I acknowledge the phenomenal work being done by front-line workers. I acknowledge the difficulties being experienced by patients who are presenting in UHL. Staff are doing their utmost. We have a capacity issue and we all accept that. The Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, is fully aware. These are two different metrics. If someone presents to UHL, I would prefer for them to be in a cubicle to be treated than to being on a trolley or waiting. That, by definition, makes sense. I have spoken to the Minister for He…

I thank the Senator for raising this important matter. The Department of Health recognises the key role of pharmacy services in the community and the ongoing significant contribution made by the sector to patients and the public, particularly during the pandemic. The potential role pharmacy services can play in the development and implementation of future healthcare reform, especially in regard to the aims and vision of Sláintecare, is under consideration. Medicines are the most common healthcare intervention withi…

I thank the Senator again for speaking on this topic. The Department of Health appreciates the expertise of pharmacists and the valuable contribution they make, both in working collaboratively with other healthcare professionals as part of a team and working independently. By leveraging their knowledge, they make a significant contribution that adds benefits to patient outcomes. I acknowledge the Senator's indication that the health committee intends to write to the Minister. Perhaps the committee might consider un…

The Residential Tenancies Acts 2004 to 2022 regulate the landlord-tenant relationship in the private rented sector and set out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. The Residential Tenancies Board was established as an independent statutory body under the Acts to operate a national tenancy registration system and to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants. Section 16 of the Act obliges a tenant to pay any charges or taxes in accordance with the lease or tenancy agreement unless they are unlawf…

Section 16 of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 obliges a tenant to pay any charges or taxes in accordance with the lease or tenancy agreement unless they are unlawful or contravene any other enactment. Typically, these may include electricity, gas or other utility charges. Will the Deputy provide the details of the specific case he raised to us? Typically, if a system has been in operation for leases and the terms of those leases are changed with additional charges, an issue should arise. I ask the Deputy to forw…

On the first point the Deputy raised, the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, is not in the Chamber-----

-----but I will take up with the Minister the issue the Deputy has raised about sex-for-rent exploitation. On the particular matter the Deputy raised regarding student accommodation, send the issue into us. We will follow up on it and look at it in our Department and at the RTB. If changes need to be made, we will make them, but the RTB is the body charged with this. I take the Deputy's point about capacity issues. The most important thing is that he gives us the details and if something is happening in practice th…

I thank Deputy Ó Broin. On 20 January 2023, I launched a three-month public consultation on proposed amendments to Part B of the building regulations relating to fire safety. The proposed changes aim to improve fire safety in new buildings and support the reuse of existing buildings by simplifying, clarifying, and rationalising fire safety requirements. This public consultation is the culmination of a review of Part B of the building regulations and the associated technical guidance document B, which was necessitat…

The answer to both questions is "Yes". The most important thing here is to get this right. Deputy Ó Broin referred to the number of appeals. However, I point out that the An Bord Pleanála figures are of the order of approximately 15 to 25 appeals per year, and less than 1% of fire safety decisions are appealed. Generally, the level of appeals is low but I take the Deputy's point in terms of the overturning of decisions. The main thing at this point is to get it right. The key thing now is to get the submissions fro…

I propose to take Questions Nos. 88, 121, 139, 141 and 146 together. It is great to see so many Deputies here on this particular issue. Tackling vacancy is a key priority for this Government. Housing for All sets out a suite of measures to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock. Significant progress is being made and I welcome the opportunity to mention briefly progress on some of those. For example, the Government launched the town centre first policy, a major new policy initiative th…

It is 350 to date.

Given that the Croí Cónaithe scheme was launched last November in certain rural areas and towns, a figure of 1,250 is a fair success so far. The repair and leasing scheme totals 350 properties, which comprise multiple units. The scheme is highly successful. There has been a publicity drive from the Department to get the information out as to how the scheme works. I encourage Deputies to tell people with vacant properties to avail of the scheme. There are vacant homes officers in every local authority. We publicly s…

In response to Deputy Gould, the Croí Cónaithe scheme has just been announced. Furthermore, there is a vacant housing officer in every council. There is also a town centre first housing officer. In addition, there are derelict site teams within local authorities. We are introducing a vacant site tax.

The fundamental issue is that there is an action plan for vacant properties. The sum of €150 million has just been announced by the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, under the urban regeneration and development fund, URDF, specifically to bring derelict sites back into use as homes. The resources are there, and we want to see action on the ground. We will work proactively with the local authorities on the derelict sites registers. Fundamentally, what we want to see is vacant sites around the country being brought b…

In response to Deputy Cian O'Callaghan, we hope to have the review completed by the middle of this year. It is being worked on actively at the moment. It is a priority. We want it to be empirically based in order that any further measures put in place on the rental side will bear fruit.

I propose to take Questions No. 91 and 143 together. Under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, all development, unless specifically exempted under the Act or associated regulations, requires planning permission. Exemptions from the requirement to obtain planning permission in respect of specific forms of development are provided for when they are considered to be consistent with proper planning and sustainable development. The Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2018 provided for…

I thank the Deputy. Vacant home officers are now in situ in every local authority, including that in Louth. Their role is to go out proactively and bring vacant units back into use. Traditionally, people would have rung the planning officer, but that takes some time. We will look to see whether we can expand the role of the vacant home officers to incorporate the planning aspect. Clearly, the local authority, in any area, is the fountain of knowledge in that area. We want the local authorities to be proactive. We w…

On the first point, there are now vacant home officers. The salary was increased specifically for that purpose. We can build around them on the issues on the planning side as well. In recent days, the Government sanctioned the provision of an additional 1,000 homes for lease. That message is going out loud and clear to local authorities. That is now Government policy and it should be reflected in Louth.

We made contact with South Dublin County Council, which advised us that a dedicated service is still available during office hours to take telephone calls relating to emergency maintenance requests from tenants who are older, who have disabilities or who have additional needs. If what Deputy Ward is saying about South Dublin County Council remains the position, he should let us know and we will follow up with it.

At Christmas.