I move: That Dáil Éireann take note of the Statement of Estimates of moneys required in respect of ongoing expenditure for the period beginning on 1st January, 2022 and ending on 31st December, 2022, prepared and published by the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission in accordance with the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Acts 2003 to 2018 which was laid before Dáil Éireann on 27th September, 2021.

I move amendment No. 3: In page 7, between lines 9 and 10, to insert the following: ““community housing trust” has meaning given to it by section 6(3);”. I thank the Minister for bringing the Bill before the House. A year ago I was quite unsure about the programme for Government. However, just one year on, and following much discourse and negotiation, this Bill, coupled with the Land Development Agency Bill, gives me hope. Green Party policies of cost-rental, 100% public housing on public land, the abolition of co-…

We will withdraw the amendment. We are happy to pursue the concept with the Minister.

The Green Party firmly believes that the primary remit of the Land Development Agency should be to utilise public land for 100% public housing. This would tackle the current affordability crisis by increasing the provision of affordable housing for purchase and rent. When we were negotiating the programme for Government last year the LDA was set to provide 60% private housing on public land. Today, on foot of my amendments to the Bill, the Minister has agreed to ensure that all housing in Dublin and Cork will be 10…

The programme for Government commits to the development of the town centre first policy. Revitalising our towns through the town centre first model will make them more livable and viable. It will create employment and bring people back to living in the heart of our towns in line with the 15-minute city concept. The Green Party supports a sustainable and progressive vision for rural Ireland. The town centre first model is at the core of this vision. I understand the town centre first interdepartmental advisory group…

I thank the Minister for bringing this Bill forward at this critical time. The Green Party has long championed and campaigned for affordable sustainable housing solutions, especially now in this housing crisis. I look forward to engaging with the Minister on the Bill to try to strengthen it for tenants and homeowners. The Bill offers a great opportunity and gateway to introduce new housing models to the State, such as community-led housing, a ground-up approach that enables people to pool their assets and resources…

The Minister has campaigned extensively for MetroLink and for improved sustainable transport for more than 25 years. As he knows, I have been campaigning for metro south west and have passed transport motions at regional assembly level, including on the opening of the Navan rail corridor and, in particular, the metro extensions to Knocklyon and UCD. The south-west Dublin area is chronically congested and becoming densely populated with strategic housing development schemes, among other planning applications. Dublin…

I thank the Minister for introducing this long-awaited Bill. Rachel Carson's Silent Spring , published in 1962, inspired the modern environmental movement, which began in earnest a decade later. It is recognised as the environmental text that changes the world. The following quote, first published 59 years ago, still rings true today: We stand now where two roads diverge. But unlike the roads in Robert Frost's familiar poem, they are not equally fair. The road we have long been traveling is deceptively easy, a smoo…

I move: That Dáil Éireann, pursuant to section 4(2)(f) (iv) of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Acts 2003 to 2018, hereby authorises the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission to conduct the defence of proceedings initiated in the Workplace Relations Commission against members of the Joint Committee on Health in the matter of Francis Kearney v Deputy Colm Burke and others (Ref: CA—00042558-001), as regards matters arising solely out of the performance by the members concerned of their parliamentary functions as…

I thank the Minister of State for his time in addressing this issue. I echo my colleagues' statements and reiterate the gravity of the situation in Dublin South-West. It is dire and, in the words of a local drug and alcohol task force worker, the area has become a drug trade ecosystem. It is necessary to work towards establishing safe zones protected by the Garda to allow people to go about their daily lives without feeling intimidated or fearing for their safety. I would appreciate it if the Minister of State woul…

This is very simple. There are two issues involved; the task forces are seriously starved of funding and gardaí are just not doing anything and are letting this situation continue. That needs to be dealt with. Gardaí need to get tough on these guys and move them on while the funding issue must also be dealt with.

I welcome the decision to reopen schools on a phased basis. I take this opportunity to thank our teachers and school management, who have put in enormous effort to ensure learning does not stop during the pandemic despite the difficulties in migrating from on-site to fully remote teaching environments. I also thank our students for their patience. I am deeply concerned about the condition of some school buildings that children and staff will be returning to. Some are so dangerous they could potentially pose a more …

I thank the Minister of State for bringing this Bill to the House. The Bill has gravely concerned me over the past year, considering its potential negative outcomes for society. However, I also welcome its potential to assist in the mitigation of our housing crisis. The two points on which I wish to speak are public housing and public land, and the removal of councillors' voting rights. I must begin by stating that we are in a housing crisis. Therefore, it is without doubt that the primary remit of the LDA should b…

I thank the Minister for taking my two questions. This pandemic has made us fully realise the importance of a safe and secure home. The referendum on a right to housing will enshrine this in our law. When will the Minister deliver on this commitment? What role will the commission on housing have? Can he ensure that organisations such as Home for Good, which have worked resolutely on this, will be engaged to deliver on this commitment? Last year, an estimated 18,800 homes were delivered, though currently our housing…

Next year.

I move: That Dáil Éireann, pursuant to section 4(2)(f)(iv) of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Acts 2003 to 2018, hereby authorises the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission to instruct legal representatives as regards matters arising solely from the performance of parliamentary functions as members of Dáil Éireann, in relation to legal proceedings where Dáil Éireann is a Notice Party thereto, in the matter bearing the Record No: 2020/569 JR.

I thank the Minister for taking my question. What measures are in place to ensure adequate heating and ventilation in schools temporarily accommodated in prefabs in view of Covid-19 guidelines? Schools are doing their best to ensure students are in the safest environment possible. As advised by the Department, teachers are encouraged to keep windows and doors open to allow for ventilation. However, without adequate heating infrastructure, this often means teachers and schoolchildren are left extremely cold.

The issue of capacity and availability of resources to accommodate students comfortably brings me to my next point about the broader challenges schools have faced adapting to Covid-19 guidelines. Some schools have had to undertake significant remedial works in a short amount of time using the limited minor works funding and are still struggling to accommodate students in appropriate teaching environments. Can the Department advise whether minor works grants will be available next summer to conduct works outside of …

Unfortunately, for many schools the minor works grant does not allow them to adequately accommodate schoolchildren in adherence to Covid-19 guidelines. Many schools have had to undertake significant structural changes to ensure that students arrive to a safe environment. I have witnessed this. Will the Department support schools, particularly DEIS schools, in undertaking significant remedial works necessary to accommodate students safely in cases in which the minor works grant is not enough? This is having an impac…

I thank the Minister of State for taking this matter. I am sure he is aware of what has happened in the Marianella luxury housing development in the Dublin suburb of Rathgar. The social housing residents living there under Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2005 have complained publicly about not being able to access many of the apartment complex facilities or to keep pets, despite this not being the case for any of the development's other private residents. Neither of us can say with any certainty that wha…