Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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73. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to provide an update on the long-term social housing leasing scheme in the context of expenditure and a shortage in housing supply. [12914/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Housing for All plan, long term leasing for new entrants is due to end in 2025. Long term leasing targets sought to deliver up to 3,500 social homes from 2022 to 2025, tapering down from 1,300 units in 2022 to 200 units in 2025. The 200 unit target for 2025 is almost fully subscribed.

The Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP) supports the delivery of social housing by providing financial support to local authorities for the leasing of houses and apartments. From a value for money perspective ,long term leasing is deemed to be the least desirable delivery mechanism for social housing. Notwithstanding that however, long term leasing proved to be an effective mechanism for delivery of much needed social homes during the period when capital funding was severely constrained.

Data on social housing leasing expenditure funded by my Department, in respect of all local authorities to end Q3 2024 is published on my Department’s website at the following link:

assets.gov.ie/315558/c2c351c1-8640-4337-8db4-5a396f7d3877.xlsx

Data on social housing leasing delivery, funded by my Department, in respect of all local authorities from 2022 to end Q3 2024 is published on my Department’s website at the following link:

assets.gov.ie/236006/560e860d-13ed-4c4e-8666-58b14746ccad.xlsx

The long term leasing scheme includes properties leased by AHBs directly, leased by local authorities from private owners, Enhanced leasing, and Part V Leasing.

Data for Q4 2024 is currently being compiled and will be available in the coming weeks.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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74. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the status of each large scale social housing regeneration or urban renewal scheme which Comhairle Cathrach Átha Cliath or Gníomhaireacht Forbartha Talún have been in touch with his Department about; when the project was first mooted with the Department; the progress to date; the funding committed to any; the number of current social homes affected; and the number of future homes expected whether social, affordable rental, affordable purchase and private; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11794/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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My Department provides funding directly to DCC for their programme of urban renewal. It also supports projects brought forward by the LDA which complements the regeneration programme.

The Montpelier project is currently on-site and will reach substantial completion in 2027 delivering 1,044 new homes including 280 social homes, 233 affordable purchase homes and 264 cost rental homes.

The Emmet Road Development will deliver 578 new homes comprising 137 social and 441 cost rental homes. Stage 3 approved in January 2025 and the project will reach substantial completion in 2028.

The LDA-led Donore Project will deliver 543 new homes, including 154 social homes alongside 389 LDA cost rental homes. Stage 3 approved in December 2024 and will reach substantial completion in 2028.

The LDA-led Bluebell Waterways Project will deliver 381 new homes including 148 social homes alongside 233 LDA cost rental homes. Stage 2 approved in December 2024 and will reach substantial completion in 2030.

The Dorset St Project will provide 163 social homes in 2026. This project received initial Capital Appraisal approval in March 2020 and is currently on-site

The Constitution Hill Project will provide 124 social homes across two phases in 2027. This project received initial Capital Appraisal approval in June 2020 and has received Stage 2 approval to proceed to planning for phase 1 (46 units) and Stage 3 Pre-tender approval for phase 2 (78 units).

The Cromcastle Court Project will provide 152 social homes in 2029. This project received initial Capital Appraisal approval in March 2021 and has received Stage 2 approval to proceed to planning.

The Dolphin House regeneration Project anticipates providing in excess of 798 mixed tenure homes. DCC are working on the stage 1 and an associated Strategic Assessment Report, which will finalise plans. They are also actively progressing the preparation of a planning application for an initial early phase of development at phase 1b.

Shane Moynihan (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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77. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the plans his Department is putting in place for schemes on affordable and cost rental housing which are targeted at single people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12645/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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As detailed under Housing for All, the Government plans to deliver 54,000 affordable homes, including 36,000 affordable purchase and 18,000 cost rental homes, by 2030. A comprehensive implementation strategy is in place to support the various affordable housing schemes now being delivered by a range of delivery partners.

These measures, specifically the affordable purchase schemes, are primarily aimed at supporting affordability constrained households, including single applicants, with incomes too high to qualify for social housing.

In addition, the Housing for All strategy also introduced Cost Rental tenancies as a new form of long-term sustainable home rental targeted at middle-income households whose annual net household income does not exceed €66,000 in Dublin and €59,000 elsewhere. These schemes are regularly reviewed by my Department to ensure that the on-going supply of affordable housing is secured.

The recent enactment of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024 has provided for the Minister of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to prescribe income levels for different compositions of household for cost rental tenancies. This will allow for the introduction of individual household income eligibility requirements for shared households to reflect the variety of household formations which now exist and will aim to increase access to Cost Rental to even more people by allowing them share a home with, for example friends or colleagues, within a multi-occupancy setting. My Department is now developing the required legal and policy framework to provide for these changes.

Other measures such as the Local Authority Home Loan, the Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Scheme, the Help to Buy Incentive, First Home Scheme and the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant are also available to help make home ownership more affordable.

Programme for Government 2025 commits to several measures concerning the Local Authority Home Loan, one of which is to ensure that maximum loan values align with current house prices, thus keeping the scheme accessible. My Department has commenced work on reviewing the maximum income and property price limits to ensure the scheme remains accessible and relevant for aspiring homeowners. This review should be completed by the end of Quarter 2 of 2025.

Further information on affordable housing schemes can be found on the Affordable Homes website.

My Department will continue to liaise with all delivery partners to further the development of the affordable housing delivery programme as outlined and to ensure that each scheme responds effectively to all affordable housing needs identified at a local level.