Parliamentary questions

Vacant Properties

Richard Boyd Barrett

101. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is considering additional funding to the Land Development Agency for a specific purpose of funding acquisition of long-term vacant and derelict buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19524/24]

Housing Policy

Violet-Anne Wynne

102. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the housing deficits in the State as reported by the Housing Commission recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24312/24]

Housing Provision

Cormac Devlin

103. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the provision of specialist staff to boost delivery of more affordable homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24310/24]

Defective Building Materials

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

104. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to make changes to the enhanced defective concrete block grant scheme to address the concerns of the estimated 3,000 persons who have attended public meetings in Donegal and Mayo and called for a genuine 100% redress scheme similar to that provided to the victims of the pyrite scandal in Dublin and north Leinster;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23799/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

105. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the retrofitting of local authority homes with heat pumps; if he is aware of concerns that this is leading to higher-than-expected bills; if he plans to increase education/spread awareness about heat pump usage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24419/24]

Housing Schemes

Niamh Smyth

106. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the croí cónaithe scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24222/24]

Defective Building Materials

Eoin Ó Broin

107. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will respond to the growing criticism of the revised defective block remediation scheme from home owners in the impacted counties. [24290/24]

Vacant Properties

Thomas Gould

108. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the voids return programme in Cork city. [24430/24]

Energy Conservation

Peter Fitzpatrick

109. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to allocate more funding to Louth County Council in respect of the retrofitting scheme and housing adaptation grant as there is a significant backlog due to funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24297/24]

Heritage Sites

Rose Conway-Walsh

110. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the next opportunity will be to add Céide Fields on UNESCO's tentative list for world heritage status, considering its significance as a world-renowned heritage site and its historical evidence of Ireland's first farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24389/24]

Housing Policy

Richard Bruton

111. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has reviewed the impact of the 2019 work between his Department and the Department of Health on planning accommodation for an ageing population; and his views on whether there is a need to develop new policy tools to drive the elements of that strategy. [24418/24]

Housing Policy

Willie O'Dea

112. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his assessment of the impact of the development levy waiver and Uisce Éireann connection charge rebate on housing commencements to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24317/24]

Housing Policy

Bernard Durkan

113. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider emergency housing measures to increase the supply of housing to those counties particularly affected by the threat of homelessness; if he will take steps to address these increasing housing needs in order to ensure that homelessness does not become an endemic and that families including parents and children have an option to avail of in the event of finding themselves homeless arising from eviction, or through the ongoing increasing demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24347/24]

Housing Policy

Bernard Durkan

114. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the extent to which he can avail of modern housing production methods to facilitate the provision of supply of homes to the market in addition to those already in hand in order to address the increasing demand arising from the termination of tenancies or other factors which might make it difficult or even impossible for families to provide housing by other means such as purchase or rental through the local authorities; if he can identify those counties currently trying to face this challenge with a view to increasing the supply within months rather than years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24348/24]

Housing Schemes

Pádraig O'Sullivan

115. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of grants approved for the help-to-buy scheme and the first home scheme in Cork city and Cork county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24372/24]

Housing Provision

Willie O'Dea

116. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the daily average number of homes that are commencing construction to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24316/24]

Cúrsaí Tithíochta

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

117. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta cén fáth nach bhfuil na treoirlínte pleanála Gaeltachta foilsithe go fóill, cén dáta faoina mbeidh siad foilsithe, agus ráiteas a thabhairt lena dtaobh. [24343/24]

Defective Building Materials

Peter Fitzpatrick

118. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Government and Heritage if those undertaking remediation of their properties are accommodated under the defective block scheme in County Louth; if there is a redress scheme for those effected by mica/pyrite in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24295/24]

Irish Language

Pauline Tully

119. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to detail his plans for the development of the Irish language through the bodies under his aegis such as the Heritage Council and local authorities; if he will consider introducing a dedicated funding stream for local authorities to encourage them to develop an Irish language section staffed by two full-time Irish language officers to assist in increasing the visibility and use of our native language, which is a stated objective of the Programme for Government 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24412/24]

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Matt Carthy

120. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage their targets for delivering affordable housing in County Monaghan; and the number delivered in the years 2020 to date. [24036/24]

National Parks

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

121. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to publish legislation to provide a legal basis for national parks, as outlined in Action 1E2 of the National Biodiversity Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23625/24]

Gaeltacht Policy

Catherine Connolly

122. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 44 of 11 April 2024, the timeline for the publication of the draft planning guidelines for Gaeltacht areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24279/24]

Heritage Sites

Marian Harkin

123. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will support the UNESCO world heritage site application for the passage tombs of County Sligo, by ensuring state protection and ownership of land containing important passage tombs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24366/24]

Housing Schemes

Robert Troy

124. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will convene a forum between senior officials in his Department and senior officials from across the local authorities to examine where housing schemes are not working or need to be amended to ensure Government policy is being implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24308/24]

Housing Schemes

Alan Farrell

125. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on his Department’s efforts to increase the supply of cost rental homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23907/24]

Defective Building Materials

Peter Fitzpatrick

126. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the plan/scheme that is in place for social housing tenants who are still living in pyrite affected homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24296/24]

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Rose Conway-Walsh

127. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he has taken to ensure this year's social and affordable housing build targets are met in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24390/24]

National Monuments

Marian Harkin

128. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will work to designate the Cairns Hill West passage tomb as a national monument. [24364/24]

Housing Schemes

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

129. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the completion date for the regeneration, refurbishment or rebuild projects of social housing complexes in Dublin 8, 10, 12 being funded by his Department through Dublin City Council or the LDA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24344/24]

Housing Provision

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

130. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of the long standing housing issues in Carndonagh and Milford town, County Donegal whereby Donegal County Council and affordable housing bodies cannot proceed with the purchase of a large number of properties in both towns, for families and persons on the social housing list due to his Department's limits and rules; and if he will intervene to find a reasonable solution in both instances.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23798/24]

Housing Provision

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

131. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the action he is taking on social and affordable housing in Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24422/24]

Housing Schemes

Brendan Griffin

132. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will increase social housing income thresholds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24417/24]

Defective Building Materials

Violet-Anne Wynne

133. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the challenges with the defective concrete block scheme in Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24313/24]

Housing Schemes

James O'Connor

134. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of first home scheme eligible homes provided in County Cork since the scheme commenced; the number of times the help to buy scheme has been utilized by persons in County Cork;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24321/24]

Passport Services

Niamh Smyth

135. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will expedite a passport application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24426/24]

Passport Services

Michael Healy-Rae

136. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will review the system for applying for a passport (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24456/24]

Passport Services

Niamh Smyth

137. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport application will issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24483/24]

Passport Services

Bernard Durkan

138. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue in the case of the daughter of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24533/24]

Passport Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

139. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay in issuing the passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24563/24]

National Broadband Plan

Louise O'Reilly

140. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason the connection date for an area (details supplied) has again been pushed back for connection under the National Broadband Plan; his views on whether it is acceptable that an area less than 20km from Dublin city centre does not have access to high-speed fibreoptic broadband; the measures that will be taken to expediate connection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24530/24]

National Broadband Plan

Robert Troy

141. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the provision of fibre broadband to a property (details supplied). [24569/24]

Defence Forces

Matt Carthy

142. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence further to his appearance before the Oireachtas Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence on 24 May 2024, if he has withdrawn his appeal to the arbitration board against the finding of the adjudicator regarding membership of RACO of the Director of Military Prosecutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24492/24]

Public Sector Pensions

Bríd Smith

143. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport the reason CIÉ retired workers have received no increase in their occupational pension since 2008; if the CIÉ board or management has discussed this or related pension issues with him or his Department officials; if increased funding of the CIÉ regular wages scheme by CIÉ has been considered to allow for a cost-of-living increase for these retired workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24436/24]

Road Tolls

Peadar Tóibín

144. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the body that operates profits from the toll bridges on the M50 motorway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24439/24]

Road Tolls

Peadar Tóibín

145. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the total amount paid by drivers who drove through tolls on the M50 in each of the past ten years. [24440/24]

Road Tolls

Peadar Tóibín

146. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the total amount paid by drivers who drove through tolls on Irish motorways, by toll types, in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form [24441/24]

Road Tolls

Peadar Tóibín

147. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the scale or structure of the late payment penalties applied to persons who fail to pay their toll charge on the M50 before 8pm the following day; if the penalties increase as time passes; and if so, the rate of this increase. [24442/24]

Road Tolls

Peadar Tóibín

148. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport if he will list the top twenty largest penalties imposed on any individual driver or vehicle owner who failed or forgot to pay their M50 toll charges by the deadline prescribed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24443/24]

Rail Network

Peadar Tóibín

149. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the number of tickets sold for the Limerick to Galway train line in the past ten years and to date in 2024; and the breakdown of tickets sold, between adult single, adult return, student single, student return, child single and child return, in tabular from. [24447/24]

Rail Network

Peadar Tóibín

150. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the cost of operating the Limerick to Galway train line in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [24448/24]