I thank the Deputy for raising this. I know it is a project he fought hard for. When he sought and got initial approval in 2021, I would say he did not think he would still be here in 2025 seeking stage 2a to be progressed and approved, but here we are. I accept that is a long time and 12 months for the stage 2a process is a long time as well. I will certainly bring that back to the Department. It is a very exciting project. It is incredible: four general classrooms, seven SET rooms, three science labs with prepara…

I did not know Senator Wilson was a former pupil. That is another testament to what a great education centre it is. In all seriousness, I thank the Deputy for bringing this up. I know how hard he fought for the project and that he would love to see it further progressed. I accept 12 months is a long time for the principal, staff, board and parents to be wondering where they stand on this. It will be built and delivered; it is just a matter of getting that information. I suggest in the interim we ask the Department …

I thank Deputy O’Donoghue for raising this. I know it is frustrating. He has probably tabled parliamentary questions on this and got an answer saying that he cannot get detailed responses in parliamentary questions because it is a responsibility for Uisce Éireann. Therefore, this is a good opportunity to raise it in the Dáil and get a bit more detailed response from the Department. I welcome that. I will go into more detail in the response, but there seems to be several complications – legacy issues inherited by Ui…

I will elaborate a bit more. Uisce Éireann has a customer service function through its water charges plan and customer charter, which outlines the standard of services customers should expect to receive. It is open to any member of the public to lodge a formal complaint with Uisce Éireann if they are not happy with the service provided. Details on how to do so are on its website. Any issues that cannot be resolved by Uisce Éireann to the satisfaction of the customer can be referred, under the formal complaints proc…

It is a privilege to address the House today to mark National Biodiversity Week, my first since being appointed Minister of State with responsibility for nature, heritage and biodiversity. This week continues to grow in reach and impact, with over 350 events happening nationwide. It is a time not just to celebrate Ireland's rich natural heritage, but also to reflect, take stock and recommit to the urgent task of protecting biodiversity. Since taking up this position, I have been deeply moved by the people I have me…

I thank Deputy Gould for raising this important matter. I am glad to have the opportunity to discuss the second-hand acquisitions programme, which includes the tenant in situ scheme in Cork city. This Government and Department are committed to increasing the supply of new build social and affordable homes. Increasing the overall housing supply is key to addressing the housing challenge and in particular preventing and ultimately eliminating long-term homelessness. At the same time, there is a need to supplement thi…

Since the second-hand acquisition programme was established, Cork City Council has delivered a significant programme, complementing its strong record of new build output in the city. Over the past three years, Cork City Council has acquired 285 second-hand properties, scaling up significantly in 2024, with 135 homes acquired, of which 79 were tenant in situ acquisitions. Taking Cork County Council's acquisitions over the last three years, including both local authority and approved housing body acquisitions, the co…

The allocation of €20 million to the council in 2025 represents 6% of the total fund available across 31 local authorities. To date, €6.8 million has been paid to Cork City Council in 2025. The Deputy is right that that represents strong delivery in the tenant in situ scheme. In fairness to them, I know that Cork City Council and Cork County Council have strong delivery of new builds for social homes, which has to be commended. Housing for All has always been flexible and has always been up for review. Where challe…

I cannot give a yes or no answer. As I said, the Cabinet subcommittee on housing is meeting. I will certainly work with the Deputy and the local authorities to try to find a resolution to this, because I agree with the Deputy that the tenant in situ scheme is a key way of preventing homelessness.

It is a framework.

I thank everybody for their contributions. I listened with interest. Many valid points were made by Deputies who are clearly in touch with their constituencies. They know the reality on the ground in their constituencies. I might come back to a lot of those comments at the end of my closing remarks. I am pleased to have the opportunity to outline the importance of the first revision of the national planning framework. I welcome the valuable discussion that has taken place, which reflects the importance of ensuring …

I acknowledge Deputy Feighan and his esteemed guests. I thank the Senators for their contributions to today's debate. I have listened intently and will try at the end of the main body of my speech to come back to many of the comments and points raised. I will also respond on the proposed amendment, which the Government will be opposing. I will touch on the reasons for this towards the end of my contribution. I am pleased to have the opportunity to outline the importance of the first revision of the national plannin…

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I do not think Kildare is a forgotten county, but the Deputy is well within his rights to represent the different areas. He is well aware of the different geographical areas in Kildare experiencing difficulties at the moment. This response is quite detailed, and I hope it gives him some comfort. If it does not, I ask the Deputy to come back to me and we will seek further detail. The Deputy will appreciate that the operation of the public water supply, together with operati…

I again thank the Deputy and echo what he said about Uisce Éireann staff on the ground. The rate at which they respond to leaks is extraordinary. They are on the ground straight away, repairing leaks and for some of them it is almost all they do. I guess that comes back to the Deputy's point about a proper strategy for replacing old pipes and longer lengths of old pipes. We mentioned a few areas where they are replacing up to 3 km or 4 km pipes. That needs to be the strategy because the amount of money, resources a…

I congratulate the Leas-Cheann Comhairle on his elevation to his new position, which is long overdue. I wish him good luck with it. I welcome the Other Members' Questions slot. It is not so long ago that I was on the backbenches. I recall how frustrating it was to get speaking time on Private Members' business. If I was lucky, I might have got a minute from a Minister. Some of the best contributions here today have been from backbenchers, including Deputies Crowe, Cahill and Toole. I take Deputy Heneghan's point 10…

That is a 50% increase on the three years prior to that.

Apartment construction has reduced but the measures proposed in the motion here would actually reduce it even further.

We have to face up to the reality; we need private investment. If we are to deliver apartments at scale-----

-----we need private investment. The equation is simple.

In order to get to the housing targets we need, we are talking about a €20 billion per annum investment.