Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 November 2023
319. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the Land Development Agency’s mandate in respect of student accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51085/23]
View answer324. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the Land Development Agency has any remit in respect of providing purpose-built housing for students. [51167/23]
View answer325. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the Land Development Agency has any remit in respect of providing purpose-built housing for the medical professions. [51168/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 319, 324 and 325 together.
Under Housing for All the Government will deliver 54,000 affordable homes between now and 2030. The establishment of the Land Development Agency (LDA) as a commercial State Agency represents a crucial lever in the Government’s delivery of affordable homes. The LDA co-ordinates relevant public lands within State control, activating key underutilised sites for housing delivery and maximising the provision of homes to build thriving communities across the State.
The LDA are presently engaged in delivery of a range of developments on strategic state lands as well as progressing towards their target of 5,000 affordable homes through Project Tosaigh, a market-engagement initiative to activate stalled private sites.
My Department is continuing to examine all options in relation to supporting the delivery of affordable homes in line with Housing for All, including those that may meet the specific needs of particular cohorts.
My colleague the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science is separately examining the potential for a scheme to meet the specific housing needs of third-level students, as set out in the recently published annual Housing for All Action Plan Update, a copy of which can be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/97015-housing-for-all-action-plan-update-and-q3-2023-progress-report/ .
