Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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95. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if privately owned lands, some of which may have the benefit of planning permission, will be included in addition to public lands within the new affordable housing scheme; his views on whether the inclusion of such lands would speed up the delivery of much-needed affordable houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16186/20]

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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96. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the funding mechanism that will be used to allow local authorities or AHBs subsidise the price of affordable homes in private developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16187/20]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 95 and 96 together.

This Government is absolutely committed to ensuring that affordable, quality housing is available to everyone in Irish society and this is reflected in the Programme for Government "Our Shared Future" which commits to putting affordability at the heart of our housing system and delivering 50,000 social housing homes.

My initial focus is on sustaining the progress made in terms of the response to homelessness during the Covid-19 pandemic and ensuring maximum delivery under the social housing programme, in light of the impact of Covid.

I will outline my detailed plans for affordable housing in the Autumn. In doing so I will take account of the measures already underway, such as: the Serviced Site Fund; the Help to Buy Scheme and the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan. I will also consider, measures in development, such as the Affordable Home Purchase and Cost Rental Schemes.

Finally, in this context, I am consulting with key stakeholders and delivery partners, to examine and identify potential options for the acceleration and expansion of the delivery of the affordable housing programme.