Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2026
640. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 217 of 26 November 2025, the reasons the proposal referenced in that reply to fund affordable supported housing was not approved; whether alternative funding options are being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5944/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to Parliamentary Question No. 217 of 26 November 2025, the new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025 – 2030 reinforces and expands the range of existing measures in place being implemented by the Government to tackle the issues of supply and affordability, thereby supporting the increased provision of new homes to purchase and rent.
Stakeholder engagement was a key element of the Plan's development. A targeted stakeholder engagement programme was undertaken with submissions received from more than 50 organisations. These submissions and the views expressed during stakeholder engagement were all considered as part of the development of the plan.
The new national housing plan is a wide-ranging action plan focused on housing supply and targeting homelessness. The Plan provides the strategic framework to support the delivery of 300,000 new homes during the period of the Plan and identifies actions to support a more sustainable housing system moving forward.
The Government is investing an unprecedented level of funding to support housing supply, which will underpin, inter alia, the new Starter Homes Programme, delivering an average of 15,000 affordable housing supports annually to 2030. There are already two State supported shared equity schemes within the Starter Homes Programme that eligible customers can avail of – The Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme and the First Home Scheme.
Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme
Local authorities will make newly built homes available at a reduced price for first-time and other eligible buyers who cannot afford to purchase a home at its open market value with a maximum mortgage and 10% deposit. The local authority will take a percentage equity share in the home equal to the difference between the open market value of the home and the reduced price paid. This means that if a home is purchased at a 20% reduction on the open market value, the local authority will have a 20% equity share in the home. For more information visit www.affordablehomes.ie.
First Home Scheme
The First Home Scheme provides finance to help first time buyers, self-builders or those making a fresh start to bridge the gap between a deposit and mortgage, and the price of a new home. This Scheme, which is funded by the State and participating lenders, takes a percentage ownership of your home, which you can buy back later. For more information on the scheme visit www.firsthomescheme.ie.
The First Home Scheme also offers the Tenant Home Purchase products to tenants who are looking to purchase the home they are renting, where they have received a Notice of Termination from their landlord, as the landlord is putting the property on the market. More information on the Tenant Home Purchase product can be found here: www.firsthomescheme.ie/faqs/about-the-tenant-home-purchase-product/.
There are no plans to introduce a further shared equity scheme.
