Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 March 2025
292. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures he will take to increase the availability of affordable housing in Carlow and Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14815/25]
View answerAffordability and the chance to own a home is at the heart of the Government’s housing policy. As detailed under Housing for All, the Government plans to deliver 54,000 affordable homes, including 36,000 affordable purchase and 18,000 cost rental homes, by 2030. A comprehensive implementation strategy is in place to support the various affordable housing schemes now being delivered by a range of delivery partners.
Local authorities, including Carlow and Kilkenny County Councils, have carried out a Housing Needs and Demand Assessment in their areas. On foot of this assessment, both local authorities have developed and published their Housing Delivery Action Plans, outlining their plans to deliver social and affordable housing during the 2022-2026 period. Each local authority's Delivery Action Plan is available on their official website.
The Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) is available to all local authorities to assist towards the cost of developing affordable housing at locations where significant affordability needs have been identified. My Department, the Housing Agency and Housing Delivery Co-ordination Office of the Local Government Management Agency continue to be available to assist local authorities in relation to ongoing development of their affordable housing delivery programmes.
In addition, the First Home Scheme supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market through the use of an equity share model, similar to that employed in the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme. Further, since September 2023, the First Home Scheme now supports those who wish to build their own home. The scheme is available nationwide and more information can be found on the First Home Scheme website.
Other measures such as the Local Authority Home Loan, the Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Scheme, the Help to Buy Incentive, and the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant are also available nationwide to help make home ownership more affordable.
My Department publishes comprehensive programme-level statistics on affordable housing delivery activity by local authorities and delivery partners in each local authority area. Data for the years 2022 up to Q3 2024 is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/?#affordable-housing-delivery.
