“I fully support the recommendations of this important review which will have a real and positive impact on the lives of older and disabled people. Since this Government has taken office we have increased the funding of these grants by over 27% from €73M in 2020 to more than €93M in 2024. This review, the first in more than a decade, will ensure that even more people are eligible to apply. These grants are a lifeline for many families and individuals – meaning they can live independently, in the comfort of their own communities, for as long as possible.”
Minister Dillon emphasised:
“The changes announced today following the recommendations of the review will improve the lives of many of the most vulnerable in our society to live longer more independent lives. As the Minister of State with responsibility for housing for older people and disabled people, I am fully committed to supporting individuals to remain at home and within their own communities for as long as possible. The Review Report published today will inform the changes needed to facilitate this goal for many of our citizens and broaden the amount of support we can give to those who most need it in communities throughout the country.”
Minister Noonan added:
“Today, I am very pleased to welcome these changes as a clear reflection of this Government’s commitment to this scheme as these grants are so fundamental in aiding older and disabled people in their daily lives. These grants have such a positive impact on the home life of the beneficiaries and play a vital role in helping disabled people and older people to continue to live independently in their own homes. The amendments to the income thresholds means that more people will be eligible to apply for the grants, while the increase in the maximum grant levels will provide enhanced financial support to eligible households.”
Housing Adaptation Grants assist with the necessary adaptations, repairs or improvement works in order to make the accommodation more suitable to the needs of older and disabled people supporting them to live in their homes. The Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability scheme includes three distinct grants, namely the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People Grant.
Over 13,000 grants were paid in 2023. Since the launch of the scheme in November 2007, significantly increased levels of activity continue to be experienced by local authorities with over 150,000 grants being paid to older people and disabled people. This has facilitated those applicants to remain in their own homes and communities, and in many cases preventing premature entry to residential care.

Fianna Fáil Minister for Fingal East, Darragh O’Brien TD has welcomed record allocations to support local and community grassroots sports clubs across Fingal.
 
Approximately €5.5M has been allocated to Fingal clubs under the Community Sport Facilities Fund, formerly the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme.
 
Commenting Minister O’Brien said, “I want to congratulate the wonderful clubs across Fingal who have received funding under the sports capital programme. It’s been a bumper year for Fingal Clubs with many also allocated funding earlier this year for equipment. It’s been a pleasure to work with many of the clubs on their applications and I really look forward to seeing the funds be put to good use.
 
“We all know the benefits of well-resourced clubs. Through these grants we’re providing essential amenities for people of all ages, and at the end of the day if we want as many young people as possible to participate in sport, we need to have appropriate facilities and equipment available.
  
“This is an unprecedented level of sports funding and will prove transformative for sports clubs in our communities. As a party in government, Fianna Fáil are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to participate in sport.”
 

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has published its monthly data on the number of Commencement Notices (residential construction starts) for August 2024. There were 2,264 homes commenced in August 2024.
For the first eight months of 2024 (January-August), there were 37,622 homes commenced. This is a 76% increase on the 21,316 in those months in 2023. This equates to an average of around 224 homes commenced every working day this year.
In the last 12 months (September 2023 to August 2024) there have been 49,107 units commenced, up 66% from 29,565 in the prior 12 months (September 2022 to August 2023).
The full commencement data set on the number of units commenced, notices and one-off dwellings on a national level and by local authority from 2014 to July 2024 can be accessed at this link: 
August 2024 Commencements

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, has today received government approval for the priority drafting of the Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Bill 2024. 
The Bill will support the remediation of apartments and duplexes with relevant fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects, constructed between 1991 and 2013. Under the proposed legislation 100% of eligible remediation costs will be covered.
The legislation will provide a statutory basis for the establishment of a more than €2 billion remediation scheme aimed at protecting the safety and welfare of those living in apartments or duplexes with such defects that occurred during construction. 
Speaking following the cabinet meeting, Minister O’Brien said: 
“I’m delighted to get Cabinet approval which means my Department will now draft the necessary legislation as a matter of priority.  
“I am very aware of the stress and concern that many owners of apartments and duplexes are facing as a result of legacy defects. Having engaged with many owners I know the financial and personal strain this is putting on their lives and I am glad we are moving forward with this next step.” 
Progressing this legislation is an important milestone. It will complement the interim measures that the Government has already put in place since December last year to fund relevant emergency fire safety defect works, in order to provide an acceptable level of fire safety in buildings, pending completion of the full remedial works under a statutory scheme.
The Housing Agency will play a central role in the administration of the scheme and they will ensure that Owners’ Management Companies (OMCs) are funded to carry out the relevant remediation works, with specific limitations or exemptions on certain commercial owners.
Minister O’Brien added: 
“While this legislation is being progressed I want to remind owners that the Interim Remediation Scheme for emergency fire safety works remains open and I want to thank the Housing Agency for their work with this scheme and guiding developments through the process.
“I also want to thank the representative groups, the Apartment Owners Network, the Construction Defects Alliance and the Not Our Fault Campaign for their ongoing engagement.”
Mindful of the need to ensure that measures and systems are improved, aligned and in place so as to ensure that a situation like this does not and cannot occur again the Minister concluded: 
"We need to continue strengthening our building control system so that similar issues don’t arise in the future. Legislation to establish a new Building Standards Regulatory Authority is under way and will ensure effective powers of inspection and enforcement and an appropriate suite of sanctions."

Scheme has been hugely popular in making home ownership a reality with 5,400 buyers approved since the scheme was launched 

Minister for Housing, Heritage and Local Government, Darragh O’Brien has today announced that the Government has pledged a further €100m to the First Home Scheme. 

The First Home Scheme, was set up to help first-time buyers to bridge the gap between their mortgage, deposit and the price of a new home. Since its launch over two years ago, the scheme has been a hugely popular with 5,400 buyers approved. Significantly, the pipeline of applications continues to surge with the number of new applicants in the first six months of 2024, 43% higher than the same period last year. 

Minister O’Brien said:
“The First Home Scheme has been a big success in making home ownership a reality for people who otherwise would have been unable to bridge the affordability gap between their mortgage, deposit and the price of a new home. With today's announcement of increased funding, the scheme will extend its reach, turning the aspiration of owning a home into reality for even more people.
“Today’s announcement of increased funding ensures that the scheme is sufficiently resourced, paving the way for first-time buyers, new home builders, and those embarking on a fresh chapter in life to become home owners. In light of the success of the scheme to date, work is underway to consider extending the scheme past 2026.”

Minister of State with responsibility for Local Government and Planning, Alan Dillion added:
“Today’s announcement is more good news for those buying or building a new home for the first time or those making a fresh start. Throughout the country, I’ve seen how this initiative has paved the way for people to purchase a home or take a significant step towards home ownership. Its continued success is turning the ambition of home ownership into a reality for many families and individuals.”

Minister of State with responsibility for Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan added: 
“I welcome this enhanced funding for the First Home Scheme. Not only does today’s financial commitment underpin the strong uptake there has already been of the scheme, it also means that those considering using the scheme in the future can have confidence that it will continue to be an option for them. This Government is committed to helping people to access their own homes in many different ways and First Home is a crucial part of our range of targeted supports to do so.”

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien has welcomed the appointment of Rosemary Steen as the new Director of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB). Ms Steen starts her new role today, 2nd September. 
Minister O’Brien said:
“I congratulate Rosemary and wish her well on her appointment as the new Director of the RTB. I would also like to acknowledge the role of Owen Keegan for his contribution as interim Director.
“A well-regulated private rental sector that meets the needs of both tenants and landlords is essential in order to ensure the proper functioning of the housing sector in Ireland. Housing for All is committed to protecting renters while keeping small landlords in the market, and the RTB plays a vital role in ensuring this is achieved.
“Rosemary’s appointment comes at an important time for the agency. We have recently completed a review of the private rented sector, while the latest data shows that the number of private tenancies and landlords registered with the RTB continues to rise. This is why extra staffing levels have been allocated to the RTB to enable them to manage their additional workload.”
“My Department and I look forward to a productive working relationship so that the rental sector operates fairly and effectively for all.”