Rory Hearne (Dublin North-West, Social Democrats)
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1730. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he is considering plans to introduce an affordable rental and affordable purchase housing scheme for older people who are not entitled to social housing and want to right size after selling their home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44383/25]

Rory Hearne (Dublin North-West, Social Democrats)
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1738. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he is considering plans to introduce an affordable rental and affordable purchase housing scheme for older people who are not entitled to social housing and want to right size after selling their home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44424/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1730 and 1738 together.

The Government is acutely aware of the housing challenges faced by many sectors of society including older people. Housing for All, Ireland's housing plan to 2030, 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. 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.

The 'Fresh Start' principle forms a key element in 'Housing for All' and is applied across a number of schemes of my Department, which may apply to some older people buying their second home. The Fresh Start principle under Section 10(6) of the Affordable Housing Act 2021 allows certain purchasers to be treated as First Time Buyers and be eligible to apply for the purchase of an affordable home. It states that where a person previously owned, was beneficially entitled to, or had an interest in a dwelling in the State and that this dwelling, because of its size, is not suited to the current accommodation needs of their household, that person is still eligible to apply.

Affordable dwellings offered through the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme (LAAPS) uses an equity share model to give eligible purchasers the opportunity of home ownership at a significant discount. The assessment of eligibility and the level of support available is household-specific, so purchasers are only supported when they need this assistance to afford the home. In some cases, applicants who have been through Fresh Start events, who purchased or built other homes previously, may be able to use the Fresh Start provision to be eligible for LAAPS. They will need to have sold or divested themselves of their previous homes and meet the eligibility criteria for each scheme.

In relation to affordable renting options for older people, Cost Rental housing is a key element of Housing for All. Cost Rental is integral to the Government's strategy to improve affordability in the rental sector and to provide secure homes for moderate-income households which are above the income limits for social housing but which may have difficulty affording rental accommodation in the private market. Since eligibility for Cost Rental is not affected by having previously owned and sold a home, older persons seeking to right size after divesting themselves of property are eligible to apply for a tenancy in a Cost Rental home on the same basis as any applicant.

The Programme for Government also includes a number of commitments related to increasing the supply of housing for older people. These commitments build upon the policy objectives in Housing for All, which commit to increasing housing available to older people to facilitate ageing in place with dignity and independence. Work on this is ongoing within a Policy Group recently established within my Department to consider the implementation of these commitments. This work will feed into the development of the new Housing Plan that is currently being progressed in my Department.

Advancement of a broader policy approach on rightsizing, under Housing for All is being considered as part of this process to deliver on the commitments made in the Programme for Government.