Cormac Devlin
Ceist:93. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the actions he is taking to incentivise apartment building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53819/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 8 October 2025
Ceisteanna (93, 245)
Ryan O'Meara
Ceist:245. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures his Department has taken or plans to take to further incentivise the development of 1-bed units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54080/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 245 together.
Apartments are of critical importance to the National Planning Framework objective of increasing residential density in our towns and cities. Government is acutely aware of the gap which has emerged between the cost of delivering apartment developments and the market price of apartments and has taken a range of measures to reduce this gap and incentivise their development.
The Croí Cónaithe Cities scheme, launched in 2022, supports the building of apartments for owner-occupiers in our cities by providing funding to bridge the gap between the delivery cost and the market price. A next call for expressions of interest under the scheme has been issued which will help to activate the thousands of planning permissions for apartments in our cities.
The new Planning Design Standards for Apartments updated in July will allow greater flexibility vis-à-vis the size and mix of apartment types to help increase apartment viability, facilitate increased supply, and address affordability challenges.
The rental sector reforms announced in June will also serve to boost investment in the supply of new apartments for rent while extending protections for renters. This will provide greater predictability around future rents to those considering investing to deliver much needed new apartments for rent.
Last week, my Department released the Standardised Design Approaches report which aims to promote the adoption of standardised design which can reduce delivery costs and promote the use of more efficient Modern Methods of Construction.
Budget 2026 included a suite of taxation measures aimed at stimulating the supply of new apartments including a reduced VAT rate on the sale of new apartments and an enhanced Corporation Tax deduction for apartment construction costs.
Further supports to continue enabling supply are under consideration as part of the upcoming National Housing Plan.