I fully accept the well-made points of each of the three Deputies who have highlighted their concerns in this area. We all face these issues at our clinics every week. They involve people who are on the margins. We see people missing out on the housing list because of income that potentially should be disregarded. That can be most frustrating. I wish to set out the position of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, has secured a 24% increase in the capital bu…

I thank the Deputies for their well-made points. The sole focus of this Department is to ensure that we provide secure accommodation that all our citizens can access equally. We should always instil hope in people because there is hope. People who are on the margins can take consolation from the significant budget we have secured for the Department for 2021. As I have said, the Housing Agency is assessing all of this based on the new cost rental and affordable schemes due to be published shortly and the income elig…

The local infrastructure housing activation fund was designed to support housing supply by relieving critical infrastructure blockages. A total of 30 projects were approved with an overall budget of €195.7 million while €146.8 million was Exchequer funded and the remainder was funded by local authorities. Full details of the approvals are available on the Rebuilding Ireland website. The relevant website link is www.rebuildingireland.ie/LIHAF . Of the 30 projects, two projects will not proceed. Kildare County Counci…

We can examine that within the Department and revert back to the Deputy. Of the five LIHAF projects at the end of October, Sallins in County Kildare is one that has been progressed, so there is good news. In terms of the sticking points, we will get back to the Deputy on the site in question.

I thank the House for the opportunity to talk about this very important issue. Addressing Traveller accommodation is a priority for me and my Department. There is no doubt that delivery on capital programmes in recent years has been disappointing. The need for investment in Traveller accommodation is not reflected in the level of money drawn down from the capital budget. I assure Senators that I am determine to address the reasons for this and implement all of the solutions. The Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Ac…

I thank Senators for their contributions on this important issue. I assure the House that I am fully committed to resolving it, including the underspend by various local authorities. It is a significant underspend, which I was keen to point out in my opening statement. We have to acknowledge when things are not working. When I was advised that I would be taking over this role one of my key tasks was to try to rectify this. Senator Fitzpatrick was keen to point out the recommendations from the expert group report. W…

I thank Senator McGahon for raising this important matter. Project Ireland 2040, which was launched by the Government on 16 February 2018, is the overarching policy and planning framework for the social, economic and cultural development of Ireland. It includes a detailed capital investment plan for the period 2018 to 2027, the National Development Plan, NDP, 2018-2027 and the 20-year national planning framework, NPF. The principles of the NPF are underpinned by the national development plan, a ten-year, €116 billi…

I again thank Senator McGahon for raising this issue. I will take on board all the merits he has put forward regarding this project, and he has discussed them at length with me in the past as well. It is important that projects such as this are supported. They are the core regeneration projects that will unlock the potential of our towns and that is the key aspect of what the URDF seeks to do under the national planning framework. I hear the case the Senator has made; it is a strong case for Dundalk and I will brin…

My Department has been made aware of the recent deaths of several individuals who had been rough sleeping or accessing homelessness services. Each of those deaths is a tragedy for those involved and their loved ones to whom I extend my sympathies. Out of consideration for the families of the deceased, we should respect their privacy and not be drawn into speculation regarding the individual circumstances of the deceased or the causes of those deaths. I know that all the Members will be mindful of such sensitivities…

I thank Senator Moynihan for raising this very important issue and her constructive comments. Homelessness is a major challenge and as a Government we have to work with might and main to secure the commitments contained within the programme for Government and ensure we respond to this issue with all of the armoury of the State.

I welcome the opportunity to express confidence in the Tánaiste and the Government. This motion has been manufactured by those in Sinn Féin who pretend to have morals and principles. It is from a party whose actions continue to belie its public statements in this House. Sinn Féin talks about credibility while, on the other hand, it protects and rewards its inner circle. It talks about a cosy boys’ club while it cosies up to tax cheats and subversives. Ask the family of Robert McCartney who protects that party's eli…

Hear, hear.

I thank the Senator for raising this matter and for the opportunity to discuss the North Quays project in Waterford, and particularly Waterford City and County Council's bid for the North Quays under the urban regeneration project. As the Senator outlined in detail, this is a significant project for the region. The urban regeneration and development fund, URDF, funding is designed to unlock the potential of our five cities and large towns. This project is key to doing that for Waterford and the region. The Senator …

I appreciate the urgency attached to it, which I mentioned. Urban regeneration reaches into other Departments because the core of regeneration is trying to get our five cities and large towns to unlock their potential. That is a key part of the national planning framework. I am working on this issue in the Department to ensure it is realised and delivered in communities. The work of Senator Cummins when he was Mayor of Waterford, with the former Minister of State, Paudie Coffey, to designate this area of the city a…

I wish to share time with the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte.

I begin by thanking the Members of the House for a very informed and useful debate. What is very clear from this morning's debate is the devastating impact flooding has on citizens, on a local, regional and national scale, and in communities both urban and rural. It is also clear that all Members of the House share a common goal of minimising the impacts on people into the future, while at the same time recognising that with climate change, the causes of flooding will likely become more severe over time. Following …

I thank Deputy Ó Broin for bringing forward this Bill and providing me with the opportunity to bring clarity to the issues raised. For reasons I will explain in more detail, the Government is not supporting the Bill. Before I explain, however, I wish to note with concern that Deputy Ó Broin did not avail of the services available from the Office of Parliamentary Legal Advisers. On the face of it, it would appear that Sinn Féin has not made any attempt to ensure the Bill is legally sound. Moreover, it is doubtful wh…

I did not make a sound when the Deputy's party colleagues were speaking, and they levelled accusations across the House about builders and developers, of whom I am not one. A little respect would go a long way for the Deputy's party, so I ask him not to shout people down.

I am democratically elected here, I will have Deputy Ó Broin know. I am entitled to put forward my views and the Government's views.

I ask the Deputy to have a little respect.