James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising the important issue of expectations for the delivery of affordable housing in 2025. I also thank him for his ongoing engagement on this issue, which is one he campaigned very strongly on. The Government is fully committed to delivering affordable housing at scale and continuing to accelerate housing supply across all tenures.

In 2024, more than 7,000 affordable housing options were delivered nationwide by a range of delivery partners, exceeding the target of 6,400 for the year. Overall nearly 13,000 affordable housing solutions have been delivered since the launch of Housing for All, which is huge progress from a standing start in 2021. Under Housing for All, the affordable housing delivery target for 2025 is 6,400 and a very strong pipeline is in place across our delivery partners, including local authorities, approved housing bodies, the Land Development Agency and the first home scheme.

Galway City Council has funding approval in place for three schemes to deliver 124 affordable purchase homes. Galway County Council has funding approval to support delivery of 61 homes in Claregalway. Both local authorities have further proposals in development. In addition, approval is in place for the delivery of the first cost-rental homes by an approved housing body in Galway city this year, with further cost-rental homes to be delivered in 2026 and 2027. Building on this progress, my Department will continue to engage with all delivery partners to further the development of the affordable housing delivery pipeline for 2025 and beyond and to ensure the affordable housing programme responds effectively to the affordable housing needs identified at a local level.

Under the programme for Government, the Government committed to introduce a new starter home programme across the public, private and AHB sector that promotes home ownership and secures long-term rental tenures for young people and fresh start applicants. My Department is currently progressing that commitment and it will form part of the next housing plan.

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