Written Answers Nos. 420-425
420. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the key measures taken to expand affordable housing provision since January 2025; his priorities for same for the rest of 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53471/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra425. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the key measures taken to support first-time buyers since January 2025; his priorities for same for the rest of 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53476/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 420 and 425 together.
Affordability and the chance to own a home is at the heart of the Government’s housing policy, as embodied within the housing action plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities.
The plan builds upon the significant progress made under the previous plan Housing for All. One of the key priorities in the plan is a commitment to deliver more affordable homes to buy, particularly for first time buyers. To achieve this, existing affordable housing supports will be retained and developed to form a Starter Homes Programme, backed up by an unprecedented level of investment by Government.
Key priorities under the programme include scaling up the delivery of starter homes for purchase, through the local authorities and the Land Development Agency.
The Affordable Housing Fund is available to assist local authorities in the delivery of starter home solutions, where they identify significant affordability need.
Cost Rental, which provides homes at an affordable rent, including through the Cost Rental Equity Loan Scheme (CREL), has also contributed significantly to the delivery of starter homes in Ireland, with Approved Housing Bodies and the Land Development Agency delivering new cost rental homes at scale, with rents at below market rates, based on the cost of delivery and maintenance of the 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 and has been availed of nationally.
Additionally, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant supports the purchase and refurbishment of vacant and derelict properties.
To ensure delivery at local level, a key action of the housing plan is the requirement on all local authorities to prepare Housing Delivery Action Plans (HDAPs), to set out clear pathways to the delivery of local starter home needs, in conjunction with their delivery partners, including the AHB’s and the LDA, over the period 2027 to 2030. These HDAPs, which will be completed during 2026, will play an important role in ensuring that starter home supply is aligned with demand within local authority areas and is delivered at pace.
My Department will continue to work closely with local authorities, the other delivery partners, and the construction sector to accelerate starter home delivery.
421. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the key measures taken to tackle homelessness since January 2025; his priorities for same for the rest of 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53472/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSupporting individuals and families experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness is a priority for my Department and Government.
Our housing plan, ‘Delivering Homes, Building Communities: An Action Plan on Housing Supply and Targeting Homelessness’ is an integrated housing and homelessness plan. The plan is based on two key pillars: activating the supply of 300,000 more homes; and supporting people to have a home of their own.
Increased supply is key to addressing homelessness. Government is focused on making sure that everyone has access to good quality, affordable and secure homes that suit their needs. Over €9 billion in capital funding will be made available for housing in 2026.
Prevention of homelessness in the first instance is an absolute priority. There are many preventions initiatives already underway in my own Department and across Government. This includes the provision of social and affordable housing, HAP and homeless HAP, and our strong tenancy protection legislation. In order to ensure a fully aligned all-of-Government approach under the Plan, we are committing to develop a national Homelessness Prevention Framework within which homelessness can be prevented in a structured and planned way with tailored prevention measures for each potential at risk cohort. This Framework will be in place in 2026.
Addressing family homelessness is a key priority for Government. Our housing plan commits to the development of a Child and Family Homelessness Action Plan. It brings together key stakeholders to drive the continued focus on preventing children and families entering emergency accommodation, providing enhanced supports for children experiencing homelessness, as well as measures to accelerate exits and reduce the time spent by children and their families in homeless emergency accommodation.
The new housing plan provides dedicated capital funding of €100 million which will be ring-fenced to support local authorities to acquire properties to tackle long-term homelessness. It will be used specifically to acquire suitable units to exit families the longest in emergency accommodation and for Housing First units for individuals with complex needs experiencing homelessness.
Budget 2026 provides a total allocation of €563.5m to address homelessness. This includes €513.5m in current funding to ensure local authorities can provide sufficient emergency accommodation as well as essential related services including Housing First supports, homelessness prevention supports, day services, and tenancy sustainment measures. Additionally, €50 million in capital funding will allow local authorities to invest in the provision of local authority or NGO owned emergency accommodation facilities, developing a more sustainable approach to the delivery of emergency accommodation and ensuring that services are tailored for the needs of clients.
422. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the key measures taken to tackle vacancy and dereliction since January 2025; his priorities for same for the rest of 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53473/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraWorking to end dereliction and vacancy is a key priority in the Government's housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities. The Plan aims to ensure that the activities and resources used to address vacancy and dereliction are co-ordinated and effective and that legislative powers are used proactively to work to bring dereliction and vacancy to an end.
A key measure in the Housing Plan is the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant (VPRG), introduced in July 2022 under the Croí Cónaithe fund. The grant provides up to €70,000 for the refurbishment of vacant and derelict properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent.
As set out in the Housing Plan, a new Vacant Above the Shop Grant has been introduced to support the refurbishment and conversion of above the shop vacant space for use as homes. A package of up to €140,000 is available in cases where vacant above the shop space is being converted/refurbished for residential use and the commercial element is remaining, including a new Expert Advice Grant of up to €5,000.
The new Vacant Above the Shop Grant and Expert Advice Grant, funded under the Croí Cónaithe Town Fund, were launched and opened for applications in all local authorities on 1 April 2026. Application forms and information on the Grants available from each local authority and at the following link: www.gov.ie/vacancy
The CPO Activation Programme, launched in April 2023, requires a proactive and systematic approach by local authorities to identifying vacant and derelict properties and engaging with owners to bring those properties back into use. This includes the active use of compulsory purchase powers by local authorities where engagement with property owners has not been successful. My Department has published CPO Activation Programme data for 2023-2025 on its website, which can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/compulsory-purchase-orders-cpo-activation-programme/
Funding is available to local authorities through the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund Call 3, the Social Housing Investment Programme, from the Housing Finance Agency or local authorities' own internal resources, to finance the acquisition of vacant and derelict properties, including compulsorily.
To further strengthen our approach to tackling this issue, a Derelict Property Tax was announced in Budget 2026 and it is intended to introduce legislation providing for the tax in 2026. When it comes into effect, the tax will replace the Derelict Sites Levy and will be collected by the Revenue Commissioners. Levies under the Derelict Sites Act that remain outstanding when the new tax is introduced will remain the responsibility of each local authority to collect.
As also announced in Budget 2026, the Living City Initiative has now been extended to 2030, and expanded it to include residential properties built before 1975 and in the National Planning Framework growth centres of Athlone, Drogheda, Dundalk, Letterkenny and Sligo. This expansion highlights the Government’s commitment to regional development and revitalising towns beyond the main cities.
All 31 local authorities have a full-time Vacant Homes Officer in place as a key point of contact in their Vacant Homes Office teams. My Department provides annual funding to each local authority to reinforce their capacity to ensure a dedicated focus on tackling vacancy and dereliction. Vacant Homes Officers are supported in their role by the Vacant Homes Unit in my Department, the Housing Agency and through the Vacant Homes Officer Network.
The Housing Plan committed to providing additional support to local authorities for the administration of the VPRG. In December 2025 the Government approved additional annual funding of up to €100,000 for local authorities in this regard. In June my Department contacted all local authorities advising them of the process to draw down additional funding being provided for grant administration.
Vacant Homes Officers play a vital role in working with property owners to ensure these properties are brought back into use. They work closely with Town Regeneration Officers and other relevant personnel in their local authority to actively promote the wide range of schemes in place to address vacancy and dereliction, such as the Repair and Leasing Scheme, Buy and Renew Scheme, the Living City Initiative, Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme (THRIVE) and planning exemptions for certain vacant commercial premises.
The Plan's new measures build on the significant work that has been done and outcomes achieved over the past number of years, as well as improving and expanding existing schemes. These initiatives are working and vacancy levels are declining across the country.
I firmly believe the commitment Government has made to addressing vacancy and dereliction and the actions under Delivering Homes, Building Communities will continue to play a vital role in delivering homes across the country.
423. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the key measures taken to expand cost-rental provision since January 2025; his priorities for same for the rest of 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53474/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, reinforces and expands the range of existing measures being implemented to tackle the issues of supply and affordability, under a new Starter Homes Programme, which will deliver an average of 15,000 starter home supports annually to 2030.
Cost Rental is a key element of the Government's strategy to improve affordability in the rental sector and to provide secure, long-term homes for moderate-income households above the income limits for social housing. The core principle is that rents cover the development, management, and maintenance costs of the homes, so that their long-term future is secure, without rents being subject to the pressures of the open market.
There are three Schemes, which support the delivery of cost rental homes at scale. They are:
1. The Affordable Housing Fund (AHF);
2. he Secure Tenancy Affordable Rental investment scheme (STAR);
3. The Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL).
Where State funding has assisted with Cost Rental delivery under any of the above schemes, starting rents must be achieved which both cover costs and are at least 25% below comparable open market rents. Over time, rents may be increased only in line with general consumer inflation, according to the Central Statistics Office’s Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices, so remaining stable in real terms while covering the ongoing management and maintenance costs of the rental properties.
The Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) subsidy is available to local authorities as a direct subvention on local authority housing development costs at rates of €50,000, €75,000, and €100,000 per affordable home, including Cost Rental, depending on the density of the development and its location. A subsidy of up to €150,000 per home is available for local authority Cost Rental development in high density urban locations. To date, over €143.5m in AHF support has been approved to assist the delivery of over 1,200 Cost Rental homes across 8 local authorities.
The Secure Tenancy Affordable Rental Investment Scheme (STAR) aims to deliver cost rental homes at scale for eligible households who are experiencing acute affordability pressures in the private rental sector, particularly in urban centres where prevailing rents are especially high. The maximum investment generally available nationally will be €150,000 per unit, with an additional investment of €25,000 available, subject to meeting the sustainability criteria set out under the scheme. In recognition of the viability challenges in specific areas of Dublin, the maximum investment available will be higher in Dublin at €175,000, with an additional investment of €25,000 similarly available subject to meeting the sustainability criteria set out under the STAR scheme. Private providers and public bodies can apply to provide cost rental homes under the Scheme and the State will make an equity investment available in return for designation of the homes as cost rental homes for 50 years. Since the inception of the Scheme, 10 projects have been approved for STAR funding totalling just over €312m for the delivery of 2422 cost rental homes.
The Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) Scheme provides funding to Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to finance the development or acquisitions of new cost rental homes, on a sliding scale basis of up to 55% of the total capital costs for these homes. The 55% CREL model incorporates a mix of a long-term loan (up to a maximum of 35% of capital costs) along with a state-equity investment element (up to a maximum of 20% of capital costs). In 2025 there was a 27% increase on the number of units delivered under the CREL Scheme, in comparison to the delivery in 2024. To date in 2026, 12 projects (780 homes) have been approved across 8 different local authority areas for delivery by the end of 2028.
A provision of €575m has been made for AHB cost rental under the CREL scheme and €200m for cost rental delivery under the STAR scheme in my Department's 2026 Vote. €150m in funding has also been allocated for overall AHF provision, this funding covers both Affordable Purchase and Cost Rental delivery.
Cost rental delivery will continue to be expanded and will, along with other measures aimed at increasing the supply of homes to rent, help to moderate rent levels in the private rental sector over time. The Government also announced several provisions as part of Budget 2026: to encourage delivery and increase viability of new cost rental homes, reducing costs and ensuing rents, therefore making them more affordable.
These provisions included;
- a reduction in VAT on the purchase of new apartments (down to 9% from 13.5%);
- enhanced Corporation Tax deductions on construction expenses to improve the viability of apartment building; and
- a Corporation Tax exemption for rental income from Cost Rental tenants.
In parallel, the Government is focused on reducing construction and delivery costs more broadly through standardisation, improved procurement, and increased efficiency, while maintaining high quality and sustainability standards.
The 2025 Programme for Government includes a commitment to target Cost Rental homes at key local workers, and my Department is continuing to work to explore all options for achieving this. On 2 July 2025, I made the Affordable Housing Act 2021 (Cost Rental Allocation Plan) Regulations 2025. These Regulations allow for Cost Rental landlords to employ Allocation Plans which may prioritise particular homes for those with a link to an area though residence, employment, or children’s education. This will support people to live and work in their local area.
The Programme for Government also includes a commitment to introduce a cost rental version of the Repair and Lease scheme on a pilot basis. This is aimed both at tackling vacancy and dereliction and providing affordable housing. The new housing plan contains a commitment to develop a pathfinder project for an affordable rental version of the repair and lease scheme and my Department is working with Local Authorities and the Housing Agency to develop a viable scheme to achieve these aims.
My Department continues to review the operation of the Cost Rental housing tenure and changes to legislation may be made as appropriate in order to maintain the success of this new housing tenure. Quarterly housing delivery reports, including for cost rental delivery, will continue to be published on my Department's website, to track delivery under the Starter Homes Programme in each local authority area to 2030.
424. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the key measures taken to support apartment building since January 2025; his priorities for same for the rest of 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53475/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe delivery of new apartments is an essential component of the Government's housing ambitions given the compact growth priority in the National Planning Framework. In 2025, 12,042 new apartments were completed, representing a third of all new dwellings completed and the highest apartment completion figure since the Central Statistic's Office data series began in 2011.
In Delivering Homes, Building Communities Government has taken decisive action to reduce the overall cost of apartment construction while increasing delivery in our urban areas. Budget 2026 introduced a suite of taxation measures aimed at stimulating the supply of new apartments such as reducing the VAT rate on the sale of new apartments to 9% and introducing an enhanced Corporation Tax deduction for apartment construction costs.
Additionally, funding is available under the Croí Cónaithe Cities Scheme to support the building of apartments for sale to owner-occupiers through a subvention to bridge the gap between the delivery cost and the market sale price.
My Department has recently conducted a public consultation on a draft National Planning Statement for the Government’s consideration to replace the current apartment guidelines. The overall purpose is to strike an effective regulatory balance, ensuring that apartment development meets the needs of society in terms of standards and quality, while promoting an increased level of overall output.
Sectoral feedback and preliminary data on planning permissions and commencements suggests that the sector is responding positively to the renewed environment for apartment delivery. My Department continues to systematically monitor investment, planning and commencement activity in apartments to examine the pipeline for new apartments and inform ongoing policy consideration in this area.
