Neale Richmond
Ceist:114. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of commencements of new homes in 2021, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11833/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 3 March 2022
Ceisteanna (114, 143)
Alan Farrell
Ceist:143. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of commencements in 2021 on new homes. [12143/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 143 together.
Housing 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. Over 300,000 new homes will be built by the end of 2030, including a projected 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes.
Indications of increased construction activity are becoming evident which will help increase the supply and availability of housing.
There is a strong supply pipeline, with Commencement Notices data showing a total number of 30,724 residential dwellings commenced in 2021. This is a 42% increase when compared to the number of residential dwellings commenced in 2020 (21,686). The 2021 total is almost equal to the combined totals for 2016 and 2017 (30,816).
New figures shows that in the past twelve months (February 2021 to January 2022), Commencement Notices for 31,201 new homes were received. This is the highest rolling 12-month total since comparable data was first published. The breakdown, by local authority area, is published on the Housing for All campaign page of gov.ie.
With regard to the number of homes built, there were 20,433 new dwellings completed in 2021. Completions for 2022 and 2023 are projected to exceed the Housing for All targets of 24,600 and 29,000 respectively. The Central Bank forecasts that some 27,000 and 31,000 homes will be completed in 2022 and 2023 respectively.
Increasing the supply of housing as set out in Housing for All is the top priority for me and the Government and we have made a good start on our path towards this goal. However, I acknowledge that we are coming from a low base of supply and that it will take some time before the full benefits of the strategy are tangible to our citizens.
The housing challenge remains immense, and continues to be affected by ongoing challenges including COVID-19 related delays, supply chain difficulties and inflationary pressure. The cost of housing – for those buying or renting - will continue to be a challenge in the short-term and, while we do not underestimate the difficulties this is causing for our citizens, I am confident that the delivery of Housing for All will create a sustainable housing system into the future.
Questions Nos. 115 to 117, inclusive, answered orally.