Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 October 2025
29. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider introducing a starter home scheme to address the imbalance in affordable housing provision for lower and middle-income earners to enable them to purchase their own homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53182/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra72. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his proposals to roll out more affordable housing schemes in 2025 and 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53741/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra101. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on plans to dramatically increase the supply of housing under the affordable housing scheme. [53566/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 29, 72 and 101 together.
Affordability and the chance to own a home is at the heart of the Government’s housing policy. As detailed under Housing for All, the Government is fully committed to working with all stakeholders to deliver affordable housing at scale and to continue accelerating housing supply across all tenures. The Government’s ambition is to build on progress to date under Housing for All.
Under the Programme for Government published in January 2025, the Government has committed to introduce a new national housing plan to follow "Housing for All", including a new Starter Home programme across the public, private and AHB sector which promotes home ownership and secures long-term rental tenures for young people and fresh start applicants. My Department is currently examining that commitment, its implementation and potential time frame within the context of a new national housing plan.
While work is being undertaken to progress a new plan,the measures detailed in Housing for All will continue to be progressed to accelerate and increase delivery of secure and affordable housing.
Since the launch of Housing for All to end Q1 2025, over 14,500 affordable housing solutions have been delivered by a range of delivery partners. A very strong pipeline of further delivery is already in place across our delivery partners, including Local Authorities, Approved Housing Bodies, the Land Development Agency and the First Home Scheme.
Building on this progress, my Department will continue to engage with all delivery partners to further the development of the affordable housing delivery pipeline for 2026 and beyond, and to ensure that the affordable housing programme responds effectively to the affordable housing needs identified at a local level.
