Martin Daly (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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619. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the measures being considered to improve housing affordability in Roscommon-Galway, particularly for first-time buyers and young families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61482/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Government is fully committed to delivering housing at scale, and continuing to accelerate housing supply across all tenures. Overall, over 16,900 affordable housing solutions have been delivered by our range of delivery partners since the launch of Housing for All, including 124 in Galway City Council, 183 in Galway County Council, and 119 in Roscommon County Council.

All local authorities prepare their own Housing Delivery Action Plan setting out their planned approach to meeting identified social and affordable housing needs. Galway City, Galway County and Roscommon County Councils’ published plans are available on their official websites.

The Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) is available to assist local authorities towards the cost of developing affordable homes where significant affordability needs have been identified.

Galway City and Galway County have received funding approval to date to facilitate the delivery of 124 and 130 affordable homes respectively with the support of the AHF. Both local authorities have further proposals in development.

Roscommon County Council submitted its first application for AHF funding approval earlier this month. This application is currently under assessment in line with standard arrangements.

The Ready to Build serviced sites scheme supports local authorities to provide sites at a discount to people who want to build their own home. The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant continues to support the purchase and refurbishment of vacant and derelict properties. Further information with regard to the scheme is available on my Department's website at the following link: or by contacting the Vacant Homes officer directly from Galway City, Galway County and Roscommon County Councils.

It is also worth noting that the First Home Scheme, which supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market through the use of an equity share model, is also available to support eligible new home purchasers in all local authority areas nationwide.

My Department, in conjunction with the Housing Delivery Co-ordination Office of the Local Government Management Association and the affordable housing team in the Housing Agency, continues to be available to advise and support all local authorities in developing affordable housing schemes that will respond effectively to affordability needs identified.