Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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18. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [25317/25]

Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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19. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [32569/25]

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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20. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [33553/25]

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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21. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [33615/25]

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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22. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing last met. [34037/25]

Séamus McGrath (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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23. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [34041/25]

James Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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24. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [34130/25]

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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25. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [34302/25]

Conor Sheehan (Limerick City, Labour)
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26. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [35039/25]

Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North-West, Fianna Fail)
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27. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [35225/25]

Shane Moynihan (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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28. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [35226/25]

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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29. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [35373/25]

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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30. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [35556/25]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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31. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [35617/25]

Conor Sheehan (Limerick City, Labour)
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32. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [38801/25]

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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33. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [39165/25]

Catherine Ardagh (Dublin South Central, Fianna Fail)
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34. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [39238/25]

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 to 34, inclusive, together.

The Cabinet committee on housing last met on Thursday 5 June and is due to meet again on Monday 21 July. The committee works to ensure a cross-Government approach to the implementation of our commitments in respect of housing policy. Housing supply has increased significantly over the past number of years, with almost 140,000 new homes delivered since the start of 2020. However, we know we need to do more. Housing is the single most urgent and important social and economic issue facing our country and one we are determined to get to grips with. The programme for Government sets out our ambition to build on the success of Housing for All to accelerate the delivery of homes.

Since entering office, we have allocated over €700 million to housing That is in addition to the €6 billion already allocated in budget 2025. This includes €450 million to build a further 3,000 social, affordable and cost rental homes and an additional €265 million to second-hand social housing acquisitions, bringing the total available for acquisitions in 2025 to €325 million. This increased funding, which will support tenant in situ acquisitions, will greatly help in preventing people falling into homelessness due to the sale of their rental homes.

We have also have brought forward a suite of measures to boost the delivery of homes. Among these, the revision of the national planning framework will enable local authorities to zone the significantly higher quantum of land needed to meet our ambition for housing delivery. We established the housing activation office in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. It will address barriers to the delivery of infrastructure projects needed to enable housing development. Additionally, the new infrastructure division in the Department of public expenditure will improve efficiency in delivering strategic infrastructure projects, critical to supporting us in scaling up housing delivery over the medium term.

We are moving at pace to reform our planning system, through the implementation of the landmark Planning and Development Act 2024. An Coimisiún Pleanála has been established and will focus on accelerating crucial planning decisions and reducing delays. The Government has also approved changes which will allow current holders of planning permissions for housing developments that have not yet commenced to apply for an extension of up to three years. This is about getting things moving and ensuring we do not lose out on the delivery of thousands of potential homes.

As a further measure to encourage the supply of much-needed homes, Government has published new guidelines which will strike a balance between ensuring apartment development meet the needs of society in terms of standards and quality, while promoting an increased level of delivery overall. In publishing these guidelines, we are taking decisive action without compromising on any essential regulations to ensure apartments are viable to build.

The Land Development Agency, LDA, has proven very successful in delivering social and affordable homes to date. We believe it can do even more, which is why we have agreed to an expansion to its remit. Earlier this month, we agreed to introduce a single-stage approval process for all social housing projects, up to a value of €200 million. This will cut red tape and support local authorities and approved housing bodies, AHBs, to increase and speed up the delivery of much-needed homes. The Government has also agreed reforms to rent pressure zones which, among other things, will strengthen the rights of tenants and will help to stimulate increased investment and development over the longer term. We are currently developing a new housing plan that will be aligned with the outcome of the national development plan, NDP, review process currently under way.

It is clear that we have many significant challenges, especially with the viability of apartment development. We will pursue every action possible and be creative in our thinking as we move to step up housing delivery. These decisions, which will be reflected in the revised plan, will allow us to drive forward and ensure momentum across all different areas of housing delivery over the lifetime of this Government.

Conor Sheehan (Limerick City, Labour)
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At the behest of developers, the Government is committed to reducing apartment sizes and removing the minimum 5% community and cultural space. The Minister claimed this will reduce the cost of apartments by between €50,000 and €100,000, but those savings could only be achieved if every single measure were applied. We have had no detailed evidence for this claim, just an internal summary of the LDA's research. At the housing committee, the Minister told me the research will be published. When will the evidence for these drastic changes be provided in full? Will it be after the emergency planning legislation the Government is ramming through the Dáil and Seanad this week?

We were told a couple of months ago that the Planning and Development Act was a once-in-a-generation reform. Eight months later, however, the Government is rushing through amendments. In 20 years' time, when we are dealing with the consequences of large housing developments built without community or cultural space it will be too late. The plan to allow developers seek modification certificates to change existing planning permissions in line with the proposed new rules does not allow for any appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála when such certificates are issued. Does the Taoiseach accept that this is likely to be a further recipe for judicial review?

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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One of the big issues we face is acknowledged to be water infrastructure. I bring to the Taoiseach's attention water infrastructure challenges in County Meath, namely the water mains in Duleek, where there are repeated outages, including two in the past five days, and the water treatment capacity in Kells. Regarding Duleek, we met with Uisce Éireann a number of weeks ago. There is a commitment to act but things are proceeding far too slowly. We want to see those works advanced as quickly as possible. Attention may be diverted elsewhere to another major project in the county, which is welcome investment, but prioritisation must be given to the new mains in the town of Duleek.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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It is absolutely pathetic that the only thing the Government can offer young people to reduce the price of a home is to reduce its size. Going from 37 sq. m to 32 sq. m means these units will be smaller than a mobile home. Eight of them, apparently, would fit on a playing pitch. The estimated cost reduction this will bring about is between €28,000 and €40,000. It still will not make apartments affordable for any workers, including teachers, nurses or anyone else. It will not stop the exodus. In addition, the Government is loosening the regulations for builders in regard to light and the provision of windows. Yet again, it is a developer-led system.

Fingal County Council has announced it has stopped the tenant in situ scheme. The only possible means by which a TD can save any person from homelessness has now been removed. There is nothing else. What else can we do? If someone comes to any of us with a termination notice, having gone to the Residential Tenancies Board and Threshold, what else can we offer them? The Government has taken away the budget for the scheme. In Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council, in practically the whole of Dublin and most of the country, this has gone as an option. What is the Government offering people who have termination and evictions notice pending?

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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According to information we in Aontú have received, 49% of people in emergency accommodation in the State have come from outside Ireland. That is a significant figure and there is no doubt it is putting pressure on the housing sector. Currently, 80,000 people net are coming to Ireland each year. If we include the population growth of the State, that is the equivalent of adding the population of Galway city to the country on an annual basis. Galway has a university, a university hospital, dozens of schools and tens of thousands of houses. The Government is simply not building that infrastructure on an annual basis.

I want to be clear that the lack of supply in housing is the Government's fault. It is not the responsibility of newcomers that supply is breaking down. I also want to be clear that we need to provide shelter for those fleeing war and violence. However, should not asylum seekers who are working here contribute to the cost of their accommodation? Is it fair that where two people in the same town are both working and earning the same, they do not both have to contribute to the cost of their accommodation?

Séamus McGrath (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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In advance of the new housing plan in the coming month or so, I stress again the importance of increasing our affordable housing targets. There must be a rebalancing towards affordable housing in the plan's targets. I have made the point previously to the Taoiseach that there is a growing cohort of individuals and couples who need support but are not receiving any. Their incomes are above the social housing threshold but are well below what they need in terms of providing accommodation, whether by purchase or rental. They are individuals and couples who have incomes of up to €70,000 or €80,000 but who are not in a position to secure accommodation. They need support. We must meet in the middle in terms of those who qualify for social housing and those who need affordable housing supports. I reiterate the importance of increasing our affordable targets significantly in the new plan. I know the Taoiseach is committed to doing so ,but it is important to continue to highlight the point at every opportunity.

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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I am delighted to see the new private wires policy announced by the Government today. Will this be just for large-scale energy users like Amazon and the big data centres or will it be able to take eco-villages and small, eco- and sustainable projects away from the grid? We risk having a parallel grid that reduces costs for large corporations but does not really help the Irish people. Does the Taoiseach have any update on the North-South interconnector?

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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I have raised disability housing previously and the issue that has arisen with capital assistance scheme, CAS, funding. This was raised with me by St. John of God in reference to its approved housing body's dealings with the county councils in both Louth and Meath regarding the purchase of properties necessary for those with disabilities. They have been told by the local authorities that funding can no longer be given because the money is in the same bracket as the tenant in situ scheme and all those other schemes. This is creating a real issue. I do not know what the future is for a number of people whose rental contracts are coming to an end as landlords sell their properties. There is no longer the facility to purchase either those properties or alternative properties. We need to find some solution.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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The tenant in situ scheme is the only thing that lies between thousands of families and homelessness. The Government, by starving councils of funding for it, is, in effect, abolishing the scheme. It is incredible. Dublin City Council's programme is now officially over as it has run out of money. Fingal County Council is the same. Carlow County Council has now run out of money for its scheme. South Dublin County Council is just about to run out of money. I am sure other councils are only a matter of weeks or months away from being in the same place. South Dublin County Council still has 700 expressions of interest from families who are in this situation and for whom there will be no funding to prevent them going into homelessness. Focus Ireland put it correctly in saying, "Government policy favours the vacant-possession sale on the market rather than the protection of the existing tenant". Will the Taoiseach reverse this cruel policy, properly fund the tenant in situ scheme and prevent a new tidal wave of homelessness?

Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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There exists a huge chasm between Government rhetoric on housing and the reality locally. I draw the Taoiseach's attention to the housing situation in Mayo. The first home scheme, introduced in 2022, has delivered, on average, just six houses each year across the county. The affordable housing scheme, introduced in 2019, has delivered just five units, which is less than one per year. The cost-rental scheme in Mayo has delivered no housing units. There were hundreds of applications for the vacant property grant but just 83 payouts. Only four houses transitioned into the mortgage-to-rent scheme. The tenant in situ scheme has, in effect, ceased in Mayo, which is causing great difficulty.

This is the reality locally in Mayo. Five affordable housing units were delivered. Deputy Séamus McGrath mentioned affordable housing targets. In fact, there are no targets for affordable housing. That is the reality. The Government must introduce targets and apply some urgency in regard to the provision of affordable housing. Most of Mayo is not even considered for affordable housing. Claremorris, Ballina and Castlebar still have no affordable housing.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Will the Deputy please conclude?

Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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Housing delivery has collapsed under Fianna Fáil. This is a very serious issue. I ask the Taoiseach to please not deflect and to give us the reality.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Lawless, please resume your seat.

Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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Will he actually address this issue?

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Sheahan referred to the size of apartments and the change in the guidance and standardisation in terms of design and so on. That is not being done at the behest of developers. There is a well recognised and analysed viability gap in terms of the construction of apartments in cities and, indeed, across the country. It is well documented that there is a fundamental issue in terms of cost and viability. This is just one measure of a whole range of measures we have taken to try to bring private sector investment into the private rental market and into the apartment area, on top of the huge public sector investment in housing. At present, the main burden of investment in housing is being taken up by the State.

The planning Act introduced a major overhaul of the planning laws. An Coimisiún Pleanála has been established. A range of house and apartment types and sizes will be developed to meet the different needs of those seeking housing.

Not everyone has the same housing need. Positives will come out of this for certain parts of society that require smaller units. Houses will still be built. Two- and three-bedroom apartments will be built. It is a range of construction.

Deputy O'Rourke raised the issue of water infrastructure. I spoke to his party leader earlier on this. The Government is focusing on investment in public infrastructure, and water infrastructure in particular. I will pursue the issue in Duleek with the Minister and alert him that the Deputy raised it.

To respond to Deputy Coppinger, the help to buy and first home schemes have been very effective for new-time buyers. In terms of the tenant in situ scheme, a total of €325 million was allocated this year to local authorities the length and breadth of the country to buy second-hand properties. Tenant in situ social acquisitions are focused on tenants in receipt of HAP and RAS who receive a notice of termination. There are other mechanisms as well. This funding for second-hand acquisitions is part of a wider amount of €2 billion in total. These are supports for local authorities and AHBs to deliver new social homes.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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Why were the schemes stopped?

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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A lot more social homes are built now than there were historically. The building of social homes is at a 40-year record, which does not get recognised at all.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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The population has doubled.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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Of those on the homeless lists, as I think that is what Deputy Tóibín was referring to, close to 50% are from the EU or the EEA. We have a growing population. The timelines as to when people come on to the emergency accommodation lists are a matter that needs to be examined in the context of the needs of people when they arrive in. The growing population has created new demands and pressures on our system. Of that, there is no doubt.

To respond to Deputy McGrath, while the Government is focused on affordable housing, it has to balance that with social housing. Getting more people out of the private rental sector and into social housing would take pressure off the private market. We are absolutely focused on supporting affordability and getting more affordable homes, particularly for those, as the Deputy said, who are above the social housing income threshold but do not have the financial resources available to purchase a home. That is a very significant group of people who need attention and supports.

With regard to Deputy Heneghan’s question, a statement was issued today on the private wires. A number of areas have been identified where this will be applied and legislation will be forthcoming from the Minister. That will be an opportunity to maybe broaden out some aspects and the breath of the proposal.

Deputy Ó Murchú raised CAS funding. There are a range of Government funding schemes available to housing, and there will continue to be. The national development plan will give a new capital framework for housing over the next five years. I have spoken about the tenant in situ scheme already.

Deputy Lawless referenced a whole range of schemes that he said were not delivering. I note that he said there were hundreds of applications in for the vacant grant and dereliction scheme. Obviously, grants take time to be paid down. It has been a popular scheme and very well received. It is proving to be effective.

Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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What about all the other schemes I mentioned?

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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I asked a question in relation to accommodation and the different groups of people in Ireland. Some people are paying for accommodation and others are not.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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Is that in terms of-----

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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It is in terms of asylum seekers. There is a question-----

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister is pursuing that issue.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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So, will there be a change in the approach?

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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Potentially. We have to wait to see the details of what will come forward from the Minister.