Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 May 2026
215. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the expanded role of the Land Development Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37518/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has agreed a significant expansion of the role and remit of the Land Development Agency (LDA) to further accelerate housing delivery. This includes supporting the increased acquisition of private land and the delivery of private housing where appropriate; enabling a wider geographical spread of housing delivery; unlocking key strategic public land and investing in enabling infrastructure, particularly on urban brownfield sites and strengthening land transfer powers in respect of relevant public lands held by commercial State bodies. In addition, measures are being advanced to enhance the Agency's capacity to support the Department, local authorities and the Housing Activation Office in master planning infrastructure provision, particularly in Transport Oriented Development and new urban areas. Further support for cost rental delivery has been delivered through an exemption from corporation tax for cost rental income, introduced in Budget 2026.
The Government has committed to providing additional equity funding of €2.5 billion to support this expanded role. This investment will enable the LDA to deliver approximately 14,000 homes by 2029, while supporting the transition to its next business plan period. The funding provides the Agency with the certainty required to scale up delivery and meet its targets over the lifetime of the current business plan, without impacting housing output in the short to medium term.
These changes to the role, remit and funding will be reflected in an updated Shareholder Letter of Expectation and in legislative amendments to be progressed by my Department. My Department is currently developing the necessary proposals, including a Land Development Agency (Amendment) Bill, which is expected to be brought forward in Q2 2026.
