to local authorities in February. Some €373 million will be available for drawdown by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies under the 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.
There is no separate tenant in situ allocation and such acquisitions should be met from within the overall LA Priority Delivery allocation. Ultimately, it is a matter for each local authority to determine how best to deploy this allocation across emerging priorities throughout the year.
A contingency fund of €16 million will also be retained. It is available for local authorities that have drawn down most of their initial allocation but still have capacity to complete further acquisitions and drawdown funding from my Department this year.
The funding available is sufficient to support at least 1,000 acquisitions 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.
I am confident there is more than adequate funding available to support any and all urgent second hand acquisitions that need to be progressed this year. Local authorities report they have already completed 44 second hand acquisitions this year, including 24 tenant in situ purchases. A further 391 acquisitions are currently in the pipeline, either being progressed or at proposal stage, and the pipeline is expected grow as the year progresses. To date, local authorities have drawn down just over 2% of the funding available and no local authority has draw down its full individual 2026 allocation.
185. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the actions that will be taken to promote a site (details supplied) and the other extensive archaeological sites in the immediate area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37565/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe complex of prehistoric monuments known as the Baltinglass Hillforts comprises up to thirteen hillforts indeed in southwest Wicklow and neighbouring parts of Kildare, representing the largest collection of such impressive, prehistoric monuments in Ireland or Britain.
The importance of this hillfort landscape is very much appreciated and acknowledged by me and the Department.
The National Monuments Service of my Department through its Community Monuments Fund has supported a high resolution LiDAR data over an area of over 100 square kilometres within this Baltinglass landscape, creating, for the first time, a comprehensive map of the landscape while also assessing this landscape for previously unidentified monuments.
This may assist in future protection, conservation and management strategies.
The National Monuments Service of my Department has also supported research on the hillfort landscape through the Royal Irish Academy grants scheme and has funded the recent publication of seminal excavations at Rathgall Hillfort.
It should be noted that the Baltinglass hillforts are in private ownership and there is no public access to them. The National Monuments Service will always welcome discussion on any substantive proposals it may receive on improving access to these monuments that may emerge in liaison with those landowners who are long-standing custodians of these monuments.
Question No. 186 answered with Question No. 167.
