Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 June 2026
96. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are plans to examine the availability of affordable purchase housing on council led sites in Dublin north-west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48184/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government has placed home ownership at the heart of national housing policy and our new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities. This is why we have set out in that Plan a number of different schemes to support increased levels of home ownership right across the Country, including all parts of Dublin.
The Plan reinforces and expands the range of existing affordable housing measures being implemented by the Government. In particular, a new Starter Homes Programme, which is a central component of the Plan, aims to deliver an average of 15,000 affordable housing supports annually to 2030. To underpin the delivery of this Starter Homes Programme, the Government is investing an unprecedented level of funding, including a number of important affordability measures, supported by an investment package of direct Exchequer funding, investment through the Land Development Agency and lending by the Housing Finance Agency.
In terms of ensuring delivery of new affordable homes where they are needed, local authorities will shortly commence the updating of their Housing Delivery Action Plans (HDAPs), for review by my Department, setting out how the Starter Homes Programme will be implemented within their area. Each local authority HDAP will be informed by identifiable affordable housing need within their area and will include collaboration with their delivery partners, including the Land Development Agency and the Approved Housing Bodies, as applicable. These plans will be completed and published by local authorities later this year.
In addition, the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) is available to all local authorities to assist towards the cost of developing affordable housing at locations where significant affordability needs have been identified. To date, 8 schemes in Dublin City Council have received funding approval under the AHF, to support the delivery of over 700 Starter Homes for purchase and 441 cost rental homes.
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 in all local authorities, including Dublin City Council.
Other measures such as the Local Authority Home Loan, the Help to Buy Incentive, the Ready to Build Scheme and the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant are also available to help make home ownership more affordable.
My Department, along with the Housing Agency and the Housing Delivery Coordination Office of the Local Government Management Agency, will continue to advise and support Dublin City Council in respect of its planned response to affordable housing needs in all key urban locations within its administrative area.
