Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

320. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans for affordable housing schemes in County Galway; the location for same and the criteria to apply for said housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67439/25]

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

321. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans for affordable housing at a location (details supplied); the criteria potential buyers will need to meet to be eligible to purchase; the way in which the process will work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67440/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 320 and 321 together.

Government is 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 2021, including 183 in the Galway County Council area.

The Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) is open on a continuous basis and available to support all local authorities to address any affordability needs identified in their area. Circular 23/2021 issued to all local authorities on 25 June 2021 and provides guidance on preparing an application for AHF assistance.

Currently Galway County Council has a programme in place that will deliver 130 affordable homes with AHF support, with further proposals being examined and developed by the local authority, including in Loughrea. The programme continues to grow and expand as further affordable housing projects are identified, considered, and advanced by the local authority.

The Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme (LAAPS) was introduced to assist first-time buyers purchasing Local Authority-delivered new homes. This scheme uses an equity share model to give eligible purchasers the opportunity of home ownership. The assessment of eligibility and the level of support available is household-specific, so purchasers are supported when they need this assistance to afford the home.

The same overall eligibility criteria apply for all persons applying for a Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme nationwide, including for those applying under the fresh start principle. Section 10 of the Affordable Housing Act 2021 outlines the criteria, which include confirmation of the combined financial means of the applicants; that none of the persons making the application has previously purchased or built a dwelling and that none of the persons making the application owns, or is beneficially entitled to an estate or interest in any dwelling.

Eligibility under Section 10 of the Act is further set out in the S.I. No. 20/2023 – Affordable Housing Regulations 2023 www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2023/si/20/made/en/print#:~:text=Housing%20Act%202021-,2.,-(1)%20An%20applicant and S.I. No. 21/2023 Affordable Housing Regulations 2023 www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2023/si/21/made/en/print. This includes the provision that the equity share required to support the purchase cannot be less than 5% and not greater than 40% of the market value of the dwelling concerned.

In line with Part 2 of the Affordable Housing Act 2021 the administration of affordable purchase housing schemes is a matter for each local authority who will have the specific information relating to the delivery of affordable homes by municipal district in their functional area.

Finally, 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, along with the Housing Agency and the Housing Delivery Coordination Office of the Local Government Management Agency will continue to advise and support Galway County Council in respect of its planned response to affordable housing needs in all key urban locations within its administrative area. The emphasis is on proactively collaborating to identify, develop and deliver viable affordable housing opportunities.