Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 October 2023
148. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he can support the affordable housing programme/local authority housing to meet the challenges of an increasing population and its ongoing housing requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43074/23]
View answerHousing for All is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable homes and 18,000 cost rental homes. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4 billion per annum, through an overall combination of €12 billion in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5 billion in funding through the Land Development Agency and €5 billion funding through the Housing Finance Agency.
There is progress being made on the delivery of public housing. In 2022, there were 7,433 new build social homes delivered, 43 per cent higher than the previous year. The pipeline of social homes is also positive. The latest Social Housing Construction Projects Status Report showed that at the end of Q1 2023, there were 21,274 social homes either on site or at design and tender stage.
We are also seeing progress on increasing housing supply more broadly. In the first half of this year, 14,017 new homes were built, an increase of 6 per cent on the number of new homes that were built in the first half of 2022. In the 12 months to August, construction commenced on 29,565 new homes, the highest number in a 12 month period since May 2022. The increase in housing supply will be key to improving affordability and catering for an increasing population.
Earlier this year, a temporary waiver was introduced on local authority development contributions which will reduce the cost of construction. We also increased the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant from €30,000 to €50,000 for vacant properties and from 50,000 to €70,000 for derelict properties and extended to cover houses built up to 2007. This will increase the pace at which vacant and derelict properties are renovated for new housing.
I will continue to work with my Cabinet colleagues to increase the supply of homes, both public and private, to cater for the housing needs for our citizens.
