Rory Hearne
Question:164. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will commit to a referendum on the right to housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5099/26]
View answerWednesday, 21 January 2026
Questions (164)
Written answers
The Housing Commission was established in December 2021 to consider housing policy post 2030 and make proposals building on Housing for All. It was also tasked with advising Government on the critical factors to be considered regarding a referendum on housing and, if appropriate, to recommend wording for a constitutional change.
The Commission submitted its reports to Government, including those pertaining to a referendum on housing, in May 2024. There were differing views within the Commission on the right to housing and no consensus on what is a complex issue.
At the moment, Government remain fully focused on measures to tackle homelessness, increase housing supply and affordability and ensuring a suitable range of housing, across tenure types, is available to all.
The new housing plan Delivering Homes, Building Communities builds on the foundations laid under Housing for All to enable delivery of a minimum of 300,000 new homes, including record levels of new social homes, an ambitious nationwide Starter Homes Programme and the provision of additional delivery in the areas of Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) and vacant and derelict properties brought back into use, as set out in the Programme for Government.
I remain focused on continuing to bring forward measures that will continue to increase the supply of new homes, bringing about a very significant scale up in the delivery of housing over the coming years, addressing the needs of the most vulnerable in our communities, and making buying and renting homes more affordable as well as supporting the development of villages, towns and cities across the country.
This practical and real focus on housing supply is my priority right now but I will continue to keep the reports of the Commission on this area under review.