Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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668. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the means by which his Department is addressing the role of high housing costs in driving child poverty; and whether he accepts that housing affordability is now a primary driver of deprivation among families. [48348/25]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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669. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the assessment that has been made of the impact of rent inflation on child poverty; and the policies that are under consideration to alleviate this. [48349/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 668 and 669 together.

The Department acknowledges that for many economically vulnerable households, including those with children, housing is a primary expense. Many of the Department’s programmes and schemes work to shield and support vulnerable households from fluctuations in market conditions.

As detailed under Housing for All, a comprehensive implementation strategy is in place to support the various social and affordable housing schemes now being delivered by a range of delivery partners.

From a social housing perspective, the overarching aim of social housing support is to ensure that households who do not have sufficient resources to provide accommodation themselves to meet their needs are provided with adequate housing.

Social housing support is open to anyone to apply for, including households with children, and applications for which are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.

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, including those with children. 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.

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

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

In addition, the Child Poverty and Well-Being Programme Office, has been established in recent years within Department of An Taoiseach to coordinate cross-government actions that reduce child poverty and foster children’s well-being. More information can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-the-taoiseach/campaigns/child-poverty-and-well-being-programme-office/.