Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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437. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will ask his officials to investigate making arrangements to set aside a portion of new cost rental developments to ensure that persons earning above the threshold for social housing assistance can access the schemes, as some have being missing out due to their income (above the threshold for social housing) being insufficient for the cost rental schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5827/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Housing for All targets the delivery of 18,000 new Cost Rental homes to 2030. A strong pipeline is in place and under continuous development by Local Authorities, Approved Housing Bodies the Land Development Agency, and now also private providers under the Secure Tenancy Affordable Rental (STAR) scheme.

The Cost Rental model ensures that rents are based on the costs of delivering, managing, and maintaining the homes, rather than being subject to market forces, which together with enhanced tenure protections provides financial sustainability and security for tenants. Where State funding is provided to support delivery of new homes, cost-covering rents are typically at least 25% below those for comparable homes in the local private market.

Eligibility for Cost Rental homes is determined by a maximum net annual household income of €66,000 in Dublin and €59,000 elsewhere, as set out under the Affordable Housing Act 2021 and associated Regulations.

Cost Rental landlords also need to be reasonably certain that eligible tenants can reliably sustain the rent payments, since rents must always cover costs in order for the financial model to work and secure the long-term future of these homes. The legislation therefore provides Cost Rental landlords with the discretion to consider the suitability of eligible tenants in this regard.

My Department continues to monitor the delivery and operation of the Cost Rental schemes to ensure that the sector remains effective and that new homes are delivered for those who need them.