James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy McGrath for raising the important issue around expectations for the delivery of affordable housing this year. I know it is a matter that is important to the Deputy.

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 strong pipeline is already in place across our delivery partners, including local authorities, approved housing bodies, the Land Development Agency and the first home scheme. Both Cork City Council and Cork County Council continue to work proactively with all delivery partners, with Cork City Council having a programme in place to deliver 465 affordable purchase homes with affordable housing fund support by 2026, of which 260 homes have already been delivered. 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 that 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 sectors which promotes home ownership and secures long-term rental tenures for young people and fresh start applicants. My Department is currently progressing this commitment and it will form part of the next housing plan.

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