Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 January 2026
172. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to detail his plans to lower the price of affordable purchase homes, so that they are actually affordable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5107/26]
View answerAffordability is at the core of this Government’s housing policy and is central to the design and delivery of the affordable purchase programme. The objective of the programme is to ensure that homes are sold at prices that are meaningfully below open market levels and in that way are within the borrowing capacity of households needing support.
The Government is taking a number of targeted actions to lower the price of affordable purchase homes. These include the provision of significant direct capital subsidies to local authorities and the Land Development Agency, alongside the use of publicly owned land. Together, these measures substantially reduce the overall cost of delivery and, in turn, the purchase price for buyers.
Affordable purchase pricing is also income and mortgage-linked. Local authorities are required to assess local affordability thresholds and set prices at levels that households can sustainably afford, rather than simply discounting from market prices. This ensures that affordability is real and durable.
This approach is clearly demonstrated in major affordable housing developments such as Oscar Traynor Woods, where a combination of State subsidy and public land has enabled the delivery of a significant number of affordable purchase homes at prices well below prevailing market values in the area. This scheme illustrates how scale, public land, and State support can be used effectively to make home ownership achievable for working households.
In parallel, the Government is focused on reducing construction and delivery costs more broadly through standardisation, improved procurement, and increased efficiency, while maintaining high quality and sustainability standards.
Under Delivering Homes, Building Communities, all local authorities are required to prepare Housing Delivery Action Plans to identify need and set out clear, cost-effective delivery pathways. These plans will strengthen oversight and ensure that affordable housing is delivered at scale and at prices that people can genuinely afford.
I am committed to ensuring that affordable purchase homes remain genuinely affordable and that delivery models continue to evolve in response to market conditions. My Department will continue to work closely with the local authorities and other delivery partners to maximise affordability and increase supply.
