Written Answers Nos. 231-250
233. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a comparison between the number of residential units acquired by institutional investment funds and large-scale landlords and the number of homes directly built or purchased by the State in each of the past five years; and whether he accepts that current policy is enabling investor-led acquisition to outpace public housing delivery. [37553/26]
View answerThe Central Statistics Office (CSO) publishes data in respect of residential property transactions by non-households, including international investment funds. The latest data available are for 2024 and can be accessed on the CSO website at: https://data.cso.ie/table/HPA10. This dataset is due to updated with 2025 data in July this year.
Between July 2020 and the end of 2025, 58,816 social homes have been added to the social housing stock. In 2025 alone, 9,088 new build social homes were delivered. This is the highest number of new social homes built in any given year since the foundation of the state. In addition to this, over 22,000 starter home supports were delivered from 2022 to 2025, through the Local Authority Starter Purchase Scheme, Cost Rental and Cost Rental Tenant in Situ, the First Home and Help to Buy Schemes, and the Vacant Properties Refurbishment Grant.
An estimated €20 billion development finance is needed annually to achieve the delivery of 300,000 new homes by 2030, comprising a mix of both public and private financing. Institutional investment is a critical piece of this overall investment – indeed, it is a well established and normal facet of housing investment in our European neighbours and beyond.
The overriding purpose in attracting private capital is to increase housing supply – without it, activity in the housing market would be much reduced and the pressure already facing renters and prospective home-owners would increase significantly.
Delivering Homes, Building Communities seeks to significantly accelerate delivery of new homes by focusing on activating land and creating the optimal environment to encourage housing activity – including regulatory reform, tax incentives and the largest ever capital investment in the history of the State, with €275 billion invested in infrastructure over ten years through the National Development Plan.
The unprecedented level of investment Government have committed, will bring about a very significant scale up in the delivery of housing over the coming years, address the needs of the most vulnerable in our communities, make buying and renting homes more affordable and support the development of villages, towns and cities across the country.
234. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the specific measures he will take to address the growing unaffordability of cost rental rents and unviability of cost rental developments; if his Department will outline the systemic impact of recent construction inflation on cost-covering rent calculations; the measures being introduced to support approved housing bodies,, local authorities, and the Land Development Agency, in maintaining the statutory 25% rent discount; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37479/26]
View answerMy Department operates three schemes targeted at supporting the delivery of cost rental homes. The Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) scheme, which is delivered by the Approved Housing Body sector; the Secure Tenancy Affordable Rental investment scheme (STAR), which is delivered by private operators and the the State's Land Development Agency; and the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF), which supports Local Authority delivery of cost rental.
All cost rental delivery partners are actively managing costs to ensure that new homes are provided at the best rents that are achievable, and since 2021 approximately €2.25 billion in Exchequer funding has been approved for cost rental projects.
A provision of €575m has been made for AHB cost rental under the CREL scheme and €200m for cost rental delivery under the STAR scheme in my Department's 2026 Vote. In addition, a number of tax changes to improve the viability of apartment developments were introduced as part of Budget 2026. Where viability issues arise for previously approved cost rental projects, due to issues such as increasing development costs, my Department works with providers to re-assess financial models and potentially vary the funding arrangements.
Cost rental delivery will continue to be expanded and will, along with other measures aimed at increasing the supply of homes to rent, help to moderate rent levels in the private rental sector over time.
235. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when clarity and formal guidance will be provided to local authorities regarding the planning and regulatory treatment of modular and rapid-build housing applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37155/26]
View answerSignificant progress on the review of Exempted Development Regulations has been made. A successful public consultation took place last year with over 900 submissions received via the online portal. The details in these submissions have been reviewed and have informed the on-going drafting of the updated Exempted Development Regulations that will be forthcoming across 2026.
The implementation of the update of these regulations is being done on a phased basis, by theme, with priority already having been given to the exemptions relating to domestic dwellings. These domestic dwellings regulations are at advanced draft stage and include exemptions for detached auxiliary dwellings to the rear of the main dwelling. The final decisions on the specifics of these regulations will be communicated and brought forward for implementation as soon as possible.
It is intended that updated Exempted Development Regulations for residential development will be signed into law as soon as possible.
The new draft Exempted Development Regulations are subject to formal environmental consideration, before being laid in draft form before the Houses of the Oireachtas. This process will also necessitate formal engagement with the Joint Oireachtas Committee for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and an appearance will be sought before the Committee at the earliest opportunity, once the environmental assessment process is complete.
Question No. 236 answered with Question No. 179.
237. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline the use of the design and build contract model for new social housing, particularly in DCC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37555/26]
View answerLocal authorities are rapidly expanding their use of the Design and Build (D&B) contract model for new social housing, achieving major gains in both speed and cost efficiency.
Under the D&B approach, preliminary designs are prepared by the local authority with the contractor responsible for detailed design and construction. Over the past three years, more than 3,000 new social homes using the D&B approach have entered the national delivery pipeline demonstrating the model’s growing use.
Current programmes are delivering significant time savings with projects completing 4–6 months faster in pre-construction and 6–9 months faster during construction depending on project scale and complexity. These accelerated timelines result in more social homes being delivered quicker - meaning families and individuals can move into new homes sooner and waiting times are reduced.
The D&B model also provides greater cost certainty, ensuring that public investment delivers maximum value. By combining standardised designs, Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and early contractor involvement, the approach reduces delays, limits cost overruns and supports more predictable delivery.
A major enabler of this progress has been the establishment of regional D&B frameworks, giving local authorities access to pre-qualified consultants and contractors. These frameworks now operate across five regions, serving 25 local authorities, with work ongoing to extend coverage nationwide. This strategic procurement structure has been central to the continued uptake of D&B.
With respect to Dublin City Council specifically, my Department has been informed that the Council is advancing a number of sites using their own D&B frameworks and have a number of strategic projects planned under the D&B approach, including all sites which were formally part of the PPP Bundle 3 (Project Barrow) and Bundles 4 and 5, representing almost 1,450 units alone.
My Department also plans to embed the D&B approach within the Approved Housing Body (AHB) sector, ensuring that the same time and cost efficiencies benefit all major public housing delivery channels.
238. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will broaden the eligibility areas for the Domestic Waste Water Treatment System (Septic Tank) Grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34603/26]
View answerGrant support is available in specific circumstances where defective Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems, including septic tanks, pose a significant risk to the environment or public health. This is an exception to the general rule whereby property owners, who remain responsible for ensuring that their systems are properly maintained, are required to fund all maintenance and repair costs.
Grants are targeted at priority areas, including where a system has failed an inspection under the National Inspection Plan or where a dwelling is located in an area identified as particularly vulnerable to the impacts of defective systems.
A review of the grant scheme has recently been completed. I have approved amendments to provide for additional locations to be designated as priority areas for support under the scheme. These changes will ensure that funding continues to be targeted based on environmental and public health priorities and will not provide for universal or on-demand access to grant assistance.
My Department is finalising the revised regulations to give effect to the changes to the scheme and it is expected that the revised arrangements will come into effect shortly.
239. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the Exchequer funding provided under the first home scheme in each year since its launch; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37341/26]
View answerThe First Home Scheme supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market, or building their own home, through the use of an equity share model, within price ceilings established across the country.
The Scheme is overseen and managed by the First Home Scheme Ireland Designated Activity Company on behalf of the shareholders - the State and participating mortgage lenders (AIB, BOI, and PTSB).
On 13 May 2025, the Government approved an additional €30 million State commitment to the First Home Scheme, bringing the total State commitment for the Scheme to €370 million. This is matched 50:50 by the participating banks and brings the total commitment to the scheme to €740 million.
Of this commitment, €249.4 million of State Exchequer funding has been drawn down to date by the DAC (€40m in 2022, €40m in 2023, €49.4m in 2024 and €80m in 2025 and €40m so far in 2026). The First Home Scheme is a demand led Scheme and funds are drawn down as and when required.
240. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the delivery of affordable homes in the Poolbeg West SDZ. [37507/26]
View answer622. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on tripartite negotiations between Dublin City Council, his Department and the developers of the Poolbeg SDZ area to progress the delivery of affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37591/26]
View answer623. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a progress update report on the delivery of the affordable provision of housing as part of the Glass Bottle Site Poolbeg SDZ; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37592/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 240, 622 and 623 together.
A condition of the planning scheme for the Poolbeg SDZ, as modified by An Bord Pleanála in April 2019, is the provision of 15% social and affordable homes on this site in addition to the 10% statutory social housing requirement under Part V arrangements.
As things stand, I understand that Dublin City Council and the developers have concluded the negotiations on the Part V agreement for this site. With regard to delivery of affordable housing in accordance with the terms of the SDZ condition, the parties are not in a position to comment further until an agreement is finalised.
241. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department has undertaken an assessment of the number of applicants affected by defective concrete blocks who have been deemed ineligible for social housing supports or HAP due to existing income thresholds or home ownership criteria; if he will outline any proposals under consideration to address this issue for impacted DCB homeowners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37561/26]
View answerThe number of applicants affected by defective concrete blocks who have been deemed ineligible for social housing supports is not available to my Department.
It is open to anyone to apply for social housing support at any stage, subject to meeting the eligibility and need criteria at the point at which they apply. Applications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.
Decisions on the qualification of specific persons for social housing support, the most appropriate form of any such support, and the allocation of that support are a matter solely for the local authority concerned.
The Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 as amended by the Act of 2025 underpins the Grant Scheme which provides grant funding to people whose homes have been affected by Defective Concrete Blocks.
The current scheme includes significant improvements to the previous scheme and has in addition to the grant for actual construction works, and within the overall maximum grant cap of €462,000, an additional grant of up to €27,500 for ancillary grants for alternative accommodation and storage costs and the cost of immediate repair works. Ancillary grants for these purposes may be approved in respect of costs incurred before or after the making of an application for a remediation option grant.
242. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the eligibility criteria for the vacant property refurbishment grant, including the Vacant Above The Shop Grant; whether micro enterprises, small companies, partnerships or other non-individual ownership structures are eligible to apply; and whether such eligibility was considered at design stage; and if he will consider broadening or clarifying the criteria to ensure that the scheme reflects the range of ownership structures typically associated with over-the-shop premises and maximises uptake in towns and villages. [26561/26]
View answer249. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the Croí Cónaithe schemes in Carlow and Kilkenny; the number of properties have now benefitted from them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37213/26]
View answer605. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is provision to amend the criteria for the shop grant scheme to allow limited companies (LTD companies) to qualify for the over the shop grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37262/26]
View answer609. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the provision to amend the criteria for the shop grant scheme to allow limited companies to qualify for the over the shop grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37367/26]
View answer614. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider increasing the grants for vacant properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37464/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 242, 249, 605, 609 and 614 together.
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, funded under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund, has been a key measure in addressing vacancy and dereliction across the country. At end 2025, over 16,067 applications had been made to local authorities, with almost 12,100 of those applications approved and almost €250 million of grant funding paid out across the county.
The Grant provides up to €50,000 for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent. A top-up grant of up to €20,000 is available where the property is derelict, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000.
Under the new Housing Plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, a commitment was given to provide additional support for the refurbishment and conversion of above the shop vacant space for use as homes. The Government approved the introduction of a Vacant Above the Shop Grant with a package of up to €140,000 to be made available in cases where vacant above the shop space is being converted/refurbished for residential use and the commercial element is remaining. The additional grant amount for these properties recognises the complexities involved in bringing this space into use. The package includes an Expert Advice Grant of up to €5,000. The new Vacant Above the Shop Grant and Expert Advice Grant were launched on 1 April 2026, with applications and information on the Grants available from each local authority and at the following link www.gov.ie/vacancy.
In the Housing Plan a commitment was also given to exploring an extension of the Vacant Above the Shop Grant for such properties that are owned by small (micro) companies. This work will be undertaken in the second half of this year.
The Department publishes data on applications for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant on its website on a quarterly basis. This data includes the number of applications, approvals and the total number and value of grants paid per local authority. The Quarter 1, 2026 data published on 24 April can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/vacant-property-refurbishment-grant-statistics/#2025.
243. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures in place for local authorities to bring vacant housing stock back into use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37543/26]
View answerThe management and maintenance of local authority social homes, including pre-letting repairs to vacant social homes, is a matter for each individual local authority under s.58 of the Housing Act 1966. Local authorities must also ensure all tenanted homes comply with the provisions of the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019.
Accordingly, it is first and foremost the responsibility of local authority elected members and officials to make adequate budgetary provision for housing repairs and cyclical maintenance utilising the significant housing rental income available to them as part of the annual budgetary process. They must also ensure that any works undertaken on casually vacant social homes are only those necessary to meet the minimum rental standards and to facilitate those homes being brought back into productive use as quickly as possible.
Notwithstanding, my Department will provide some €260 million as a contribution towards the remediation and maintenance of local authority homes through various funding programmes in 2026. This includes €40 million under the Planned Maintenance and Voids Programme, specifically supporting the efficient turn around of casually vacant homes by local authorities. Critically, this funding does not replace, but merely supplements, local authorities' own investment in the management and maintenance of their social homes.
Data on funding provided by my Department through the Planned Maintenance and Voids Programme is available on my Department's website at www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/other-local-authority-housing-scheme-statistics/#voids-programme.
244. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the proposals and associated targets to deliver age-friendly housing in counties Cavan and Monaghan. [37537/26]
View answerThe Government’s new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, includes measures to increase delivery of housing for older people through increased delivery of social housing, increased delivery of more suitable homes and choice in private housing and increased choice to support voluntary rightsizing.
Each local authority previously prepared a Housing Delivery Action Plan, including Cavan and Monaghan, setting out details of both social and affordable housing delivery as appropriate over the period 2022-2026, including details of proposed delivery of housing for older people. Housing Delivery Action Plans (HDAPs) are published on the websites of the respective local authorities. Existing social housing targets set under Housing for All run to the end of 2026. These targets were developed based on the social housing waiting list for each local authority and data obtained from the Housing Needs Demand Assessment, which profiles future demand for social housing. My Department is currently reviewing data sources and methodology in order to prepare appropriate individual local authority social housing targets to meet local needs and demand out to 2030.
Under Delivering Homes, Building Communities, each local authority will prepare a Housing Delivery Action Plan (HDAP) setting out their planned delivery of social and affordable housing to 2030 in line with targets which will be set by my Department in order to ensure the 72,000 social homes and 90,000 affordable housing supports will be delivered by 2030. In preparing their HDAP, each local authority will reflect local need to ensure the right mix of homes to respond to need and priorities, including housing for older people.
Question No. 245 answered with Question No. 167.
246. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 219 of 5 March 2026, to provide an update on the progression of national planning guidelines for solar energy developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37559/26]
View answerIn line with commitments in the Programme for Government 2025, my Department is working with the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE), which holds policy responsibility for renewable energy matters, in respect of the introduction of a number of National Planning Statements related to Ireland's Climate Action Plan target to increase the share of electricity generated from renewable sources up to 80% in 2030, including a National Planning Statement for solar energy development.
Further to the commencement of Chapter 3 of Part 3 of the Planning and Development Act 2024 on 2 October 2025, provisions for National Planning Statements have been introduced to replace the provisions for Ministerial guidelines issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. The timing of the issuing of National Planning Statements will be based on Government priorities.
In respect of sectoral national planning statements in particular, there is also an important role for the relevant policy Department in collaborating with my Department on the development of these National Planning Statements. In that context, my Department is working closely with the the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment as the Department with policy responsibility for this area of Government policy.
In the interim it is the case that, as with the vast majority of development types, there are not specific guidelines for the development of solar energy. I am satisfied that the existing and evolving planning system provides a sufficiently robust policy and legislative framework to facilitate the rollout of solar energy development in a sustainable manner and to assist with meeting our renewable electricity requirements while balancing the perspectives of local communities and allowing for public and stakeholder engagement.
There will also be an opportunity for consultation by the public and all stakeholders on the draft National Planning Statement.
247. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends to introduce statutory regulations for online property bidding platforms and estate agents to deal with potential overbidding and gazumping; his views on introducing mandatory transparency standards for active property biddings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37480/26]
View answer248. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of local authority homes by new builds and acquisitions delivered in Counties Cavan and Monaghan; the number of local authority affordable homes, in each year 2020-2025 inclusive; and the estimated delivery for 2026, by county, in tabular form. [37532/26]
View answerAffordability 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.
The new plan builds upon the significant progress made under the previous housing plan. From 2022 to the end of 2025, over 22,000 affordable housing supports have been delivered nationally, including 161 in Cavan and 192 in Monaghan.
In terms of new build homes, there are 12 starter purchase homes in the pipeline for delivery in Cavan in late 2026/early 2027 and 10 Part V starter purchase homes nearing completion in Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan, which is currently open for applications.
From 2020 to 2025, Cavan County Council delivered 526 new social homes. Of this figure 391 were new build homes, 71 were acquisitions and 64 were delivered under leasing programmes. The build figure comprises 228 LA new builds, 140 AHB new builds and 23 Part V homes.
Monaghan County Council delivered 661 new social homes between 2020 and 2025 – 514 new build homes, 107 acquisitions and 40 homes delivered under leasing programmes. The build figure comprises 335 LA new builds, 154 AHB new builds and 25 Part V homes.
According to the latest Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR), at the end of Q4 2025 there were 411 homes at various stages of design and procurement in Cavan, including 162 homes on site and 136 homes at various stages of design and procurement in Monaghan, including 46 homes onsite.
Details of the social housing construction projects that have completed, or are in the pipeline, in all local authorities are available in the Construction Status Reports on the Department’s website (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/ ).
My Department also publishes comprehensive programme-level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing and starter home delivery activity by local authorities and delivery partners for each local authority area. Data is currently available to the end of Q4 2025 and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website:
(www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/).
Question No. 249 answered with Question No. 242.
250. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends placing a cap on redress for apartment and duplex construction defects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37230/26]
View answerThe Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Scheme will support the remediation of fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose-built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013.
The Housing Agency will administer the Scheme. Supports to assist Owner Management Companies in engaging Competent Professionals and Builders to ensure procurement compliance and value for money will be put in place, allowing for payment of 100% of eligible costs within the scope and parameters of the Scheme.
On 22 October 2024, the Government agreed the establishment of a Retrospective Costs Pathfinder Exercise from a representative sample of eight multi-unit developments, to identify and develop a potential appropriate process to address retrospective issues, based on fire safety remedial works completed.
The Retrospective Costs Pathfinder Exercise is now complete. A Memorandum for Government was brought to Cabinet on 21 April 2026, and approval was received on a number of policy recommendations on Retrospective Grant Payments. These policy recommendations will now form part of the drafting process and I expect the statutory scheme to be in place this year.
The Government is committed to consideration of remediation costs already incurred as part of the drafting of the Bill. Remediation costs already incurred or levied prior to the introduction of the statutory scheme will be covered, once such costs fall within the scope and defined parameters of the Scheme.
