Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 February 2026
417. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether local authorities can fund attic conversations for their own housing stock from their capital funding to provide additional bedroom space for families experiencing overcrowding and who would otherwise have to apply for a social housing transfer to a larger home. [13893/26]
View answerFunding from a local authority’s own resources can be and is being utilised for the purpose of carrying out extensions or adaptations to local authority owned homes. While attic conversions would not be common, they are not precluded subject to compliance with planning, building regulations and fire safety standards.
My Department also provides Exchequer funding to local authorities under the Disabled Persons Grants scheme to carry out works on social homes to address the needs of older people, people with a disability, or to alleviate general overcrowding situations. To that end, €26.5 million will be provided for this work in 2026, with 2026 allocations likely to issue to local authorities shortly.
Local authorities should consider the full range of options to address overcrowding, including extensions, refurbishment, new-build social housing, and transfers where appropriate. Decisions on the most suitable intervention rest with the individual local authority, having regard to specific housing need, housing type and available resources.
