I followed quite a bit of that session yesterday at the joint committee. It was really interesting, including Senator Boyhan's contribution. As he stated, there is something very strategic and big happening right across the housing sphere and we see that with the increase in the number of commencements. In my own county, the social housing provision is up by more than 60%, which will reduce the social housing waiting list. The Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, and officials have been incredibly proactive across the…

Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh na páistí, na daltaí anseo, go dtí an Seanad. They are very welcome to the Seanad. I fully agree with Senator Boyhan. I appreciate the comments he makes about the LDA and the general thrust of Government policy on the critical importance of the delivery of housing through Housing for All. Senator Boyhan mentioned a number of other sites, including those at Cork docklands and Inchicore in Dublin, but I am not sure if they are on that particular list. It is important that we try to …

I will give a general outline and then I will come back to the Senator's specific points. Our Department provides funding to local authorities under the suite of housing adaptation grants for older people and people with a disability, to assist people in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs, which also facilitates early return from hospital stays. Our objective in this is to keep older people living at home and independently for as long as possible. The grants include the housing…

I agree with the Senator in the sense that we have seen year-on-year, as I know from my own county and constituency, that the grants are oversubscribed. This is, in itself, a testament to the success of the grant scheme. There is significant uptake. There is always a waiting list. However, we have to give consideration to the rising building costs. They are, unfortunately, affecting every sector of Housing for All, as well as all of our plans. I hope the review will give consideration to all these issues and, in pa…

I thank the Senator for raising this issue. I am taking the question on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Humphreys. The Government is committed to protecting vulnerable households from the impact of energy costs through a combination of financial supports, energy efficiency awareness initiatives and investment in programmes to improve the energy efficiency of housing stock. Much of the latter is being done through my own Department with regard to the local authority stock. On the fuel allowance payment, as part of bu…

On the phasing out of fossil fuels, that is something that all parties in this House and across the Oireachtas have signed up to and it is critically important that we continue that trajectory. That said, there is no doubt that the transition needs to be managed and that is something of which the Government is cognisant. We are mindful of the fact that we need to support families through the crisis that has hit us all. The Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Humphreys, and her Department have not been found want…

I thank my constituency colleague for raising this issue which she has consistently done in this Chamber, as have a number of other Deputies. As she has said, there have been some counties where existing resources have been utilised. The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Acts, 198…

To respond to the point made by the Deputy about the onset of Covid-19, the pandemic has presented challenges to the fire services in respect of the delivery of services. Our Department has monitored regular reports from the fire services in respect of the impact of the pandemic on staffing levels and the business community. In order to maximise the available capital funding programme, our Department reassesses the status of projects in the programme on an annual basis and some flexibility is normally available to …

I thank Deputy Cian O'Callaghan and the Social Democrats for bringing forward the Bill. This is a practice we all abhor. It is disgusting. I listened to the Deputy’s contribution at the start of the debate and I will address some of the issues before I make my concluding remarks. Deputy O'Callaghan made the specific point that while the Bill in itself is not enough to tackle this issue, it is certainly a step in the right direction. The abuse of power and the disparity of power between landlord and tenant is someth…

I move amendment No. 1: In page 5, line 14, to delete “and” and substitute “to amend the Building Control Act 2007; and”.

I apologise to Deputy Ó Broin. I am trying to find my bearings here. In relation to the first grouping, Government amendments Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, these amendments are to change the Long Title of the Bill and to add a definition to section 2 to reflect a number of amendments to the Building Control Act 2007, which provides for the statutory register for architects, building surveyors and quantity surveyors.

I move amendment No. 2: In page 5, line 20, after "Works" to insert "and Building Control (Amendment)".

I move amendment No. 3: In page 6, between lines 1 and 2, to insert the following: " "Act of 2007" means the Building Control Act 2007;".

Before I refer to the note, I will address some of the points raised by the Deputies. It is the case that the Government wants a robust regulator. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan has pointed out some of the failings of the past, which there is no doubt have been substantial and have caused considerable hurt to people as well as financial cost to the Exchequer. It is for that reason that the legislation is being introduced. We want to have a well regulated industry in Ireland that is functional and able to meet the requirem…

I have given assurances regarding the Attorney General's advice around not naming the body appointed. The mechanism exists, where the body appointed is not performing its functions, for another entity to be appointed. That is part of the checks and balances that exist in addition to the seven points I raised relating to the independence of the registration body. I again give those assurances to Members. I know that is probably not acceptable but I again point it out.

Not in respect of this particular amendment, but we will give consideration in the Seanad to amendments relating to appointments to the board and the appeals committee.

Not to this one.

Regarding the commitment given by my ministerial colleague, the note has been prepared and we can have it furnished to the committee. Amendment No. 11 suggests including "adherence to the requirements of the Building Regulations". The code of practice is for the purpose of the continued improvement in the professional conduct of providers of building works. The three amendments suggested by the Deputies are not appropriate to this section of the Bill. The Bill provides for a register of providers of building works.…

I must oppose this amendment to section 21. To operate the statutory register, the registration body will be required to carry out inspections and will require the facility to employ inspectors who may be members of its staff. The inspectors shall carry out their duties and inspections subject to such terms as the board, which is independent, may determine. However, I am considering an amendment to this section of the Bill to provide that inspectors shall be independent in the performance of their functions.

I have given an assurance that I will consider an amendment to the Bill that would ensure that the inspectors are independent in their performance of their duties. I hope that gives assurance to the Deputy in that regard.