266. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of affordable homes that have been built in Cork city in each of the past five years; the total amount planned for 2026; the total funding allocated each year to the local authority to supply affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54147/26]

267. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of affordable homes that have been built in Cork county in each of the past five years; the total amount planned for 2026 ; the total funding allocated each year to the local authority to supply affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54148/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 266 and 267 together.

The Governments housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, reinforces and expands the range of measures to tackle the issues of housing supply and affordability. This plan builds on the progress made under the Governments previous housing plan, Housing for All and is supported by the highest ever capital investment in housing, through the National Development Plan.

Since 2021, when Housing for All was published, to the end of 2025, over 22,000 starter home supports have been provided nationwide, by way of measures to assist people to buy or rent. This includes over 1,200 in Cork City and 1,700 in Cork County.

In total, Cork City Council has obtained funding approval for 10 schemes to deliver 553 starter homes with the support of the Affordable Housing Fund by end 2027, of which 373 were delivered by end 2025.

In addition, Cork County Council has obtained funding approval for 21 schemes, supported by the Affordable Housing Fund, to deliver 825 starter homes by end 2028, of which 300 were delivered by end 2025.

40 cost rental homes are due to be delivered in the Cork County Council local authority area, through the Cost Rental Equity Loan Scheme (CREL). In addition, the Land Development Agency is also delivering housing in Cork, with the delivery of 92 starter homes at Clonmore.

My Department publishes comprehensive programme-level statistics on a quarterly basis for starter home delivery provision by local authorities and delivery partners, for each local authority area. Data from 2022 to the end of 2025 is currently published on the statistics page of my Departments website, linked below.

www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/overall-social-and-affordable-housing-provision/

In order to further drive the delivery of affordable starter homes under the new plan, local authorities, including Cork City and Cork County Council, will shortly commence the preparation of new Housing Delivery Action Plans (HDAPs) for review by my Department, setting out how the Starter Homes Programme will be implemented within their area. These plans will be completed and published by the local authorities during 2026.

My Department will continue to work closely with the local authorities and the other delivery partners, including the construction sector, to accelerate starter home delivery, thereby providing purchase and rental opportunities to enable people to secure affordable homes.