Written Answers Nos. 357-379
357. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an updated timeline on the forthcoming new planning guidelines in relation to the rear of property buildings; if he will provide details on the changes that will be included in relation to such buildings. [66787/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) (No. 3) Regulations 2026 came into operation on 27 July 2026 and represent a significant package of measures to facilitate the more efficient use of existing housing stock through extensions, subdivision and the provision of detached auxiliary habitable dwellings.
The Regulations provide for a new exempted development class, Class 3A, to allow for the construction of a detached auxiliary habitable dwelling within the rear garden of a principal dwelling, subject to a range of conditions and limitations. These include floor area requirements of between 32 and 45 square metres, provisions relating to open space, servicing arrangements, occupancy and notification to the relevant planning authority. The exemption is currently available until 31 December 2030.
The exemptions provide that Classes 3A may be utilised within the curtilage of the principal dwelling, provided all applicable conditions for each class are met, including maintaining a minimum of 25 square metres of private open space for the occupants of the principal dwelling, compliance with the relevant height, boundary setback and servicing requirements, and ensuring that the cumulative floor area of exempted rear garden structures remains within the limits prescribed by the Regulations.
These measures are intended to facilitate the efficient use of residential space, provide greater flexibility for homeowners in responding to changing housing needs, and reduce the regulatory burden on homeowners and planning authorities, while ensuring that development remains compatible with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area through the application of the conditions and limitations set out in the Regulations.
358. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current average length of time taken by Tailte Éireann to process applications for the first registration of land or property titles; and the measures being taken to reduce processing times. [66882/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTailte Éireann is an independent Government agency under the aegis of my Department. Under section 8 of the Tailte Éireann Act 2022, Tailte Éireann is independent in the performance of its functions.
It is not possible to provide an average time for processing applications for first registration on the National Land Register as each application is different and processing times vary as a result.
Applications for first registration of title account for approximately 12% of Tailte Éireann’s overall intake. First registration applications may be complex and diverse, and the first registration process often identifies issues on title or missing deeds. Once a title is registered it is guaranteed under State indemnification provisions and each application must satisfy all legal requirements prior to proceeding to registration.
Average processing times therefore vary depending on the type of application lodged. Applications for first registration on Form 3 of the Land Registration Rules 2012-2021 which are certified by a solicitor and lodged in order, typically have substantially shorter processing times than those cases requiring an Examination of Title on Form 1 or Form 2 and where first registration is based on possession. These applications often involve clarifying queries, issuance of notices and dealing with objections, which can extend processing times significantly.
To note, in accordance with Rule 58(1) of the Land Registration Rules 2012-2021, applications rank for priority of registration in the order in which they are received by Tailte Éireann. This ensures fairness to all customers as applications are processed in date of lodgement order, with the earliest lodged applications given priority for processing. A targeted approach by Tailte Éireann to reduce the age profile of applications pending has had a significant impact to date and organisation wide efforts continue to further reduce processing times for all Tailte Éireann customers. This is reflected in the significant increase in the number of applications processed and completed year-on-year in the past three years.
A dedicated First Registration Validation Unit was established in April 2026 in the Roscommon office to address the high proportion of applications which were lodged with avoidable errors which prevented the application progressing to registration. It is important to note that there has been no change made to the reasons why an application is rejected. Tailte Éireann Registration complete initial validation checks within 15 working days of receipt of an application. The Validation Unit provides an efficient and consistent validation experience for all applicants and ensures that applications meet the basic minimum requirements for lodgement prior to moving forward for processing.
The validation process involves passing each application through a series of pre-defined checks specific to the application type. Those checklists are all available on www.Tailte.ie. Where an application fails to meet the minimum requirements to proceed to registration, the application is returned immediately to the lodging party for amendment. Where the minimum requirements have been met, the application will pass through the validation unit and will be placed in date of lodgement order for processing in the Unit relevant to the application type. Clarifying queries may be raised during any of the processing stages following validation.
In 2026 to date, 61% of all applications for First Registration lodged failed to meet the basic minimum requirements set out on the relevant checklists and have been returned to the lodging party for amendment.
Lodgement of inaccurate or incomplete applications creates an administrative burden for Tailte Éireann. It is work that must be processed by staff and takes resources which could be better utilised in the efficient processing of applications which are lodged correctly.
Tailte Éireann launched its Accelerated Recruitment Programme in early 2024 to address vacancies, increase operational capacity, and respond to sustained increase in service demand. The programme introduced standardised recruitment processes across internal, external and mobility streams to ensure a consistent and efficient approach to staffing.
The resourcing team has successfully filled key roles across the organisation through a combination of external recruitment, promotions, and mobility placements. As a result, vacancy levels within registration services have reduced significantly and now stand at just over 3%. The dedicated resourcing plan remains a key component of Tailte Éireann’s approach to reducing registration processing times and progressing registration applications on hand toward completion. The Registration Function is currently progressing 36 further roles through ongoing recruitment competitions, clearance and appointment stages. When these appointments are finalised, the Registration Function will be substantially strengthened, supporting increased throughput, improved service delivery and the continued reduction of registration applications on hand.
Further information in relation to specific cases may be obtained by Oireachtas members on behalf of constituents by contacting the dedicated e-mail address in respect of Tailte Éireann at oireachtas@tailte.ie.
359. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has provided any guidance or instructions to local authorities regarding the financial contribution scheme for age-friendly rightsizing. [66959/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment 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 to increase delivery of social housing for older people, increase delivery of more suitable homes and choice for older people in private housing, and increase choice to support voluntary rightsizing.
I understand that existing financial contribution schemes in place in some local authorities are non-statutory and therefore a matter for the individual local authorities.
361. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the guidelines available to planners within local authorities to assess the impact of a high concentration of renewable energy infrastructure within a rural area; and the extent to which the landscape and local community are taken into consideration. [67096/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra370. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures in place to assess the impact of a high concentration of renewable energy infrastructure within a rural area; the person or body responsible for carrying out that assessment; and the extent to which the landscape and local community are taken into consideration. [67094/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 361 and 370 together.
Assessing cumulative impacts is an important feature of environmental impact assessment. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is the process of examining the anticipated environmental effects of a proposed project. It commences with consideration of environmental effects at design stage, through consultation and preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR), evaluation of the EIAR by a competent authority and the subsequent decision as to whether the project should be permitted to proceed. Under European and national legislation a project must consider cumulative effects as part of an EIAR and they are defined as the interaction between various impacts within a single project and the interaction between all of the different existing and/or approved projects in an area.
This would be most relevant to applications for a wind energy development, which when subject to environmental assessment are therefore subject to an assessment of cumulative effects. An environmental impact assessment report (EIAR) is always required when a proposed wind energy development has a total output of more than five megawatts or contains more than five turbines. However, it is not necessarily the case that a smaller project or projects, referred to as "sub-threshold", would not be environmentally assessed. The relevant planning authority must determine if the proposed sub threshold project is likely to have a significant impact on the environment. As part of this process, known as screening, the cumulative impact of the proposed development with other existing or proposed projects is considered when establishing if a full environmental impact assessment is required.
Furthermore, public participation is a long established and key element of most decision-making processes under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (Act of 2000) and this will continue to be the position under the Planning and Development Act 2024 (Act of 2024). From a spatial planning perspective, as part of the process to review city and county development plans, it is open to members of the public to make an observation or submission on the draft development plan. The development plan sets out land use zoning objectives and outlines the types of potential development, including ancillary developments, which might be suitable for a particular area, and may include objectives for solar energy development.
In addition, it is open to any member of the public to make an observation or submission on a planning application, including in relation to solar energy developments, and the planning authority is statutorily obliged to consider such submissions before making a decision on the application. Persons who make submissions are also entitled to be notified of any significant further information provided to the planning authority by the applicant and to be notified of the authority’s decision on the application.
362. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons with an intellectual disability currently on the local authority housing waiting list in areas (details supplied); the number in each local authority who have been waiting less than one year, one to three, three to five, five to ten and more than ten years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67081/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority administrative area is provided in the annual statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA).
The most recently published summary for all counties, conducted in November 2025, is available on my Department's website, along with all summaries since 2011 at www.gov.ie/en/collection/62486-summary-of-social-housing-assessments/.
Details of households qualified for social housing support with a main need for social housing support being an intellectual disability are included in table 2.5 in the report and broken down per local authority in table A1.5 in the report. Details of households with a specific accommodation requirement arising from a physical, sensory, mental or intellectual impairment are included in table 2.6 in the report and broken down per local authority in table A1.6 in the report.
Details on the length of time households have been on the record of qualified households (the Waiting List) are provided for in Table 2.8 and Table A1.8. However, details on the length of time households have been on the housing waiting list is not broken down by specific need categories.
363. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current plans for retrofitting all local authority homes including the timeline and estimated cost per year; the number of homes retrofitted for each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67170/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra372. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the full cost of retrofitting all local authority owned homes by 2030; the estimated average cost per home in 2023; the number to be carried out in 2026; and to make a statement on the matter. [67167/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 363 and 372 together.
Since 2013, my Department’s Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme (EERP) has supported the retrofit of 85,292 local authority owned social homes requiring insulation and energy efficiency upgrades, with more than €0.5 billion provided to local authorities to support these works in the period to end-2025.
A revised EERP, introduced in 2021, is targeting the retrofit 36,500 local authority homes by 2030 to a post works BER equivalent of the previous B2 standard (125 kWh/m²/year). Eligible works include insulation upgrades, replacement of windows and doors, heat pump installation and associated works. Since 2021, over 11,000 social homes have been upgraded with support from my Department of approximately €342.3 million.
The overall cost of retrofitting all local authority homes by 2030 cannot be precisely determined, as costs will vary depending on the condition and pre works BER of individual properties.
To maximise delivery within available budgets, and deliver the targeted number of retrofits under the EERP by end-2030, local authorities are asked to maintain an average retrofit cost of approximately €40,000 per home in 2026 (including project management fees). The average cost drawn down per property in 2023 was almost €31,500.
Funding and output targets are determined annually through the Estimates process. For 2026, an allocation of €140 million has been provided under the EERP, representing an increase of over 50% on the previous year and supporting the retrofit of approximately 3,500 local authority homes.
A year-by-year breakdown of funding and completed retrofits for 2013-2025 is available on my Department’s website at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/668c1-energy-efficiency-retrofitting-programme-expenditure-output/.
Details of the Midlands Energy Retrofit Pilot Programme are available at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/b86b3-midlands-energy-retrofit-programme-expenditure-and-units/#.
Data on the number of retrofits completed by local authorities in 2026 will be published in early 2027 when the data has been compiled and validated.
364. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the construction cost of building one, two, three, four bed homes on publicly owned land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67150/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraInformation on the total number of publicly owned residential sites is not held or collated by my Department.
With regard to residential land held by local authorities, local authorities are entirely independent corporate entities having full responsibility under law for the performance of their functions and the discharge of their governance and other responsibilities, including the use of land.
The Land Development Agency (LDA) carries out certain functions regarding State owned relevant public land. Relevant public land is land owned by a relevant public body, being a local authority, Government Minister or state body listed in Schedule 1 and 2 of the Act, within a town the population of which is equal to or greater than 10,000 persons at the last Census.
In accordance with the Land Development Agency Act 2021, the LDA maintains a Register of Relevant Lands (lda.ie/public-lands/register-of-relevant-lands) which includes information on current use and any vacant status thereof, and furnishes to Government, at two yearly intervals, a Report on Relevant Public Land (lda.ie/public-lands/report-on-relevant-lands).
The most recent Report on Relevant Public Lands, published in 2025, identifies a total of 102 parcels of relevant public land as having potential to deliver housing-led development.
Some of the sites identified may be suitable to progress to design and planning, and early transfer for housing delivery, subject to achieving statutory consents and agreement with landholding bodies.
Other sites may be more complex and/or in operational use. If suitable and prioritised, these sites may require further inputs, such as master planning, enabling works, relocation of existing operations, before applications for statutory consents or development.
Finally, my Department publishes the Total Development Cost report on an annual basis, which includes construction costs for typical dwellings. The 2025 Total Development Cost Report is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/insights-into-total-development-costs-2025/.
365. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the construction cost of building one, two, three, four bed homes on local authority land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67149/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department assesses, approves and records local authority social housing delivery on a project basis, rather than on the basis of individual unit types.
My Department periodically issues Basic Unit Costs (BUCs) for each local authority area, for use as a key benchmark for the development and costing of scheme designs at the capital appraisal stage. While not a record of actual delivery costs, BUCs are based on an analysis of returned data from tendered social housing schemes over an extended period and updated based on published tender index information as required.
To monitor tender cost trends and to inform the BUCs levels, my Department analyses the tender data for the construction cost element of new build schemes approved under SHIP and under the Capital Assistance Scheme for each unit type, where sufficient information is available to allow such costs to be extrapolated and where the information available is appropriate for comparison purposes.
Outlined in the tables below are average construction costs (incl. VAT) per unit type, recorded as part of the aforementioned analysis for projects tendered in 2025 (and 2026 to date).
The tables also set out the range of costs that make up this average for each unit type. The range of costs recorded vary, depending on design, location and on the level of abnormal requirements for each scheme (e.g. existing site conditions, demolitions, service diversions and site access requirements). Abnormal costs are also separately identified in the tables below.
The costs in the above table relate to the construction element only of the all-in delivery cost. Other items that make up the all-in total include:
Design/technical fees• : Design fees vary from project to project, depending on the location, size and complexity of a scheme (and depending on whether design services are provided by a local authority in-house or via external appointment). As a guideline/indicator, design fees are generally expected to range between 7.5% to 12.5% of construction costs.
Land cost• : Land costs will vary significantly from project to project, depending on location and ownership status (i.e. land costs could vary from existing local authority land at no cost to land purchased at market value).
Utilities• : Connection fees for Irish Water, ESB, gas, etc. As a guideline/indicator, utility connection costs are generally in the order of €7k per unit.
Other Costs• : Other items that make up the all-in delivery cost can include site investigations/surveys, archaeological requirements, Percent for Art contributions - and will vary from scheme to scheme.
366. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of planned Part V purchases under Housing for All, by year; the projected cost per unit for one-, two-, three- and four-bed homes; and the number planned to be purchased for each year, by local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67148/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraCircular 14/2025, ‘Revised Arrangements in Respect of Capital Funding for Local Authority Part V Acquisitions’, outlines the funding arrangements for local authorities acquiring new-build homes under Part V agreements.
Local authorities have delegated sanction to progress Part V agreements without seeking Departmental approval, provided the acquisitions comply with the schemes’ criteria and parameters, having regard to value for money and Basic Unit Costs. As such, the information requested on future Part V purchases by local authorities is not available to my Department.
It is not possible to provide details of average unit costs or the total cost of future social or affordable homes delivered through Part V due to several factors. These factors include variables such as unit type, land cost, development and construction costs, cost and source of finance, together with ongoing maintenance and management fees, etc. Details of the cost of units delivered through Part V can be made available following the completion of projects.
Under the housing plan Delivering Homes, Building Communities, each local authority will prepare a Housing Delivery Action Plan (HDAP) setting out its planned delivery of social and starter homes to 2030 (including Part V), in line with targets to be set by my Department to ensure the 72,000 social homes and 90,000 starter home supports are delivered nationwide by 2030.
My Department publishes statistics of housing delivered through Part V on a quarterly basis, with the latest data available to Q1 2026. This data is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/fd048-affordable-housing-and-part-v-statistics/#part-v-scheme.
367. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number and size of homes bought by each local authority in 2021 and the first two quarters of 2022; and the cost of these homes to each local authority; and to make a statement on the matter. [67147/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s Social Housing Second-Hand Acquisitions Programme is available to local authorities to support social housing qualified households in the most challenging and precarious housing situations, helping prevent them becoming homeless and supporting those in homelessness to exit into permanent housing.
In recent years, the programme has typically supported acquisitions to:
• exit households from emergency homeless accommodation into permanent housing;
• provide urgent responses for persons with a disability, older persons and care leavers;
• help sustain tenancies e.g. via tenant in situ purchases; and
• tackle vacancy via Buy and Renew.
The quantum of properties purchased by local authorities in 2021 and the first two quarters of 2022, and the total purchase cost recouped to them to date by the Department for those properties, is set out in the table. Data on the size of homes acquired by local authorities in the period have not been collated by my Department.
368. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average cost of acquiring one-, two-, three- and four-bed homes outside Dublin under the buy and renew scheme; and to make a statement on the matter. [67146/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra369. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average cost of acquiring one, two, three and four bed homes in Dublin under the buy and renew scheme; and to make a statement on the matter. [67145/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 368 and 369 together.
The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
371. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated full-year cost to the exchequer of increasing income limits for social housing by 20%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67152/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is not possible at this time to provide the costings requested as there are a range of complex considerations and scenarios, as well as local circumstances, to take into account when calculating such a figure.
My Department has been examining the existing income limits in the context of current market and household income conditions, including the suitability or otherwise of the current framework having regard to the significantly changed landscape since the standardised income limits were introduced. This includes examining the findings of research commissioned by my Department and this work is ongoing.
I expect 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.
373. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the full-year cost of increasing HAP limits to the average cost of rents in each area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67165/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the HAP scheme, a tenant sources their own accommodation in the private rented market. This accommodation should be within the prescribed maximum HAP rent limits, which are based on household size and the rental market within the area concerned.
Since 11 July 2022, each local authority has statutory discretion to agree to a HAP payment up to 35% above the prescribed maximum rent limit, or up to 50% in the case of homeless households in the Dublin region. Local authorities also have additional flexibility to apply a couple HAP rate to single-person households.
My Department reviewed the use of these measures and their impact on the overall affordability of the HAP scheme for tenants. This exercise highlighted that the affordability and sustainability of HAP tenancies continue to be impacted by pressures in the private rental market. Therefore, I gave approval for a review of the HAP rent limits to be undertaken to ensure there is sufficient support under the HAP scheme to assist eligible households in accessing accommodation in the private rental sector.
The HAP rent limits review has now concluded, and I am considering its findings before setting out the next steps. My Department does not hold the specific details you have requested.
The 2026 budget allocation of €470 million is enabling continued support for existing HAP tenancies, along with funding for 7,000 new households to be accommodated in HAP-supported tenancies. Funding for future years will be agreed on an annual basis as part of the annual Estimates process.
374. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the full-year cost of the Traveller Accommodation Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67162/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 provides that the role of my Department is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist housing authorities in providing accommodation for Travellers, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.
The Act provides that housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) in their areas.
Since 2020, new arrangements are in place for the disbursement of funding whereby it is open to all local authorities to apply for and draw down funds at any time throughout the year and this is actively encouraged by my Department. The Traveller-specific accommodation capital budget has been fully drawn down by local authorities in the six-year period 2020-2025, amounting to almost €125 million capital expenditure. In addition, over €37 million was spent through current expenditure in the same period.
In 2026, the allocation for capital funding for Traveller accommodation is €26 million and current funding is €8 million.
375. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a list of the emergency accommodation centres for homeless people in Dublin; the number of places in each; the cost of running each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67161/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless services rests with individual housing authorities. Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988 sets out the purposes for which costs may be incurred by housing authorities in respect of the provision of homeless accommodation and related services.
While responsibility for the provision of accommodation for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities, the administration of homeless services is organised on a regional basis, with nine administrative regions in place. A homelessness consultative forum has been established in each of the nine homeless regions in accordance with Chapter 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2009. The Dublin Regional Homeless Executive provides a shared service on behalf of the four local authorities in the Dublin region, with Dublin City Council as the lead authority.
My Department does not fund any homeless service directly but provides funding to housing authorities towards the operational costs of homeless accommodation and related services. Under Exchequer funding arrangements, housing authorities must provide at least 10% of the cost of services from their own resources. Furthermore, housing authorities may also incur additional expenditure on homeless related services outside of the Exchequer funding arrangements provided by my Department. Therefore, the exact amounts spent by housing authorities on homeless services including emergency accommodation, the amounts paid to private operators, as well as the type and operation of homeless services are a matter for individual housing authorities in consultation with the Management Group of the relevant regional joint Homelessness Consultative Forum.
Financial reports from each of the homeless regions setting out the detail of homeless services funded through Section 10, including emergency accommodation centres in Dublin and related services, are published on my Department's website at the following link: www.housing.gov.ie/housing/homelessness/other/homelessness-data.
376. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide the estimated full-year cost of providing emergency accommodation for homeless people in Dublin in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67158/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra377. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide the estimated full-year cost of providing emergency accommodation for homeless people in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67157/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 376 and 377 together.
My Department's role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless services rests with individual housing authorities.
My Department does not fund any homeless service directly but provides funding to housing authorities towards the operational costs of homeless accommodation and related services under Section 10 of the Housing Act, 1988. Under Exchequer funding arrangements, housing authorities must provide at least 10% of the cost of services from their own resources. Furthermore, housing authorities may also incur additional expenditure on homeless related services outside of the Exchequer funding arrangements provided by my Department.
While responsibility for the provision of homeless accommodation and related services rests with individual housing authorities, the administration of homeless services is organised on a regional basis with a lead authority in place for each region. A homelessness consultative forum has been established in each region in accordance with Chapter 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2009. Decisions on the type and range of emergency accommodation services, the number and source of emergency accommodation beds, and funding required in each region are a matter for individual housing authorities in consultation with the Management Group of the relevant regional joint Homelessness Consultative Forum.
Financial reports from each of the regional fora, setting out total expenditure and initial estimated costs on homeless services including emergency accommodation facilities in each region, including expenditure incurred in 2022, are published on my Department’s website at the following link: www.housing.gov.ie/housing/homelessness/other/homelessness-data.
378. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Social Protection if the humanitarian assistance scheme is still open for applications from Storm Éowyn. [66348/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Humanitarian Assistance Scheme, now known as the Emergency Response Payment, is administered by my department through the local Community Welfare Service and was activated on Thursday 23 January 2025 to assist householders affected across the country by Storm Éowyn.
Application for Stage 1 assistance is closed.
Applications submitted for Stage 2 and 3 will only be considered in exceptional circumstances and on a case-by-case basis, where there is a compelling reason for the late submission.
Stage 2 involves the replacement of white goods, basic furniture items and other essential household items.
Stage 3 is to identify what longer term financial support is required, including plastering, dry-lining, relaying of floors, electrical re-wiring and painting.
379. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection the income supports available to people who are unable to work, or whose capacity to work is significantly reduced, as a result of long Covid; and whether consideration has been given to the particular long-term financial impact of long Covid on affected individuals. [66317/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn November 2023, my Department published a report on the inclusion of long COVID in the Occupational Injuries Benefit Regulations.
The report concluded that COVID-19 does not satisfy the statutory criteria for recognition as an occupational illness or accident at work. Specifically, it found that presumptions about workplace transmission would not be sustainable as it is not possible to establish with confidence that the disease has been contracted through a person’s occupation and not through community transmission. This is because data show that community transmission was the primary means of transmission.
It is important to note that, even if Ireland did recognise COVID-19 as an occupational disease, this would not encompass long COVID and would only apply to new claims for new cases of COVID-19. As such, it would not benefit those who contracted COVID-19 during the pandemic.
With specific reference to workers in the health services, the report found that the Temporary Scheme of Paid Leave for Public Health Service Employees was the appropriate channel through which a targeted sectoral support should be considered. This Temporary Scheme was a matter for the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, who extended it a number of times. The Scheme ended on 31 December 2025. Any employee of the public health sector remaining unwell after that date may utilise the full provisions of the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme which will provide further support.
My Department's range of income supports, including Illness Benefit and Invalidity Pension, at the same or higher rates of payment as Occupational Injuries Benefit, are available to people who cannot work due to the effects of long COVID and who satisfy the Pay-Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contribution requirements. It is important to note that entitlement to these supports is not dependent on the nature of the illness or disability but on the extent to which a particular illness or disability impacts a working age person’s capacity to work.
With regard to additional supports, my Department also provides Additional Needs Payments under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme to help meet essential expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income.
