Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 March 2026
571. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a breakdown of the number of affordable homes delivered in each county and local authority since the introduction of the affordable housing scheme; and if he will detail the types of schemes used for example cost rental and affordable purchase. [21499/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra572. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the annual funding allocated to each local authority for affordable housing delivery since the scheme began; and the projected funding for the years 2025 to 2028. [21501/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra574. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of affordable homes delivered in each county and local authority since the introduction of the affordable housing scheme; and the types of schemes used (such as cost rental, affordable purchase). [21506/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra575. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the actual delivery of affordable homes in each county and local authority against the targets set for the years since the scheme's inception; and the reasons for the significant shortfalls [21507/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra576. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the annual funding allocated to each local authority for affordable housing delivery since the scheme began; and to indicate projected funding for the years 2025 to 2028. [21508/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 571, 572, 574, 575 and 576 together.
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 2025 – 2030.
The new plan builds upon the significant progress made under the previous plan Housing for All, with almost 19,000 affordable housing supports having been delivered from its launch to the end of Q3 2025, (including Vacant Property Refurbishment Grants and First Home Scheme delivery up to end of 2025).
The plan also reinforces and expands the range of existing measures being implemented by Government to tackle the issues of supply and affordability, under a new Starter Homes Programme, which will deliver an average of 15,000 starter home supports annually to 2030.
In particular, the plan provides for an expanded remit for the Land Development Agency, extends the First Home Scheme and increases affordable cost rental tenancies. It also expands the local authority delivered Starter Homes for Purchase Programme, which will see an increase in the number of starter homes for purchase nationwide.
The Help to Buy Scheme, administered by the Revenue Commissioners, will also remain available for first-time property purchasers under the new plan, to assist with the deposit required to purchase or self-build a new home. This scheme can be used in conjunction with both the First Home and Affordable Purchase Schemes and allows eligible applicants to claim up to €30,000 or 10% of the property value, whichever is lower.
Scheme criteria and support levels for affordable purchase schemes are kept under regular review, taking account of developments in the housing market. I will continue engaging with all delivery partners to ensure that the Starter Homes Programme enables the delivery of a strong pipeline of affordable housing supports, over the lifetime of the plan.
My Department publishes comprehensive programme-level statistics on a quarterly basis, including starter home delivery activity by local authority or delivery partner and by tenure type, for each local authority area. Data from 2022 to Q3 2025 is currently published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, with the Q4 of 2025 data due to be published shortly.
In respect of starter homes delivery, there are supported by an investment package of direct Exchequer funding, investment through the Land Development Agency (LDA) and lending by the Housing Finance Agency (HFA). The table below sets out the expenditure details for 2021 to 2024. Finalised figures for 2025, including expenditure pertaining to the delivery of affordable homes, are currently being validated and will be published in due course.
|
|
2021 €m |
2022 €m |
2023 €m |
2024 €m |
|
Affordable Housing (Exchequer expenditure) |
13 |
100 |
284 |
761 |
|
LDA Investment |
9 |
51 |
457 |
545 |
|
HFA Loan Advances (LA & AHB) |
918 |
1,156 |
1,161 |
1,458 |
The 2026 Exchequer allocations for my Department are published in the Revised Estimates Volume for the Public Service 2026 and can be accessed at the following link.
https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/653f8c26/Revised_Estimates_for_Public_Services_2026.pdf
My Department, along with the Housing Agency and the Housing Delivery Co-ordination Office of the Local Government Management Association continues to be available to advise and support all local authorities in providing affordable housing solutions that will respond effectively to identified affordability needs in their areas.
