Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

First-time buyers' access to affordable home ownership is a Government priority and the delivery of more than 500,000 new homes since 1997 has enabled an unprecedented number of first-time buyers to access home ownership during that period. Affordability has also been improved through other specific action targeted for first-time buyers, including improvements in tax reliefs and stamp duty, as well as investment in affordable housing initiatives.

Increased delivery in Dublin is being supported by addressing infrastructural deficits and opening up new areas for development. Some 18,000 new homes were completed in Dublin in 2005, which is more than double the rate for 2001. The Government has prioritised the particular affordability issues of the Dublin area by establishing a new agency, the affordable homes partnership, during 2005 to co-ordinate and add impetus to the delivery of affordable housing in and around the capital. The partnership is now well established and is making good progress on the implementation of its work programme.

Nationwide, local authorities are working through their housing action plans to deliver affordable housing in areas where market provision does not meet demand for lower income groups. Output is growing under these schemes, with 2,900 households assisted in 2005. A sharp increase is expected in the next three years, with 15,000 households likely to benefit under these schemes.

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