Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 March 2026
163. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the assistance and the options available to persons in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22982/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAffordability is at the heart of Government’s housing policy, as embodied within the new housing plan, “Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025 – 2030”, with the Government targeting the delivery of 300,000 new homes by 2030, including 72,000 social homes and 90,000 affordable supports. The plan reinforces and expands the range of existing measures being implemented by Government to tackle the issues of supply and affordability, thereby supporting the increased provision of new homes to purchase and rent. Further Government measures introduced to support renters include the increase in the tax credit for renters under Budget 2025 to a maximum of €1,000 for each renter in a household. Budget 2026 extends the Rent Tax Credit, which was due to expire at the end of 2025, for a further three years, to the end of 2028.
Record levels of social and affordable housing delivery have been achieved in recent years, with preliminary 2025 figures indicating further record levels of delivery. I am providing substantial funding to local authorities, the Land Development Agency and the Approved Housing Bodies. To support increased delivery, the National Development Plan has committed record levels of funding for new social and affordable housing, totalling almost €20 billion. Since the launch of Cost Rental in 2021, around €2.25 billion in Exchequer funding has been approved for Cost Rental projects. Beyond my Department, very significant loan funding is also being provided from the State's Housing Finance Agency, and the lowering of VAT on new apartments to 9% under Budget 2026 will also assist in delivering new homes into the Cost Rental sector at lower costs, meaning lower rents.
The Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026 came into operation on 1 March 2026, introducing a new national rent control for all tenancies, which limits rent increases to inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) up to a maximum of 2%. For new build apartments and student-specific accommodation, however, rent increases are capped at the level of inflation (CPI) only. These changes were introduced to promote greater investment in the rental market and to increase the supply of rental properties. The Act also provides significant improvements in security of tenure for renters.
Anyone who is unable to secure rental accommodation in their area via the usual means, estate letting agents or searching online rental accommodation platforms, etc., should contact their local authority, who can offer guidance and assistance.
