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Social housing

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4 items

Part of
Housing
Enacted

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2026

Aiming to smooth the switch to Ireland’s new planning system, this measure updates how development plans, regional strategies and local area plans are made and timed, including a move to 10-year city and county plans and clearer rules for key towns. It also speeds up planning appeals and judicial reviews, makes it easier to progress major infrastructure and apartment projects, and tidies up environmental assessment rules and other technical issues. Separately, it raises the Housing Finance Agency’s borrowing limit from €13.5 billion to €15 billion so it can support more housing finance.
Current

Social Housing Passport Bill 2026

The Social Housing Passport Bill 2026 would let people on a local authority housing waiting list, or already receiving social housing support, move their housing application or support to another local authority without losing their time on the list. It is meant to help people who need to move for work, education, medical treatment, domestic or gender-based violence, or other exceptional reasons. It would also allow urgent cases to be prioritised and could eventually be extended across the island.
Joint Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community

Traveller Accommodation: Discussion (Resumed)

Witnesses said Traveller accommodation in Wexford is undermined by poor reporting, weak consultation and a largely ineffective LTACC. They called for stronger national oversight, an independent or longer-term chair, mandatory regular meetings, proper agendas and minutes, and real accountability for delivery and spending. Personal testimony highlighted homelessness, overcrowding, cultural needs around family living and mobility, and the failure of choice-based letting to work for many Travellers, especially older people and those with literacy or digital access difficulties. Members broadly accepted that the current system is too fragmented and that the LTACC needs structural reform rather than more empty consultation.
Seanad

Accommodation payment and housing

Senator Andrews proposed an amendment on winding down the accommodation recognition payment scheme, then the exchange broadened into a lengthy row with Senator Fitzpatrick over housing delivery, Glass Bottle, affordable housing and homelessness. The Leas-Chathaoirleach repeatedly intervened on interruptions and speaking time, and the item ended with Andrews confirming the amendment details and a final summer good wish.