Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 December 2025
518. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department has conducted any internal analysis, review or assessment since 2023 to explain increases in the average cost per social housing unit in Cork city and Cork county; and if so, to detail the factors identified as contributing to those cost increases and the actions taken in response. [73644/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe recently published Insights into Total Development Cost Report 2025 assesses residential development costs across six dwelling types for the Greater Dublin Area and four regional locations including Cork. This report is available to view on my Departments website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/total-development-cost-report/
This Government is committed to delivering evidence informed policy decisions and this report will help deliver the initiatives that will see a reset in housing delivery on a scale that is needed. Whilst the report shows a stabilisation in total development costs, Government recognises that these costs remain high.
Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030, contains significant initiatives to reduce costs of development including updated apartment design standards, reduced tax liabilities, VAT reduction on apartments and standardised design approaches which have the potential to result in significant cost savings making them more viable to construct.
A range of measures have been put in place to reduce the cost of construction for social housing including, promoting the use of Modern Methods of Construction, the review of the Planning Design Standards for Apartments Guidelines for Planning Authorities; the development of standardised designs for social housing, new procurement approaches, streamlined approval processes and measures to promote careers in construction.
Furthermore, a dedicated work programme will be established to systematically review all available information on development costs on an ongoing basis. The programme will assess the impact of the existing measures and inform future action to be taken to reduce costs and improve viability. This will involve engagement with the private sector and with policymakers across the system as appropriate.
