Written Answers Nos. 141-162
141. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the plans in place to simplify the process of addressing the issue of void housing and dereliction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48179/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra147. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline his efforts to tackle dereliction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46880/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra173. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on measures being taken to tackle vacancy and dereliction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48080/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 141, 147 and 173 together.
Local authorities have been provided with a number of statutory powers and measures to deal with the issue of derelict properties, both in larger urban settlements and in smaller rural towns and villages.
The Derelict Sites Act 1990 imposes a general duty on every owner and occupier of land to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the land does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site. The Act also imposes a duty on local authorities to take all reasonable steps, including the exercise of appropriate statutory powers, to ensure that any land within their functional area does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site.
Local authority powers also include requiring owners or occupiers to take appropriate remedial measures on derelict sites, acquiring derelict sites by agreement, or compulsorily, and applying a derelict sites levy on derelict sites with a view to influencing property owners to bring their properties back into productive use or to put them on the market. It is a matter for local authorities to determine the most appropriate use of the legislation within their respective functional areas.
As announced within Budget 2026 and confirmed in Government’s Housing Plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, the existing Derelict Sites Levy is to be replaced with a new Derelict Property Tax, to be collected by the Revenue Commissioners.
The new Derelict Property Tax is a necessary step in tackling the scourge of dereliction. The new tax will actively incentivise property owners to bring neglected and derelict buildings and sites back into use, and in doing so, increase our national housing supply.
A wide package of measures have been brought forward by Government to address vacancy and dereliction in recent years. These measures include the provision of Vacant Homes Officers and Town Regeneration Officers in local authorities, the implementation of the Vacant Homes Action Plan and related resourcing and funding supports. This funding includes Call 3 of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund which provides a €150 million revolving fund for local authorities to acquire vacant or derelict properties and sites for re-use or sale. The Fund is replenished from the proceeds received from the sale or reuse of properties, allowing a rolling fund for each local authority to tackle vacancy and dereliction.
In addition, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant provides up to €70,000 in grant support to bring derelict properties back into long term use as homes.
There has been significant interest in the grant since its launch, with over 17,400 applications made to local authorities to date and almost €285 million of grant funding paid out across the country. In April, I launched a new support package of up to €140,000 to bring vacant ‘above shop’ property in our cities, towns and villages into use as homes, including a new Vacant Above the Shop Grant and Expert Advice Grant.
This grant may be used in combination with exemptions from the requirement for planning permission for the conversion of certain types of vacant commercial property into residential use, such as ‘living over the shop’ accommodation, up to a maximum of 9 residential units.
The Regulations, which were first extended in 2022 under SI 75/2022 to include an exemption for the conversion of vacant pubs, have now been extended to the end of 2028. Up to the end of 2024, local authorities received 1,457 notifications from developers intending to avail of the exemptions. If acted on, this would result in 3,429 new homes across the country.
A Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) Activation Programme was also launched by my Department in April 2023. The Programme supports a proactive and systematic approach by local authorities to the re-use of vacant and derelict properties. It also includes guidance for local authorities to actively use their legislative powers, including under the Derelict Sites Act, to acquire vacant and derelict properties, where engagement with owners has been unsuccessful. Under the CPO Activation Programme targets are set, with local authorities required to identify vacant and derelict properties, and record activity and outcomes. Under Delivering Homes, Building Communities, data will be published annually on local authorities’ achievements in progress and delivery.
The Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme (THRIVE) represents a transformative opportunity for our towns and communities. THRIVE is a €120 million government initiative, co-funded by the European Union and delivered through our Regional Assemblies in partnership with my own Department. THRIVE provides funding for the preparation of Town Centre First Plans, strategies and project development work in towns (c. €5 million in total) to enable future capital funding applications to be made for the identified projects in these plans. THRIVE also supports town regeneration through direct capital funding of €115 million in total for the implementation of identified heritage-related projects in town centres – with 19 projects currently being funded across the country.
The Living City Initiative is a tax incentive scheme designed to encourage the refurbishment and conversion of residential and commercial properties in designated inner-city areas. Its main aim is to bring vacant or underused buildings back into use, while also preserving the character and heritage of our urban core. Through this scheme, property owners and investors are offered tax relief as an incentive to restore and reuse these buildings thus avoiding them to fall into a derelict state. The scheme currently applies to specific ‘Special regeneration areas’ such as Cork, Dublin and Galway city centres.
As announced in Budget 2026, the Living City Initiative has now been extended to 2030, and expanded it to include residential properties built before 1975 and the NPF Growth centres of Athlone, Drogheda, Dundalk, Letterkenny and Sligo. This expansion highlights the Government’s commitment to regional development and revitalising towns beyond the main cities.
The Government’s Housing Action Plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, builds on existing measures and programmes to tackle dereliction and includes further additional actions in Pillar 1 for this area. It aims to end dereliction and vacancy in order to provide increased numbers of new homes and revitalise the communities in villages, towns and cities. Other specific actions beyond the Derelict Property Tax include the provision of a digital national Derelict Sites Register, increased numbers of properties on Derelict Site Registers, increased compulsory acquisition of properties where owners fail to engage with local authorities and increased collection of unpaid Derelict Site Levies.
Derelict buildings and sites are a blight on local communities that undermine local pride of place, encourage antisocial behaviour and impact negatively on the local economy. The range of existing initiatives and funding mechanisms established by the Government are successfully reducing the levels of vacancy and dereliction nationally. The implementation of new measures identified by the Government will further accelerate progress in eliminating dereliction, and increase housing supply across the country.
143. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of local authorities that have a dedicated “Local Authority Renewable Strategy or Wind Energy Strategy” as part of their County Development Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47582/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe local authority Development Plan is the principal planning strategy document which sets out the relevant policies and objectives to guide the physical development of each city and county over a six-year period. All existing development plans were prepared and adopted in accordance with the requirements of the Planning and Development Act 2000. Section 10 of that Act required that every development plan include objectives for the provision or facilitation of infrastructure including energy infrastructure, which encompasses wind energy.
The implementation of this requirement at local level is a matter for individual planning authorities and is subject to oversight by the Office of the Planning Regulator. Individual development plans may be viewed on the websites of each planning authority.
The Planning and Development Act 2024 and the Revised NPF (2025) provide the legislative and policy basis for the review and updating of Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies and local authority development plans.
Section 49 of the Act of 2024 obliges Local Authorities to prepare a strategy relating to environment and climate change while National Policy Objective 70 of the Revised NPF seeks to promote renewable energy use and generation at appropriate locations within the built and natural environment to meet national objectives towards achieving a climate neutral economy by 2050.
National Policy Objective 74 provides that each Regional Assembly must plan, through their Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES), for the delivery of the regional renewable electricity capacity allocations indicated for onshore wind and solar, and identify allocations for each of the local authorities, based on the best available scientific evidence and in accordance with legislative requirements, in order to meet the overall national target. The preparation of the three RSESs under the Act of 2024 commenced in March of this year.
National Policy Objective 75 provides that local authorities shall plan for the delivery of Target Power Capacity (MW) allocations consistent with the relevant Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy, through their City and County Development Plans.
144. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether consideration has been given to the genuine affordability of homes being delivered under the Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund, particularly in rural areas such as County Galway; the measures being taken to ensure these homes match local income brackets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48306/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 21 January 2026, the Government launched the €1 billion Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund (HIIF) to support investment in housing enabling public infrastructure.
The Fund is managed by the Housing Activation Office in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
A total of 138 applications were received in response to the first call for applications under this new fund from 30 Local Authorities and the Land Development Agency.
Following a detailed assessment process, 82 projects have been approved for inclusion in the HIIF programme under Call 1.
A full list of projects accepted to the HIIF programme can be accessed at the following link: https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/9d47d273/Housing_Infrastructure_Investment_Fund_Call_1_-_List_of_Projects.pdf.
Of the 82 projects accepted onto the HIIF programme, six are located in County Galway, in the settlements of Athenry, Baile Chlair, Bearna, Gort and Tuam. These projects have the potential to unlock approximately 4,000 homes.
The Housing Activation Office is focused on the delivery of the 82 infrastructure projects, which will unlock housing lands and accelerate the delivery of much needed housing in towns and cities nationwide. By addressing infrastructure barriers, the Fund is supporting an increase in overall housing supply.
The lands supported by HIIF will deliver a mix of tenures including private, social and / or affordable housing. Importantly, on private lands there is a statutory requirement under Part V of the Planning and Development Act that a minimum of 20% of residential development be provided for social and / or affordable housing. On lands owned by the Land Development Agency or local authorities, a higher proportion of social and affordable housing will be delivered. In addition to this, the affordable housing schemes operated by my Department, can also be applied alongside the HIIF funding. These measures are designed to ensure that a meaningful proportion of homes delivered, including in rural counties such as Galway, are accessible to households across a range of income levels.
My Department will continue to work closely with all Local Authorities, including Galway County Council, and infrastructure providers to ensure that investment is aligned with housing need, and that the delivery of new homes supported by these schemes contributes to increasing supply while also supporting affordability objectives.
145. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number and locations of housing schemes and the number of housing units that have been approved using the single stage approval process for social housing and affordable housing projects since the single stage process was introduced within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48113/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 5 July, Cabinet approved the introduction of a single stage approval process for all for local authority new build social housing up to a value of €200 million. As of January 2026, all new proposals for new-build social housing projects up to €200 million have moved to a single approval process.
The new single approval process, which replaces the 4-Stage and existing Single Stage approval process, removes the requirement for additional detailed submissions for review and approval throughout the project lifecycle. It is designed to align particular requirements related to the delivery of social housing, providing a more seamless approval process, with a clear and intentional focus on embedding standardisation and value for money.
This new process covers all social housing new build and major refurbishment projects up to a value of €200 million, funded via the Social Housing Investment Programme (SHIP) incorporating regeneration and remedial works schemes; and the Approved Housing Body (AHB) Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS).
With respect to Affordable Housing, an initial assessment of a local authority proposal for eligibility for the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) subsidy is carried out by the Housing Agency and funding approval is granted to eligible schemes on foot of a review of the application and the Housing Agency's Assessment Report. AHF assessments and project approvals occur on an ongoing basis and generally as a single approval rather than via a staged process. Similarly, in the case of the Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) and Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL), these funding schemes do not have a staged approval process; rather, they are single approvals.
My Department publishes data on social housing delivery at local authority level. However, the Social Housing Construction Status report (CSR), published quarterly by my Department, can be searched by location. This report provides a breakdown of local authority and Approved Housing Body social housing new-build activity including scheme-level details on the completion of social housing new builds as well as information on each construction scheme as it progresses through the design and tender processes. The latest CSR provides data to the end of 2025 and is available on my Departments website. Data for Q1 2026 is currently being collated and verified and will be published soon.
146. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when it is proposed to increase the income eligibility limits for social housing in areas such as Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48299/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra154. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department is considering any proposals to increase the current social housing income eligibility limits; the timeline envisaged for such threshold adjustments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48269/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra164. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will consider reviewing the income thresholds for social housing applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48114/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 146, 154 and 164 together.
The baseline social housing income thresholds are €40,000, €35,000 and €30,000 for Bands 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Cavan and Monaghan are in Band 3 which is €30,000.
These thresholds are net income i.e. gross household income less income tax, PRSI, Universal Social Charge and Additional Superannuation Contribution. Income is defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy. The Policy provides for a range of income disregards and local authorities also have discretion to disregard income that is once-off, temporary or short-term in nature and which is outside the regular pattern of a person’s annual income.
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.
I envisage that the analysis will be concluded shortly to facilitate a final determination on next steps. I am also keen to put in place a more structured and frequent process for the review of these limits going forward.
148. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will create a fund similar to the Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund to unlock development lands in unfinished housing estates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48223/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government recognises the importance of tackling vacancy and dereliction and is committed to addressing these issues through a range of measures and with the support of all key stakeholders, including local authorities.
In March 2022, my Department issued correspondence to each of the 26 local authorities that had unfinished housing developments, requesting an update on the progress made since the last survey in 2020. Details in this regard were published in the Housing for All Q2 2022 Progress Report.
Since 2010, there had been a 98% reduction in the number of unfinished housing developments, from 3,000 to 75. Of these 75, 40 developments are unoccupied. These developments mainly contain partial shells and units at foundation level and are located in low housing demand areas. 35 developments that remain on the ‘unfinished’ developments survey for 2022, are occupied to some extent and are to remain the focus for local authorities to work towards a satisfactory resolution.
There is no longer a dedicated funding scheme for unfinished housing estates and currently there are no plans to reintroduce a further funding scheme for such purposes.
A Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) Activation Programme was launched by my Department in April 2023. The Programme supports a proactive and systematic approach by local authorities to the reuse of vacant and derelict properties. It also includes guidance for local authorities to actively use their legislative powers, including under the Derelict Sites Act, to acquire vacant and derelict properties and to use CPO powers, where engagement with owners has been unsuccessful.
Under the Derelict Sites Act 1990, local authorities have been provided with a range of powers and measures to deal with the issue of derelict properties. Local authorities can require owners or occupiers to take appropriate measures on derelict sites, acquire derelict sites by agreement, or compulsorily, and applying a derelict sites levy on derelict sites.
Measures introduced to tackle dereliction and vacancy include the provision of Vacant Homes Officers and Town Regeneration Officers in local authorities, the implementation of the Vacant Homes Action Plan and related resourcing and funding supports.
This funding includes Call 3 of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund which provides a €150 million revolving fund for local authorities to acquire vacant or derelict properties and sites for re-use or sale. The Fund is replenished from the proceeds received from the sale or reuse of properties, allowing a rolling fund for each local authority to tackle vacancy and dereliction.
The vacant property refurbishment grant, funded under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund, has been a key measure in addressing vacancy and dereliction. At the end of the first quarter of 2026, more than 17,400 applications had been made to local authorities, with more than 13,100 of those applications approved and more than 5,300 grants paid, amounting to almost €285 million of grant funding paid out.
Delivering Homes, Building Communities reinforces and expands the range of measures being implemented by Government to work to end dereliction and long term vacancy. Under the Plan, a new Derelict Property Tax will be introduced, to be administered and collected by the Revenue Commissioners, to bring derelict properties back into use.
The commitment Government has made to addressing vacancy and dereliction and the actions under Delivering Homes, Building Communities will play a vital role in delivering homes across the country, and tackling issues that affect our towns and villages.
149. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when additional funding for housing adaptation grants in County Louth, applications to which have been closed since May 2026 will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48225/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides funding under the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and Disabled People, to assist those in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. The suite of grants, which include the Housing Adaptation Grant for Disabled People, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People Grant, are funded by my Department with a contribution from the local authority. The detailed administration of the scheme including assessment, approval, prioritisation and apportionment is the responsibility of local authorities.
The Exchequer funding available for these grants in 2026 increased substantially by €30 million to €129.5 million, or over €152 million when accounting for the local authority contribution, continuing the year on year increases since 2014.
My Department is aware that some local authorities have paused the acceptance of priority 2 and priority 3 applications but are continuing to consider priority 1 applications. Priority 1 is defined as individuals who are terminally ill, primarily dependent on family or a carer, or where adaptations to the home would support applicants leaving hospital or residential care.
Louth County Council has received an allocation of over €3.5 million in Exchequer funding for 2026 an increase of 30% on the original allocation in 2025. During 2025, my Department considered and approved additional funding allocation of €150,000 from Louth County Council bringing the total Exchequer allocation for 2025 to over €2.8 million.
My Department works closely with the local authorities to monitor spend and to achieve a full drawdown of available funding. This means that any underspends that arise on the part of any local authority can be redistributed to other authorities which have high levels of grant activity and my Department makes every effort to redistribute such funding throughout the year. My Department is actively engaging with local authorities to facilitate redistribution of any such savings as early as possible this year.
I understand that Louth County Council currently has no plans to seek additional funding in 2026. All local authorities, including Louth County Council, must optimise the administration of the grant scheme in order to achieve full spend of available national Exchequer funding annually.
150. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to detail his plans to implement the recommendations of the report by the Oireachtas Committee Housing, Local Government and Heritage on homelessness; to outline specifically which recommendations he intends to implement; the timeframe for such implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48049/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSupporting individuals and families experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness is a priority for me, my Department and Government. I welcome the Committee’s focus on this important area. Indeed many of the recommendations put forward are addressed in our new housing plan Delivering Homes, Building Communities and are being progressed by my Department in collaboration with other Government departments, local authorities and their service delivery partners.
The report calls for a greater focus on prevention. There are many prevention initiatives already underway in the Department and across Government, including the provision of social and affordable housing, HAP and homeless HAP, and our strong tenancy protection legislation. I recognise that more needs to be done and a co-ordinated approach is required right across Government. That is why, a cross Departmental Working Group was established to drive the development of a Prevention Framework. The first draft of the framework is being considered by Working Group members and the Framework will be in place this year.
The report also recognises the importance of a continued focus on measures to address youth homelessness and calls for the development of a child and family homelessness strategy. Again work is well underway in these 2 important areas as committed to in the Housing Plan. I am establishing a standing sub-group of the National Homeless Action Committee to ensure a continued focus on youth homelessness and my Department in partnership with Department of the Taoiseach's will shortly publish a cross-departmental Child and Family Homelessness Action Plan.
Many other actions are underway that speak to the recommendations in the report, including the development of the of the Housing Delivery Action Plans, a review of the Housing Assistance Payment and the continued funding of the second hand acquisition scheme, including tenant in situ acquisitions.
Ultimately increased supply is key to addressing homelessness, meeting need, and addressing the challenges in the housing market. The new Housing Plan aims to deliver 300,000 new homes in the period to 2030, including 72,000 social homes and 90,000 starter home supports. The Government is targeting a delivery of more than 300,000 new homes over the next six years, an average of c. 50,000 per annum, with annual targets increasing incrementally to exceed 60,000 by end 2030/31. This means 12,000 new social homes will be delivered on average each year to the end of 2030.
152. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which the new short-term letting regulations will return vacant homes to the rental market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48050/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra323. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address issues (details supplied) in relation to the Draft National Planning Statement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48428/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 152 and 323 together.
The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (DETE) has drafted the Short Term Letting and Tourism (STLT) Bill General Scheme in full alignment with the EU Short Term Rental Regulation. The introduction of the STLT Bill will provide a more effective legal and administrative basis to regulate short term lettings. This Bill when enacted will provide the statutory basis for the introduction of a register for all Short Term Lettings in Ireland, which will be implemented and managed by Fáilte Ireland.
In line with the proposed introduction of DETE’s STLT Bill, all short-term letting accommodation providers will be required to register with Fáilte Ireland. As part of the registration process, accommodation providers will need to confirm that they are planning compliant.
The Planning Acts provide that the short-term letting of a residential property is a material change of use of the property concerned, thereby requiring planning permission, unless otherwise specifically exempted. A threshold-based approach to consenting by planning authorities is proposed to generally preclude new planning permissions for short-term lets in larger towns and cities with a population in excess of 20,000, amounting to twenty five towns at the most recent Census of Population. It is intended that accommodation providers in all other locations, i.e. outside the largest towns and cities, will be able to avail of an extended period to meet planning compliance requirements.
To ensure that there is a clear view, both at national level and local authority level, as to the overall policy approach to determining planning applications for short-term lets, my Department is currently finalising a National Planning Statement (NPS) on Short-Term Letting to supplement and support the introduction of the STLT Bill.
On 16 June, Government noted the draft NPS on Short-Term Letting. This draft will now be subject to a Strategic Environmental Assessment process and the EU Services Directive notification process. A finalised version of the NPS, having regard to the outcomes of the environmental assessment and EU notification, will require further Government approval.
Regarding bringing vacant homes back into use, working to end dereliction and vacancy is a key priority in the Government's new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities. The Plan aims to ensure that the activities and resources used to address vacancy and dereliction are co-ordinated and effective and that legislative powers are used proactively.
The Vacant Homes Action Plan outlines the range of initiatives and funding mechanisms that have been introduced in recent years and these measures are successfully reducing the levels of vacancy and dereliction across the country
A Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was introduced in 2022, which provides a grant of up to €50,000 for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent. A top-up grant of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed to be derelict, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000. In order to qualify for the grant, the property must be vacant for two years or more at the time of application.
In December 2025, I announced a new enhanced support package of up to €140,000 to bring vacant ‘above shop’ space in our cities, towns and villages into use as homes, which was launched on 1 April this year. I have also announced that additional funding for resources of up to €100,000 per annum would be made available to local authorities to support their delivery of the grant.
The CPO Activation Programme, launched in 2023, requires local authorities to take a proactive, systematic approach to identifying and activating vacant and derelict properties. It includes use of their compulsory purchase powers under the Derelict Sites Act 1990 and the Housing Act 1966, when engagement with the owners of these properties is not successful in bringing them back into use.
153. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline his plans to expand the help-to-buy and the first home schemes for young first time homeowners new into the market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48229/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe First Home Scheme is a demand led scheme, supporting all first-time buyers, self-builders and fresh start applicants - irrespective of age - to bridge the gap between their mortgage capacity and deposit and the price of the new home, within price ceilings established across the Country.
The First Home Scheme Designated Activity Company (DAC) is fully responsible for the operation of the First Home Scheme on behalf of all shareholders – who are the State and participating pillar banks.
In order to minimise the risk of price distortions in the First-Time Buyer market, the First Home Scheme introduced the concept of Local Authority Price Ceilings from the outset of the Scheme. At its launch, the DAC announced it would review all price ceilings at 6-month intervals. These reviews take into account a range of factors, including the median price and volume of new builds purchased by first time buyers in each local authority area including at sub county level where relevant. These reviews allow the Scheme to remain adaptive to local market conditions, while also providing support to first time buyers and promoting additional housing supply while mitigating local price distortions.
At the end of December 2025, the DAC published the outcome of its seventh scheduled review of the price ceilings that apply to qualifying homes and subsequently revised price ceilings. New price ceilings were agreed for 17 local authority areas and these ceilings came into effect on 1 January 2026. The First Home Scheme DAC will continue to monitor the price ceilings as part of the next review in June 2026.
Furthermore, the Programme for Government contains a commitment to extend the First Home Scheme to 2030. In May 2025, Cabinet agreed to an additional commitment of the First Home Scheme extending the Scheme to June 2027, which serves as a phased approach to this commitment. The new housing plan Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030 also contains an action to engage with the pillar banks to extend the Scheme to 2030.
Please note, the Help to Buy incentive is an initiative of Revenue and the Department of Finance, and does not come under the remit of my Department. Revenue and the Department of Finance should be contacted in relation to that scheme’s operation.
155. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his Department's plan to address the housing needs of people with an intellectual disability who are cared for at home by aging parents and family as highlighted by a campaign (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48055/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra168. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of a campaign (details supplied); his plans to facilitate the housing needs of their members and more broadly people with intellectual disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47943/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 168 together.
My Department jointly published the National Housing Strategy for Disabled People (NHSDP) 2022-2027 and Implementation Plan with the Department of Health and the Department of Children, Disability, and Equality. The Strategy and Implementation Plan may be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/60d76-national-housing-strategy-for-disabled-people-2022-2027/. The Implementation Plan sets out the actions to achieve the vision of the joint Strategy for delivering housing and related supports for disabled people to 2027 operating under the new housing plan Delivering Homes, Building Communities. The Plan aims to deliver 300,000 new homes by the end of 2030, including 72,000 social homes and 90,000 affordable housing supports by the end of 2030.
Local authorities play a key role in the planning and provision of social housing in their areas, and decide on the number and types of dwellings to provide, based on identified need including disabled people. Existing social housing targets run to the end of 2026. These targets were developed based on the social housing waiting list for each local authority and data obtained from the Housing Needs Demand Assessment, which profiles future demand for social housing. My Department is currently reviewing data sources and methodology to prepare appropriate individual local authority housing targets to meet local needs and demand out to 2030.
Under Delivering Homes, Building Communities, each local authority will prepare a Housing Delivery Action Plan (HDAP) setting out their planned delivery of social and affordable housing to 2030 in line with their targets. In preparing their HDAP, each local authority will reflect local need to ensure the right mix of homes to respond to need and priorities, including housing for disabled people for whom targets for the period 2027-2030 will be agreed with each local authority. It is expected that new HDAPs will be in place by Q4 2026.
All local authorities have Housing and Disability Steering Groups (HDSGs) whose role is to put in place strategic plans for housing for disabled people and to monitor activity under these plans. The HDSGs are representative of disabled people as well as the Health Services Executive, the local authority and Approved Housing Bodies and are a key driver of the provision of housing for disabled people at local level. These steering groups are central to the delivery of the strategy at a local level and provide an effective forum for appropriate housing and services planning.
HDSGs facilitate integrated, aligned and timely responses to the housing needs of disabled people through an interagency collaboration framework to drive progress at the local level. Membership of the HDSGs includes local authority Director of Housing Services, HSE, Disabled Persons Organisations, organisations for disabled people including service providers (including Sections 38/39 of the Health Act 2004 organisations), and Approved Housing Body sector (including Sections 38/39 of the Health Act 2004 organisations).
Separately, my Department published a Design Manual for Quality Housing (the Design Manual) which is available on my Department’s website at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/b3e02-design-manual-for-quality-housing/. The Design Manual contains unit types design approach for Group Homes or Community Dwellings usually used in the provision of housing for people with intellectual disability.
My Department, in conjunction with local authorities and AHBs, continues to work and engage with the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and the HSE within the framework of the National Housing Strategy for Disabled People. This is to ensure the coordinated delivery of independent living accommodation to meet the needs of disabled people, aligned in conjunction with the delivery of the disability services supports for independent living for disabled people which is the responsibility of the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and the HSE.
156. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has assessed the impact low car parking provision in high-density residential developments; its effect on community relations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46879/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMaximum parking rates for new residential developments are addressed at a national level in the Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlement Guidelines “the Settlement Guidelines”, issued in 2024 under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended).
The Settlement Guidelines aim to support the use of public transport, walking and cycling to reduce traffic congestion, lower emissions and improve air quality, contributing to national climate goals. The Settlement Guidelines are designed to strike the balance between the need for residents to have access to parking but also to support investments in public transport services and active travel (walking and cycling). The provision of car parking can also add significant cost to developments, in particular high-density schemes (i.e. apartments) where higher ratios of parking necessitate a podium or basement car park.
The Settlement Guidelines set out graduated maximum car parking rates based on proximity to urban centres and sustainable transport options. These range from 1 space per dwelling in central or accessible locations to 2 spaces per dwellings in more peripheral or intermediate locations with higher rates of car dependency. These rates do not include bays assigned for use by a car club, designated short stay on–street Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations or accessible parking spaces.
It should be noted that prior to the issuing of the Settlement Guidelines in 2024, parking rates were generally set by planning authorities through their development plans.
Where planning permission is sought for particular residential development proposals, planning authorities and An Coimisiún Pleanála will need to be satisfied that the necessary and appropriate provision of parking is provided in accordance with the requirements of the Settlement Guidelines. For developments of 100 residential units or more, the Settlement Guidelines recommend that a Mobility Management Plan/ Travel Plan is prepared in support of the proposed parking arrangements.
It should also be noted that local authorities are independent in their functions under the Local Government Acts, and under the provisions of Section 36 of the Road Traffic Act, which falls under the responsibility of the Minister for Transport, roads authorities may make bye-laws for the control, management and regulation of on-street parking of vehicles (including Residential Parking Permits) in public areas.
159. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on vacant and derelict housing in Galway city and county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48288/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra172. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress that has been made in bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use in County Galway; whether additional supports are being considered to assist local authorities and homeowners in returning these properties to the housing stock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48305/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 159 and 172 together.
Working to end dereliction and vacancy is a key priority in the Government's new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities. The Plan aims to ensure that the activities and resources used to address vacancy and dereliction are co-ordinated and effective and that legislative powers are used proactively to work to bring dereliction and vacancy to an end.
The Vacant Homes Action Plan outlines the range of initiatives and funding mechanisms that have been introduced in recent years and these measures are successfully reducing the levels of vacancy and dereliction across the country, including Galway city and county.
One of the key measures in the Action Plan is the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, introduced in July 2022. The grant provides up to €70,000 for the refurbishment of vacant and derelict properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent.
In April, I launched a new enhanced support package of up to €140,000 to bring vacant ‘above shop’ space in our cities, towns and villages into use as homes, including an Expert Advice Grant.
The CPO Activation Programme was launched in 2023. This requires local authorities to take a proactive, systematic approach to identifying and activating vacant and derelict properties. It includes use of their compulsory purchase powers under the Derelict Sites Act 1990 and the Housing Act 1966, when engagement with the owners of these properties is not successful in bringing them back into use.
Under Call 3 of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), Government established a €150 million revolving fund for local authorities to acquire vacant or derelict properties, using their compulsory purchase powers where necessary.
The Town Centre First policy, for which I and the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht hold joint responsibility, is a major cross-government policy. It aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres. It does so by setting out a framework to facilitate and resource regeneration of our towns and villages to ensure they are vibrant, viable, visible and happy places to live, work, invest in and visit. Town Centre First complements other national policies, including our rural future, the national housing strategy and the national planning framework.
Under the Derelict sites Act 1990, local authorities have been provided with a range of powers and measures to deal with the issue of derelict properties. Local authority powers include requiring owners or occupiers to take appropriate measures on derelict sites, acquiring derelict sites by agreement, or compulsorily, and applying a derelict sites levy on derelict sites.
A new Derelict Property Tax was announced in Budget 2026 and it is intended to introduce legislation providing for the tax in 2026. This tax will, when it comes into effect, replace the Derelict Sites Levy and will be collected by the Revenue Commissioners. Updating and maintaining their Derelict Sites/Property Registers will continue to remain the responsibility of local authorities, and Derelict Sites levies that remain outstanding when the new tax is introduced will remain as charges on the land and will be the responsibility of each local authority to collect.
I firmly believe the commitment Government has made to addressing vacancy and dereliction and the actions under Delivering Homes, Building Communities will play a vital role in bringing properties back into use and delivering homes across the country, including Galway city and county.
160. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the development of guidelines relating to backyard modular or compact dwellings; when he expects these guidelines to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47864/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSignificant progress on the review of Exempted Development Regulations has been made. A successful public consultation took place last year with over 900 submissions received via the online portal. The details in these submissions have been reviewed and have informed the on-going drafting of the updated Exempted Development Regulations that will be forthcoming across 2026.
The implementation of the update of these regulations is being done on a phased basis, by theme, with priority already having been given to the exemptions relating to domestic dwellings. These domestic dwellings regulations are at advanced draft stage and include exemptions for detached auxiliary dwellings to the rear of the main dwelling. The final decisions on the specifics of these regulations will be communicated and brought forward for implementation as soon as possible.
It is intended that updated Exempted Development Regulations for residential development will be signed into law as soon as possible.
The new draft Exempted Development Regulations are subject to formal environmental consideration, before being laid in draft form before the Houses of the Oireachtas. This process will also necessitate formal engagement with the Joint Oireachtas Committee for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and an appearance will be sought before the Committee at the earliest opportunity, once the environmental assessment process is complete.
161. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his engagements with representative countryside, conservation and rural stakeholder organisations, farming organisations, hunting associations and game management groups, regarding proposed EU restrictions on lead ammunition; if he will outline Ireland's position at recent meetings of the EU REACH Committee regarding such restrictions on use of lead ammunition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47948/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraRestrictions made under the REACH Regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) are intended to protect human health and the environment from exposure to harmful chemicals. Such restrictions may range from outright bans to limits on specific uses. Restriction proposals are brought forward by the European Commission on the basis of scientific opinions prepared by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
Responsibility for Ireland’s chemicals policy, including engagement on REACH matters at EU level, rests with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE). Ireland is represented at the REACH Committee meetings for matters within the remit of DETE by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), an agency under the aegis of DETE.
As set out in answer to previous parliamentary questions raised with regard to this matter, my Department has no responsibility for engaging with stakeholders on proposed EU restrictions on ammunition. Those matters fall within the remit of DETE and other relevant authorities.
My Department also has no responsibility for matters relating to the manufacture, sale, importation of supply of ammunition. Those matters fall within the remit of DETE and other relevant authorities.
In order to assist DETE in coordinating the Irish position, my Department has engaged in respect of matters relevant to its own functions, including nature conservation and biodiversity protection considerations.
162. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a scheme will commence to relocate nine families, living in defective concrete block homes away from a location (details supplied); when his Department officials will consult with the homeowners on the design of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47952/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 commenced on 22 June 2023. It underpins the current grant scheme and the related Regulations were adopted on 29 June 2023.
I visited Donegal last year where I met many of the residents affected and I understand the flood issue pertaining to Elm Park in Buncrana, where nine homeowners are particularly affected.
The majority of homeowners impacted are eligible to avail of the Defective Concrete Block Scheme which is funded by my Department. They are understandably worried about availing of the scheme and remediating their homes without the flood risk having been addressed. I know that the Office of Public Works has a plan to undertake flood relief works in the coming period in that area which will address the flood risk.
The residents however, are concerned about the length of time before those flood works would be completed and have asked that consideration be given to relocation options.
I appreciate the genuine concerns of the residents based on their own personal experiences in recent years. Therefore, I am disposed towards exploring solutions to the flooding issue based on the needs of those affected if a workable solution can be found.
My Department and the OPW are currently examining the potential to develop a relocation scheme which might address the needs of the community in Elm Park, whilst remaining consistent with the underlying DCB legislation and the principles of good governance and value for public monies. Legal advice is awaited in relation to same.
Any such scheme must also remain cognisant of the broader flood relief works being undertaken by the OPW in the wider area.
My Department and the OPW will continue to explore the feasibility of relocating the residents and I will consider proposals with the Minister of State for the Office of Public Works with a view to bringing options to Government.
