Naoise Ó Cearúil (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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172. To ask the Minister for Finance the way in which the measures being considered as part of Budget 2027 are intended to increase housing supply and support delivery, while avoiding unintended inflationary effects within the housing market. [68545/26]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Government and my Department recognise that sustained increases in housing supply are the most effective means of improving affordability and moderating house price inflation. This principle has underpinned the Government’s housing policy approach to date.

Accordingly, near-term affordability measures have prioritised expanding new housing delivery – while longer-term interventions are focused on lowering costs, removing non-fiscal barriers, and improving viability. Collectively, these measures are intended to restore balance to the housing market and moderate house price growth over time.

Regarding any proposed budget measures, such decisions are made in the context of the annual Budget and Finance Bill processes, at the appropriate time, having regard to the sound management of the public finances and the commitments set out in the Programme for Government.

As the Deputy will appreciate, it is a longstanding practice of the Minister for Finance not to comment in advance of the Budget on financial matters which might be the subject of Budget decisions.