Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 November 2025
506. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of new cost rental and affordable housing units currently planned, funded and expected to commence construction before the end of 2025 in Longford and Westmeath. [65192/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment is fully committed to delivering housing at scale, and continuing to accelerate housing supply across all tenures. Affordability and the chance to own a home is at the heart of Government’s housing policy, as embodied within the new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025 – 2030.
In recent years, Government has introduced several schemes to help people to buy or rent homes, under Housing for All. Since 2021, close to 16,900 supports nationwide have been provided via these measures. Under Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025 – 2030, these supports will be retained, streamlined and expanded to form a Starter Homes Programme to ensure that first time buyers and renters in need of support, are supported by Government.
Westmeath County Council has funding approval in place for four schemes to deliver over 70 affordable purchase homes, with the support of the Affordable Housing Fund, with 53 already delivered to end Q2 2025.
In addition, 112 Approved Housing Body Cost Rental homes have been approved for delivery under the Cost Rental Equity Loan scheme in Westmeath. 67 cost rental homes have been delivered to date and another 45 cost rental homes are due to be delivered by year end.
Longford has seen some welcome delivery of affordable housing with 35 households availing of affordable supports since 2023, through a mix of the First Home Scheme, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant and the Cost Rental Tenant in Situ scheme.
I understand that Longford County Council is currently developing a proposal relating to the delivery of affordable purchase homes. The Affordable Housing Fund is available to all local authorities to assist towards the cost of developing affordable housing, at locations where significant affordability needs have been identified.
Building on this progress, and utilising the measures outlined in Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025 – 2030, my Department will continue to engage with all delivery partners to further the development of the affordable housing delivery pipeline for 2025 and beyond in the counties of Longford and Westmeath.
