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 2025 – 2030. The new Plan reinforces and expands the range of existing measures being implemented by the Government to tackle the issues of supply and affordability, thereby supporting the increased provision of new homes to purchase and rent nationwide, including in Gaeltacht areas.
The Government is investing an unprecedented level of funding to increase housing supply, including through the new Starter Homes Programme. with a view to delivering an average of 15,000 affordable housing supports annually to 2030. With a strong focus on delivery, the Plan will enable housing delivery partners to accelerate the supply of new starter homes, providing thousands of individuals and families with increased access to secure and affordable housing solutions nationwide.
A list of affordable housing supports in place, for all areas of the country including Gaeltacht areas, is available at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/0d279-doors-open/. A number of these schemes can be combined, thereby providing additional affordability support.
These supports include the schemes such as the vacant property refurbishment grant, a payment for supporting the turning of a vacant house or building into a person’s permanent home or rental property. It is also available for converting an entire former commercial or public use building into residential units.
The Government’s new housing plan recognises that the availability of an appropriate mix of suitable housing is key to the sustainability of thriving Gaeltacht communities. In this regard, my Department will issue new planning policy and guidance under Section 25 of the Planning and Development Act 2024, known as a National Planning Statement, for new housing in the Gaeltacht, in order to provide clarity and consistency within the planning system in relation to the protection of the Irish language.
There is also an important role for the relevant policy Department in collaborating with my Department on the development of National Planning Statements. In this regard, engagement with the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (DRCDG) is ongoing in relation to the potential incorporation of Gaeltacht elements within the draft NPS. An Interdepartmental Group, comprising my Department, the DRCDG as the relevant policy Department for the Gaeltacht and Údarás na Gaeltachta also, as well as a separate Working Group made up of both Departments and Údarás na Gaeltachta and the relevant local authorities with Gaeltacht areas, is supporting the development of specific planning guidance for Gaeltacht areas.
Having regard to the need to consider the complex matters involved and further to engagement with the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, a finalised draft National Planning Statement will be assessed for the purposes of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Appropriate Assessment (AA).
Under Section 25 of the 2024 Act, draft National Planning Statements are subject to approval by Government prior to issue by the Minister.
