1875. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide updates on proposed housing developments in Galway east, including the expected commencement dates, the number of affordable and social homes to be delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59044/26]

My Department publishes comprehensive programme-level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing and starter home delivery activity by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies for each local authority area, including Galway County Council. Data is currently available to the end of Q1 2026 and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website:

Overall Social and Affordable Housing Provision - gov.ie (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/overall-social-and-affordable-housing-provision/).

My Department also publishes data on social housing delivery at local authority level. The Social Housing Construction Status report (CSR), published quarterly by my Department, can be searched by location. This report provides a breakdown of local authority and Approved Housing Body social housing new-build activity including scheme-level details on the completion of social housing new builds as well as information on each construction scheme as it progresses through the design and tender processes. The latest CSR provides data to the end of Q1 2026 and is available at the following link:

Social Housing Construction Projects Status Report Q1 2026 (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q1-2026/) .

The most recent Construction Status Report shows that there were 547 homes at various stages of design and procurement in Galway County at the end of Quarter 1 2026, including 217 homes onsite (SHIP x 209 units, CAS x 4 units, CALF x 4 units).

The new housing action plan builds upon the significant progress made under our previous plan Housing for All, with over 22,000 starter home supports delivered from 2022 to 2025, including 178 in Galway City and 311 in Galway County.

The Affordable Housing Fund is available to assist local authorities in the delivery of starter homes solutions, where significant affordability need is identified. In terms of new delivery, Galway City and Galway County have received funding approval to facilitate the delivery of an additional of 113 and 130 starter homes respectively, with the support of the fund.

Galway County Council has received funding approval of €17.475m to assist towards the development costs of 236 starter homes with AHF support, of which 33 of these homes were delivered by end of 2025.

My Department has recently met with the affordable delivery team in Galway County Council and understands that a number of further proposals are in the process of being developed.

The Government has agreed the transfer of 1.4 hectares of land at Galway Harbour to enable the LDA to deliver 356 new social and starter homes. Subject to planning permission, construction is provisionally scheduled to commence in 2027.

It is also worth noting that the First Home Scheme, which supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market, through the use of an equity share model, is also available to support eligible new home purchasers and has been availed of in the Galway City and County areas.

Additionally, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant supports the purchase and refurbishment of vacant and derelict properties. Both of these schemes have been, and will continue to be, availed of within Galway as an affordable pathway to housing, and in the case of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, as a valuable support in the tackling of the serious problem of vacancy and dereliction.