Written Answers Nos. 84-103
84. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the HAP review, to confirm a timeline for the publication of the review and its findings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69058/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the HAP scheme, a tenant sources their own accommodation in the private rented market. This accommodation should be within the prescribed maximum HAP rent limits, which are based on household size and the rental market within the area concerned.
Since 11 July 2022, each local authority has statutory discretion to agree to a HAP payment up to 35% above the prescribed maximum rent limit, or up to 50% in the case of homeless households in the Dublin region. Local authorities also have additional flexibility to apply a couple HAP rate to single-person households.
My Department reviewed the use of these measures and their impact on the overall affordability of the HAP scheme for tenants. This exercise highlighted that the affordability and sustainability of HAP tenancies continue to be impacted by pressures in the private rental market. Therefore, I gave approval for a review of the HAP rent limits to be undertaken to ensure there is sufficient support under the HAP scheme to assist eligible households in accessing accommodation in the private rental sector.
The HAP rent limits review has now concluded, and I am considering its findings before setting out the next steps.
85. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the Homelessness Prevention Framework; to confirm a timeline for the publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69061/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government's national housing plan, ‘Delivering Homes, Building Communities’ was published in November 2025 and 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. The Plan recognises that homelessness is the single most pressing social issue that we face and introduces a number of key measures to address homelessness.
Prevention of homelessness in the first instance is an absolute priority. There are many prevention 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.
I recognise that more needs to be done and a co-ordinated approach is required right across Government. That is why, a cross Departmental Steering Group was established to drive the development of the Prevention Framework. The Steering Group has now considered a first draft of the Framework, and work is progressing with a view to having the Framework in place later this year.
86. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when his Department will issue the updated draft rural planning guidelines. [69060/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government agreed a proposed policy direction for rural and Gaeltacht housing on 30 June 2026, enabling a proposed Draft National Planning Statement (NPS) on Sustainable Rural and Gaeltacht Housing to proceed to assessment for the purposes of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Appropriate Assessment (AA), including any necessary associated consultation, which is required to be undertaken prior to its final approval by Government.
The proposed new policy approach seeks to provide more clarity and consistency across the planning system, by setting out standardised criteria for assessing local rural housing need and new guidance on language criteria for housing in Gaeltacht areas, including the introduction of a standardised approach to language competency assessments to prioritise Irish speakers.
The draft Sustainable Rural and Gaeltacht Housing National Planning Statement (NPS) is now undergoing environmental assessment under the relevant EU Directives. In accordance with Section 26(4) of the Planning and Development Act 2024, where Strategic Environmental Assessment SEA and/or Appropriate Assessment AA are required; these assessments will be undertaken in accordance with the relevant legislative requirements, the draft NPS and the associated environmental documentation will be published for public consultation, and submissions will be invited before the Statement is finalised for Government approval and subsequent issuance by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
When making a decision in relation to an application for permission, a planning authority is restricted to considering the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, regard being had to, inter alia, the provisions of the development plan and any relevant Ministerial guidelines, including the Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines (2005) which remain in effect until they are revoked or replaced following approval of the new NPS.
87. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the Child and Family Homelessness Action Plan; to confirm a timeline for the publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69068/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government's national housing plan, ‘Delivering Homes, Building Communities: An Action Plan on Housing Supply and Targeting Homelessness’ is an integrated housing and homelessness plan. The new 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.
Our housing plan recognises that homelessness is the single most pressing social issue that we face and introduces a number of key measures to address homelessness. 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.
Addressing child and family homelessness is a key priority for Government. Our new housing plan commits to the development of a Child and Family Homelessness Action Plan. Development of the Plan brought 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. It is anticipated that the Child and Family Homelessness Action Plan will be published this year.
88. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications approved, in progress and refused under the Land Acquisition Fund, by local authority and by year from 2020 to date in 2026, in tabular form. [69095/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra89. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the housing supports available to a person who is over the income threshold to apply for local authority housing but is under the income threshold to avail of cost rental housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69224/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraCost Rental housing is intended for households in the middle-income cohort who do not qualify for social housing, but who may be experiencing affordability challenges in the private rental market. The core principle of Cost Rental is that rents are set to cover the development, management and maintenance costs of the homes, ensuring long-term financial sustainability while remaining insulated from market rent pressures. The State is providing significant levels of investment to make this possible, and over 6,600 Cost Rental homes have already been delivered, with more to come. The principal eligibility requirement for Cost Rental housing is that net annual household income must be below a specified threshold, which is €66,000 for homes in Dublin and €59,000 for homes elsewhere.
Notwithstanding the more than €2 billion in Exchequer funding already approved to support the provision of Cost Rental homes, recent inflation in construction and delivery costs has presented challenges across the sector. Nonetheless, all our delivery partners continue to actively manage these challenges in order to ensure that homes are made available at the most competitive and affordable rents achievable.
Anyone whose household income falls under the net income thresholds is able to apply for a Cost Rental home. The Affordable Housing Act 2021 does not provide for a 'minimum income threshold' for Cost Rental tenants. That said, it is the case that Cost Rental providers - which include the Local Authorities, the Approved Housing Bodies and the Land Development Agency - must always consider affordability and sustainability of the tenancy. In doing so, they assess prospective tenants to ensure they can reasonably sustain rent payments over time and may use financial metrics, such as rent-to-income ratios, as part of this assessment. As a result, not every applicant may be considered an appropriate tenant for every available home, since rents will vary according to underlying costs. Providers can, however, apply flexibility to their assessments, particularly where an applicant can demonstrate a history of meeting similar or higher rent in the private rental sector.
In relation to those whose income exceeds the limits for social housing support, my Department has been examining the existing social housing income limits in the context of current market and household income conditions. This includes examining the findings of research commissioned by my Department, and this work is ongoing. I envisage that the analysis will be concluded shortly to facilitate a final determination on next steps. I am also keen to establish a more structured and regular process for reviewing social housing income limits into the future.
90. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 64954/26, the reason the relevant aspects of the Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 has not yet been commenced; to confirm when the relevant aspects of the 2023 Act will be commenced; and if he will confirm whether the Dún Dealgan Castletown Motte and Bailey will receive special protection status. [69223/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the period since the enactment of the Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 at the end of 2023 a substantial portion of the Act has been commenced. This includes provisions enabling Ireland to ratify the 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage, provisions strengthening Ireland’s ability to participate in the World Heritage Convention, provisions enabling Ireland to accede (subject to further Government approval) to the 1995 Rome UNIDROIT Convention on Stolen and Illegally exported cultural objects, and provisions placing the work of inventorying archaeological sites and historic wrecks on a statutory footing.
In addition to this, my Department has been working actively on the preparation of the necessary secondary legislation and administrative structures which will enable the systems of monument protection and regulation of a range of activities to come into operation. This is a complex and detailed process, but I am satisfied that substantial progress has been made. My Department will continue this work with the aim of commencing most of the balance of the Act in the course of 2027.
As regards Dún Dealgan Motte, as this monument is, under the existing National Monuments Acts a national monument of which I am guardian, it will be covered by automatic transitional provisions of the Act of 2023.
In particular, following the establishment of the new Register of Monuments and its inclusion in that register it will automatically become a national monument in my guardianship under the Act of 2023, and so will automatically have special protection under the Act of 2023.
In the interim, pending the commencement of the relevant provisions of the new Act and the establishment of the new Register the existing high level of protection afforded to national monuments in my guardianship under the National Monuments continues to be in force.
91. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the projects in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown approved for funding under the Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund; the funding allocated to each; and the number of homes each is expected to unlock, in tabular form. [69215/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 21 January 2026, the Government launched the €1 billion Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund (HIIF) to support investment in housing enabling public infrastructure. The Fund is managed by the Housing Activation Office in my Department.
Under the first call for applications, 138 applications were received from 30 local authorities and the Land Development Agency. Following a detailed assessment process, 82 projects were approved for inclusion in the HIIF programme under Call 1.
Four projects in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown have been approved for inclusion under Call 1 of the HIIF programme, as set out in the table below:
|
Project Name |
Indicative Cost Band |
Housing Activation Estimate |
|
Lehaunstown Neighbourhood Road, Cherrywood |
< €10m |
Directly unlocks lands for 555 residential units and indirectly unlocks a further 2,800 residential units. |
|
Sandyford Civic Park |
< €10m |
Directly unlocks lands for 3,630 residential units and indirectly unlocks a further 3,820 residential units. |
|
Old Connaught M11 Bridge, associated link roads and primary attenuation pond |
> €20m |
Directly unlocks lands for 3,690 residential units and indirectly unlocks a further 6,430 residential units. |
|
Kiltiernan Park Phase 2 |
< €10m |
Directly unlocks lands for 1,600 residential units and indirectly unlocks a further 500 residential units. |
Funding under the HIIF is managed at programme level, with funding for individual projects allocated annually, taking account of delivery progress and the estimated cost of advancing the project.
The HAO team is working directly with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to progress these projects and will also work with critical utilities such as Uisce Éireann and ESB Networks to ensure complementary investment in water, wastewater and electricity infrastructure alongside project delivery.
92. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of Irish Water’s current investment programme as it relates to unlocking housing supply; and the priority projects identified to address wastewater constraints in high growth areas. [69186/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe NDP 2026-2030 allocated over €12 billion to water services, of which €11.7 billion was allocated to Uisce Éireann to fund major improvements in Ireland’s water infrastructure and services.
This investment includes an allocation of €1.7 billion for Uisce Éireann's Accelerated Growth Programme to support the Government’s increased housing objectives to deliver 300,000 homes out to 2030. The Accelerated Growth Programme has identified 72 cities, towns and villages across Ireland as priority locations for investment to help unlock new homes and support growing communities. The 72 communities were identified through a detailed review of national, regional and local development plans, focusing on locations where significant growth is planned and where investment can help unlock housing, support sustainable development and deliver the greatest benefit for communities.
By sharing this information with local authorities, housing and planning bodies, and industry stakeholders, Uisce Éireann is helping to provide greater certainty around where strategic water and wastewater investment can support housing and growing communities.
A listing of the 72 settlements prioritised for development is available on Uisce Eireann's website at:
water.widen.net/view/pdf/uzpojdwsop/22.07.26-71-Settlements-for-Accelerated-Growth.pdf?t.download=true&u=oephrt.
93. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures are being taken to ensure that the increased housing delivery committed to under Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025–2030 is reaching areas experiencing the greatest pressure, including rural towns and commuter counties. [69187/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government published its housing action plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, on 13 November 2025. The implementation of the actions set out in the plan will see the delivery of 300,000 new homes over its lifetime, including 72,000 social homes and 90,000 affordable housing supports.
Pillar 1 of the new plan deals with activating housing supply by activating more land, providing more housing-related infrastructure, securing more development finance for home building, addressing viability challenges, particularly in apartment delivery, increasing the adoption of Modern Methods of Construction, improving labour skills in the residential construction sector, and working towards ending dereliction and vacancy.
The delivery of housing is at the centre of the updated National Development Plan, published in July 2025, with an unprecedented level of investment of €40.5bn provided for housing and related water services to 2030. Budget 2026 provided over €9 billion in capital funding through my Department, the Land Development Agency (LDA) and the Housing Finance Agency to finance the building of new social and affordable homes.
The revised National Planning Framework (NPF) was approved in April 2025 to help increase capacity and accelerate home building across the country, including rural towns and commuter counties. In July 2025, I issued Guidelines instructing local authorities to update housing targets in line with the revised NPF. These set out the need to plan for approximately 55,000 additional households per annum on average to 2040, enabling zoning for a total of 83,000 units per annum. As of September 2026, all local authorities have commenced a variation process to their Development Plans, with twenty-three of those either partially or fully completed.
On 30 June, Government agreed a proposed policy direction for rural housing with the publication of the Draft Sustainable Rural and Gaeltacht Housing National Planning Statement. The planned publication of the final National Planning Statement before the end of 2026, will mark the most significant update to rural housing policy since the introduction of the 2005 Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines. Overall, the policy approach is to allow new rural housing for people who genuinely need to live in rural areas, while also preventing the uncontrolled spread of housing from nearby towns and cities into the countryside. It also aims to support the renewal of rural towns and villages and address population decline in rural areas.
I established the Housing Activation Office (HAO) in April 2025 to ensure a radical step change in housing supply. Since its establishment, the Office has engaged extensively both formally and informally with various stakeholders to identify and address infrastructure barriers to housing delivery. In June of this year, I announced that 82 infrastructure projects around the country will be supported in the first phase of the €1 billion Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund (HIIF) programme. The approved projects will directly unlock lands with the capacity to deliver 86,000 new homes and indirectly unlock lands for a potential further 113,000 homes.
In September, I announced the 120 projects across every local authority that will be included under the new Towns and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund programme, funding transformative town and city regeneration projects. An investment of €409 million will be available if local authorities can meet the targets set out in their applications for support.
Comprehensive reforms of the rental sector were introduced in March 2026, which are helping to stimulate increased development of apartments over the longer-term.
The Government's and my focus for the remainder of 2026 will continue to be on the implementation of the actions of Delivering Homes, Building Communities, and closely monitoring apartment investment, as well as planning, commencement and housing completion activity to inform ongoing policy consideration.
94. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether consideration is being given to removing or revising local authority policies that place limits on the number of dwellings that may be constructed on family farm holdings. [69189/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government agreed a proposed policy direction for rural and Gaeltacht housing on 30 June 2026, enabling a proposed Draft National Planning Statement (NPS) on Sustainable Rural and Gaeltacht Housing to proceed to assessment for the purposes of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Appropriate Assessment (AA), including any necessary associated consultation, which is required to be undertaken prior to its final approval by Government.
The proposed new policy approach seeks to provide more clarity and consistency across the planning system, by setting out standardised criteria for assessing local rural housing need and new guidance on language criteria for housing in Gaeltacht areas, including the introduction of a standardised approach to language competency assessments to prioritise Irish speakers. The proposed approach contains provisions that set out that rural housing policies within development plans should not be prescriptive in including numerical requirements and arbitrary caps or limits on new single rural housing, for example relating to limits on the number of dwellings that may be developed on a landholding within a rural area.
The draft Sustainable Rural and Gaeltacht Housing National Planning Statement (NPS) is now undergoing environmental assessment under the relevant EU Directives. In accordance with Section 26(4) of the Planning and Development Act 2024, where Strategic Environmental Assessment SEA and/or Appropriate Assessment AA are required; these assessments will be undertaken in accordance with the relevant legislative requirements, the draft NPS and the associated environmental documentation will be published for public consultation, and submissions will be invited before the Statement is finalised for Government approval and subsequent issuance by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
When making a decision in relation to an application for permission, a planning authority is restricted to considering the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, regard being had to, inter alia, the provisions of the development plan and any relevant Ministerial guidelines, including the Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines (2005) which remain in effect until they are revoked or replaced following approval of the new NPS.
95. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress that has been made in delivering the actions under Heritage Ireland 2030, particularly in relation to investment in built and archaeological heritage and supporting local communities in protecting and promoting their heritage; and if he will outline the priorities arising from the mid-term review. [69190/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraHeritage Ireland 2030, the national heritage strategy, sets out a framework for the protection, management and conservation of heritage to the end of the decade. Structured around three core themes of ‘Communities’, ‘Leadership’ and ‘Partnerships’. Since 2022, historic levels of year-on-year investment in heritage has reflected the Government’s commitment to protecting and conserving heritage and nature, including the allocation of a record €256 million in heritage investment in 2026.
Between 2022 and 2026, over €88.8 million in heritage grant funding was awarded by my Department to support heritage custodians to protect and conserve built and archaeological heritage across the country for the benefit of current and future generations.
Investment to support local communities to protect and promote their heritage has also included continuing development of Local Authority Heritage teams, which play a key role in promoting, supporting and developing policy for heritage at local level.
As well as the ongoing development of Local Authority Heritage teams, the Heritage Ireland 2030 Action Update Report for 2024 assets.gov.ie/static/documents/20250710_Heritage_Ireland_2030_Action_Update_Report_for_2024_EN_A4_Final.pdf, reporting on delivery of actions in 2024, included support for a diverse range of over 1,000 local and community projects and initiatives aimed at protecting and celebrating local heritage.
A mid-term review of Heritage Ireland 2030 is being carried out as a commitment under the plan. This review, which is expected to be published by the end of 2026, will include a revised action plan and a stocktake of heritage achievements, priorities and challenges to 2030.
97. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason it takes over a year for An Coimisiún Pleanála to decide on a Section 5 application once a Local Authority makes a referral to them or if the applicant submits an appeal (details supplied). [69176/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Coimisiún Pleanála is the national independent statutory body with responsibility for the determination of planning appeals and direct applications for strategic infrastructure and other developments under Planning and Development Act 2024, as amended, and certain other Acts.
Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for An Coimisiún Pleanála in this regard is Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie.
98. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the promised updated wind energy development guidelines; the timeframe for their completion; if he is concerned by the number of planning applications for wind farms that were refused by local authorities and later had the decision overturned by ACP; if these decisions indicate a lack of understanding or interpretation of the existing national policy and guidelines by councils and ACP; and if he considers that a comprehensive policy statement is required to clarify matters for all stakeholders (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69228/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra108. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the promised updated wind energy development guidelines; the timeframe for their completion; if he is concerned by the number of planning applications for wind farms that were refused by local authorities and later had the decision overturned by ACP; if these decisions indicate a lack of understanding or interpretation of the existing national policy and guidelines by councils and ACP; if he considers that a comprehensive policy statement is required to clarify matters for all stakeholders (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69227/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 108 together.
In line with commitments in the Programme for Government 2025, my Department is working with the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE), which holds policy responsibility for renewable energy matters, in respect of the introduction of a number of National Planning Statements related to Ireland's Climate Action Plan target to increase the share of electricity generated from renewable sources up to 80% in 2030. This includes the preparation of a National Planning Statement in relation to onshore wind energy development, following a review of the existing 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines.
Further to the commencement of Chapter 3 of Part 3 of the Planning and Development Act 2024 on 2 October 2025, provisions for National Planning Statements have been introduced to replace the provisions for Ministerial guidelines issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. All existing Section 28 guidelines will, over time, be revoked and replaced with new National Planning Statements. Any current section 28 guidelines will however remain in force until revoked or replaced by a corresponding National Planning Statement. The timing of the issuing of National Planning Statements will be based on Government priorities.
In respect of sectoral national planning statements in particular, such as onshore wind energy development, there is also an important role for the relevant policy Department in collaborating with my Department on the development of these National Planning Statements. In that context, my Department is working closely with the DCEE as the Department with policy responsibility for this area of Government policy in order to identify the component factors relevant to the preparation of this National Planning Statement, including any appropriate environmental reporting and public consultation requirements, European obligations such as the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), and considerations such as noise, setback distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections.
Further to this my Department, in conjunction with DCEE, which has primary responsibility for environmental noise matters, has been working to advance guidance on the noise aspect of the National Planning Statement, which is highly technical in nature. This work is now substantially complete. In the interim, the current 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force.
In line with EU Directive requirements, a strategic environmental assessment will be carried out on any draft National Planning Statement regarding wind energy development, with opportunity for consultation by the public and all stakeholders on the draft National Planning Statement.
As you will appreciate, my Department is precluded, under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, from involvement in individual planning applications. Accordingly, we are not in a position to comment on the validity or otherwise of the various planning applications referred to, or on any decision taken by the planning authority in any particular case. The decision in relation to specific planning applications, and what is considered in the context of those decisions, are a matter for the planning authority concerned.
Public participation is a crucial element of all substantive decision-making processes under the Planning and Development Act 2000, and the Planning and Development Act 2024. From a spatial planning perspective, as part of the process to review city and county development plans, it is open to members of the public to make an observation or submission on the draft development plan. The development plan sets out land use zoning objectives and outlines the types of potential development, including ancillary developments, which might be suitable for a particular area, and may, if appropriate, include objectives for wind energy development.
In addition, it is open to any member of the public to make an observation or submission on a planning application, including in relation to wind energy developments, and the planning authority is statutorily obliged to consider such submissions before making a decision on the application. Persons who make submissions are also entitled to be notified of any significant further information provided to the planning authority by the applicant and to be notified of the authority’s decision on the application.
When an application for a wind energy development is subject to environmental assessment this includes an assessment of cumulative effects. An environmental impact assessment report (EIAR) is always required when a proposed wind energy development has a total output of more than five megawatts or contains more than five turbines.
99. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the targets that have been set under the Government's objective to eradicate homelessness; the timeline for achieving those targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69322/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSupporting individuals and families experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness is an absolute priority for me, my Department and the Government. Ireland signed the Lisbon Declaration in June 2021, which committed all signatories to work towards ending homelessness by 2030. The Government reaffirmed Ireland’s commitment to the Lisbon Declaration in the Programme for 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 new 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, meeting need and addressing the challenges in the housing market. Therefore, we are building more than ever in recent times. A record level of investment is being provided for the delivery of housing in 2026, with €5.2 billion in Exchequer capital funding complemented by investment through the Land Development Agency, LDA, and lending from the Housing Finance Agency, HFA, bringing the total capital funding for housing in 2026 to over €9 billion.
Delivering Homes, Building Communities aims to deliver 300,000 new homes in the period to 2030, including 72,000 social homes and 90,000 starter home supports. The Government is targeting the delivery of more than 300,000 new homes over the next six years, an average of 50,000 per annum, with annual targets increasing incrementally to exceed 60,000 by the end of 2030 or 2031. This means 12,000 new social homes will be delivered on average each year to the end of 2030.
Meeting the Government commitment to address homelessness requires a whole-of-government response. The national homeless action committee, NHAC, which I chair, supports the co-ordination of the response by Government, local authorities and their service delivery partners. The most recent meeting of NHAC took place on Wednesday 23 September 2026. I will continue to work with the committee to ensure that a renewed emphasis is brought to collaborating across government to implement actions in the new housing plan.
Prevention of homelessness in the first instance is an absolute priority. There are many prevention 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. This has brought 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. This plan is at an advanced stage of drafting and it is intended it be published shortly.
100. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the expected delivery time of the 10,200 new-build social homes planned for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69321/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government's Housing Plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities aims to deliver 300,000 new homes in the period to 2030, including 72,000 social homes. The Plan seeks to enable significant scaling up of delivery of new build social homes to an average of 12,000 per year. The plan includes key measures to support local authorities to scale up delivery commensurate with the increased targets under the plan.
The social housing build target for 2026 is 10,200 homes. Building on the record delivery of more than 9,000 social homes in 2025, there is a strong approved pipeline of projects in place for 2026 delivery, which suggests, subject to projects being satisfactorily progressed on site by local authorities and AHBs, that the 2026 target can be achieved.
My Department publishes comprehensive programme-level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing activity by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies for each local authority area. Data is currently available to the end of Q1 2026 and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/.
My Department also publishes data on social housing delivery at local authority level. The Social Housing Construction Status report (CSR), published quarterly by my Department, can be searched by location. It can be found at this link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/.
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 Q1 2026.
Data for Q2 is being collated and will be available in due course.
101. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of sites currently being examined by the Housing Activation Office; the number of homes capable of being delivered on those sites; the barriers to delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69320/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra103. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of homes currently delayed due to infrastructure deficits, including water, wastewater, transport and electricity constraints; the location of the affected developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69316/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 103 together.
Since its establishment, the Housing Activation Office (HAO) has worked across Government, local authorities, infrastructure providers and the development sector to identify and address infrastructure barriers impacting housing development and to coordinate the delivery of housing enabling infrastructure projects at these locations.
A key measure in support of this objective, was the launch of the €1 billion Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund (HIIF) in January 2026. The Fund is managed by the HAO in my Department and supports direct investment in housing enabling public infrastructure projects that are needed to unlock housing lands and accelerate housing delivery.
Under the first call for applications under the HIIF, 82 infrastructure projects were accepted onto the programme. The projects relate to sites where infrastructure deficits in areas such as transport, water and energy have been identified as a barrier to housing delivery. Collectively, the sites supported by these projects have the potential to deliver up to 200,000 homes nationwide, both directly and indirectly.
A full list of projects accepted to the HIIF programme can be accessed at the following link:
assets.gov.ie/static/documents/9d47d273/Housing_Infrastructure_Investment_Fund_Call_1_-_List_of_Projects.pdf.
The HAO team is working with local authorities and the Land Development Agency to support the delivery of these projects and will work with critical utilities such as Uisce Éireann and ESB Networks to ensure complementary investment in water and energy in tandem with the delivery of the 82 projects.
The HAO is also continuing to engage with local authorities in relation to the pipeline of projects needed to unlock lands identified for housing in towns and cities nationwide.
In addition, the HAO works with critical utilities, such as Uisce Éireann and ESB Networks, to resolve issues that are impacting housing completions on individual sites. The HAO’s multi-agency team with representation from across critical utilities and transport agencies has been key to getting a clear understanding of the issues and resolving the issues quickly.
Through this engagement, the HAO has helped to resolve site specific barriers affecting the completion of more than 2,300 homes nationwide. The issues identified have included water or electricity connection issues, as well as broader coordination and delivery challenges.
The HAO continues to work with stakeholders to identify emerging infrastructure constraints, address delivery issues as they arise and develop a pipeline of housing-enabling infrastructure projects to support future housing delivery.
102. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of homes the Government expects to be completed in 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030 respectively under the target to deliver 300,000 homes by 2030; if he will provide breakdown in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69314/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIncreasing the supply of new homes is critical to alleviating pressures in the housing market – in this regard, supply has increased significantly over recent years. Over the last five years, to end Q2 2026, more than 156,600 new homes have been delivered. This compares with 87,819 in the previous five-year period and just 29,855 in the five-years before that (Q2 2012 – Q2 2016).
Over 32,000 new build social homes have been delivered between 2022-25 and it is planned to deliver an average of 12,000 new social homes per annum over the lifetime of the current housing plan.
Last year, 17,757 supports were delivered through the Starter Homes Schemes. This represents an increase of 21% compared to the 14,604 supports delivered in 2024. The Government target is 15,000 supports annually, between 2025 and 2030, under the new Housing Action Plan.
Together with the significant potential in the delivery pipeline, this shows we are clearly on track and addressing the scaled up approach now required.
The Government's housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, seeks to build on this momentum and enable delivery of at least 300,000 new homes by 2030. The Government’s target is based on a realistic, broad assessment of the housing system, including factors such as population growth. As outlined in the plan, 300,000 homes is a baseline target, not a ceiling, and will be a cumulative result of the number of homes delivered during the lifetime of the plan.
The Government has a range of schemes aimed at making renting or buying more affordable for middle-income earners and first-time buyers who are who may find it difficult to purchase or rent on the open market. The new housing plan aims to provide 90,000 affordable supports to help people this cohort. in tandem, the plan aims to deliver 72,000 new social homes over the course of the plan.
My Department does not forecast new housing completions for a particular year, however, delivery in 2026 is likely to be strong. My Department continually monitors developments that may impact delivery to ensure we buttress supply into 2027 and 2028 appropriately. New measures under Delivering Homes, Building Communities continue to bed in throughout 2026 in order to enable the scale up in delivery required by 2030.
The plan is focused on activating land and creating the optimal environment to encourage housing activity – including regulatory reform, tax incentives and the largest ever capital investment in the history of the State, with €275 billion invested in infrastructure over ten years through the National Development Plan. The unprecedented level of investment Government have committed, will bring about a very significant scale up in the delivery of housing over the coming years while also supporting the development of villages, towns and cities across the country.
While it is important to acknowledge the very significant challenges ahead, it is equally important to highlight that a continued level of intensity of effort will be ongoing to reach the scale required to meet our shared goal of 300,000 new homes by 2030.
