John Cummins (Waterford, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy O'Rourke for his question. Both the Minister, Deputy Browne, and I, and the Government as a whole, are fully committed to ensuring the delivery of housing at scale. Part of that is the continued acceleration of delivery of affordable housing. Over 14,500 affordable housing solutions have been delivered by our range of delivery partners since the launch of Housing for All, including 850 in County Meath. Meath County Council has received funding approval for nine schemes to deliver 131 affordable purchase homes with the support of the affordable housing fund, of which 83 have been delivered. Furthermore, six approved housing body projects have been approved to date under the cost-rental equity loan scheme. Sixty-four cost-rental homes have been delivered and a further 168 are to be delivered by the end of 2026.

Under the first home scheme, which provides equity support of up to 30%, or 20% if being combined with the help-to-buy scheme, up to the end of September, 618 approvals have been issued in County Meath, 599 of them to first-time buyers, six to tenant purchase and eight to self-build. Of those, 413 have been drawn down, comprising 406 first-time buyers, five tenant purchases and two self-builds. A considerable amount of affordable housing support has been provided. As the Deputy knows, there is a commitment under the programme for Government to introduce a starter homes programme bringing all elements under the one roof. The vacant property refurbishment grant is also providing affordability supports to first-time buyers in County Meath and across the country.

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