I recognise that the Deputy has raised this on many occasions. She has been very consistent on it. This protocol is coming. It would be welcome if, in anticipation of the protocol, local authorities accepted what they know is now going to come.

I thank Deputy Mac Lochlainn for raising this important issue with regard to the SCSI and the draft follow-up on construction costs under the defective concrete block grant scheme. My Department keeps costs relating to the defective concrete blocks scheme under continuous review. As the Deputy is aware, following updated costs reports from the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland and advice from an expert group established to consider the matter, a further increase from the original grant rate set down in the Rem…

We continuously keep the scheme under review through consistent and regular stakeholder engagement. An implementation steering group for the defective concrete blocks grant scheme has been in place since 2023 and comprises officials from relevant local authorities, my Department, the Housing Agency and homeowner liaison officers. This regular stakeholder engagement is augmented by regular meetings. We have done a review of the costings, implemented it and passed the legislation. I am looking at whether such a revie…

I am very conscious of the distressing situation people in Donegal and other counties are going through. I have been to Donegal and spent considerable time listening to people and getting a better understanding of the distressing situation they are in. The wider review has to start on or before July 2026. It may start sooner if the review comes in in relation to IS 465/2018 being changed because that in itself triggers a review. There is another review in relation to the cost. It will be a question of the most effe…

I thank the Deputy for the question, which relates to Elm Park in Buncrana and advancement of the plans to relocate families. The Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 commenced on 22 June 2023. It underpins the current grant scheme and the related regulations that were adopted on 29 June 2023. I visited Donegal last year and met with many of the affected residents. I understand the flooding issue pertaining to Elm Park, where nine homeowners are particularly affected. So…

I thank the Deputy and the other Deputies in Donegal for their work in this area. I have met with the families and seen the videos. We know flood relief schemes take a considerable time. That relocation proposal needs to be advanced. I will continue to work with the residents and with the Deputies from Donegal on coming up with a scheme as quickly as possible. The current legislation did not necessarily envisage relocations but we have brought forward new regulations that will allow a relocation model in very limit…

Gabhaim buíochas leis na Teachtaí as ucht an rúin seo. Ní chuirfidh an Rialtas in aghaidh an rúin seo. Le comhaontú an Tí, leanfaidh mé ar aghaidh le mo ráiteas i mBéarla. The Government is not opposing this motion given the urgent need for housing and the Government's housing action plan, Delivering Homes, and Building Communities 2025-2030, which includes a range of actions aimed at increasing housing supply across all tenures and all parts of the country, including in rural and Gaeltacht areas. This includes fin…

Maybe the Deputy wants to elaborate on what standard of Irish he wants me to be able to say I have.

We are getting into gradation.

I thank all Deputies for their contributions. Addressing homelessness and increasing the supply of homes required to do so is my absolute priority. The programme for Government is committed to working towards ending homelessness by 2030. To meet this commitment, Delivering Homes, Building Communities was developed as an integrated housing and homeless plan. The new plan is based on two key pillars: activating the supply of 300,000 more homes and supporting people to have a home of their own. The plan will ensure th…

I was called out for not being here and I am responding to that.

The Deputy is here to raise a Topical Issue; he is not here for this debate. We are seeing a race to the bottom with this Trump-style anger that is expressed only in the hope of getting elected if enough anger is created against the Government. The Labour Party did that in 2011, and where did it end up?

The party created a kind of Faustian pact by whipping up anger among people. I ask that Members opposite deal with the issues at hand and stop trying to create bogeymen for vote-getting purposes That will solve nothing. Everyone on this side of the House wants to solve homelessness. I do not expect Members opposite to agree with our policies. That is not how it works or should work. Challenging us on policy, as Deputy Boyd Barrett often does on a very deep level, sharpens our policies and at least gets the debate g…

I am speaking to amendments Nos. 4 to 6, inclusive, and 8, which are grouped. I cannot accept the amendments. On 10 June 2025, the Government announced policy measures to come into operation from March, immediately following the expiration of the rent pressure zones. As I said, the Government wants to provide certainty, clarity and stability for the rental sector and these measures have been informed by extensive and comprehensive work by the Housing Agency. The Bill aims to boost investment and the supply of homes…

I am talking about the Bill.

We have to deliver supply. This tactic of shouting a Minister down whenever he or she says something that people do not like really shows the shallowness of what those people either have or do not have to offer in relation it.

That is fair enough, but Senator Andrews talked about social housing and local government coming in under the RTB, which is not covered by the Bill.

It is not part of the Bill, and I felt I had to address it.

I listened to a lot of invective and I have to respond to it. In fairness, I have to be given that opportunity. I am happy to listen to the responses of the Senators.

They do.