Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 47,600 new build social homes and 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing in the period 2022 to 2026. Our clear focus is to increase the stock of social housing through new build projects delivered by local authorities and approved housing bodies. In light of the number of landlords exiting the market this year, the Government has agreed that there will be increased provision for social housing acquisitions. Local authorities will be funded to deliver at least 1,500 social housing acquisitions, which is 1,300 higher than the original Housing for All target. These additional acquisitions will be focused on local authorities on properties where a HAP or RAS tenant has received a notice of termination due to the landlord’s intention to sell the property. Local authorities have delegated sanction to deliver the 1,300 additional acquisitions, subject to those acquisitions being within acquisition cost guidelines.

The Government has also introduced a new scheme, the cost rental tenant in situscheme, for tenants who are not eligible for social housing supports but who are at risk of homelessness due to the landlord's intention to sell their rental property. This scheme is being administered by the Housing Agency.

Government policy in relation to housing for older people, is set out in Housing for All: A New Housing Plan for Ireland, and outlines measures to support people to live with dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible, to allow them to age in place close to their families, friends and in their community.

Pathway 2 of Housing for All commits to expanding the housing options available for older persons, building on the work done under the 2019 joint policy statement, Housing Options for our Ageing Population, the objective of which is to provide housing options for older people to facilitate ageing in place, in their own homes and communities, with dignity and independence, and deliver an appropriate range of housing and related support services, in an integrated and sustainable manner.

Under Housing for All, local authorities have prepared a housing development action plan, setting out details of social and affordable housing delivery over the period 2022 to 2026. This includes details of the location of projects and housing typologies, including housing for older people. Social housing for older people is delivered across a range of models, including the social housing capital investment programme, SHCIP, the capital advance leasing facility, CALF, and the capital assistance scheme. A total of €96 million of capital funding was provided 2022 for the capital assistance scheme and increased to €137 million in 2023. This funding is being provided to approved housing bodies for the further development of housing for priority categories of housing need, including older people.

As for the Deputy's critical point regarding the calculation of income for adult children, I will raise that directly with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and revert to him.

See this speech in context