Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2026
686. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which the effectiveness of the Land Acquisition Fund is assessed in terms of its contribution to housing delivery; the number of housing units enabled on lands acquired through the fund; and whether any review of the Fund’s impact or design is planned. [14927/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the new housing plan, Delivery Homes, Building Communities, the Land Acquisition Fund (LAF) will be reformed, streamlined and expanded to ensure it is fit for purpose and can support the level of ambition in the Plan. To this end, the fund will be increased from €239m to at least €500m and this increased capacity will help establish the fund as a revolving fund, providing greater flexibility and also 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.
As of end of January 2026, €71,350,250 has been spent on 28 site acquisitions which can deliver 2,128 new homes. These numbers highlight how the fund is contributing to the delivery of social and affordable housing.
The number of acquisitions to date demonstrates the efficacy and accessibility of the fund and any additional reforms and streamlining measures that are introduced will build on this progress. The proposed LAF reforms aim to enhance the existing process and to scale up the operation of the fund.
With regards to any planned review of the fund, in 2025, following an instruction from my Department, the Housing Delivery Co-ordination Office, which is part of the Local Government Management Agency, convened a working group, comprising representatives from fifteen local authorities and two AHBs, to review the operation of the fund. Following their review, a completed report setting out 23 recommendations was returned to my Department. The recommendations put forward by the working group are being considered together with the findings of my Departments own internal review.
All aspects of the operation of the fund are being examined in the context of these recommendations and sectoral feedback will be taken into consideration when putting streamlining measures in place. It should be noted that, to date, no application for funding has been refused. The Housing Agency actively engages with local authorities and AHBs to ensure that the Land Acquisition Fund is easily accessible within optimal timelines.
