Conor Sheehan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

180. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when the successor housing plan to Housing for All will be published as outlined in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4989/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Government is acutely aware of the housing challenges faced by many sectors of society. Housing for All, Ireland's housing plan to 2030, is the most ambitious and comprehensive housing plan in the history of the State. The Plan contains a suite of actions that have and continue to increase the provision of housing through accelerating supply and increasing the affordability of homes for our citizens.

Under the Programme for Government published in January 2025, the Government committed to introduce a new, all of government, national housing plan to follow Housing for All. My Department is currently examining that commitment, its implementation and the potential timeframe.

While work is being undertaken to progress a new plan which will build on progress to date, the measures detailed in Housing for All will continue to be progressed to accelerate and increase delivery of secure and affordable housing.

Conor Sheehan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

181. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will publish a social housing Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4990/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Housing Commission was established to consider housing policy post-2030 and to make proposals building on Housing for All. Recommendation number 44 refers to the introduction of a Social Housing Act that would provide for a range of reforms recommended by the Commission in relation to operation of the social and cost rental housing systems.

My Department is currently assessing the Report of the Housing Commission, which was published by Government in May last year. The assessment is complex given the breadth of housing policy areas covered in the Report, including a recommendation regarding a Social Housing Act. It is looking at prioritisation, cost implications, sequencing, timing and the practicalities of implementation. The assessment is being supported by an ongoing analysis of priority recommendations by the Housing Agency and follow up engagements with the Housing Commission.

Conor Sheehan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

182. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he intends to revise the income limits for social housing eligibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4991/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Housing for All includes a commitment to review income eligibility for social housing. From this review, completed in November 2021, it was recommended moving five local authorities from Band 3 to Band 2, ensuring the income eligibility thresholds better reflect housing costs in those counties. The Government also agreed to increase the baseline income thresholds by €5,000 for all local authorities with effect from 1 January 2023. The thresholds thus increased to €40,000, €35,000 and €30,000 for bands 1, 2 and 3 respectively.

The review further recommended the commissioning of research to develop options for a revised or new social housing income eligibility model. My Department received this detailed research, commissioned by the Housing Agency. The scope of the research included examining the existing income limits in the context of current market and population conditions and the suitability or otherwise of the current framework having regard to the significantly changed landscape since the standardised income limits were introduced.

My Department is now undertaking a detailed examination of the report, in order to develop a new social housing income eligibility model in line with the Housing for All Action Plan update. This detailed examination will include consultation with stakeholders and will look at, inter alia, how the social housing income limits system interacts with other housing supports and ensure that they continue to target households correctly.