What we intend to do is to continue to build on the progress we are making. I have been in Longford and other places across the country many times. We have dealt with ten years of significant housing supply. Thankfully, since this Government came into office, we have delivered 110,000 new homes. I have been in Longford many times and have seen the fantastic new homes being built there. We need to keep working and double down to deliver more homes for people. We will never turn this around in two or three years. We …

Sinn Féin has to be responsible too.

I agree wholeheartedly with Deputy Smith on this. All of us know of children who are waiting far too long for initial assessments of need. The Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, has brought forward a plan for an additional €12 million in funding to be able to purchase assessments through the private sector, as well as giving consideration to using the NTPF model. I want that stood up as quickly as possible, as does the Minister of State. We all of us know of families who have waited far too long for their kids to …

I saw the attacks on the campaign of Ejiro O'Hare-Stratton and the racist tropes that are being thrown at new Irish people and communities. Thankfully, more people from our diverse society are running for local authorities across all parties and none. All of us support that, and I certainly do. These types of attacks on campaigns and the abuse hurled at candidates, regardless of background, are absolutely abhorrent and should be condemned by every party and Member of this House. I wish Ejiro O'Hare-Stratton all the…

I thank the Deputy for raising this. I actually visited Castlemartyr with Deputy O'Connor and I agree with him. I will certainly raise these three towns, and the other issues the Deputy mentions, with the OPW on his behalf. I know he has been advocating very strongly for them. Work we are doing within my own Department, separate to that, is to improve the flood forecasting in our rivers and river catchment areas, which is very important. I actually brought a memo to Cabinet very recently on that to review the respo…

I genuinely thank Deputy Mythen for raising this matter, which is one that many Deputies have been raising with the Minister, Deputy Foley. In fairness, she is currently undertaking a review of the school transport scheme, and I believe that is nearing completion. It is important to note that every single day 140,000 children are able to access school transport across the country, but obviously, with a growing population and a younger population, we are going to need more. The review is more than under way and is n…

The Deputy raised this issue earlier this week or last week and it is a very pertinent point. The crucial issue with right-sizing is providing choice for people so that they do not feel that they must leave their family home. I know that is not what the Deputy is advocating. It is about choice. We do have schemes running through local authorities. Earlier this week Deputy Bruton referenced Dublin City Council and South Dublin County Council is also doing work in this area, but not enough. We have included that in o…

First, the targets are not ceilings. Many local authorities have exceeded the targets we have set them for social housing delivery and I want them to do that. A number of affordable housing schemes have been brought forward in Ennis and Shannon and we want to see more of them. As I mentioned previously, the vacancy grant is working very well across the country and in County Clare in particular. There are real opportunities to bring vacant stock back into use, either for people to buy or to rent long term, or for th…

Of course, given the weekend that is in it, we want to ensure there is a safe and secure water supply. Where essential maintenance is required, especially on the basis of scientific tests which show that work is required to the fresh drinking water system, that needs to happen. If the Deputy gives me the details, I can raise it directly with Uisce Éireann to see what mitigation measures can be put in place while the essential work takes place.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Ó Cuív. Cuirfidh mé ceist ar an Aire Iompair faoin slí idir An Cheathrú Rua agus An Clochán agus Claremorris freisin. Tiocfaidh mé ar ais chuige go luath faoi sin.

I welcome the opportunity to provide Teachtaí with an update on housing and the Government’s progress since the publication of Housing for All back in September 2021, just over two and a half years ago. While challenges undoubtedly remain and we continue to operate in an ever-changing environment, real progress has been made. It is important to take time to reflect on this and today provides me with the perfect opportunity. It is also timely to discuss the conclusions and recommendations of the Housing Commission. …

This week.

If the Deputy gives me the details, I will take it up directly with the Housing Agency. The tenant in situ scheme has been very successful, as has the cost-rental tenant in situ scheme. If a house is not going to be purchased, the tenants should be given an explanation for that. I am not aware of the details but if the Deputy gives them to me, I will engage directly with the Housing Agency and revert to him.

He should go back and watch the video he made.

He was in the video standing outside on the plinth.

Was it AI generated?

I move amendment No. 1: To delete all the words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "notes that: — Housing for All – A New Housing Plan for Ireland, now in its third year of implementation, sets out a comprehensive suite of actions aimed at addressing affordability in the housing sector and that supply, which is critical to achieving this, has increased significantly since its publication in September 2021; — almost 33,000 new homes were built in 2023 alone, exceeding the target of 29,000 by some 3,7…

If Deputy Ó Broin has put forward the motion as a plan, he should put some detail behind it. Will he provide clarity on whether these homes would be eligible for mortgages due to the first-charge and leasehold concerns? What restrictions would be placed on the property? We know that people would not be able to freely sell their home in a leasehold position, but would Sinn Féin put in place other restrictions? Would they be prevented from doing any work, such as home renovations or extensions? Very interestingly, th…

-----even in respect of a very simple question as to where Sinn Féin's housing plan is. In 2022, the first full year of delivery under Housing for All, we delivered close to 30,000 homes, 5,000 more than our target. We saw continued progress in 2023 and we are seeing it again this year, as the plan and its many reforms have gained a firm footing. In 2023, we delivered more than 32,600 new homes, the highest level of delivery in 15 years. That does not just happen. In 2023, almost 12,000 new social homes were delive…

-----that people would not even be able to mortgage.