Housing Provision

101. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures being considered to increase the number of affordable-to-buy housing units provided by local councils. [69263/26]

Road Safety

254. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport to introduce legislation to compel the registration of E Scooters and Bikes and a licencing system for users. [67757/26]

Road Projects

255. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport to increase funding for CIS (Community Involvement Investment) in Laois to carry out works in local authority housing estates as some of them require re-surfacing. [67755/26]

Social Welfare Benefits

63. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to increase the weekly rate of Carer's Allowance Benefit to €325 to recognise the additional cost of providing fulltime care in a cost of living crisis. [67385/26]

Road Projects

122. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport to rebalance the overall funding for roads in Laois (details supplied). [67753/26]

Social Welfare Benefits

84. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection the plans in place to enhance and expand Social Welfare and Intreo Services in County Laois to match local population growth to ensure timely access for claimants. [67396/26]

34th Dáil debate — 2026-10-01

Deputy Brian Stanley I submitted two separate questions. There are significant differences between the affordable-to-buy homes and the cost-rental homes. I ask that we take them separately.

34th Dáil debate — 2026-10-01

Deputy Brian Stanley The median price of a house in Laois has gone up. According to the property price register, it has gone up 16.8% in one year. The Minister gave out a lot of figures, but the reality is that the target given by his Department, which I have here, is 38 affordable-to-buy and cost-rental homes to be done in Laois over a five-year period. It is minuscule and would not even make a dent in the numbers that we need. The demand is massive. Laois County Council directly delivered ove

34th Dáil debate — 2026-10-01

Deputy Brian Stanley The question I have for the Minister is about increasing the number of affordable housing units that can be bought and provided by local authorities. We need that affordable housing scheme. Deputies have referred to people who are working hard. I have them coming to me; I suppose all TDs and councillors have people coming to them. We need to get housing solutions for these people who cannot get on a local authority housing waiting list because of the income threshold, and w

34th Dáil debate — 2026-10-01

Deputy Brian Stanley The Minister saw the good-quality houses in Dargan Woods. The council exceeded the Government's target by nearly 250%. The Government needs to increase its targets for both affordable and cost-rental housing. There have been a huge number of inquiries. Cost rental is the only option for a lot of workers and households. People aged in their 40s, 50s and 60s may have broken relationships or be separated. They cannot get a loan due to their age and do not qualify for a council