Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 December 2025
530. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether people participating in HAP or the RAS are eligible to apply for cost-rental housing; the number of people participating in these programmes that have availed of cost-rental housing to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73766/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraCost Rental is a key element of the Government's strategy to improve affordability in the rental sector and to provide secure, long-term homes for moderate-income households. The core principle of Cost Rental is that the rents cover the development, management, and maintenance costs of the homes, so that the long-term future of the homes is financially secure, but that rents are not subject to the pressures of the open market.
It is not intended for Cost Rental to overlap with or replace existing social housing supports for low-income households, which remain a parallel priority for the Government. Rather, Cost Rental is an additional scheme designed to assist middle-income households who do not qualify for social housing supports such as the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), but who may be facing significant affordability pressures in the private rental market.
It is also important for prospective Cost Rental tenants to demonstrate to landlords that they will be able to sustain payment of the cost-covering rent from their own resources, whereas recipients of HAP and RAS have a demonstrated, long-term need for social housing support that is already met with State subsidies. Therefore, Cost Rental landlords do not consider for tenancies those applicants who are already in receipt of social housing supports, including HAP and RAS.
In recognition of the potential changes in household circumstances that may occur over the lifetime of a Cost Rental tenancy, however, the Affordable Housing Act 2021 allows that HAP may be provided to tenants, where they are assessed as eligible for social housing supports, after the Cost Rental tenancy has lasted for more than six months.
