James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy for his question in relation to affordable homes in Dublin for 2025 and 2026. More than 14,500 affordable housing solutions have been delivered since the launch of Housing for All, including over 5,200 in Dublin. Affordable housing schemes are now operating at scale in Dublin and the affordable housing delivery programme continues to be expanded and developed year on year, supported by unprecedented levels of State investment. Across the four Dublin local authorities, affordable housing fund approval is in place to support delivery of 35 projects, delivering more than 3,500 affordable purchase and cost-rental homes. Large-scale mixed tenure schemes such as Church Fields, Montpelier and Oscar Traynor Woods are delivering affordable purchase homes and 133 cost-rental homes were recently launched at Innovation Square in Tallaght. Furthermore, 13 cost-rental projects being delivered in Dublin by approved housing bodies have been approved for funding support under the cost-rental equity loan scheme, with more than 1,350 cost-rental homes expected to be delivered by the end of 2027. The Land Development Agency is also progressing key projects in Dublin on State land in partnership with local authorities and through its market engagement initiative, Project Tosaigh. These projects include important large-scale mixed-tenure schemes such as Shanganagh, the Donore project, Cherry Orchard and Cromcastle.

Apartment delivery and the availability of new cost-rental homes, both of which are key to the scale of affordable delivery needed in Dublin, were given a significant boost of viability in yesterday's budget by the announcement of the VAT reduction on new apartment delivery and exemption from corporation tax of cost-rental housing delivery. We will further advance our affordable home delivery plans to Dublin as we implement a new starter home programme to remote home ownership, and secure long-term rental. Delivering on that programme for Government commitment will be part of our new housing plan.

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