197. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps his Department is taking to increase the number of affordable homes to purchase; the measures being taken to address the cohort of people whose incomes are too high to qualify for social housing, but too low to qualify for affordable purchase schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48051/26]

Affordability and the chance to own a home is at the heart of Government’s housing policy, as embodied within the new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities. The Plan reinforces and expands the range of existing measures being implemented by Government to tackle the issues of supply and affordability, thereby supporting the increased provision of new homes to purchase and rent.

Government is investing an unprecedented level of funding to support housing supply, which will underpin, inter alia, the new Starter Homes Programme, delivering an average of 15,000 affordable housing supports annually to 2030.

In addition to a keen focus on tackling vacancy and dereliction, the plan provides for an expanded remit for the Land Development Agency, work to further extend the First Home and Help to Buy Schemes to 2030, an increase in affordable tenancies and an expanded local authority delivered starter homes for purchase programme.

With a strong focus on deliverability, the Plan will enable housing delivery partners to accelerate the supply of new starter home supports, providing thousands of individuals and families with increased access to secure and affordable housing solutions nationwide.

To note, eligibility criteria for affordable schemes differ from scheme to scheme. Details on the schemes discussed below can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/campaigns/doors-open/.

• Affordable Purchase Scheme

• First Home Scheme

• Local Authority Home Loan

Other measures such as the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Scheme, and the Ready to Build Scheme are also available to help make home ownership more affordable. These measures are primarily aimed at supporting affordability constrained households, first-time buyers and Fresh Start applicants. These supports are regularly reviewed by my Department. None of these additional measures have income limits.