Written answers

Thursday, 11 April 2024

Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government

Housing Policy

Photo of Richard Boyd BarrettRichard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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69. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he believes that considering the rapid increase in homelessness and the widespread unaffordability of rental and purchase property that the current Part V requirement for 10% social and 10% affordable are wholly inadequate and should be substantially increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15658/24]

Photo of Darragh O'BrienDarragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 relates to applicable developments of houses on any land that is zoned as residential (either exclusively or mixed use), or is granted planning permission for houses as a material contravention of the development plan.

In line with the commitments made in the Programme for Government and Housing for All, my Department introduced changes to Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 under Part 6 of the Affordable Housing Act 2021, which was enacted on 3 September 2021. The contribution required for social and affordable housing, including cost rental housing, under Part V of the Planning and Development 2000 is now a mandatory 20% for planning permissions granted in respect of land purchased before September 2015 and since 1 August 2021. Previous to this the Part V contribution was 10% for social housing only. On foot of these changes a minimum of 10% of the overall contribution must be for social housing and in areas where there is no affordable housing requirement, the entire net monetary value may be applied to social housing. These changes are now in effect for land bought pre-September 2015 or post July 2021.

Local authorities are free to decide how the 20% Part V contribution is broken down in terms of social and affordable housing (with a minimum 10% social housing) and by dwelling type, including provision for people with disabilities. This is done in line with the local authorities housing need as identified in its Housing Strategy made as part of its Development Plan. Local authorities negotiate Part V agreements with developers as part of the planning process where they can ensure that any dwellings procured as part of these agreements meet with local need. I have no plans to further review Part V at this time.

It is important to note that Part V is only one delivery stream. Record levels of funding are being provided to support the delivery of social homes by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies. Under Housing for All, there is a target to deliver an average of 10,000 new build social homes between 2022 and 2030. Record levels of investment are being provided under Housing for All to support the delivery of housing. In 2024, over €5bn in investment is available to support the delivery of housing.

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