Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

273. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his Department's position on Dublin City Council's proposal to restrict care leavers' access to social housing, particularly excluding those coming from foster care. [18294/25]

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

274. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if there are plans to issue national guidelines to ensure that care leavers across all local authorities are adequately supported in accessing social housing. [18295/25]

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

275. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the steps his Department is taking to support care leavers who are not eligible for housing priority under Dublin City Council's new criteria, particularly those leaving foster care, to prevent them from becoming homeless. [18296/25]

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

277. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he is aware of Dublin City Council’s recent decision to restrict priority social housing status to care leavers coming solely from residential care, thereby excluding those transitioning from foster care; the measures his Department is taking to ensure that all vulnerable young people exiting State care, regardless of their care background, receive equitable access to social housing supports to prevent homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18303/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 273, 274, 275 and 277 together.

The allocation of local authority dwellings, including the prioritisation of certain categories of households, is a matter for the local authority concerned, in accordance with their allocation scheme made under Section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and associated Regulations.

This legislation requires all local authorities, as a reserved function, to make an allocation scheme which specifies, among other things, the manner of and the order of priority for the allocation of dwellings to households on the housing and transfer lists. An allocation scheme may also contain provisions for exceptional or emergency cases, allowing immediate housing outside of normal waiting list priorities, should circumstances warrant it. Decisions on the allocation of social housing support are a matter solely for the local authority concerned.

A national Youth Homelessness Strategy was published in November 2022 and aims to help young people aged 18 - 24 who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The Strategy recognises that there are certain cohorts of young people who are particularly at risk of becoming homeless and are disproportionately represented in the young homeless population. Those leaving State care are one of six vulnerable cohorts identified. Accordingly, Action 7 within the Strategy provides for a review and update of Housing Circular 46/2014 on the Protocol on Young People Leaving State Care. The Department is working closely with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and Tulsa to revise this Protocol. A consultation with a range of key stakeholders is underway and it is anticipated that the updated Circular and Protocol will issue by end of Q2 2025. The protocol will set out the roles of Tusla and local authorities and outline the practical steps involved in assessing a young person leaving State care and managing that person's accommodation and support needs.

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

276. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his Department will review planning regulations around hoarding and advertising on protected structures, such as the railway bridge at Ballybough, the only protected structure in the community, which is currently dominated by large-scale commercial advertising; if he will engage with Dublin City Council and Iarnród Éireann to explore the removal of this signage in light of its visual impact and the community’s desire to see the structure respected as part of the area’s cultural heritage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18302/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department has an advisory role with regard to the protection and management of our built heritage which is set out in Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. This act gives primary responsibility to planning authorities to protect the architectural heritage in their functional area.

My Department has produced ‘Architectural Heritage Protection: Guidelines for Planning Authorities’, which are statutory guidelines for planning authorities on the protection of built heritage. Each Planning Authority must have due regard to these guidelines in making decisions in relation to individual development applications. It is a matter for the planning authority to administer these procedures and enforce any decisions reached.

Under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act, as Minister I am precluded from exercise any power or control in relation to any particular case, including an enforcement issue, with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be concerned. This is a function of Dublin City Council in this instance, with the possibility of appeal through An Bord Pleanála. Outside of planning enforcement, section 46 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 further provides for the removal or alteration of a structure or discontinuance of use in exceptional circumstances, subject to the conditions and limitations set out in that section.

It should be noted that Dublin City Council has in place a strong development plan which is aligned with the guidelines referred to above, with specific policies relating to the protection of architectural heritage. Furthermore, within Dublin City Council, there is a team of qualified Architectural Conservation Officers who implement planning legislation in respect of protected structures and make recommendations relating to the same.

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

278. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government for an update on the establishment of the Local Democracy Taskforce, as announced by his Department on 26 March 2025; the specific terms of reference for this taskforce; the timeline and mechanisms through which it intends to implement the Government’s commitments to rebalance power between elected councillors and executive officers, enhance the accountability of chief executives and directors of services to councillors, and increase councillors’ input and control over the development and implementation of council budgets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18304/25]