Housing Schemes

Thursday, 30 May 2024

Ceisteanna (76, 83)

Thomas Gould

Ceist:

76. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware that there are only 27 cost-rental homes in the pipeline for Cork city in 2024. [24431/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

83. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of affordable housing commencements in Cork city and Cork county for 2023 and 2024 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24368/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 83 together.

Housing for All sets out a range of actions to increase the supply of housing out to 2030, including providing 54,000 affordable homes for purchase and rent. These homes will be delivered by Local Authorities, AHBs, the LDA, through the First Home Scheme, and by bringing vacant homes back into use. Significant public funding is being made available to support all of these delivery streams.

Data for affordable housing delivery is published on a quarterly basis, similar to social housing. The data up to end 2023 is available on my Department's website. Local Authorities are collating information on affordable purchase and Cost Rental delivery, including through AHBs and the LDA, for Quarter 1 2024, and I expect that we will be in a position to report confirmed social and affordable delivery shortly.

Cork City and Cork County Councils have set out in their Housing Delivery Action Plans their intention to deliver 378 and 189 affordable homes respectively out to 2026. This delivery does not include additional affordable homes through the LDA, AHBs, and the First Home Scheme, and via the higher Part V requirements for new private developments. The Housing Delivery Action Plans for Cork City and County can be found on the respective Council websites.

Delivery of affordable housing in Cork City and County has been notably strong even at the start of the programme of delivery and there is a very strong pipeline being built up across all of the delivery streams. Up to the end of 2023, there have been nearly 300 Local Authority Affordable Purchase homes and 105 Cost Rental homes delivered in Cork City and County. In terms of pipeline in the coming years, I have approved funding for more than 50 AHB Cost Rental homes for Cork City, and more than 130 Local Authority Cost Rental homes in Cork County. The Land Development Agency is also now advancing the delivery of over 300 homes in Cork City that are scheduled for completion next year, and consideration is being given to the appropriate mix of cost rental and affordable purchase homes.

In addition, the First Home Scheme has seen over 500 approvals issue to applicants looking to buy a home in Cork with equity support.

The momentum created by this initial delivery will continue this year and into 2025. The Housing For All strategy and the unprecedented investment of public funds are already delivering affordable homes for purchasers and renters, in Cork City and County and elsewhere. My Department continues to work closely with Local Authorities, AHBs, and the LDA to build on this and deliver increasing numbers of affordable homes across the country.