Written answers
Wednesday, 8 October 2025
Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government
- Housing Policy
16. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when the income eligibility limits for social housing in Cavan and Monaghan will be increased; and if he will make a statement... - Planning Issues
17. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the methods his Department is currently assessing to speed up the planning process; and if he will make a statement on the... - Housing Schemes
18. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if the first home scheme to bridge the gap will be extended to first-time buyers of second-hand homes; and if he will make a... - Defective Building Materials
19. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the measures his Department is taking to support those in social housing whose home is affected by pyrite; if legislative... - Housing Provision
20. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plan to increase capacity of Dublin City Council to address their housing list, homelessness and those at risk of... - Vacant Sites
22. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he acknowledges that there is significant variation across local authorities in the way they enforce vacant sites... - Fire Stations
23. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will provide an update on the capital delivery programme for fire stations in County Cork, including details of projects... - Defective Building Materials
24. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to confirm that he will ensure that defective block homeowners at a location (details supplied) do not have to rebuild their... - Housing Provision
25. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to outline the rationale behind the recent updated guidelines to local authorities on the second-hand acquisitions programme;... - Housing Policy
26. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government for an update on whether Roscommon and Galway local authorities have been directed to reopen their development plans to re-zone... - Housing Provision
27. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will report on measures undertaken to date, to enable the private sector to deliver more homes; and if he will make a... - Water Services
28. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the joint level of engagement which has taken place between his Department, Uisce Éireann and local authorities in order... - Housing Policy
29. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will consider introducing a starter home scheme to address the imbalance in affordable housing provision for lower and... - Building Energy Rating
31. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of social homes retrofitted by Fingal County Council since 2021; the number targeted for 2025; if Fingal County... - Housing Policy
32. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans to allow for cluster developments in small rural villages across Carlow and Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement... - Rental Sector
33. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his views on whether renters or landlords will be happier with Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter.... - Housing Provision
34. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of social homes which have been delivered in Kilkenny and Carlow since 2020; and if he will make a statement on the... - Housing Policy
35. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his views on the provision of allocated housing for those that work in front-line public sector jobs including teachers, nurses... - Housing Schemes
36. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will incentivise local authorities that deliver or exceed their housing targets, by providing additional funding in... - Budget 2026
37. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he is satisfied with the level of funding provided for housing in Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the... - Housing Schemes
38. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when the allocation for 2026 tenant in situ scheme will be released to local authorities; and the amount which it will be.... - Residency Permits
40. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the assessments his Department has carried out, or plans to carry on, in respect of the impact of student and employment... - Turf Cutting
41. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will issue an order to allow the cutting of turf at bogs (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the... - Homeless Accommodation
42. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his views on whether the funding provided in the Budget will lead to a decrease in homelessness from current levels by this... - Legislative Measures
43. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans for the reform of the Multi-Units Development Act 2011, and related regulations of the property service management... - Legislative Process
44. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when he will publish legislation on the multi-unit development defects redress scheme. [53748/25] - Wind Energy Guidelines
45. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the date on which guidelines will finally be put in place for the construction of large wind farms. [49020/25] - Housing Schemes
46. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he intends to review the targets for and operation of the affordable purchase scheme. [53750/25] - Approved Housing Bodies
48. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of approved housing body applications currently awaiting approval for cost rental in his Department; the length of... - Housing Schemes
49. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the housing schemes in Ros a Mhíl and Eanach Mheáin currently owned by an... - Housing Policy
50. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government given the significant challenge that coastal community members face in competing for housing within their own communities due... - Rental Sector
51. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the way in which the March 2026 rent reset will be operationalised in a way that will protect renters and mitigate for the... - Local Government Reform
52. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government for an update on the restoration of town councils. [53201/25] - Housing Policy
53. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the work his Department is doing to ensure that there is no net decrease in land supply from rezoning by local authorities; and... - Homeless Persons Supports
54. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the increasing number of older persons who are falling into homelessness, particularly in... - Defective Building Materials
55. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when it is expected that the Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Bill 2024 will be introduced; if this piece of... - Housing Provision
56. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government for an update on the Oscar Traynor Road site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53890/25] - Housing Policy
57. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to consider the way in which greater downsizing options for those in private housing, who wish, to downsize their home can be... - Urban Development
58. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the work his Department is undertaking to enable local authorities to identify suitable sites for urban development zones; and... - Housing Provision
59. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he is aware that Roscommon County Council is currently missing its housing targets by approximately 50 percent; the specific... - Housing Schemes
62. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans to revise the first home scheme house value limits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53577/25] - Rental Sector
63. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the steps his Department is taking to increase the number of long-term private rental houses across the country. [53286/25] - Housing Policy
64. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans to implement a State savings scheme, similar to the Social Democrats' homes for Ireland State savings scheme, to fund... - Water Quality
66. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will meet with the Lough Neagh stakeholders group to discuss the current ecological crisis impacting on the lake, and by... - Housing Schemes
67. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the manner in which his Department will assist local authorities in further promoting the croí cónaithe scheme and... - Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence
68. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government whether national guidance exists for social housing tenants and applicants fleeing domestic, sexual, and gender violence to... - Energy Conservation
69. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he is aware of the report recently published by the National Oversight and Audit Commission which warned that the Government... - Rental Sector
70. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the funding being provided for cost rental under Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53825/25] - Planning Issues
71. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if the public consultation for review of exempted development received submissions advocating for the introduction of a... - Housing Schemes
73. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of applicants that have availed of the first home scheme by county; the amount that is drawn down in monetary value;... - Housing Provision
74. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will ensure that the new housing plan makes it possible for Donegal County Council to construct affordable housing... - Water Pollution
75. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the measures his Department or organisations and agencies related to his Department are taking with respect to the Joint... - Vacant Properties
76. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he has considered the means by which his Department can assist local authorities in turning about casual vacancies in a more... - Local Authorities
77. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the allocation provided to each local authority in 2024 to complete change of tenancy works on local authority social housing... - Defective Building Materials
80. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government for an update on the legislative amendments to the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act... - Planning Issues
81. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the status of the rural housing guidelines; the timeline for publication of the guidelines; and if he will make a statement on... - Vacant Properties
82. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the measures he will take to tackle vacancy and dereliction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53723/25] - Housing Schemes
85. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to clarify the methodology through which local authorities are funded to support the purchase of land and meet the development... - Water Services
86. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to provide details on the provision of current and capital funding allocations for Uisce Éireann’s Greater Dublin... - Vacant Properties
87. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he is satisfied that local authorities, particularly Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council, have adequate staffing... - Housing Policy
88. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the funding being provided for affordable housing under Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53738/25] - Heritage Sites
90. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will commit to ensuring that tours of Glenveagh Castle in County Donegal return to being available every day; and if he... - Housing Policy
91. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government for an update on the work of the Strategic Housing Activation Office; when the permanent head of the office will be announced;... - Local Authorities
92. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans to improve the fairness in local government funding to individual local authorities; and if he will make a statement... - Housing Policy
93. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the actions he is taking to incentivise apartment building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53819/25] - Fire Stations
94. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will commit to the recommended delivery of a new fire station in Rathdowney, County Laois in the new Fire Services... - Local Authorities
95. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he is satisfied with the level of funding provided for local authorities in Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on... - An Ghaeltacht
96. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government cad é stádas na dtreoirlínte pleanála don Ghaeltacht; cén uair a fhoilseofar na treoirlínte; agus... - Rental Sector
97. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will implement protections for students from excessive rent increases that may occur following on from the new rent... - Solar Energy Guidelines
99. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when the solar farm guidelines will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53896/25] - Water Services
102. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the funding to date allocated under the Rural Water Programme 2024–2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter.... - Wastewater Treatment
103. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will review the co-funding contribution expected of local authorities for the provision of wastewater infrastructure; if... - Local Authorities
104. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government given the significantly increased housing targets for local authorities, if his Department will ensure that the local... - Rental Sector
106. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will reconsider his stance outlined in Parliamentary Question Nos. 384, 385 and 386 of 23 September 2025 (details... - Planning Issues
108. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the measures he intends to take to address the failure of some local authorities to implement national planning and rezoning... - Housing Schemes
110. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of homes delivered and approved in County Laois under both the affordable purchase scheme and the first home scheme... - Wastewater Treatment
114. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will provide details of pilot sewage schemes in small villages that is being led by his Department; if his Department is... - Ministerial Communications
115. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the engagement he has had with a board (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53941/25] - Waterways Ireland
118. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the current status of Phase 3 of the Ulster Canal; when works on this phase are expected to commence; and the estimated date... - Vacant Properties
119. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of vacant or derelict properties registered in Cork county from 2022 to 2024 and to date in 2025; and if he will... - Wastewater Treatment
122. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will provide an update on the work of the multistakeholder group under his Department in respect of developer provided... - Housing Provision
124. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of social homes built in the State in each of the past five years and to date in 2025. [53285/25] - Housing Policy
127. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the measures his Department is evaluating to reduce building costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53465/25] - Rental Sector
128. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government for an update on increasing the supply of cost-rental homes in Cork county; and if he will make a statement on the matter.... - Vacant Properties
130. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of registered derelict or vacant housing properties in Dublin Rathdown; and if he will make a statement on the... - Local Authorities
132. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he is satisfied that local authorities are responding positively to the National Planning Framework and are complying with... - Rental Sector
133. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his Department will examine measures to support the continued availability of rental accommodation to households in receipt... - Budget 2026
134. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the funding being provided for social housing under Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53824/25] - Housing Policy
135. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his views on if social housing applicants should be able to move their application from one local authority to another on...
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