This has been a very good debate with extremely valuable contributions. I almost do not know where to start in view of the range of issues that were raised. I very much agree with the amendment. I support the thrust of it. The amendment relates to housing authorities proactively planning for the delivery of affordable dwellings for purchase and for cost-rental. Local authorities are required to prepare housing strategies as part of the development plan process. In doing so, they are required to identify existing ne…

I thank Senators Ruane and Higgins for their amendment. It proposes to add another subsection, presumably (7), to section 6 which is the provision of dwellings by housing authorities. Affordable dwellings will be provided by housing authorities with assistance from the Department, including from the serviced sites fund where a clear need has been identified for such. The process sees council members consider the broader housing tenure mix and need in their local authority area in line with the programme for Governm…

I thank Deputy McNamara for raising this important matter. In keeping with UNESCO advice to review the Tentative List every ten years, my Department launched a call for applications to Ireland's Tentative List of world heritage properties in January 2019. The closing date for receipt of applications is 30 June 2021. My Department has invited all local authorities to submit applications to it with respect to properties of natural and-or cultural heritage within their areas of responsibility which may meet the requir…

I reject the Deputy's connotation that essentially there is Cabinet interference. There is absolutely no interference. This is a robust, independent process. I made clear in my speech that individuals and organisations are encouraged to make applications in collaboration with the local authority. The local authority places structure on any process. Local authorities are a key focal point throughout the 31 regions in our State. They are needed to give direction. I make no apologies in that regard. To summarise, my D…

I thank Deputy Sherlock for raising this matter. I appreciate the genuine way in which he put his concerns forward. I accept that those concerns are valid. The Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 specify requirements on a range of matters such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, natural light and the safety of gas, oil and electrical supply. All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure their properties comply with these regulations. Responsibility for the enforceme…

I again thank the Deputy. His point is very well made and his concerns are very valid; I fully accept that. As I have said, there is a target for 25%, more needs to be done and we are trying to achieve that with increased funding, albeit in very constrained circumstances due to the pandemic. My Department has increased funding. As I said, the current €10 million budget should allow the sector to inspect almost one in four of all rental properties each year. The regulations also empower local authorities to enforce …

As I open the debate on the Government side, I do so, first, as the son of a suckler farmer in the midlands who has lived the experience that many of the Deputies speaking today say they are aware of. I grew up on a family farm that supported me in life and gave me the key opportunities to realise my ambition and supported me to do that. I have also experienced the late nights and long days of hard work and frustration on our family farm. Over the decades, through the 1990s right up to now, I have seen the many cha…

I thank Deputy Whitmore for raising this important issue. My priority in these situations is always to ensure that people's health is protected. The Deputy will appreciate the operation of the Barndarrig public water supply is a matter for Irish Water which, since 1 January 2014, has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local level. The Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, as environmental regulator, is responsible for setting quality…

I again thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue. I acknowledge the patience and co-operation of the residents of Barndarrig, particularly the very vulnerable people and businesses that have been affected by this notice. As already stated, my concern is that people's health is protected. I want these notices lifted without delay but only when the water is again safe to drink. Irish Water is working closely with the authorities and monitoring the situation to ensure that happens as quickly as possible.…

I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. Members will be aware that what happened in Maynooth is not acceptable, as the Government moves quickly to address this issue. The Taoiseach was clear from the outset that the Government does "not want institutional investors competing with first-time buyers". He went on to say that, "Our priority is first-time buyers." The actions taken yesterday by the Government are evidence of the priority we have given this matter and our commitment to levelling the playing…

I thank the Deputy for her interest in the matter, which I know is genuine. As Minister of State with responsibility for housing for people with disabilities, I can tell the Deputy we are doing a huge amount of work on design in that space. That will be emerging in the coming weeks. We are also updating a new strategy, on which consultation is ongoing. The question posed illustrated some confusion or misconception that may exist. I want to clarify the point about the curbing of planning or allocations for build-to-…

I thank the Deputy for raising this very important matter. I welcome the opportunity to discuss the position of vacant homes officers in our local authorities. The national vacant housing reuse strategy was published by my Department in 2018 and since then my Department has provided funding to each local authority of €50,000 per annum. This funding is to support the work of a vacant homes office, including a vacant homes officer, for each local authority. It is important to say that the allocation of staff within a…

Yes. It is en route.

My apologies. It is on the way.

Not for the first time, we are hearing incredibly contradictory contributions from a Sinn Féin Deputy. In the first instance, he criticises the Government for allegedly taking powers away from local authorities and, in the second, he says we should instruct local authorities and take over their staffing matters-----

They have the funding. As I said, every local authority has €50,000 in place to support the vacant homes officer. It is a matter for the local authority to adjudicate on how staff are assigned. The Deputy seems to be suggesting otherwise, that we should try to take more powers away from local authorities, while at the same time absolutely contradicting that. The Department's role-----

I cannot help but hear the contradictions the Deputy is expressing. He might allow me the forum to complete my contribution, as I allowed him to complete his without interruption, but he obviously does not have the manners to do that. The Department's role is to drive and co-ordinate actions in central government to support local authorities in their actions to tackle vacancy in local areas. There has been great success in bringing back vacant properties into productive use throughout the country. For example, sinc…

I thank the members of the Regional Group for their motion and Deputies Canney, Fitzpatrick, Grealish and Berry for their opening contributions and the constructive nature of the motion. It is timely as we go about reviewing our national development plan. They have highlighted the pressure points that Irish Water, as a public utility, is facing. I welcome the views of other Deputies on this important area as we outline plans and actions the Government intends to take. Our Shared Future, the programme for Government…

I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after “Dáil Éireann” and substitute the following: “acknowledges the extensive range of measures included in the Programme for Government: Our Shared Future, building on the initiatives already undertaken and in progress, which will be brought forward to support individuals and families to access affordable housing and, in particular, welcomes: - that in 2021, the Government set forward the largest housing budget in the history of the State; - that in 2021, the Government…

I apologise that the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, cannot be present as he is currently at Cabinet. The Government is opposing the motion. The Government firmly believes that home ownership is good for individuals, good for families, good for communities and good for the State. With this in mind, we have put affordability and the chance to own a home at the very heart of our housing policy. The Affordable Housing Bill, which was introduced to the Oireachtas just last night, and the Land Development Agency Bill …