Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

Housing remains one of the defining issues of our generation. If we are serious about solving it, we must deal in facts, not sound bites as some in the Opposition have done and are focused on. Let us start with where we are now. Housing supply has increased significantly since Fianna Fáil re-entered government in 2020. In 2022, 2023 and 2024, completions were 29,644, 32,525 and 30,330 units, respectively. Almost 92,500 homes have been built for people in the past three years, the highest level since 2008. Over 5,900 homes were completed in quarter 1 of this year alone and commencements in 2023 and 2024 totalled nearly 102,000 units, representing a strong pipeline. In my area, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, we are seeing real delivery. The Shanganagh development, of which I have spoken previously in the Chamber, delivered 597 homes, including 200 social, 305 cost-rental and 91 affordable homes, which are almost complete. Families are moving in as we speak. St. Lauence Park in Stillorgan, Ballyogan Rise and Wood Park are also in progress, as is Dundrum Central, which will include 900 homes. Supply has increased and we are determined to drive it further.

There are still challenges, however. The reality is that we need more homes faster, especially in urban areas and for renters. Striking a balance between supply and protection is at the core of the Government's new housing plan. Today the Minister, Deputy Browne, has brought forward a suite of reforms that directly address the concerns of renters while supporting new supply. These include the extension of the rent pressure zones to all existing tenancies, a cap on rent increases at 2% or the rate of inflation and a ban on no-fault evictions by large landlords. At the same time, rents in new homes will be linked to inflation, which is essential to attract investment in apartments and increase rental supply. Urban development zones, replacing strategic development zones, SDZs, will fast-track large-scale housing projects with State-backed infrastructure. The housing activation office will break through delays. These are practical, targeted reforms, not empty promises.

Locally, the housing pipeline in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown is strong. Just this month, the council approved three Part 8 schemes, including 124 homes at the Blackglen Road in Sandyford and 70 affordable purchase units at Leopardstown Road. I thank the Taoiseach for his personal intervention to help to secure up to 800 homes at the Leopardstown Racecourse, a site that can deliver at scale and which is close to transport links and jobs. This is work that makes a real difference. It is not about sound bites but delivery. In that regard, I acknowledge the Minister's own role in this. I met with him recently and was impressed by his focus on solutions, openness to ideas and commitment to progress. That stands in sharp contrast to what some in the Opposition have offered today. There was little beyond criticism and a failure to bring any serious, costed proposals. What we need now is momentum in this sector, across all levels of government, with local authorities, developers and communities working together to deliver homes for our people. We need to remain focused, stay constructive and deliver.

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