Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 June 2026
145. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number and locations of housing schemes and the number of housing units that have been approved using the single stage approval process for social housing and affordable housing projects since the single stage process was introduced within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48113/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 5 July, Cabinet approved the introduction of a single stage approval process for all for local authority new build social housing up to a value of €200 million. As of January 2026, all new proposals for new-build social housing projects up to €200 million have moved to a single approval process.
The new single approval process, which replaces the 4-Stage and existing Single Stage approval process, removes the requirement for additional detailed submissions for review and approval throughout the project lifecycle. It is designed to align particular requirements related to the delivery of social housing, providing a more seamless approval process, with a clear and intentional focus on embedding standardisation and value for money.
This new process covers all social housing new build and major refurbishment projects up to a value of €200 million, funded via the Social Housing Investment Programme (SHIP) incorporating regeneration and remedial works schemes; and the Approved Housing Body (AHB) Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS).
With respect to Affordable Housing, an initial assessment of a local authority proposal for eligibility for the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) subsidy is carried out by the Housing Agency and funding approval is granted to eligible schemes on foot of a review of the application and the Housing Agency's Assessment Report. AHF assessments and project approvals occur on an ongoing basis and generally as a single approval rather than via a staged process. Similarly, in the case of the Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) and Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL), these funding schemes do not have a staged approval process; rather, they are single approvals.
My Department publishes data on social housing delivery at local authority level. However, the Social Housing Construction Status report (CSR), published quarterly by my Department, can be searched by location. This report provides a breakdown of local authority and Approved Housing Body social housing new-build activity including scheme-level details on the completion of social housing new builds as well as information on each construction scheme as it progresses through the design and tender processes. The latest CSR provides data to the end of 2025 and is available on my Departments website. Data for Q1 2026 is currently being collated and verified and will be published soon.
