Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 July 2025
18. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department made a submission to the EU's consultation on an Affordable Housing Plan for Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35896/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the appointment of the EU Commissioner for Energy and Housing Mr Dan Jørgensen, a Housing Task Force was established by the Commission with effect from 1 February 2025.
The EU Housing Taskforce is preparing the first ever European Affordable Housing Plan which is expected to be published by the Commission in early 2026.
Recognising that housing is a national competence, but also that most EU Member States are suffering critical housing shortages, it is intended that the European Affordable Housing Plan will support Member States in increasing the supply of affordable and sustainable housing by, for example, addressing structural challenges and unlocking public and private investment.
The Housing Task Force is led by Mr. Matthew Baldwin who is currently deputy director-general in DG Energy and my officials and I recently met with Mr. Baldwin, on 5 June at the recent International Social Housing Festival held in Dublin.
Noting the importance of the work of the Taskforce in addressing what is now a pan-European housing crisis, and the potential the new Plan may have to assist us in addressing our supply shortages, we have agreed to second an expert from my Department to the EU Housing Taskforce to work with Mr. Baldwin's team and a senior official from my Department will be deployed very shortly.
My officials will continue to engage with the Housing Taskforce over the coming months and my Department is currently preparing a response to a letter from Commissioner Jorgensen requesting our input to the new Plan, and that response will set out the high level priorities that Ireland would wish to see reflected in the EU Affordable Housing Plan. I intend to travel to Brussels to meet with Commissioner Jorgenson to further discuss these matters in the near future.
