-----for local authorities like the one in Carlow. Now we are purchasing the land for them, and for approved housing bodies as well, to build into the future so we have the land banks to continue to deliver the homes we need. The progress is very welcome. We are not at all going to rest on our laurels. We want to do more. The pipeline for next year, looking at the commencements for this year, is very strong too. Next year we will have another record year in delivery of homes for our people.

On staffing and resources, local authorities have never had more staff than they have now. They have never had more resources than they have now. Where we receive submissions from local authorities, like in this instance from Carlow County Council, if they put a case forward to us and require additional sanction, we look at those requests favourably, though they obviously have to stack up. Following the Deputy's intervention today, I will await the receipt of that submission from Carlow County Council and we will l…

It is an important question. Before I answer it, for clarity, in a cursory glance at Croí Cónaithe, it is important that Members state their correct position. In its alternative budget last year, Sinn Féin stated, "As part of the financing of this component of our public housing policy Sinn Féin would redirect the small amount of funding in the Croí Cónaithe Towns fund into the capital funding for Local Authorities."

No, tuigim é sin. It is important people know that.

In respect of this-----

In respect of this important matter, applications for social housing support, as Deputy McAuliffe knows, are set by each local authority, and that is governed by the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009. Generally, it is not possible for a household previously on one social housing waiting list to carry over the time spent on the list when applying to another local authority. A new and separate application form would be required and assessed against the eligibility, including income limits and the criteria o…

There are areas, as the Deputy knows, where local authorities can provide priority, and the scheduling of allocations is governed by them. I have seen cases where a survivor of domestic violence has needed to leave their home and the local authority has been very supportive, even in instances where somebody has an interest in a family home but has to leave it. We are making progress on this. We have changed how we fund domestic violence refuges. The capital assistance scheme, which provided 100% of the funding for …

I thank all the Deputies for their contributions. The two Ministers of State and I discussed this yesterday at length on foot of Deputy McAuliffe's question, and I have engaged also with the Minister for Justice in respect of the new national strategy and what we can do to help in that regard. Moreover, the Minister for Social Protection has made changes on the social welfare side. To respond to Deputy O'Callaghan, the HAP issue is certainly something we can reiterate. What I find, having dealt with individual case…

I answered this question earlier in response to Deputy Ó Broin but am happy to do so again. We will have another webinar for residents next Monday, which will be attended by representatives of the Housing Agency. Between 400 and 600 people have attended various webinars and we are directly engaging with residents in this regard. I want the interim scheme relating to fire defects to open for applications this month, if at all possible. I assure residents that the Government and the three parties that constitute it a…

I was party to the negotiations on the programme for Government. There are apartments and schemes in my area and I have friends, family and constituents affected by this. I engaged directly with people right the way through. The legislation is important; that will be next year. This scheme will be with us for a number of years. It needs to be underpinned by primary legislation. I get that people want this done now but we have to make sure the interim and permanent schemes do what people want them to do. The commitm…

We allocate the questions.

I thank Senators Kyne, Fitzpatrick, Casey and the Acting Chairperson for being here. I welcome the opportunity to update Members of the House on the progress being made on Housing for All. It is just over two years since the plan was published and although the landscape and environment in which we are operating has changed significantly, real progress is being made. While challenges remain, we continue to be agile and responsive in addressing these challenges head on and delivering an increasing supply of homes for…

I apologise to Senator Moynihan. I am due to be in the Dáil. My good colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, will be here for the rest of the debate.

I move amendment No. 2: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "notes that: — Budget 2024 delivered a record €5.1 billion in capital investment in housing made up of €2.6 billion in exchequer funding, €978 million for the Land Development Agency (LDA) and €1.5 billion for Housing Finance Agency (HFA) funding; — the capital funding being provided for housing in 2024, coupled with LDA and HFA investment, is the highest ever in the history of the State; — a review and refresh of Housing…

-----right the way across the country. Deputy Louise O'Reilly is my good colleague in Dublin Fingal where there is one of the largest social and affordable housing sites in the country at Ballymastone, Donabate, and work is under way. Her own party colleague in Fingal County Council objected to it and voted against it.

Colleagues opposite may, God forbid, get the opportunity to be in a position whereby they will have the responsibility to deliver but they cannot come into the Dáil and say one thing and then out in their own constituencies go out and do completely the contrary. That is what is happening time and time again.

I did not interrupt Deputy Ó Broin once.

If the Deputy wants to critique his comments, and there is so much within them that is incorrect, I will. I have not interrupted the Deputy one bit.

Let us look at Oscar Traynor Road. Work has started on that site to deliver hundreds of homes there for people. Sinn Féin actively opposed the Oscar Traynor Road site-----

-----and actively opposed O'Devaney Gardens as well.