Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2026
726. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans for affordable housing at a location (details supplied); given that there are plans to build further estates in the town and no affordable houses were made available for previous developments that are now under the control of Galway County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10287/26]
View answerThe Government is fully committed to delivering housing at scale, and continuing to accelerate housing supply across all tenures, including affordable purchase. To this end, affordability and the chance to own a home is at the heart of the Government’s housing policy, as embodied within the new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities.
Since 2021, close to 19,000 affordable housing supports have been provided via these measures nationwide, with 245 delivered in Galway County Council.
The Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) is available to assist local authorities towards the cost of developing affordable homes where significant affordability needs have been identified. In line with the Affordable Housing Act 2021, the administration of affordable housing schemes, including the identification and development of schemes suitable for AHF support, is a matter for the local authority concerned.
Galway County has received funding approval to date to facilitate the delivery of 130 affordable purchase homes, of which 17 have been delivered to date. My Department has recently met with the affordable delivery team in Galway and understands that a number of further proposals are being developed.
The Ready to Build serviced sites scheme supports local authorities to provide sites at a discount to people who want to build their own home. The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant continues to support the purchase and refurbishment of vacant and derelict properties. Further information with regard to the scheme is available on my Department's website at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/33209-ready-to-build-scheme-serviced-sites-for-new-homes/ or by contacting the Vacant Homes officer directly from Galway County Council.
It is also worth noting that the First Home Scheme, which supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market through the use of an equity share model, is also actively supporting eligible new home purchasers in Co. Galway.
My Department, along with the Housing Agency and the Housing Delivery Coordination Office of the Local Government Management Agency, will continue to advise and support Galway County Council in respect of their planned response to affordable housing needs in all key urban locations, including Ballinasloe, within its administrative area. The emphasis is on proactively collaborating to identify, develop and deliver viable affordable housing opportunities.
