Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 March 2022
117. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the projected supply of homes for affordable purchase from Dublin local authorities and the Land Development Agency, LDA, in Dublin; and the status of the regulations now in preparation in his Department. [11834/22]
View answerThe Minister recently published targets for social housing in each of the local authorities, which was useful. I am interested to hear what the targets are for affordable purchase in each of the local authorities and by the LDA and when he will trigger the regulations that will allow such projects, some of which already are coming on stream, to have clear guidelines in respect of their allocation.
Housing for All sets out a projected supply of affordable and cost-rental homes between 2022 and 2030, with an average of approximately 6,000 affordable homes to be made available for purchase or rent. Affordable homes for purchase will be made available through a combination of the first home scheme, the local authority affordable purchase scheme and LDA delivery. A housing delivery action plan prepared by each local authority will underpin delivery to 2026. The four Dublin authorities submitted the first iteration of their plans in December and our officials have now met with each authority. I expect the final delivery action plans to be published in quarter 2, containing projected delivery to 2026.
The first home scheme will be available from the second half of this year. This demand-led scheme targets 1,750 supports for 2022. We expect that a significant proportion of these will be located in the Dublin area, proportionate to the newly constructed homes market.
I commend the Minister and Minister of State on the progress being made.
I note that the LDA has presented projections that would see just 25% of the homes it will build available for affordable purchase, the balance being for cost rental. That seems very low given the demand for affordable-purchase housing.
What is the projected number of houses for the 56 ha of land the LDA holds in Dublin? Some 29 ha of the 56 ha is on the north side. What sort of affordable-purchase housing can be expected from the LDA?
I thank Deputy Bruton for his question. On the LDA, a significant number of homes have been targeted. There is currently staging under way in Dundrum, Hacketstown, Skerries, Castlelands, Balbriggan and Cherry Orchard. Negotiations regarding other sites in Dublin are due to be completed shortly. I understand phase 1 has been completed. A majority of the houses will be affordable. It is key to deliver those for our citizens.
With regard to the scale in some areas, almost 600 homes have full planning permission in Shanganagh. That will represent a significant injection for the local community. The LDA currently has €3.5 billion available to it to deliver on its aspirations.
I commend the work going on but would have to raise a question mark over the 25% allocation for affordable purchase. I am not clear on why that is the case. The impression I get is that there is a far higher appetite for affordable purchase than suggested by the allocation.
How is it proposed to accelerate the throughput from local authorities on the affordable-purchase side? We have seen many obstacles placed in the way of local authorities. Some of these have been internal. How can we accelerate the mixed development we need to see?
By way of being helpful to the Deputy, I can inform him that the LDA has confirmed to the Oireachtas housing committee that none of its affordable purchase units will come on stream until 2024–2025, these being the first units at Shanganagh. I understand the Government envisages a pipeline for affordable purchase this year of just 400 units.
My specific question for the Minister of State is on the regulations because, as we know, the regulations on affordable purchase through the affordable housing fund are very delayed. Cork City Council is currently telling its elected members that the Boherboy homes that are ready to go cannot be sold because the regulations have not been concluded. They were meant to be concluded at the end of last year. Could we have a publication date for the regulations because the sale of the very small but much-needed number of affordable-purchase homes in the pipeline is being delayed?
I understand the regulations are back from the County and City Management Association and will be completed this month. It is not correct to state affordable homes will not be delivered this year, because they will be delivered under Project Tosaigh through the LDA.
Will they be for purchase?
They will be for purchase under Project Tosaigh.
I thank the Minister for the clarification.
If Deputy Ó Broin gave me a moment in which to respond, it would be great.
On Deputy Bruton's question on the 25% metric, we believe the proportion will be significantly higher. Project Tosaigh will inject more numbers.
With regard to the local authorities, the Minister met representatives of all 31 local authorities, through the housing forum, to fast-track the delivery of key sites right across the country. I am aware that the LDA is working on several sites. From my engagement with the chief executive officer, I can confirm that phase 1 of several of these has been completed. Delivery timelines will be set out when planning permission is dealt with, which will be shortly.
