Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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644. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his Department has assessed the impact of bulk-purchasing by State housing agencies on market prices for new homes; the number of homes purchased directly from developers by approved housing bodies and local authorities in each of the past five years; and whether measures are being considered to ensure first-time buyers are not crowded out of the market. [47947/25]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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645. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to detail the proportion of newly built housing units in 2024 and 2025 that were purchased by State agencies or approved housing bodies, as opposed to being made available for private sale; and his views on the implications for first-time buyers. [47948/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 644 and 645 together.

Responsibility for the delivery of the housing targets set under Housing for All rests with individual local authorities, who identify the social and affordable housing need in their administrative area, and are best placed to make decisions on potential sites for development. It is therefore a matter for individual local authorities, in conjunction with their delivery partners, to identify suitable sites and bring forward proposals, in line with the number and type of households on their housing lists and their social and affordable housing development policy.

This delivery can be through direct construction, or in partnership with developers through 'turnkey' projects. In relation to social housing, it is a requirement that Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) satisfy themselves that any turnkey acquisition by them, is not removing housing from the market that would otherwise be available to private purchasers, in particular to first-time buyers. All social housing projects must meet sustainable community objectives. Turnkeys are particularly appropriate when the housing would otherwise not be delivered, but for the assurance of the AHB purchase to unlock the development.

In many cases turnkey arrangements are highly appropriate in terms of delivery timescale and cost, especially in situations where a local authority or an AHB might have no land suitable for social or affordable homes. AHBs are often involved from inception and the houses would not be built without the involvement and funding the AHB receives from the local authority.

In relation to affordable housing, the Government has committed to introduce a new national housing plan to follow Housing for All, including a new Starter Home programme across the public, private and AHB sector, which promotes home ownership and secures long-term rental tenures for young people and fresh start applicants. My Department is currently examining that commitment, its implementation and potential time frame, within the context of a new national housing plan.

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

These measures, specifically the affordable purchase schemes, are primarily aimed at supporting affordability constrained households. 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 available to help make home ownership more affordable.

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

My Department publishes comprehensive programme-level statistics on a quarterly basis on social and affordable housing delivery activity by local authorities and AHBs in each local authority. This data is available to the end of Q1 2025, and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/.

My Department publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR), which provides details of social housing developments and their location that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of the design and tender processes.

The most recent publication was for Quarter 1 2025. All CSRs are available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/.

A version of the CSR file can also be downloaded for analysis by local authority, delivery stream etc. at this link: opendata.housing.gov.ie/dataset/social-housing-construction-status-report-q1-2025.

The table below sets out the social housing turnkey delivery by local authorities and AHBs from 2021 to Q1 2025.

Subject to the legislative provisions, local authorities are free to decide how a 20% Part V contribution is broken down in terms of social and affordable housing (with a minimum 10% social housing) and by dwelling type. This is done in line with the local authorities housing need as identified in its Housing Strategy made as part of its Development Plan. Part V arrangements are a matter for the relevant local authority operating within the Guidelines.

Information on Part V Delivery is also published. This data is available to the end of Q1 2025, and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/affordable-housing-and-part-v-statistics/.