Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 April 2024
143. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the further steps that can be taken to dramatically increase the housing output to meet the requirements of both the public and private housing programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15906/24]
View answerHousing for All, has now entered its fourth year of implementation. Under the Plan, the Government is aiming to deliver an average of at least 33,000 new homes annually, including an average of 10,000 social homes and 6,000 affordable homes for purchase or for rent. 2024 will see over €5bn of capital investment in housing. This funding will ensure the Government can continue to build on the momentum achieved since the publication of the Plan in September 2021.
Supply, which is key to addressing our housing needs, is increasing. The latest Housing for All Progress Report, published on 25 January, showed that the number of new homes delivered in 2023 was the highest in fifteen years, with 32,695 new homes completed. Momentum has continued into this year. In the first two months of 2024, building commenced on 7,056 new homes. This figure has increased by 72% when compared to the same period in 2023, with the rolling 12-month commencements now above 35,750. Furthermore, nationally, planning permission was granted for 41,225 new homes in 2023, an increase of 21% on 2022.
A number of new measures have been introduced to expedite supply, including the Secure Tenancy Affordable Rental (STAR) scheme, the temporary waiving of development levies, and the expansion of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant. Alongside these, Government recently approved additional interim funding for the Land Development Agency (LDA) to support the delivery 12,900, primarily affordable cost rental, homes out to 2028. Other reforms and activation measures designed to increase supply such as the Croí Cónaithe Cities scheme and Project Tosaigh have also been introduced under Housing for All.
Government and I are fully committed to the successful implementation of Housing for All, which contains the comprehensive suite of timed actions that are required to ensure that sustainable housing supply is delivered. We continue to keep measures in Housing for All under review to ensure we are agile and responsive in addressing the challenges in housing. Housing for All and the second Housing for All Action Plan Update, published on 14 November 2023, outlines all of the various measures which are currently available through the Plan. This can be accessed at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/dfc50-housing-for-all/
