Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2026
791. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current operation of the Land Acquisition Fund, including its objectives, eligibility criteria, governance arrangements; and the process by which local authorities may apply for and draw down funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11920/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra792. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications which have been made to the Land Acquisition Fund by local authorities in each year since its establishment; the number which have been approved; the average time taken from application to decision; and whether any applications were refused or withdrawn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11921/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 791 and 792 together.
The new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, commits to continue supporting local authorities and AHBs to delivery more own build social and affordable homes. The Land Acquisition Fund was established to fund the acquisition of developable land to underpin the delivery of housing up to 2030.
The current funding amount of €239m includes €50m for the provision of affordable housing. Under the housing plan, the fund will be increase to at least €500m and this increased capacity will help establish the fund as a revolving fund, ensuring it will operate in perpetuity and help secure a sustainable pipeline of land for delivery of social and affordable housing over the long-term.
The Land Acquisition Fund is overseen by my Department and managed by the Housing Agency with robust governance procedures in place including a Steering Group, Oversight Group and the Housing Agency Board. These levels of oversight ensure compliance with public procedures. The process for application and draw down of funding is set out on the Housing Agency website available at: [https://www.housingagency.ie/land-acquisition-fund]
With regard to timelines for processing of applications, it is important to note that local authorities can begin their conversations with the Housing Agency regarding acquisitions, significantly ahead of lodging a formal application. Formal applications that are completed to include all the necessary documentation, are expedited by the Housing Agency. The Housing Agency actively engages with local authorities and AHBs to ensure that the Land Acquisition Fund is easily accessible within optimal timelines.
As of end of January 2026, €71,350,250 has been spent on 28 site acquisitions which can deliver 2,128 new homes. The latest Housing Agency Annual Report may provide further information and is available at [https://www.housingagency.ie/publications/strategy-annual-report]
With regard to applications that are refused or withdrawn, I understand that the Housing Agency has not refused any application for funding to date. Applications may be withdrawn by local authorities or AHBs who no longer wish to proceed with the acquisition of specific sites for any number of reasons. My Department does not hold data in relation to the number of withdrawn applications or the reasons for such withdrawals. Data regarding such cases may be available for the Housing Agency.
