Ms Laura Behan:

I thank members for the invitation to address the committee today on affordable housing. Affordability and the chance to own a home are at the heart of our housing policy.

I will begin by introducing my colleagues, Ms Anne Marie O'Connor and Mr. Trevor Donnelly, who are principal officers in the affordable housing division.

Enabling home ownership is a key objective of the Government. To make it more affordable, a range of targeted supports are in place. Furthermore, the introduction of a cost-based rental model in 2021 now provides a long-term accommodation option for thousands of households that find it difficult to afford private rents. Since the launch of Housing for All in 2021 up to the end of March this year, more than 14,500 affordable housing supports have been delivered via approved housing bodies, local authorities and the Land Development Agency through the first home scheme, the cost-rental tenant in situ scheme and the vacant property refurbishment grant. The first quarter of this year saw the delivery of more than 1,600 affordable housing supports and continued strong performance of the various affordable housing pathways. We are on track this year to maintaining or exceeding our 2024 affordable housing support levels.

We are continuing to engage with delivery partners to advance the affordable housing delivery pipeline for 2026 and beyond. This ongoing engagement and co-operation between key delivery partners is ensuring that the affordable housing programme is responding effectively to affordable housing needs at local and national levels.

To reinforce the commitment to further support the delivery of affordable housing in Ireland, the Government has committed to introducing a new national housing plan to follow Housing for All, including a new starter home programme. The new programme, across the public, private and approved housing body sectors, will continue our commitment to promoting affordable homeownership and to secure long-term rental tenures for young people and fresh start applicants. That commitment, its implementation and potential timeframe are being considered in advance within the context of the new national housing plan. While work is under way to advance this new plan, the measures and supports established in Housing for All are being actively implemented to accelerate and increase delivery of secure, affordable housing.

Affordable housing schemes are operating at scale, supporting thousands of households and the affordable housing delivery programme continues to be expanded and developed year on year, supported by unprecedented levels of State investment. The Government is fully committed to working with all stakeholders to deliver social, affordable and cost-rental homes at scale and to continue accelerating housing supply across all tenures. This is demonstrated by the record level of investment that is being provided for the delivery of housing in 2025, with overall capital funding available of almost €7.5 billion.

Once again, I thank the committee for the invitation to participate here today and I look forward to our discussion.