Cormac Devlin
Question:188. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans any changes to cost rental schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17485/26]
View answerThursday, 5 March 2026
Questions (188)
Written answers
Under the Delivering Homes, Building Communities action plan, Cost Rental is a key element of the Government's strategy to improve affordability in the rental sector and to provide secure, long-term homes for moderate-income households. The core principle of Cost Rental is that the rents cover the development, management, and maintenance costs of the homes, so that the long-term future of the homes is financially secure, but that rents are not subject to market pressures. Cost Rental is a growing housing tenure in Ireland, with over 4,800 homes delivered by Q3 2025, and a substantial future pipeline now in place.
Cost Rental is targeted at people within the middle-income cohort, who do not qualify for social housing but who may be facing acute affordability pressures on the private rental market. Eligibility for tenancies in Cost Rental homes is primarily determined by the net household income (less income tax, PRSI, USC, and pension contributions) of applicants, which is assessed at the point of application. In August 2023 the Government increased the net household income limits to €66,000 for Cost Rental homes in Dublin and €59,000 elsewhere. These limits were introduced across the Cost Rental sector from 1 August 2023 by the Affordable Housing Act 2021 (Cost Rental Eligibility) Regulations 2023.
In line with the commitment in the 2025 Programme for Government, my Department is keeping the parameters for Cost Rental income eligibility limits under review, in order to ensure that the scheme effectively targets these homes at the intended tenant cohort.
Question No. 189 answered with Question No. 187.