102. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his expectations for starter home supports in 2026 in light of the significant increase in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48066/26]

176. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on affordable home delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48067/26]

204. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress being made on affordable housing in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48046/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 102, 176 and 204 together.

There has been significant progress in relation to the delivery of starter home supports since the publication of the previous housing action plan, Housing for All, in 2021 and the passing of the Affordable Housing Act, which has provided the legislative basis for the development of the range of starter home supports . In 2025 alone, over 9,300 supports were delivered across the Starter Homes Purchase Scheme, the Cost-rental scheme, the First Home Scheme and the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant. In addition, over 9,500 Help to Buy support claims were approved by the Revenue Commissioners, bringing the total number of starter home supports availed of to over 18,800.

The Starter Homes Programme is a central component of the Governments new housing plan Delivering Homes, Building Communities, which aims to deliver an average of 15,000 starter home supports annually to 2030. The programme is designed to improve access to home ownership, while complimenting and expanding existing supports such as the First Home Scheme, Cost Rental schemes and the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant.

A key next step in ensuring the delivery of starter homes will be the preparation of Housing Delivery Action Plans by local authorities. These plans will replace those developed under Housing for All and will outline how the Starter Homes Programme will be implemented in each local authority area in the period 2027 - 2030. The plans will be informed by identified affordable housing need and local market conditions, and will be developed in collaboration with delivery partners, including the Land Development Agency and Approved Housing Bodies where appropriate.

My Department will continue to engage directly with local authorities, to both support the implementation of the plans and to monitor delivery progress over the lifetime of the housing plan.

In addition, qualification criteria and support levels for starter home supports are kept under regular review, taking account of developments in the housing market.

Comprehensive quarterly affordable housing statistics are published by my Department, including delivery by local authority area and delivery partner. These statistics are available on the Department's website at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/overall-social-and-affordable-housing-provision/?utm_source=chatgpt.com#affordable-housing-delivery Affordable Housing Delivery Statistics