Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 May 2026
211. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the provision of affordable housing schemes in East County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36515/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAffordability and the chance to own a home is at the heart of the Government’s housing policy, as embodied within the new housing action plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities.
The new action plan builds upon the significant progress made under our previous plan Housing for All, with over 22,000 starter home supports delivered from 2022 to 2025, including 178 in Galway City and 311 in Galway County.
The Affordable Housing Fund is available to assist local authorities in the delivery of starter homes solutions, where significant affordability need is identified. In terms of new delivery, Galway City and Galway County have received funding approval to facilitate the delivery of an additional of 113 and 130 starter homes respectively, with the support of the fund.
Galway County Council has received funding approval of €17.475m to assist towards the development costs of 236 starter homes with AHF support, of which 33 of these homes were delivered by end of 2025.
My Department has recently met with the affordable delivery team in Galway County and understands that a number of further proposals are in the process of being developed.
The Government has agreed the transfer of 1.4 hectares of land at Galway Harbour to enable the LDA to deliver 356 new social and starter homes. Subject to planning permission, construction is provisionally scheduled to commence in 2027.
It is also worth noting that the First Home Scheme, which supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market, through the use of an equity share model, is also available to support eligible new home purchasers and has been availed of in the Galway City and County areas.
Additionally, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant supports the purchase and refurbishment of vacant and derelict properties. Both of these schemes have been, and will continue to be, availed of within Galway as an affordable pathway to housing, and in the case of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, as a valuable support in the tackling of the serious problem of vacancy and dereliction.
Under the new housing plan, all local authorities are required to prepare new Housing Delivery Action Plans, replacing their existing action plans, to be completed during 2026. These will identify affordable starter home need within their areas and set out how this will be met, over the lifetime of the plan.
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 starter home solutions that will respond effectively to identified affordability needs in their areas.
