121. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the delivery of cost-rental housing; the measures being taken to support local authorities and approved housing bodies in increasing supply; and his priorities for the further expansion of the cost-rental sector. [69166/26]

133. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on commitments to build more cost-rental units through the LDA, local authorities and Cost Rental Equity Loan funding to AHBs and embedding cost rental as a category of tenure on a permanent basis. [69028/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 121 and 133 together.

The Programme for Government commits to supporting the building of more Cost Rental units through the States Land Development Agency (LDA), the local authorities and the Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), embedding cost rental as a category of tenure, on a permanent basis.

The Programme for Government also commits to keeping the income criteria for cost rental under review, to ensure sufficient cohorts of tenants qualify for the scheme.

My Department operates three schemes targeted at supporting the delivery of Cost Rental homes. The Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) scheme, which is delivered by the AHB sector; the Secure Tenancy Affordable Rental investment scheme (STAR), which is delivered by the LDA and potentially private operators; and the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF), which supports local authority delivery of Cost Rental.

Cost Rental is gaining traction as a significant tenure type. Over 6,600 Cost Rental homes were delivered  by the end of Q1 2026, by the AHBs, local authorities and the LDA.

The AHB sector has delivered more than 3,500 Cost Rental homes through CREL, since the passing of the Affordable Housing Act 2021.

Under STAR, a further 2,422 Cost Rental homes have been approved.

53 CREL projects were approved for delivery during 2025 and 2026, equating to 4,059 homes to be delivered by the end of 2029.

All Cost Rental delivery partners are actively managing costs to ensure that new homes are provided at the best rents that are achievable, and since 2021 approximately €2.25 billion in Exchequer funding has been approved for Cost Rental projects.

Cost Rental delivery will continue to be expanded and will, along with other measures aimed at increasing the supply of homes to rent, help to moderate rent levels in the private rental sector over time.

My Department continues to review the operation of the Cost Rental housing tenure.