Thomas Gould
Ceist:165. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the State will meet the 2030 target of 36,500 social homes retrofitted. [43417/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing Provision
Ceisteanna (165)
Freagraí scríofa
In 2021, the Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme (EERP) adopted a holistic approach aligned with the Programme for Government. The Programme aims to retrofit 500,000 homes by 2030, including 36,500 local authority-owned homes, for which grant funding is provided by my Department.
The programme is well established and continues to maintain strong momentum across local authorities. By the end of 2025, more than 11,000 social housing retrofits had been completed under the programme. Given progress to date, and the growing appetite and capacity in the local government sector, I am confident the target of 36,500 social housing retrofits will be achieved by 2030.
Annual data on funding allocations and completed units from 2013 to 2025 is available on my Department’s website at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/668c1-energy-efficiency-retrofitting-programme-expenditure-output/.
Additionally, details on the Midlands Energy Retrofit Pilot Programme can also be accessed at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/b86b3-midlands-energy-retrofit-programme-expenditure-and-units/#.
Some €140 million has been allocated local authorities under the EERP this year. This is an increase of more than 50% year-on-year and should support the retrofit of 3,500 local authority social homes this year. Output data on the 2026 EERP will published on my Department’s website in early 2027.
Defective Building Materials
Ceisteanna (166)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Ceist:166. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if, in light of the revision of I.S. 465, he will direct that all appeals currently before the Defective Concrete Blocks Appeals Boards continue to be determined and issued without delay, given that appellants have already endured lengthy delays in the scheme and continue remain living in deteriorating homes. [47953/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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.
An Appeals Panel has been established to assess appeals made under the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the use of Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme.
The Appeals Panel is statutorily independent in the performance of their functions of myself as Minister, my Department and of the Housing Agency. My Department provides limited administrative support during the initial stage of the process, in that appeals submitted by homeowners are forwarded to the Panel.
Matters pertaining to the operation of the Panel, including the processing of appeals and determinations, would be a matter for the Chair of the Appeals Panel.
However, I can confirm my Department wrote to the Chair of the Appeals Panel on 4 June 2026 advising him, in light of the recently revised standard I.S. 465:2026 published by the NSAI on 2 June 2026, that under Section 51 of the Act that I intended to launch a review of the operation of the Act shortly. I also asked him to consider how the publication of the revised standard might affect the 113 appeals currently on hand or under various stages of review with the Panel and how best the appeals system can continue to operate in the best interests of homeowners in light of these developments.
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (167)
Barry Ward
Ceist:167. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether an assessment has been undertaken by his Department of infrastructural deficits, including wastewater, transport, and electricity capacity, which are constraining housing delivery in the Dublin region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48262/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The city and county development plans are required to set out a strategy for the planning and development of an area. An assessment of the infrastructure needed to support planned growth is a core part of the statutory plan making process. Under Section 10 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) the development plans must include policies and objectives relating to the provision of infrastructure, including wastewater, transport and energy.
In the Dublin region the Development Plans for the four Dublin local authorities, together with associated local area plans, identify the cross sectoral infrastructure needed to support housing development.
My Department is supporting the delivery of critical housing across the country through targeted funding schemes and initiatives.
These include the establishment of the Housing Activation Office (HAO) and the introduction of the new Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund (HIIF) in 2025 and 2026, alongside older schemes such as the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) and Urban Regeneration Development Fund (URDF).
The HAO is working with key stakeholders to drive the delivery of the critical infrastructure required to unlock housing development. The office is developing a coordinated programme of investment across towns and cities nationwide that will align investment across utilities and transport agencies to unlock housing lands and enable homes to be delivered.
Since its establishment, the HAO has engaged extensively with various stakeholders, including the four local authorities in Dublin and utilities and transport agencies, to identify and address infrastructure constraints.
On 21 January 2026, the Government launched the new €1 billion Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund (HIIF) to support investment in housing enabling infrastructure. The fund is managed by the Housing Activation Office.
A total of 138 applications were received from local authorities and the Land Development Agency under the first call for applications. Following a detailed assessment process, 82 projects have been approved for inclusion in the HIIF programme.
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
Under the first Call 12 projects have been accepted onto the HIIF programme in the Dublin Region with the potential to activate up to 57,000 homes. These projects will directly address barriers to housing delivery at these 12 locations. The works include the provision of roads, a road bridge, a railway bridge, utility and parks infrastructure.
My Department will continue to work with the Dublin local authorities and the infrastructure agencies to coordinate infrastructure works at a local level as part of these key housing enabling projects in Dublin.
Question No. 168 answered with Question No. 155.
Question No. 169 answered orally.
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (170)
Keira Keogh
Ceist:170. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department has assessed infrastructure constraints, such as water and wastewater capacity, which may be limiting housing development in Mayo; if so, the measures his Department is taking to address these constraints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38773/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The county development plan is required to set out a strategy for the planning and development of the plan area. An assessment of the infrastructure needed to support planned growth is a core part of the statutory plan making process. Under Section 10 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) the development plans must include policies and objectives relating to the provision of infrastructure, including wastewater, transport and energy.
In Mayo, the Development Plan, together with associated local area plans, identify the infrastructure needed to support housing development.
My Department is supporting the delivery of critical housing across the country through targeted funding schemes and initiatives.
These include the establishment of the Housing Activation Office (HAO) and the introduction of the new Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund (HIIF) in 2025 and 2026, alongside older schemes such as the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) and Urban Regeneration Development Fund (URDF).
The HAO is working with key stakeholders to drive the delivery of critical infrastructure required to unlock housing development. The office is developing a coordinated programme of investment across towns and cities nationwide that will align investment across utilities and transport agencies, including Uisce Éireann, to unlock housing lands and enable homes to be delivered.
Since its establishment, the HAO has engaged extensively with various stakeholders, including Mayo County Council, to identify infrastructure constraints that are impacting housing development.
On 21 January 2026, the Government launched the new €1 billion Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund (HIIF) to support investment in housing enabling infrastructure. The fund is managed by the Housing Activation Office.
A total of 138 applications were received from local authorities and the Land Development Agency under the first call for applications. Following a detailed assessment process, 82 projects have been approved for inclusion in the HIIF programme.
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
One project has been accepted onto the HIIF programme in Mayo. The project relates to the upgrade of Lodge Road in Westport with active travel, public lighting and SuDS infrastructure and has the potential to unlock lands for up to 500 homes.
The HAO will continue to work with Mayo County Council to identify infrastructure needed to unlock key housing sites in the County.
Economic Growth
Ceisteanna (171)
John Clendennen
Ceist:171. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the engagement that has taken place between his Department, infrastructure providers such as Uisce Éireann, and local authorities in relation to the long-term planning of water, energy and transport infrastructure required to support future investment and economic growth in County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48123/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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. It is through the development plan that planning authorities set out relevant objectives and policies to support the provision of infrastructure necessary to enable investment and growth. The power to make or vary a development plan is a reserved function of the elected members of each planning authority.
Stakeholder engagement plays a key role in the plan-making process, enabling planning authorities to have due regard to the policies of Government departments and State Agencies, thereby ensuring effective decision-making at local level that is consistent with Government policy and national and regional policy objectives.
Under sections 11, 12 and 13 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (under which all existing development plans were prepared), planning authorities were required to notify prescribed authorities when reviewing or varying their development plans. Under Article 13 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 a wide range of Government departments and State Agencies are prescribed for this purpose.
All future development plans will be made under Part 3, Chapter 5 (Development Plans) of the Planning and Development Act 2024, which was commenced on 31 December 2025. Sections 44 to 51 of the Act of 2024 require planning authorities to include various strategies and objectives in their development plans including in relation to the sustainable use of land, integrated transport, infrastructure, and the amenities, facilities and services required meet the social, recreational and cultural needs of the community.
To facilitate the move to plan-making under the Act of 2024, I signed the Planning and Development (Prescribed Persons - Statutory Plans) Regulations 2025 in October 2025. These Regulations prescribe certain public bodies for the purposes of stakeholder consultation in the plan-making processes under the Act. Included among those prescribed are infrastructure providers such as Uisce Éireann, Eirgrid, ESB Networks, and Transport Infrastructure Ireland.
Separately, as part of the process to prepare a development plan, section 54(5)(c) of the Act of 2024 requires each planning authority to take such measures as it considers appropriate to consult the providers of (i) energy, (ii) telecommunications, (iii) water services, (iv) transport, (v) any other infrastructure, (vi) education, (vii) health, (viii) policing, and (ix) any other services, in order to ascertain any long-term plans for the provision of infrastructure and services in the functional area of the planning authority.
The statutory requirement to notify prescribed authorities and consult with service providers during the plan-making process enables providers of public infrastructure and services to contribute from an early stage and ensure that their inputs inform the process. Such engagement also has the secondary function of allowing infrastructure providers to take account of the planned quantum and distribution of proposed development in specified areas over a medium-term horizon.
A similar approach is reflected in the development management process through Article 28 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, such that when a planning authority receives a planning application that interacts with the statutory remit of a prescribed body, that application is required to be referred to the prescribed body in question in order to enable it to make a submission or observation to the planning authority.
Additional guidance to planning authorities on engagement with prescribed bodies is also provided in the form of Ministerial guidelines issued under section 28 of the 2000 Act, including but not limited to, the Development Plans Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2022), and Development Management Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2007).
My Department has oversight responsibility for Uisce Eireann and separately, my Department has established a Housing Activation Office within the Department to accelerate the delivery of public infrastructure projects needed to enable housing development in towns and cities across the country. The office works with stakeholders across Government, including individual local authorities, to identify and resolve infrastructure constraints that are impacting on housing development, including through the provision of funding under the Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund.
Question No. 172 answered with Question No. 159.
Question No. 173 answered with Question No. 141.
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (174)
Edward Timmins
Ceist:174. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the annual housing targets which were given to local authorities in summer 2025; the way this is being monitored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48303/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department publishes comprehensive programme-level statistics on a quarterly basis on social and affordable housing delivery activity by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in each local authority. These statistics provide delivery data at local authority level, including data on housing delivery vs targets. Data is available to the end of Q4 2025 and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/ . Data for Q1 2026 is being collated and will be available in due course.
Under the new housing plan, Building Homes, Delivering Communities, each local authority will prepare a Housing Delivery Action Plan (HDAP) which sets out their planned delivery of social and affordable housing to 2030 in line with targets which will be set by my Department. My Department will be communicating with the local authorities in this regard and will monitor progress on the targets by referring to these HDAPs throughout their lifetime.
It should be noted that existing HDAPs run from 2022 to the end of 2026, and it is expected that new HDAPs, which will run to 2030, will be in place early in Q4 2026. Annual housing targets were not given to local authorities in summer 2025. Each local authority's current HDAP is published on their individual websites.
These HDAPs will be informed by social and affordable housing need within the local authority area and will involve collaboration with the delivery partners, including the Land Development Agency and the Approved Housing Bodies, as applicable.
Housing Policy
Ceisteanna (175)
Rory Hearne
Ceist:175. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he is taking to address the housing needs of over 55s who wish to right size into social and affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48052/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government’s housing plan Delivering Homes, Building Communities 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. To achieve this, the largest ever housing budget in the history of the State has been secured in 2026, with in excess of €9 billion in capital funding through the Exchequer, the Land Development Agency (LDA) and the Housing Finance Agency (HFA). Government is fully committed to working with all stakeholders to deliver social, affordable and cost rental homes at scale and to continue accelerating housing supply across all tenures.
Government is committed to increasing housing available to older people to facilitate ageing in place with dignity and independence and to supporting rightsizing on a voluntary basis. Delivering Homes, Building Communities, includes measures which will increase delivery of housing for older people through increased delivery of social housing, increased delivery of more suitable homes and choice in private housing and increased choice to support voluntary rightsizing.
The Plan will also increase choice for older people to voluntarily rightsize through advancing consideration of the availability of bridging finance to support rightsizing, a review of the operation of existing local authority financial contribution schemes and supporting social housing tenants who wish to rightsize to more suitable accommodation.
My Department is advancing these measures, now incorporated in the new housing plan, including the implementation of these commitments through an action plan that is currently being prepared by my Department, and it is expected it will be completed in the coming months.
Question No. 176 answered with Question No. 102.
Rental Sector
Ceisteanna (177, 195)
Roderic O'Gorman
Ceist:177. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of a recent case where residents of an apartment complex have been made homeless following a fire (details supplied); if his Department is considering additional protections for tenants made homeless due to accidental damage to their rented accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48290/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraRoderic O'Gorman
Ceist:195. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is considering introducing additional support for local authorities to assist tenants who are made homeless through fire damage to their rented accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48291/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 177 and 195 together.
The Residential Tenancies Acts 2004 to 2026 (the RTA) regulate the landlord-tenant relationship in the private residential rented sector, and set out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. The RTA limits the grounds for tenancy termination and provides procedures for lawful tenancy terminations.
The RTA strictly limits the termination of a tenancy on the ground of substantial refurbishment or renovation to works that are certified for health and safety reasons to require at least 3 weeks of vacant possession to complete. In the case of a tenancy termination on this ground, the landlord must offer to re-let the dwelling to the tenant upon completion of the works.
The role of the Department is to ensure that a framework of policy, legislation and funding is provided to ensure that housing authorities are in a position to address homelessness at a local level.
Tenants who are made homeless by the fire and do not have alternative accommodation may seek assistance from Fingal County Council. The Council will assess housing need and, where appropriate, provide emergency or temporary accommodation and access to housing supports.
It is the responsibility of local authorities, and in this case Fingal County Council, to assess individual needs and deliver supports on the ground, including housing needs assessments, the provision of emergency accommodation, and any homelessness supports required for residents affected. The local authority will work with other agencies such as Dublin Fire Brigade, the Department of Social Protection, HSE, and Approved Housing Bodies, where appropriate, to ensure supports are put in place.
The RTB has provided an information sheet on its dispute resolution service to Fingal County Council to assist affected parties and its website – www.rtb.ie – provides its contact details and information on tenancy rights. My Department and the RTB keep the operation of the RTA under constant review and make any necessary and justifiable changes in a timely manner.
The Department will continue to support Fingal County Council with the funding necessary to ensure the residents of the apartment complex are supported in accessing housing assistance, where appropriate, in the weeks ahead.
Housing Schemes
Ceisteanna (178)
Brian Stanley
Ceist:178. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps his Department is taking to upscale and measure the number of cost rental housing in Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48276/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Cost Rental is a key element of the Government’s Delivering Homes, Building Communities housing action plan and is designed to provide secure, long-term rental accommodation at rents that are significantly below market levels. It is targeted at households whose incomes exceed the threshold for social housing support but who may face challenges affording private sector rents. The main eligibility condition for Cost Rental comprises an annual net income limit of €66,000 in the four Dublin local authority areas, and €59,000 in the rest of Ireland.
Approved Housing Bodies have so far delivered 60 new Cost Rental homes across two developments in Portlaoise, at The Maltings in 2024 and Rath Rua in 2025. In terms of future delivery, the Department’s funding schemes are available to Cost Rental providers on a nationwide basis, including Co Laois.
The Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) scheme provides funding to Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to finance development or acquisitions of new Cost Rental homes, on a sliding scale basis of up to 55% of the total capital costs for the homes. The 55% CREL model incorporates a mix of a long-term loan (up to a maximum of 35% of capital costs) along with a State equity investment element (up to a maximum of 20% of capital costs). The CREL scheme is available nationwide and AHBs have delivered more than 3,500 Cost Rental homes across 17 Local Authority Areas through the Cost Rental Equity Loan since the passing of the Affordable Housing Act 2021 to the end of 2025. In total, 117 projects have been approved for CREL since its inception in 2021 to date, with anticipated cumulative delivery of just over 8,600 homes by the end of 2029 with associated CREL funding support of €2bn.
The Secure Tenancy Affordable Rental investment scheme (STAR) launched in 2023. The scheme supports the delivery at scale of Cost Rental homes, to be let at a minimum of 25% below comparable market rental levels in high demand urban areas. The STAR scheme is available to providers nationwide and provides equity investment up to a maximum of €175,000 per unit in Dublin and €150,000 per unit in the rest of Ireland, with an additional €25,000 available for meeting the sustainability criteria as set out in the Scheme. To date, 10 applications have been approved for funding for the delivery of 2,422 Cost Rental homes under the Scheme.
The Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) is also available to all local authorities, including Laois County Council, to assist towards the cost of developing affordable housing at locations where significant affordability needs have been identified. To date, the local authority affordable housing delivery programme is supporting the delivery of over 7,900 affordable homes, including over 1,200 Cost Rental homes. Overall, to support local authority delivery of both Starter Purchase and Cost Rental homes, grant assistance of over €714m is in place under the AHF.
My Department, the Housing Agency, and the Housing Delivery Co-ordination Office of the Local Government Management Association continue to be available to assist Laois County Council to develop an affordable delivery programme that will respond effectively to identified localised affordability needs in key urban locations, including Cost Rental where appropriate. The emphasis is on proactively collaborating to identify, develop, and deliver viable affordable housing opportunities.
Rental Sector
Ceisteanna (179)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Ceist:179. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps his Department is taking to assist elderly and disabled tenants such as a person (details supplied) to find suitable accommodation following the Government's new rental legislation that caused a spike in eviction notices in Q1 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48298/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Residential Tenancies Acts 2004 to 2026 regulate the landlord-tenant relationship in the residential rental sector and sets out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. The Acts protect tenants and landlords of all ages, with or without a disability.
The Acts apply to every dwelling that is the subject of a tenancy, subject to a limited number of exceptions. Dwellings covered by the Acts include the private rental sector, the cost rental sector, the approved housing body sector and student specific accommodation.
Significant legislative changes have been introduced over the past number of years to enhance security of tenure for all tenants. From 6 July 2022, the Residential Tenancies Acts have been amended to further enhance tenancy protections, including by providing for tenancies of unlimited duration (after 6 months under tenancy without a valid notice of termination having been served) and the extension of termination notice periods where there has been no breach of obligations.
The Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026 came into operation on 1 March 2026. The reform of the rental sector provides stronger protections for tenants and encourages investment in the sector through updated rent controls.
In order to provide greater security of tenure for tenants, the Act provides stronger tenant protections by significantly restricting “no fault evictions” for new tenancies. The existing provision for tenancies of unlimited duration is strengthened by the incorporation of rolling 6 year tenancies of minimum duration.
Notwithstanding the provisions of the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004 to 2026, which apply equally to people of all ages, with or without a disability, individual tenancy agreements may provide for many different arrangements/lease provisions in place. Such contract terms are separate to the legal provisions of the Residential Tenancies Acts and are a private contractual matter between the parties. However, such terms cannot be less favourable to the tenant than the protections under the Residential Tenancies Acts. The RTB dispute resolution service is available to all tenants, and a landlord who registered a tenancy with the RTB may also refer a dispute for resolution.
Furthermore, The Equal Status Acts 2000-2018, which fall under the remit of the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, prohibit discrimination in the provision of accommodation on any of the 10 grounds set out below, subject to some exemptions. The grounds on which discrimination is outlawed by the Equal Status Acts are: gender ground; civil status ground; family status; sexual orientation; religion; age; disability; race; membership of the Traveller community and housing assistance.
Further information with regard to redress where discrimination occurs is available on the website of the Workplace Relations Commission - www.workplacerelations.ie
The Government’s housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, includes measures which will increase delivery of housing for older people through increased delivery of social housing, increased delivery of more suitable homes and choice in private housing and increased choice to support voluntary rightsizing.
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 Delivering Homes, Building Communities, which 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
Ceisteanna (180)
John McGuinness
Ceist:180. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will examine the merits of bringing the local authority audit system under the remit of the Comptroller and Auditor General. [48287/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Local authorities operate in a highly regulated environment which seeks to ensure transparency and accountability.
The Local Government Audit Service (LGAS) is the statutory independent external professional audit service for the local government sector, which performs its functions in accordance with sections 114 to 126 of the Local Government Act, 2001, as amended by the Local Government Reform Act, 2014. The LGAS provides independent scrutiny of the financial stewardship of local authorities and other local bodies in accordance with the Accounting Code of Practice and Code of Audit Practice.
The Local Government Reform Act 2014 strengthened the governance arrangements at local government level and established the National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC) as an independent statutory body to provide oversight of local authorities in Ireland.
In 2024 the Local Government Code of Governance was published by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH). This Code was developed in close consultation with the local authorities. It is a framework which sets out the benchmark and roadmap for good governance in local authorities.
Elected members are conferred with a central role in financial oversight and governance within local authorities in the Local Government Acts. The oversight function of the elected council in local authorities is a core principle of democratic accountability and financial governance. In addition, the Local Democracy Taskforce, which has completed its work and submitted its report to me, was tasked with making recommendations to ensure that the recommendations of the Local Government Audit Service and findings of NOAC are scrutinised by the elected Council and acted upon, with mandatory oversight responsibilities developed for councillors in this regard.
The State is a party to the Council of Europe's European Charter on Local Self-Government, which lays down standards for protecting the rights of local authorities and requires states which have ratified it to comply with a number of conditions, principles and practices. States undertake to respect a core of basic principles to which no reservation is possible – such as the right of citizens to participate in managing public affairs, the key rights of communities to enjoy autonomy and self-government, elect their local bodies and to have their own structures and financial resources. The conditions of office of local elected representatives must ensure that they are able to exercise their functions freely within the limits of local self-government.
On foot of our obligations under this international treaty, the independence of local government is recognised in Article 28A of Bunreacht na hÉireann. The statutory independence of local authorities in the performance of their functions is further set down in Section 63 of the Local Government Act 2001. It is not clear how a proposal to bring the local authority audit system under the remit of the Comptroller and Auditor General would be in line with the constitutional and legislative independence of local government or respect the independent role of locally elected Councillors.
Homeless Persons Supports
Ceisteanna (181)
Cormac Devlin
Ceist:181. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the measures he is taking to tackle homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48095/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Supporting individuals and families experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness is a priority for my Department and Government.
Our housing plan, ‘Delivering Homes, Building Communities: An Action Plan on Housing Supply and Targeting Homelessness’ is an integrated housing and homelessness plan. The plan is based on two key pillars: activating the supply of 300,000 more homes; and supporting people to have a home of their own.
Increased supply is key to addressing homelessness. Government is focused on making sure that everyone has access to good quality, affordable and secure homes that suit their needs. Over €9 billion in capital funding will be made available for housing in 2026.
Prevention of homelessness in the first instance is an absolute priority. There are many preventions initiatives already underway in my own Department and across Government. This includes the provision of social and affordable housing, HAP and homeless HAP, and our strong tenancy protection legislation. In order to ensure a fully aligned all-of-Government approach under the Plan, we are committing to develop a national Homelessness Prevention Framework within which homelessness can be prevented in a structured and planned way with tailored prevention measures for each potential at risk cohort. This Framework will be in place in 2026.
Addressing family homelessness is a key priority for Government. Our housing plan commits to the development of a Child and Family Homelessness Action Plan. This action plan has been completed and will be published in the coming weeks. It brings together key stakeholders to drive the continued focus on preventing children and families entering emergency accommodation, providing enhanced supports for children experiencing homelessness, as well as measures to accelerate exits and reduce the time spent by children and their families in homeless emergency accommodation.
The new housing plan provides dedicated capital funding of €100 million which will be ring-fenced to support local authorities to acquire properties to tackle long-term homelessness. It will be used specifically to acquire suitable units to exit families the longest in emergency accommodation and for Housing First units for individuals with complex needs experiencing homelessness.
Budget 2026 provides a total allocation of €563.5m to address homelessness. This includes €513.5m in current funding to ensure local authorities can provide sufficient emergency accommodation as well as essential related services including Housing First supports, homelessness prevention supports, day services, and tenancy sustainment measures. Additionally, €50 million in capital funding will allow local authorities to invest in the provision of local authority or NGO owned emergency accommodation facilities, developing a more sustainable approach to the delivery of emergency accommodation and ensuring that services are tailored for the needs of clients.
Housing Schemes
Ceisteanna (182)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:182. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on LIHAF-funded projects in Cherrywood. [48320/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government launched the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) in 2016 to support housing supply by relieving critical infrastructure blockages. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (the Department) manage the scheme. The scheme is currently managed by the Housing Activation Office (HAO).
In 2017, following a competitive process, 30 infrastructure projects were approved funding under LIHAF for delivery by 2021. The scheme was extended initially to the end of 2025 and subsequently to the end of 2028 to allow for the completion of the remaining projects.
A total of 24 projects have progressed under the scheme with 17 projects fully completed, 5 in construction or with phases completed, 1 project approved to commence construction and 1 project at the planning and design stage.
€11.39m was committed under LIHAF to support a phased transport project in Cherrywood SDZ that unlocks lands for 2,000 housing units. This project is managed by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.
Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the project are complete and the third phase comprising Druid's Glen Road and Bridge is at design stage.
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council have confirmed that to end May 2026, 2,168 units have been delivered on lands serviced by the LIHAF infrastructure. As part of the funding agreement, a portion of the overall housing yield is required to have an affordable or social element. The Council are engaging with the current landowners in Cherrywood in relation to the provision of affordable or social homes. It is expected that details of a proposed agreement will be submitted to my Department shortly for review.