Parliamentary questions

Waterways Issues

Pa Daly

190. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to examine restoration works at the Abha Bheag-Owveg river and the Feale river near the metal bridge at Kilmaniheen West, Knocknagoshel. [22140/24]

Housing Policy

Patrick Costello

191. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide further clarification on the scope, timeline and who is responsible for the development of a national policy on rightsizing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22201/24]

Local Authorities

Neasa Hourigan

192. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will provide resourcing for local authorities to undertake participatory budgeting programmes in the next local authority mandate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22213/24]

Housing Provision

John McGuinness

193. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a complaint submitted to him (details supplied) relative to the purchase of 17 houses at Ogenty, Gowran, County Kilkenny, is being processed; and if he will confirm a timeframe for a response. [22241/24]

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Michael Lowry

194. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the timeline for the establishment of the nature advisory council, as recommended in the 2021 strategic review of the National Parks and Wildlife Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22297/24]

Wildlife Conservation

Michael Lowry

195. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way he plans to ensure rural interests such as those of farmers and game clubs are fully included in discussions and consultations regarding future policy on hunting and conservation, including discussions and consultations at ministerial-level meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22298/24]

Departmental Expenditure

Paul Murphy

50. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount being paid to a company (details supplied) to remove the tents of asylum seekers; with a breakdown of the amount received per removal and the details of any other company being paid by his Department for this purpose; in tabular form. [21979/24]

Wildlife Protection

Jennifer Whitmore

51. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends to initiate a national oiled wildlife response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22064/24]

Wildlife Protection

Jennifer Whitmore

52. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the support he is providing to volunteer groups to help with the effects of the recently found oiled seabirds along the east coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22065/24]

Wildlife Protection

Paul Murphy

53. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the outcome of a NPWS investigation into the legality or otherwise of squirrel traps that were used at the Botanic Gardens in Dublin earlier this year. [21976/24]

Wildlife Conservation

Paul Murphy

54. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will urgently add the old Irish goat to the list of animals protected under the Wildlife Act 1976, given it is now critically endangered and is being ruthlessly targeted by trophy hunters. [21977/24]

Hare Coursing

Paul Murphy

55. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the cause of injury to a hare that was euthanised by a vet on day two of the Johnstown and Urlingford coursing meeting in December 2023; and if, in light of the stress, injury and death caused to hares in coursing, he will introduce a ban on the activity. [21978/24]

Departmental Contracts

Peadar Tóibín

56. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of publicly funded contracts awarded to a company (details supplied) by his Department in each of the past ten years; the cost of each contract; and the purpose for which each contract was awarded. [18662/24]

Septic Tanks

Niamh Smyth

57. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can review the criteria for the septic tank grant; if he will acknowledge that many people who want to avail of the grant are not eligible for same as they are not located in the so-called buffer zones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22008/24]

Wastewater Treatment

Niamh Smyth

58. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to review a matter (details supplied); if there are any allowances or financial support that can be given in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22009/24]

Housing Policy

Patricia Ryan

59. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider putting a cap on the timeframe local authorities are given to carry out approved works for those who need housing adaptations; and, if so, the timeframe he considers appropriate. [22015/24]

Septic Tanks

Christopher O'Sullivan

60. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will extend septic tank grants to include homes that may have old and leaking septic tanks and are located close to waterways but are not located within the high-status objective catchment areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22052/24]

Housing Policy

Brendan Smith

61. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has any view or if any formal public policy exists in relation to the role public representatives might play in the governance or management of voluntary housing bodies in the context of the positive ongoing development of the voluntary housing sector; if it is the policy to discourage public representatives from serving on the boards of approved housing bodies or if the experience of public representatives might be considered a benefit to such boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22088/24]

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Brendan Griffin

62. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the NPWS will liaise with a local first responders group regarding access to a location in County Kerry (details supplied) in emergency situations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22133/24]

Defective Building Materials

Cian O'Callaghan

358. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has carried out preparatory work to ensure public moneys delivered to owners’ management companies under the Government’s various defects remediation schemes will be fully tracked and accounted for if the Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011 is not delivered on time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21857/24]

Wastewater Treatment

Brendan Griffin

359. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a sewerage scheme will be considered for a village in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21179/24]

Housing Policy

Mairéad Farrell

360. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in the context of adjacent local authorities which allow people on their housing waiting list to select areas of choice outside of their own local authority, if he will advise on the reason tenants living outside the area of the local authority from which they receive HAP cannot have areas of choice in the adjacent local authority area, where other applicants on the housing waiting list can; if he would consider amending this condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21196/24]

Housing Policy

Mairéad Farrell

361. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the instances where an AHB can purchase housing units for use as social housing; where this policy can be found; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21202/24]

Grant Payments

Michael Ring

362. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason that in the case of a housing adaptation grant application for a person who has suffered catastrophic injuries, their sibling’s income should be taken in to account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21238/24]

Grant Payments

Ruairí Ó Murchú

363. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are plans to increase the funds to local authorities this year or to provide additional funding this year for housing grants such as housing adaptation grants, housing grants for older people and mobility aid grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21249/24]

Vacant Properties

Matt Shanahan

364. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make contact with an organisation (details supplied) in relation to a vacant centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21259/24]

Local Authorities

Catherine Murphy

366. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the local government staff embargo is still in place; if workforce planning has been carried out; and if so, where there are staff shortages, by local authority, and the disciplines and grades. [21288/24]

Local Authorities

Catherine Murphy

367. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of new staff positions have been sanctioned by local authorities since 2018; and if he will detail the specialised grades provided for in each local authority over that time period. [21289/24]

Housing Provision

James Lawless

368. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to examine a housing matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21334/24]

Sport and Recreational Development

Steven Matthews

369. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to an application by a club (details supplied) for a licence through his Department; if this can be expedited to reflect the limited time available to the club; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21355/24]

Housing Policy

Violet-Anne Wynne

370. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what the process is for adding another person to a social housing application in instances where the said person is seriously ill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21365/24]

Energy Policy

Niamh Smyth

371. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has carried out a review of fire personnel in Cavan or Monaghan in light of a number of battery storage facilities being granted planning permission in the counties; and if Ireland is equipped to deal with such facilities. [21384/24]

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

372. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current number of conservation rangers recruited into the NPWS with location based in Waterford and the wider south east region; the current targets for recruitment nationwide by the end of 2024 and by the end of 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21391/24]

Departmental Staff

Sorca Clarke

373. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of WTE qualified archaeologists by grade employed by his Department in the years 2022, 2023 and to-date in 2024, in tabular form. [21411/24]

Housing Policy

Pearse Doherty

374. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the Housing Agency made a decision not to purchase properties offered to it for sale (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21476/24]

Housing Schemes

Eoin Ó Broin

375. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to set out the rules regarding renting and receiving HAP where the rental property belongs to a family member; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21515/24]

Defective Building Materials

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

376. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he plans to increase the cap for the enhanced defective concrete block grant scheme in line with increased building construction costs, as advised by an organisation (details supplied). [21631/24]

Departmental Funding

Thomas Gould

377. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether funding is available for the taking-in-charge of estates. [21642/24]

Local Authorities

Catherine Murphy

378. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a schedule of grants he can award directly to local authorities for distribution to community groups, by heading and amount available; and if his Department provides funding to community groups for use in reducing vacant properties and dereliction in towns. [21653/24]

Electoral Process

Duncan Smith

379. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the specific criteria required for an appointment as a presiding officer at various electoral contests throughout the State; who determines these appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21654/24]

Grant Payments

Duncan Smith

380. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will take steps to widen the medical criteria for determining eligibility for the disabled persons' grant; if same grants can be increased to reflect or mirror current construction costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21655/24]

Septic Tanks

Duncan Smith

381. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider substantially increasing funding to local authorities in order to enable septic tank inspections to be carried out in each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21656/24]

Employment Rights

Ged Nash

382. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if any State, semi-State or commercial semi-State agency under the aegis of their Department is aware of any cases of bogus self-employment in any bodies under their remit from 2020 to 1 May 2024; if they will outline if there are currently any cases from such agencies or bodies currently before the SCOPE section of the Department of Social Protection for investigation or determination; if there are any SCOPE findings and recommendations relating to any agencies or bodies under their remit where SCOPE has found in favour of the worker, and where they recommended the reclassification of the workers’ employment status to that of direct employee between 2020 and 1 May 2024; if they will provide information on the numbers involved and the names of the individual agencies and bodies in all cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21695/24]

Departmental Schemes

Cathal Crowe

383. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will clarify the rules regarding the building defects scheme as they pertain to rental properties (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21733/24]

Protected Disclosures

Cian O'Callaghan

384. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what action he intends to take on foot of reports of alleged wrongdoing by local council CEOs and elected councillors from the Office of the Protected Disclosures Commissioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21735/24]

Housing Provision

Martin Kenny

385. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of homes built by the local authority in Sligo per year between 2017 and 2023, in tabular form. [21773/24]

Housing Provision

Martin Kenny

386. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of homes built by the local authority in Leitrim per year between 2017 and 2023, in tabular form. [21774/24]

Housing Provision

Eoin Ó Broin

387. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of units delivered to date or in the delivery pipeline using the serviced sites fund; and the location of the units and the average SSF allocation per unit per scheme, in tabular form. [21781/24]

Housing Provision

Eoin Ó Broin

388. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of units delivered to date or in the delivery pipeline using the affordable housing fund; the location of the units; and the average AHF allocation or allocation range per unit per scheme, in tabular form. [21782/24]

National Monuments

Matt Shanahan

389. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider forming an expert working group for national monuments (details supplied) given all structures recognised after 1888 are not considered as monuments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21800/24]

Housing Provision

Cian O'Callaghan

390. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage is he aware of the ongoing issues faced by an affordable housing provider (details supplied); if he will take action to ensure a solution is reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21841/24]

Departmental Advertising

Carol Nolan

391. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total costs incurred by his Department from 2019 to date relating to the placing of advertisements in print media; the names of the print media publications involved, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21868/24]

Departmental Funding

Eoin Ó Broin

392. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of leased social housing properties funded by his Department via SHCEP at the end of 2023; the total cost to the State in 2023; and a breakdown of different lease types (details supplied) other with the full cost for each of these sub sets in 2023, in tabular form.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21878/24]

Climate Change Policy

David Stanton

393. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the projected rise in sea levels and the potential impact on the environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21426/24]

Climate Change Policy

David Stanton

394. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on how climate change is contributing to the rise in sea levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21427/24]

Septic Tanks

Peter Fitzpatrick

395. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the Government has any plans to extend the grants available to upgrade personal septic tanks (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21903/24]

Departmental Strategies

Patrick Costello

188. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the timeline for publication of the national coastal change management strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21114/24]

Housing Policy

Rose Conway-Walsh

189. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the mechanism and procedure for increasing the Housing Finance Agency’s ability to lend beyond the amount outlined in the ‘Housing for All’ plan detailing any associated Exchequer costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21146/24]

Land Development Agency

Rose Conway-Walsh

190. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will confirm that expenditure for the land development agency is outside of the general Government balance; if he will provide detail on any projected expenditure of the Land Development Agency that has an Exchequer cost or any impact on the general Government balance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21150/24]

Housing Policy

Rose Conway-Walsh

191. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide detail on all non-Exchequer expenditure related to social and affordable housing delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21152/24]

Housing Schemes

Eoin Ó Broin

192. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average cost per unit of accommodation for each of the social housing funding schemes to the Exchequer in 2023, in tabular form. [20976/24]

Housing Schemes

Eoin Ó Broin

193. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reasons for unsuccessful/incomplete repair and lease applications since the beginning of the scheme, by year, by local authority area, in tabular form. [20977/24]

Housing Schemes

Eoin Ó Broin

194. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if any analysis into the reasons for unsuccessful repair and lease applications has been commissioned/undertaken by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20978/24]

Housing Schemes

Eoin Ó Broin

195. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of tenant-in-situ scheme purchases that have been completed; the number that are in progress; and the number of failed purchases in 2023, by local authority area, in tabular form. [20979/24]

Housing Schemes

Eoin Ó Broin

196. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reasons for unsuccessful/incomplete tenant-in-situ purchases. [20980/24]

Compulsory Purchase Orders

Eoin Ó Broin

197. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of properties purchased by local authorities under the compulsory purchase order activation programme; and how many of these properties have been allocated to households on the social housing waiting list. [20981/24]

Compulsory Purchase Orders

Eoin Ó Broin

198. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average cost of properties compulsorily purchased by local authorities, by local authority area, in tabular form. [20982/24]

Housing Schemes

Eoin Ó Broin

199. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average cost of HAP properties in 2023, by local authority area, in tabular form. [20983/24]

Departmental Expenditure

Eoin Ó Broin

200. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the breakdown of spending on homelessness by his Department in 2023, in tabular form; and the amount spent on prevention. [20984/24]

Housing Provision

Eoin Ó Broin

201. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of units provided to date under the Supported Housing for Youth pilot programme; and the spend on the programme by his Department to date. [20985/24]

Housing Provision

Eoin Ó Broin

202. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of households currently on the social housing transfer list, by local authority area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20986/24]

Housing Schemes

Eoin Ó Broin

203. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has engaged with the HAP Shared Services Centre on the number of households paying top-up payments to their landlord; and the average of cost of these top-up payments. [20987/24]

Housing Schemes

David Stanton

204. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what grants or supports are available to parents building a new house to accommodate a child with a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20992/24]

Planning Issues

Patricia Ryan

205. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to clarify the position around any special conditions and planning requirements for log cabins in County Kildare. [20997/24]

Defective Building Materials

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

206. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the draft regulations pertaining to the defective concrete block scheme for social housing remediation works will be adopted and published (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21022/24]

Defective Building Materials

Réada Cronin

207. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the interim remediation scheme for fire safety defects in apartments and duplexes will be operational, given the scheme was announced in 2023 to be implemented by the Housing Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21032/24]

Departmental Licences

Cathal Crowe

208. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will clarify when a licence (details supplied) will transfer over to a fully online application process; and if he will address GDPR concerns surrounding the photograph associated with the same licence. [21040/24]

Departmental Schemes

Paul Murphy

209. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he intends to conduct the review of the defective concrete block scheme. [21041/24]

Departmental Schemes

Paul Murphy

210. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he intends to increase the overall grant scheme cap under the defective concrete block scheme by 10%, as is permitted by Section 11 of the relevant Act. [21042/24]

Wind Energy Generation

John McGuinness

211. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline the indicative timeframe for receipt of the Attorney General’s response to the landmark High Court ruling on noise from wind turbines; if he has considered the wind energy policy outlined in the Kilkenny county development plan which was submitted to his Department and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications for consideration by both Ministers; if he has carried out any analysis on the regulations required relative to the Kilkenny plan; if he is aware of the different legal opinions obtained by Kilkenny County Council and Government Departments which are at odds relative to the interpretation of the planning laws and regulations that should be applied during the current impasse; if he will accept it is bad practice in terms of good governance to allow this unsatisfactory situation to continue as it is causing serious concerns for local communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21103/24]

Departmental Bodies

Rose Conway-Walsh

212. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total leading each year from the Housing Finance Agency for which data is available; the total leading to local authorities and approved housing bodies each year from the Housing Finance Agency for which data is available, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21145/24]

Departmental Bodies

Rose Conway-Walsh

213. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a complete breakdown of Housing Finance Agency lending in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21147/24]

Departmental Bodies

Rose Conway-Walsh

214. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the projected lending from the Housing Finance Agency from 2024 to 2027; the projected lending specifically to local authorities and approved housing bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21148/24]

Land Development Agency

Rose Conway-Walsh

215. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the projected number of units that will be delivered by the Land Development Agency in each year from 2024 to 2027; the type of housing units that will be delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21149/24]

Departmental Expenditure

Neasa Hourigan

216. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the awards made both with and without a tender process to management consultancy firms (details supplied) by his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department for each of the years 2019 to 2024, in tabular form and classed by firm; the purpose and a brief description of the awards; the value of the awards and the total amounts paid; the timeline or timeframe of the contracts; and the desired or completed output. [21164/24]

Departmental Policies

Jennifer Whitmore

255. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what progress his Department has made in drafting and adopting of a statutory code of conduct for preventing the wilful and deliberate harassment of basking sharks in Irish territorial waters where they are now legally protected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20924/24]

Housing Provision

Cian O'Callaghan

256. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of new buy-and-renew homes delivered in each of the years 2016 to 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20173/24]

Waterways Issues

John McGuinness

257. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide details of the programme of maintenance relative to the River Barrow, and the cost of work in each of the last five years; if there are any impediments on the river and canals section that prevent or hinder barges and boats from using the amenity (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20198/24]

Departmental Data

Eoin Ó Broin

258. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of long-term social housing leases in place in 2023 and the total cost of these leases in that year. [20206/24]

Departmental Schemes

Michael McNamara

259. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of farm plan scheme applications that were received in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20210/24]

Departmental Schemes

Michael McNamara

260. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of farm plan scheme applications that were approved in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20211/24]

Departmental Schemes

Michael McNamara

261. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of farm plan scheme participants who had planners appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20212/24]

Departmental Schemes

Michael McNamara

262. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of farm plan scheme participants who had plans in place by the end of 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20213/24]

Departmental Schemes

Michael McNamara

263. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of 2023 applicants to the farm plan scheme who received a payment in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20214/24]

Departmental Schemes

Michael McNamara

264. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average payment made in 2023 to all farm plan scheme participants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20215/24]

Housing Schemes

Fergus O'Dowd

265. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to detail if any consideration has been given to the reintroduction of over the shop grants to compliment the croí cónaithe schemes to ensure the Government are doing all they can to reduce vacancies in towns and villages across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20269/24]

Homeless Accommodation

Cian O'Callaghan

266. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of families who have been in homeless emergency accommodation for over six months; the number who have been in homeless emergency accommodation for over one year; broken down by local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20285/24]

Housing Schemes

Cian O'Callaghan

267. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average cost to the Exchequer of the affordable homes delivered with the affordable housing fund in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20292/24]

Housing Schemes

Cian O'Callaghan

268. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of people working in his Department's vacant homes unit. [20293/24]

Housing Provision

Cian O'Callaghan

269. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a list of all stalled capital advance loan facility-funded social housing projects, indicating the local authority in which they are located and the number of homes involved in each location; the measures he intends to take to get these projects up and running; if he will ensure that other projects are not delayed due to excessive red tape imposed by his Department on social housing projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20294/24]