Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 January 2026
242. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware that there are still no plans to deliver affordable housing projects in County Donegal; and the way in which his Department can work with Donegal County Council to address this serious failure. [3634/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is fully committed to delivering housing at scale and to continuing to accelerate housing supply across all tenure types. To this end, affordability and the chance to own a home is at the heart of the Government’s housing policy, as embodied within the new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities.
Under the new plan, the supports established under the previous plan, Housing for All, will be retained, streamlined and expanded to form a Starter Homes Programme, ensuring that first time buyers and renters in need of support will continue to be supported by the State.
Since 2021, close to 19,000 affordable housing supports have been provided via these measures, nationwide. Donegal has seen over 350 affordable housing supports delivered to date, under the First Home Scheme (42 homes), the Vacant Homes Refurbishment Grant (306 homes), and the Cost Rental Tenant in Situ Scheme (5 homes).
In order to continue to drive the delivery of affordable housing, all local authorities will shortly commence the preparation of updated Housing Delivery Action Plans, replacing plans made under Housing for All. The new Delivery Action Plans will set out how the Starter Homes Programme will be implemented within each local authority area, including identifying locations where it is believed there to be a particular affordable housing need.
This development of the Delivery Action Plans will be undertaken in collaboration with delivery partners, including the Land Development Agency and Approved Housing Bodies and will take account of the requirement to provide the optimum mix of tenures within particular areas.
In terms of the financial supports available across every local authority area, the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) is available to assist local authorities where significant affordability needs have been identified. The Ready to Build serviced sites scheme supports local authorities to provide sites at a discount to people who want to build their own home. The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant supports the purchase and refurbishment of vacant and derelict properties. Additionally, the First Home Scheme is available to support eligible new home purchasers nationwide.
