Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 September 2022
162. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the extent to which the Housing for All programme is expected to meet its targets in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47607/22]
View answer163. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the degree to which housing policy can be modified to deliver the product at an accelerated pace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47608/22]
View answer166. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way urgent housing needs can be best met in all areas throughout the country within a reasonable time; if emergency measures may be considered to achieve these targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47611/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 162, 163 and 166 together.
Increasing housing supply and delivering sustainable, affordable homes for people is the Government’s top priority. Housing for All is the Government’s ambitious housing strategy with annual targets to deliver 300,000 new homes between now and 2030. Guaranteed State investment of over €4 billion a year in housing is aimed at increasing supply, which in turn will help increase access to affordable homes to buy or rent.
The Government’s target of 24,600 new build homes for 2022 is on track to be met. To ensure we continue to meet our annual targets, and as committed to in September 2021 when Housing for All was published, the Government is currently reviewing and updating the actions in the plan. This will allow us to respond to external global challenges and redouble our efforts on prioritising measures to activate and accelerate the delivery of housing supply.
Furthermore, a number of additional measures will be brought forward as part of this review and Budget 2023.
Despite the above mentioned external global challenges – from COVID-19-related construction sector shutdowns, supply chain difficulties and rising inflation due to the war in Ukraine - there is robust housing delivery, a positive pipeline and activity in the housing market. The data show that:
- Just under 25,000 homes were completed in the year to the end of June 2022. There were 53.4% more homes completed in Q2 2022 (7,654) compared to the same quarter last year (4,990).
- In the 12 months to end June 2022, Commencement Notices were received for the construction of almost 28,450 new homes.
- 44,715 units granted planning permission in the year to July 2022.
- House purchases have doubled from 25,000 in 2011 to 55,000 in 2021, with the highest level of mortgage drawdowns since 2008.
- Over 167,000 people now work in the construction sector, 20,000 more than pre-pandemic levels and 40,000 more than this time last year.
Ultimately, my focus, and that of the Government as a whole, is on tackling supply, across all tenures, as well as addressing affordability and viability issues. We have a strong social housing build programme, and affordable purchase schemes and cost rental homes are now being delivered. These, along with the ‘First Home’ shared equity scheme will improve access to homes for first-time buyers and address affordability in the rental market.
