I will convey the Senator's frustration, disappointment and anger back to the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, on this very important issue. I wish to reassure the Senator that the Department of Transport, the NTA and the operators will work to ensure they optimise deployment of resources across the public transport network to match changing passenger demand patterns. This will be reviewed and looked at. I ask the Senator to continue her engagement. While the level of service provided by Citylink route 763 is considere…

I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft: Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2024, a copy of which has been laid in draft form before Dáil Éireann on 16th April, 2024.

I want to acknowledge and thank all those who have contributed to this evening's debate. I want to echo the comments made earlier by the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, and reassert the Government's commitment to tackling the challenge in the housing sector. We know the challenges are having a real impact on people's lives and on the nation as a whole. We understand the urgency and the need to ensure people have safe, secure and affordable homes. We do not underestimate the scale of the challenge and we are putti…

More than 7,700 grant applications were made with some 4,600 already approved and 300 issued. Deputy Ó Broin knows better than most that the grant is paid upon completion of work. That is a critical point. The Deputy knows that the local authorities conduct a final property visit to ensure the works have been completed in line with the grant applications approved. It is imperative that this is done to ensure the correct checks and balances are in place. The Deputy knows that then, and only then, the grant is paid b…

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline to the House on behalf of the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, the current position relating to a capital project to deliver additional accommodation for Charleville National School under the Department’s special educational needs, SEN, reconfiguration and modular accommodation programme. The school authorities of Charleville National School applied to the Department for additional accommodation under the additional sc…

I again thank Deputy Nolan for raising this important matter on behalf of Charleville National School and for giving me the opportunity again to reassure the House that the Department of Education is committed to the accelerated provision of this modular accommodation to meet the urgent school accommodation needs. It is important that the officials in the Department of Education continue to work closely with the school authority and the assigned project manager to ensure timely delivery of this accommodation, as th…

Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter and for providing the opportunity to outline to the House the current position with Tubber National School on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Foley. Deputy Crowe has been a real advocate in relation to the concerns and issues raised in his own constituency in County Clare. I refer to the current position of an application for a capital project to deliver additional accommodation for Tubber National School in County Clare. The school authority …

I thank Deputy Crowe for his engagement and passion to see that this project is delivered in a timely manner. I can confirm that Tubber National School is due to receive a capital grant approval in the coming days for the initiation of the delivery phase. The next step in the process will be for the school authorities to again engage with the consultant and with the approved appointed modular contractor to discuss detailed design. The Department will organise a meeting to help to initiate this project. In the wider…

I thank the Deputy for raising the Whitegate boil water notice issue. The issue of safe drinking water has national and local importance. I appreciate Deputy Stanton's concerns for the communities affected. The Deputy will appreciate that the operation of Whitegate regional public water supply is a matter for Uisce Éireann, which has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. In turn, the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, a…

I once again thank Deputy Stanton for raising this issue. I acknowledge the patience and co-operation of the residents and businesses in the Whitegate area who have been affected. Certainly, the points Deputy Stanton raised tonight are very valid. This is a huge inconvenience for the residents in the local area. The point regarding any compensation measures will be a decision for Uisce Éireann. However, I take the points the Deputy raised tonight. There is a protracted construction phase delivery of up to 22 months…

I thank Deputies Ó Laoghaire and Gould for raising this really important discussion. My colleague, the Minister of State with responsibility for disability, Deputy Rabbitte, is fully committed to the continued development and enhancement of children’s disability services through the implementation of the progressing disability services roadmap for service improvements from 2023 to 2026, which seeks to ensure that we have equitable access to services for all children with complex needs. This includes school-based th…

I again thank both Deputies for raising this important matter and reiterate the full commitment of the Minister of State, her Department and the HSE to pursuing every avenue to ensure access to school-based therapies for children with disabilities in Cork and throughout the country. As the Deputies will be aware, the Taoiseach has convened a new Cabinet committee to deal with children's disability and access to therapists, which has had two meetings to date. I am sure they will welcome the establishment of this new…

I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft: Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2024, a copy of which has been laid in draft form before Dáil Éireann on 16th April, 2024, be referred to the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage, in accordance with Standing Order 95(5), which, not later than 8th May, 2024, shall send a message to the Dáil in the manner prescribed in Standing Order 101, and Standing Order 100(2) shall accordingly apply.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 22, 32, 64 and 91 together. Tackling vacancy is a key priority for this Government. Pathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make effective use of our existing housing stock. The vacant homes action plan, which the Minister, Deputy O’Brien, launched in January 2023, outlines the significant progress that has been made in addressing vacancy, along with the actions that are being pursued to return vacant properties back into use as homes. The Departm…

I thank Deputy Flaherty. He has been a great champion of tackling vacancy and dereliction in his county, Longford. Under the vacant property refurbishment scheme, we have seen significant progress in County Longford, with over 124 applications received. Forty-eight have now been approved, and five were rejected, unfortunately. Three grants have been issued. The Government has introduced a really important measure. The delivery of the vacant property refurbishment grant has been significant all across the country. O…

I thank all the Deputies for their contributions. The staged payments question is under review and considerations are being taken in that regard. On the scheme itself, significant work has been done at a local authority level with regard to additional resources. We would hope to be in a position to make a further announcement in that regard. We have seen town regeneration officers being integrated into local authorities. We have seen vacant home officers in each of the 31 local authorities, which has been a signifi…

I thank Deputy Flaherty. Updated rural housing guidelines are being prepared to expand on national policy objective 19 of the national planning framework, which makes a policy distinction between rural areas under urban influence on the one hand and structurally weaker rural areas where population levels may be low or declining on the other. Under the national planning framework, considerations of social or economic need are to be applied by planning authorities in rural areas under urban influence. The draft guide…

I thank Deputy Flaherty. With regard to the question posed, the national planning framework supports new housing in rural areas and rural development generally. We have seen over the past 30 years that, in general, 25% of new rural housing has been constructed across all housing developments. There is no cap or ban on the granting of planning permission for new homes in rural areas. Certainly the planning authorities provide certain targets for new housing as part of the statutory development plan process, includin…

I thank the Deputies. To answer Deputy Flaherty, we are all conscious of the increase in the cost of building materials due to external factors, including the war in Ukraine and inflationary measures. It certainly is a significant barrier. If we look at the number of approvals of new developments, the planning system in Ireland continues to deliver substantial planning permission for new homes every year in Ireland, with 10,573 planning applications submitted in 2023. The number of planning permissions granted for …

It came to light this week that out of the 1.6 million smart meters installed by ESB Networks, thousands are malfunctioning. This is leading to homeowners receiving inflated bills. It was also alarming to hear that many homeowners are not adapting their smart meter energy plans. We certainly need a more effective plan. Currently, only 6% of homeowners are using the lower night rate, which begins at 11 p.m. That time is ridiculous. The late start results in increased demand during peak times, which impacts our elect…