I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the following scheme in draft: Defective Concrete Blocks Social Homes Scheme 2026, a copy of which has been laid in draft form before Dáil Éireann on 7th August, 2026. I welcome the opportunity to speak this afternoon on what is an important matter. As Deputies are aware, a defective concrete blocks grant scheme was put in place in 2020 to financially support affected homeowners in counties Donegal and Mayo, whose homes were impacted by defective concrete blocks. A number of impro…

I thank Deputies across the House for their contributions to this important debate. The motion before the House seeks approval for the social homes scheme for designated local authorities and approved housing bodies affected by defective concrete blocks. To be clear, I acknowledge the pressures Donegal County Council in particular is under regarding this matter. I have committed my Department to working hand in glove with Donegal County Council on it. The Department acknowledges the financial challenges at play, bu…

In relation to Senator McCarthy’s amendment, while it was a very well intentioned and constructed amendment, it has been disallowed. It was not my decision on those matters. I am satisfied the safeguards and safety net are there for those who are not entitled by way of legal or habitual residence. That can be ongoing for as long as is necessary but it will be night to night. I am satisfied the vulnerable groups the Senator mentioned will not be impacted. As for those who are the beneficiaries of temporary protectio…

The Government supports section 6 standing part of the Bill, and cannot accept any amendment to it. Section 6 of the Bill comprises amendments to section 10 of the Housing Act 1988, and the purpose of these amendments is to extend local authority powers to withdraw the provision of homeless accommodation. Those powers will extend to circumstances where a household refuses a reasonable offer of social housing accommodation. That word is very important as it is not any offer; it must be a reasonable offer. Any offer …

I fully agree with the Senator that there should be guidelines to follow to ensure that there will be consistency and they will follow because part of what we are doing here is ensuring consistency across the country. Part of what we are doing here is ensuring consistency across the country. We are implementing a statutory appeal for the first time. That should help a family in that type of situation. We are also introducing an obligation on local authorities to have regard to the best interests of children when ma…

A number of new safety nets are being introduced in terms of decision-making. It has to be a reasonable offer and it always has to meet the needs. There is an appeals mechanism and the best interests of the children are considered. There will be clear guidelines and training for local authorities to ensure consistency. If somebody refuses a reasonable offer that meets their needs, then the safety net is the night-to-night accommodation that will be provided to them. Nobody should have to rough sleep.

The Senator is talking about a situation where a family has refused a reasonable offer of a home. There is no reason for a family to refuse a reasonable offer of a home. Training and guidelines will be given to make sure the offers are reasonable and people are dealt with compassionately. I do not envisage those circumstances arising. They should not arise.

I have answered all the questions already. Nobody is sending anybody out. The only circumstance in which this may happen is where somebody has been given a reasonable offer of a home and turns it down. The local authority may then act. It is not that it will; it may. It can take all circumstances into account at that time. There are many safeguards but we want people to spend the minimum amount of time in emergency accommodation and that is a good thing. We do not want people spending time in emergency accommodatio…

No.

I completely reject that mis-characterisation and the Senator's attribution of mala fides . It is outrageous commentary. Nobody is forcing anybody.

The Senator has obviously made her mind up on it.

I have answered all the policy questions.

I cannot accept the proposed amendments. The safety net provision for persons or households who are ineligible for homeless accommodation is not a continuous provision. The inclusion in the legislation of the hours of 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. makes this clear. This provision allows local authorities to reassess the circumstances each day to determine that the safety net is still necessary. The inclusion of the specific hours of 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. rather than referring to singular nights of accommodation is to make absolutely…

Clear guidance will be provided to local authorities that the eight-to-eight period is a statutory minimum.

Generally, where guidance comes from is from the Department and the Minister in the Department of housing.

There is no difficulty. We can do that.

The Government supports section 7 standing part of the Bill and cannot accept any amendment to it. Section 7 introduces two sections into the Housing Act 1988, section 10A and section 10B. Section 10A implements the Government's policy aim of introducing eligibility criteria around legal and habitual residency in respect of section 10 local authority-provided homeless services and supports while at the same time offering a safety service in line with Ireland's obligations under the European Convention on Human Righ…

There is no two-night limit. I have emphasised that on Second Stage and again here on Committee Stage. It is very clear-----

I probably lost the question in all of the invective. The why is in the interest of fairness. We are providing housing supports for people and the requirement is that they are legally here and intend to make this their home. That is not an unreasonable requirement of people to whom we are providing social housing or emergency accommodation. For those who do not meet those requirements, there is a safety net there.

I cannot accept amendments Nos. 10 and 11. The interpretation of "lawfully resident" and "habitually resident" is construed in accordance with section 20A, which sets out the new residency requirements for social housing applicants. Section 20A provides that "A household shall not be eligible for social housing support unless at the time of carrying out the social housing assessment" each member of the household is lawfully resident, habitually resident, meets any condition applicable to a member and no member is s…