Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 July 2025
46. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how he would advise this Deputy to respond to persons about Government housing policy, especially to those who are older, over 50 and renting, with no prospect of owning a home. [27449/25]
View answerThe clear focus of this Government is to increase the supply of new build social and affordable homes to buy or rent. There is a record level of investment being provided for the delivery of Housing in 2025, with overall capital funding available of €6.8 billion. The capital provision is supplemented by a further €1.65 billion in current funding to address housing need. This funding will support the delivery of increased numbers of social housing and cost rental homes.
Under the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme and the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS), local authorities also continue to provide critical housing supports by enabling access to accommodation within the private rented market for eligible households.
The Programme for Government also includes a number of commitments related to increasing the supply of housing for older people. These commitments build upon the policy objectives in Housing for All, which commit to increasing housing available to older people to facilitate ageing in place with dignity and independence. Work on these commitments is ongoing within a Policy Group recently established within my Department to consider the implementation of these commitments. This work will be advanced through specific measures in the new Housing Plan that is currently being prepared by my Department.
