93. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the actions being taken by his Department to accelerate the delivery of social, affordable, and cost-rental housing in the Dún Laoghaire constituency; the number of such homes currently under construction in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48263/26]

The Government is committed to accelerating the delivery of social housing and starter homes across the country, including in Dún Laoghaire. Under the new Housing Plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, we are targeting the delivery of 72,000 social homes and 90,000 affordable starter home supports over the lifetime of the Plan. This will involve continuing to scale-up new-build social housing delivery and also a renewed emphasis on the construction of starter homes for purchase and cost rental dwellings.

To support accelerated delivery of new homes by the local authorities, the approved housing bodies and the Land Development Agency, the revised National Development Plan includes an unprecedented level of State-backed funding, both directly from the Exchequer and in the form of low interest loans through the Housing Finance Agency. In addition, a range of measures are being implemented, including the new single approval process for social housing projects up to €200 million, the use of standardised housing designs, greater use of Modern Methods of Construction, the expansion of the Land Development Agency and Land Acquisition Fund, and ring-fenced housing delivery teams within local authorities.

I am please to say that Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council continues to perform strongly. The Council exceeded its social housing target in 2025, delivering 134.5% of target, and achieved 102% of target over the period 2022 to 2025. The latest Social Housing Construction Status Report shows that the Council has a strong pipeline in place, with 1,401 social homes at various stages of design and procurement.

There has also been significant progress in affordable and cost-rental housing delivery. Since 2022, 981 affordable and cost-rental homes have been delivered in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area, while funding has been approved for seven affordable housing schemes that will deliver a further 697 starter homes by the end of 2028. My Department is also funding 12 dedicated affordable housing administrative and technical posts within the Council to support delivery.

In order to further drive the delivery of social housing and starter homes under the new Housing Plan, local authorities, including Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, will shortly commence the preparation of new Housing Delivery Action Plans (HDAPs). These delivery plans will be informed by social and affordable housing need within each local authority area and will involve collaboration with the delivery partners, including the Land Development Agency and the Approved Housing Bodies. Once finalised, they will inform and drive delivery out to the end of the decade.