Written Answers Nos. 183-204
183. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage following on from the first phase of announcements under the Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund, when the next phase of funding will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48235/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 21 January 2026, the Government launched a new multiannual €1 billion Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund (HIIF) to support direct investment in housing enabling infrastructure. The Housing Activation Office in my Department manages the fund.
The core objective of the HIIF is to unblock infrastructure constraints and activate lands that are identified for housing development. By investing directly in transport, water, electricity and other enabling infrastructure, the fund will ensure that land is properly serviced and ready to deliver homes.
Call 1 of the HIIF opened for applications from local authorities and the Land development Agency (LDA) on 21 January 2026 and closed on Friday 27 February 2026. A total of 138 applications were received under Call 1 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
Further funding calls under the HIIF are under development, with the intention to broaden the scope of the fund to include a wider range of delivery approaches and a wider range of public and private sector delivery partners. The primary aim is to build a rolling programme of investment that addresses obstacles to the delivery of housing and better coordinates investment in the servicing of zoned lands as the land is zoned.
185. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends reforming local government to give more powers to democratically elected councillors as opposed to council management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48202/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Democracy Taskforce, a key commitment in the Programme for Government, was established in July 2025 with the purpose of bringing forward a suite of reforms across the Local Government Sector. The Taskforce, as part of its work programme considered the Structures, Functions, Funding and Governance & Accountability arrangements currently in practice across the sector with a view to bringing forward reforms in these areas. In its work on Governance & Accountability the Taskforce was asked to develop proposals to rebalance the power between elected councillors and the executive.
The Local Democracy Taskforce presented its final report to me on 4 March 2026. A key consideration by the Taskforce when considering its Terms of Reference was that the recommendations made would be made in a manner that would allow for the successful implementation of the recommendations.
An implementation plan is currently being drafted with a view to bringing the report and implementation to plan to Government for consideration shortly. Following this, the report and implementation plan will be published and the process of implementing the reform policy ultimately agreed by Government will commence.
186. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the timeline for when solar planning guidelines will be published by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48228/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with commitments in the Programme for Government 2025, my Department is working with the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE), which holds policy responsibility for renewable energy matters, in respect of the introduction of a number of National Planning Statements related to Ireland's Climate Action Plan target to increase the share of electricity generated from renewable sources up to 80% in 2030. This includes the preparation of a National Planning Statement for solar energy development.
Further to the commencement of Chapter 3 of Part 3 of the Planning and Development Act 2024 on 2 October 2025, provisions for National Planning Statements have been introduced to replace the provisions for Ministerial guidelines issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. All existing Section 28 guidelines will, over time, be revoked and replaced with new National Planning Statements. Any current section 28 guidelines will however remain in force until revoked or replaced by a corresponding National Planning Statement. The timing of the issuing of National Planning Statements will be based on Government priorities.
In respect of sectoral national planning statements in particular there is also an important role for the relevant policy Department in collaborating with my Department on the development of these National Planning Statements. In that context, my Department is working closely with the DCEE as the Department with policy responsibility for this area of Government policy in order to identify the component factors relevant to the preparation of this National Planning Statement, including any appropriate environmental reporting and public consultation requirements, European obligations such as the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), battery storage facilities and the possible timeframe for publication of the National Planning Statement.
In the interim it is the case that, as with the vast majority of development types, there are not specific guidelines for the development of solar energy. I am satisfied that the existing and evolving planning system, supported by Government policy more generally, provides a sufficiently robust policy and legislative framework to facilitate the rollout of solar energy development in a sustainable manner and to assist with meeting our renewable electricity requirements while balancing the perspectives of local communities and allowing for public and stakeholder engagement.
In line with EU Directive requirements, a strategic environmental assessment will be carried out on any draft National Planning Statement regarding solar energy development, with opportunity for consultation by the public and all stakeholders on the draft National Planning Statement.
187. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if guidelines and measures are in place to ensure rezoning for residential priority is given to plots of land that are shovel ready; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48203/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Revised National Planning Framework (NPF) was finalised and approved by Government and the Oireachtas in April 2025. The Revised NPF identifies the need to plan for approximately 50,000 additional households per annum to 2040 and provides the basis for the review and updating of Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies (RSESs) and local authority development plans to reflect such critical matters such as updated housing figures and projected jobs growth, including through the zoning of land for residential, employment and other purposes.
National Policy Objective (NPO) 105 of the Revised NPF requires planning authorities and infrastructure delivery agencies to focus on the timely delivery of enabling infrastructure to priority zoned lands in order to deliver planned growth and development.
The Development Plans Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2022), as issued by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, set out that the distribution of population and housing targets to the various settlements in the settlement hierarchy, including rural areas, requires an evidence-based assessment. A comprehensive capacity audit of land and sites with potential for development at a settlement level is a prerequisite to inform the drafting of the settlement strategy.
The Guidelines indicate that planning authorities should analyse the capacity of each settlement to accommodate new development in terms of suitable lands and infrastructure within the plan period through a ‘Settlement Capacity Audit’ (SCA) to distinguish between lands that are ‘Serviced’ (Tier 1) and those that are ‘Serviceable’ (Tier 2). This is to ensure that an informed decision can be made as to whether or not to zone land in particular settlements for residential development and to inform the plans core strategy.
To ensure that local authority development plans reflect the requirements of the Revised NPF in respect of housing as soon as possible, I issued the NPF Implementation: Housing Growth Requirements Guidelines under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 in July 2025. These Guidelines set out the housing demand scenario to 2040 for each local authority by translating the NPF housing requirements into average annual figures and require planning authorities to commence the process of varying their development plan to meet the new housing growth requirements.
In addition to the baseline housing growth requirement, planning authorities have been requested to address the scope for additional provision of up to 50% in excess of the baseline figure, in light of the urgent need to increase housing delivery, and to optimise the ability to deliver on the housing requirements of the NPF.
Planning authorities have assessed their respective development plans and have undertaken a review of the adequacy of existing zoned lands in their functional area to cater for the new Housing Growth Requirements and the potential for ‘additional provision’. To date, 30 local authorities have commenced a variation process, with 17 of those either partially or fully completed.
Separately, as part of the process to prepare a development plan, planning authorities are required to notify prescribed bodies and consult with utility providers to enable such providers to contribute from an early stage and ensure that their inputs inform the plan-making 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 in the development of their capital programmes.
188. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the measures his Department is considering to succeed the cessation of turf cutting compensation schemes as the payment period concludes for many applicants; if a replacement support is being considered; if so, the details of any such support or supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46881/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme was established following engagement with stakeholders in 2011 for active domestic turf cutters arising from the restrictions on turf cutting on 53 raised bog special areas of conservation (SAC) and was extended in 2014 to include 36 raised bog natural heritage areas (NHA).
This scheme has compensated those impacted by restrictions on turf-cutting on protected sites, and over its 15-year term has helped to ensure the conservation of important peatland sites of unique ecological value.
My Department is currently concluding its review of options for my consideration and I expect to review those options in due course.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service offers other schemes to support the conservation of these sites and local community groups, including:
• The Protected Raised Bog Restoration Incentive Scheme, which is a once off, area based financial incentive and voluntary land purchase scheme which enables the conservation of protected peatlands. The scheme is open to applications from eligible property right holders who wish to have their lands included as part of a restoration scheme or where access is required for restoration measures within protected raised bogs.
• The Peatlands and Natura Community Engagement Scheme aims to encourage local communities, organisations, educational institutions, and other stakeholders to actively contribute to the conservation and restoration of Natura 2000 sites and peatland areas and funds a diverse range of initiatives with community benefit.
Other supports, such as those operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland and the Department of Social Protection, are available to those with older homes, inefficient heating systems and those most at risk of fuel poverty.
189. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which the design and build approach is accelerating social housing delivery, cutting costs and expanding capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48064/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government's Housing Plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities aims to deliver 300,000 new homes in the period to 2030, including 72,000 social homes. The Plan seeks to enable significant scaling up of delivery of new build social homes to an average of 12,000 per year. The plan includes key measures to support local authorities to scale up delivery commensurate with the increased targets under the plan.
The plan supports additional social housing delivery by mandating the use of standard house layouts and specifications as part of the new approval process and promotes the use of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) through a standardised design approach. To further promote the delivery of social housing the use of a Design and Build contract approach is being embedded in all local authorities and the AHB sector in order to expedite the delivery of social housing.
Local authorities, supported by my Department, are rapidly expanding their use of the Design and Build (D&B) contract model for new social housing, achieving major gains in both speed and cost efficiency.
Over the past three years, more than 3,000 new social homes have entered the national delivery pipeline, using this approach. My Department also plans to embed the D&B approach within the Approved Housing Body (AHB) sector, ensuring that the same time and cost efficiencies benefit all major public housing delivery channels.
The Design & Build model offers a number of productivity benefits:
• Reduced design time – standard layouts avoid repeated redesign of similar schemes.
• Faster approvals – consistent documentation supports streamlined governance and the new single approval process.
• Integrated delivery model – combining design and construction reduces fragmentation, rework, and delays between project stages.
• Shorter project timelines – overlapping design and construction phases enables earlier starts on site and faster overall delivery.
• Evidence from completed projects suggests time savings of the order of at least 4-6 months in pre-construction and 6-9 months in construction are being achieved depending on project scale and complexity.
• Greater cost and programme certainty – clearer allocation of responsibility to the contractor reduces variation risk and improves planning efficiency.
• Supports innovation and MMC – contractors are incentivised to optimise design solutions and adopt more efficient construction methods, improving overall productivity
• Improved scalability – repeatable design types allow delivery across multiple sites and local authorities.
• Enabler for MMC – A standardised design approach is also recognised as being key in facilitating ease of adoption of MMC.
My Department also publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR), which provides details of social housing developments and their location that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of the design and tender processes. The most recent publication was for Quarter 4 2025 and is available on my Departments website. Data for Q1 2026 is being collated and will be available in due course.
191. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the latest measures he and his Department are taking to address the issue of dereliction in sites across Dublin north-west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48185/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
Local Authorities are required to submit an annual return to my Department providing information on the operation of the Derelict Sites Act 1990 in their functional areas and this is undertaken in the following year. Statistics for 2025 are not currently available.
Derelict Site returns for 2024 received by local authorities are available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-governmient-and-heritage/publications/annual-returns-for-2024-received-from-local-authorities-under-the-derelict-sites-act-1990/
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 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 Programme under the Towns and Cities Regeneration Investment (formally URDF) 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 15,600 applications made to local authorities to date and over €230 million of grant funding paid out across the country. In December, I announced a new enhanced support package of up to €140,000 to bring vacant ‘above shop’ property in our cities, towns and villages into use as homes, which became available in Q1 of this year.
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. 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 and the Housing Act, when engagement with the owners of these properties is not successful in bringing them back into use. 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 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.
193. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will request a report from the Defective Concrete Block Appeals panel on the number of appeals underway; the number of decisions made by the panel in the past 12-months; the average length of time take for such decisions; if he will request a quarterly report from the panel with such information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48243/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 as amended by the Act of 2025 underpins the Grant Scheme which provides grant funding to people whose homes have been affected by Defective Concrete Blocks.
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.
At the time of writing 189 appeals have been submitted to the Appeals Panel.
Of the 189 received by the Panel, 13 have been withdrawn by appellants at various stages of the process. However, I am informed that the Appeals Panel have reached a decision on 63 appeals, with 113 currently at various stages of review with the Panel.
It should be noted that 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 timelines for the processing of appeals and determinations, would be a matter for the Chair and the Panel.
The NSAI published a revised standard, I.S. 465:2026, on 2 June 2026 and I now intend to launch a review of the operation of the Act as quickly as possible. The Act mandates that not later than 3 months after completion of this review that I, as Minister, shall make a report to each House of the Oireachtas of my findings and conclusions resulting from that review.
Matters relating to the reporting of the Panel can be considered as part of the review.
194. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department has assessed the current unmet demand for purpose built and adapted housing for persons with disabilities; whether he is satisfied that the level of delivery currently being achieved by local authorities and approved housing bodies is sufficient to meet identified need; the additional measures being considered to increase delivery where demand exceeds supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48278/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy 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.
Details on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority administrative area is provided in the annual Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA). Details of households qualified for social housing support with a main need for social housing support being a disability are included in the report and broken down per local authority. The SSHA 2025 is available on my Department's website, along with all summaries since 2011, at https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/62486-summary-of-social-housing-assessments/.
Social housing allocations for disabled people have increased steadily over the last three years from 2022 to 2024. The number of social housing allocations for disabled people in 2022 was 1,917 tenancies, in 2023 it was 2,297, rising to 2,924 in 2024 which represents some 19% of overall housing allocations in 2024.
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.
196. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he will implement a no-fault eviction ban, in line with proposals in the recently published Report on Homelessness. [48321/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 1 March 2026, the Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026 came into operation. The Act provides for a national rent control and significantly strengthens security of tenure for tenants. Effectively, there is a ban on ‘no fault’ evictions for larger landlords (i.e. companies or landlords with 4 or more tenancies) in respect of new tenancies. This cohort currently provide over 55% of all tenancies.
For new tenancies created on or after 1 March 2026, the grounds for termination of a 6 year Tenancy of Minimum Duration (TMD) during its term are also more limited for a smaller landlord to the ground of occupation by the landlord and/or an immediate family member and the ground to sell the dwelling if the sales proceeds are required to avoid undue financial or other hardship. A smaller landlord can terminate, as usual, on one or more of the limited grounds at the end of a 6 year TMD.
The policy and legislative reform of the rental market was introduced to both protect tenants while also ensuring that the regulatory system will support investment in the rental market. This investment is key to increasing the supply of properties, and over time, reducing rents.
The introduction of a ‘no fault’ eviction ban would not be in line with the policy measures introduced by Government and would be likely to reduce supply in the rental market. Accordingly, I have no plans to introduce such a measure at the current time.
197. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps his Department is taking to increase the number of affordable homes to purchase; the measures being taken to address the cohort of people whose incomes are too high to qualify for social housing, but too low to qualify for affordable purchase schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48051/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAffordability and the chance to own a home is at the heart of Government’s housing policy, as embodied within the new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities. The Plan reinforces and expands the range of existing measures being implemented by Government to tackle the issues of supply and affordability, thereby supporting the increased provision of new homes to purchase and rent.
Government is investing an unprecedented level of funding to support housing supply, which will underpin, inter alia, the new Starter Homes Programme, delivering an average of 15,000 affordable housing supports annually to 2030.
In addition to a keen focus on tackling vacancy and dereliction, the plan provides for an expanded remit for the Land Development Agency, work to further extend the First Home and Help to Buy Schemes to 2030, an increase in affordable tenancies and an expanded local authority delivered starter homes for purchase programme.
With a strong focus on deliverability, the Plan will enable housing delivery partners to accelerate the supply of new starter home supports, providing thousands of individuals and families with increased access to secure and affordable housing solutions nationwide.
To note, eligibility criteria for affordable schemes differ from scheme to scheme. Details on the schemes discussed below can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/campaigns/doors-open/.
• Affordable Purchase Scheme
• First Home Scheme
• Local Authority Home Loan
Other measures such as the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Scheme, and the Ready to Build Scheme are also available to help make home ownership more affordable. These measures are primarily aimed at supporting affordability constrained households, first-time buyers and Fresh Start applicants. These supports are regularly reviewed by my Department. None of these additional measures have income limits.
198. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to increase the supply of affordable housing to County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47987/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Governments housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, reinforces and expands the range of existing measures being implemented to tackle the issues of supply and affordability. This plan builds on the progress made under the Governments previous housing plan, Housing for All.
Since 2021, when Housing for All was published, over 22,000 housing supports have been provided nationwide, by way of measures to assist people to buy or rent a home. This includes over 2,600 in Cork, including both the city and county areas.
Specifically, Cork County Council has established a significant pipeline of affordable housing delivery and continue to work proactively with all delivery partners. 21 schemes have received funding approval under the Affordable Housing Fund, to support the delivery of 677 starter homes for purchase and 148 cost rental homes by end 2028. To date, 308 starter homes have been delivered.
40 cost rental homes are due to be delivered in Cork County Council local authority area through the Cost Rental Equity Loan Scheme (CREL). In addition, the Land Development Agency (LDA) is also delivering housing in Cork, with the delivery of 92 starter homes at Clonmore, Cork.
In order to further drive the delivery of affordable housing under the new plan, local authorities, including Cork County Council, will shortly commence the preparation of new Housing Delivery Action Plans (HDAPs) for review by my Department, setting out how the Starter Homes Programme will be implemented within their area. These plans will be completed and published by the local authorities in 2026.
199. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures he is taking to ensure affordability of new homes; if he have a target percentage of new homes that will be deemed affordable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48003/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSupporting home ownership is at the centre of Government’s housing policy, as articulated within our housing action plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities.
The housing action plan reinforces and expands the range of existing affordable housing measures being implemented by the Government. In particular, a new Starter Homes Programme, which is a central component of the plan, aims to deliver an average of 15,000 affordable housing supports annually to 2030, including through the Starter Homes Purchase Scheme, delivered by the local authorities.
To underpin the delivery of the Starter Homes Programme, the Government is investing an unprecedented level of funding by way of a package of exchequer funded affordability measures, investment through the Land Development Agency and lending by the Housing Finance Agency.
This increased funding and expanded delivery will build upon the significant progress already made under our previous plan, Housing for All, with over 2,500 local authority Starter Homes for Purchase (formerly the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme) having been delivered from its launch to the end of 2025. Overall, over 6,450 such homes have been approved for support under the Affordable Housing Fund.
Furthermore, measures such as the First Home Scheme, the Help-to-Buy Scheme, and the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant are also available, to help make home ownership more affordable.
In order to further drive the delivery of starter homes under the new plan, local authorities will shortly commence the preparation of new Housing Delivery Action Plans (HDAPs), for review by my Department, setting out how the Starter Homes Programme will be implemented within their area. These HDAPs, replacing those previously drawn up under Housing for All, will be informed by affordable housing need within each local authority area and will involve collaboration with the delivery partners, including the Land Development Agency and the Approved Housing Bodies, as applicable.
The production of these HDAPs, along with the other measures contained within the housing action plan will build on the significant progress to date, which saw over 9,300 Starter Home supports delivered last year — an increase of over 30% on 2024 and the highest annual total recorded. In addition, home ownership was further enabled in 2025 with the approval of another 9,575 Help to Buy support claims by the Revenue Commissioners.
200. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the Gaeltacht planning statement and rural planning statement will be released; and the reason for the continued delays in the face of rising homelessness, the decline of the Irish language in an Ghaeltacht and demographic decline. [48181/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs set out in Delivering Homes, Building Communities, I intend to publish a National Planning Statement for finalisation in the second half of 2026 that will set out relevant planning criteria to be applied in local authority development plans for rural housing, based on the high level policy framework set in the National Planning Framework (NPF). The Action Plan also sets out the Government’s intention to publish a National Planning Statement in the first half of 2027 in respect of housing in Gaeltacht areas.
My Department is currently preparing a draft Statement which will, when finalised, be brought to Government for information to be issued under Section 25 of the Planning and Development Act of 2024 in order to provide consistency in the approach to rural housing across the Country.
Government intends to address planning policy regarding rural and Gaeltacht housing together, given the key interactions between rural housing generally and housing in Gaeltacht areas and is currently considering how that may best be achieved.
There is also an important role for the relevant policy Department in collaborating with my Department on the development of National Planning Statements. In this regard, my officials have been engaging with officials from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (DRCDG) as the relevant policy Department for this area.
The new Statement on rural housing will replace, refine and update existing 2005 Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines to reflect the Planning and Development Act of 2024 and the established policy in the Revised National Planning Framework (NPF), which supports new housing in rural areas and rural development generally.
In particular the new Statement will expand on National Policy Objective (NPO) 28 of the Revised National Planning Framework (NPF), which makes a clear policy distinction between rural areas under urban influence (i.e. areas within the commuter catchment of cities, towns and centres of employment) on the one hand, and wider rural areas where there is greater flexibility to build new single rural housing outside of the commuter catchments. NPO 28 is also aligned with the established approach whereby considerations of local social (intrinsic part of the community) or economic (persons working full or part time) need to live in a rural area are to be applied by planning authorities in rural areas under urban development pressure.
The new Statement will seek to provide more clarity and consistency in the planning system, by setting out the relevant planning criteria, including in relation to local needs criteria, to be considered by the various planning authorities in respect of applications for new single rural housing in rural areas including in the Gaeltacht. The new Statement will continue to allow local development plans to provide for housing in the countryside based on the considerations detailed in NPO 28 of the NPF, and will also highlight the need to manage development in certain areas, such as the areas around cities and larger towns and environmentally sensitive areas, in order to avoid over-development, while sustaining vibrant rural communities.
Since the publication of the current Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines in 2005 under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (which continue to have effect in addition to subsequent clarifications and national policy changes in the NPF) there have been important changes to our planning system and our obligations under European Directives and international agreements. Due care is being taken to ensure the draft Statement will not conflict with fundamental EU freedoms, will comply with EU environmental requirements and will have due regard to decisions of the European Court of Justice.
I intend to bring a draft NPS to Government next week setting out a proposed policy direction, and thereafter the draft NPS will be subject to assessment for the purposes of compliance with relevant EU Directives, including any necessary associated consultation, before a final draft of the NPS will be brought to Government for approval to issue. Under Section 25 of the 2024 Act, draft National Planning Statements are subject to approval by Government prior to issue by the Minister.
All existing section 28 Ministerial Guidelines, including the 2005 sustainable rural housing guidelines, continue to have effect until they are revoked or replaced by a corresponding National Planning Statement.
Additionally, the Planning and Development Act 2024 sets out the obligation for local authorities to prepare strategies and include objectives, which must be addressed in the drafting of their Development Plan, governing local development policies in respect of any Gaeltacht area. Where there is a Gaeltacht area within the planning authority’s administrative area, the development plan strategy must include objectives for “the protection of the linguistic and cultural heritage, including the promotion of Irish as the community language”. Where a development plan sets out settlement-specific objectives in respect of any Gaeltacht area, a ‘Priority Area Plan’ will subsequently be introduced for that Gaeltacht area to guide its development, renewal or regeneration and to specify how the relevant settlement-specific objectives in the development plan are to be implemented.
The ‘Development Plans Guidelines for Planning Authorities’ published in July 2022 already give guidance to local authorities, such as in relation to the preparation of housing strategies that have particular regard to the needs of Gaeltacht residents, and reflecting the Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas (Limistéar Pleanála Teanga), which are a separate designation under the Gaeltacht Act 2012 and relate to language planning, for which my colleague the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht holds functional responsibility.
My Department and I regularly engage with the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht on housing and the necessary infrastructure to support housing development. My Department will also continue to work with Údarás na Gaeltachta, and other stakeholders, to ensure there is adequate provision of housing and community services in An Ghaeltacht.
Údarás na Gaeltachta, for which my colleague the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht holds policy responsibility, has statutory responsibility for the economic, linguistic, social and cultural development within the 26 Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas. The organisation supports over 9,000 jobs in its client companies and the availability of housing for Irish-speakers employed in these companies, and in other private and public sector bodies operating within the Gaeltacht, will be essential over the coming years in facilitating Irish speakers to remain living in the Gaeltacht.
Supporting individuals and families experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness is also a key 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.
203. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in view of the proposed review of rural housing planning policies, if he will review planning restrictions affecting applicants seeking permission for one-off housing developments along the N56 in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48148/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs set out in Delivering Homes, Building Communities, I intend to publish a National Planning Statement in of the second half of 2026 that will set out relevant planning criteria to be applied in local authority development plans for rural housing, based on the high level policy framework set in the National Planning Framework (NPF).
My Department is currently preparing a draft Statement, to be issued under Section 25 of the Planning and Development Act of 2024 further to Government approval, in order to provide consistency in the approach to rural housing across the Country.
Since the publication of the current Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines in 2005, there have been important changes to our planning system and our obligations under European Directives and international agreements. Due care is being taken to ensure the new Rural Housing National Planning Statement will not conflict with fundamental EU freedoms, will comply with EU environmental requirements and will have due regard to decisions of the European Court of Justice.
The NPS will expand on the high level spatial planning policy of the National Planning Framework, in particular on National Policy Objective (NPO) 28 which relates to rural housing. This objective makes a clear distinction between rural areas under urban influence (i.e. areas within the commuter catchment of cities, large towns and centres of employment), where the policy approach is to facilitate new rural housing for those with a local rural housing need, and wider rural areas where there is greater flexibility to build single rural housing. NPO 28 is also aligned with the established approach whereby considerations of social or economic need are to be applied by planning authorities in the assessment of development proposals for new one-off housing in rural areas under urban influence.
With regard to development on national roads, the Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines, issued in 2012 as Ministerial Guidelines by the then Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), set out the circumstances under which access can be provided. Planning authorities are required to have regard to the Guidelines in the performance of their functions.
The Guidelines state that local authority Development Plans must include policies which seek to maintain and protect the safety, capacity and efficiency of national roads and associated junctions, avoiding the creation of new accesses and the intensification of existing accesses to national roads where a speed limit greater than 50 kmh applies. The guidelines do state that, in certain circumstances, planning authorities may identify stretches of national secondary roads where a less restrictive approach may be applied as part of the process of reviewing or varying the relevant development plan.
Development plans and any relevant local area plans may provide for a limited level of direct access to national roads to facilitate orderly urban development on the approaches to or exit from urban centres that are subject to a speed limit of 60 kmh before a lower 50 kmh limit is encountered. The Guidelines also state that access to national roads will be considered by planning authorities in accordance with normal road safety, traffic management and urban design criteria for built up areas where a 50 kmh limit applies.
Both the zoning of land under the Planning and Development Acts, and the setting of speed limits under the Road Traffic Act, are reserved functions of local authorities. Section 63(3) of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that, subject to law, a Local Authority is independent in the performance of its functions.
The local authority development plan is the principal planning policy tool to achieve these national objectives at a local level. When preparing a development plan, planning authorities were required under the 2000 Act to have regard to any Ministerial Guidelines issued under section 28 of that Act, and to apply any specific planning policy requirements contained within those Guidelines. Ministerial Guidelines will, over time, be replaced with National Planning Statements (NPSs) issued under Section 25 of the new Planning and Development Act of 2024. Going forward, all development plans must be ‘materially consistent’ with any National Planning Policies and Measures and take ‘due account’ of any National Planning Policy Guidance in an NPS.
In the interests of clarity, all current Ministerial Guidelines will continue to have effect under Section 27 of the Act of 2024 until such time as they are revoked or replaced by a National Planning Statement.
