49,007 new homes commenced in first nine months of year

Commencement figures published on 31 October?showed?there were 11,385 homes commenced in September 2024, over four times (an increase of 356.7%) more than September last year when 2,607 homes were commenced.

This increase can be attributed to the UISCE and waste water connection charge rebate introduced in April 2023 for development commenced not later than 30 September 2024 to fast track and make more projects viable.

The figures showed:

• For the nine months of 2024 (January-September), there were 49,007 homes commenced which is over double (up 105%) from 23,923 in those months of 2023.?
• This equates to on average 259 homes commenced every working day to the end of September.

September commencements

Record €6bn package assigned to housing in Budget '25

The strong momentum in delivery under Housing for All?will be sustained by a record €6bn capital investment in housing in 2025 - made up of €3.1bn exchequer funding, €1.25 allocated to the The Land Development Agency and €1.65bn for the Housing Finance Agency plc announced in Budget '25.?

Some of the key housing related budget elements which were announced on 1 October include:?

• Affordability: €2.3bn will support initiatives like the First Home Scheme and the Help to Buy scheme.
• Social housing: €2bn investment will focus on new build homes by local authorities and AHBs.
• Homelessness: €303 million has been made available for the delivery of homeless services.
• Renters' credit: An increase in the Renters Tax Credit to €1,000 for both this year and next.
• Older people: €100m to adapt the homes of older people and people with a disability.
• Vacancy: €80m to support the refurbishment of vacant and derelict properties.

More about Budget '25

Taoiseach opens new social homes in Co Wicklow?

Over 160 people are now enjoying the benefits of living in this well-serviced community.

Taoiseach Simon Harris joined Darragh O'Brien TD in Blessington, Co Wicklow on 3 October to officially open 46 new social homes. These new homes were delivered by Co-operative Housing Ireland in partnership with Wicklow County Council and over 160 people are now enjoying the benefits of living in this well-serviced community.

Speaking at the launch, the Taoiseach said:

“It is wonderful to see at? first-hand what can be achieved through collaboration between Approved Housing Bodies, Local Authorities and support from Government, working with private industry."        

Work underway on over?new?1,500 affordable, cost-rental and social homes in Dublin?

Minister O'Brien opens?show homes at one of Ireland’s largest affordable housing developments

New show homes at one of Ireland’s largest affordable housing developments were officially opened at the extensive Church Fields project in Mulhuddart, Dublin 15?on 18 October.

When completed, the development will?deliver 1,000 new homes. The current phase will make available 300 homes, consisting of 180 affordable purchase houses, 80 cost-rental and 40 social homes.

About this development

Enabling works begin on?site on former St. Teresa’s Gardens site?in Dublin 8

On 16 October, the Land Development Agency and Dublin City Council announced that?work had begun on the?Donore Project?on the former St. Teresa’s Gardens site in Dublin 8.

The development?will include?389 cost-rental and 154 social homes. homes as well as a creche, community spaces and public areas.?The initial works will run until December 2024.

About this development

More affordable homes becoming available to rent and buy

A central pillar of Housing for All is to increase delivery of different forms of housing to meet different housing needs. This includes new homes to buy or rent at below market rates, as well as social homes. New cost rental and affordable purchase homes?have been launched recently with others opening for application shortly.

• Affordable Purchase: Mulhuddart, Dublin
• Affordable Purchase: Ferrybank, Kilkenny
• Affordable Purchase: Baile Chláir, Galway
• Affordable Purchase Carrigtwohill, Cork
• Cost Rental?Citywest, Dublin
• Cost Rental Seven Mills, Dublin

See all available homes

Over 6,700 approvals under vacant and derelict property grant?

The latest figures published on 21?October show that since the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was launched just over two years ago, up to September 2024, there have been:??

• 10,097 applications
• 6,713 approvals
• €45 million already paid out in relation to 867 homes

The figures also highlighted the rapid increase in the rate of grant payments as more and more completions are coming on stream.?In Q3 2024, 336 grants were paid out, this compares to 226 in Q2 2024 and 146 in Q1 2024.

About the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant

More social and affordable homes opened and launched?

Under Housing for All, there are?more?social and affordable homes being delivered than in a generation. In recent weeks, official openings and launches have taken place throughout the country in several locations.?

MAYO

SLIGO

CORK

Landmark Planning and Development Bill becomes law?

The new Planning and Development Bill 2023 concluded in the Houses of the Oireachtas on 9 October and on 17 October the President of Ireland signed it into law.??

Housing for All committed to overhauling our planning legislation to ensure it is for purpose. This legislation does just that by providing clarity, consistency and certainty for all users.?

Some of the key reforms included in the Bill are:

• Statutory timelines: The introduction of statutory timelines for all consenting processes, to give confidence and certainty to applicants.
• Reorganisation of An Bord Pleanála: A significant reorganisation of An Bord Pleanála, to be known as An Coimisiún Pleanála.
• Creation of Urban Development Zones: Creation of Urban Development Zones, which will facilitate a more plan-led approach to development, increasing certainty at the master-planning stage.
• More agile local implementation: More agile local implementation, through the introduction of Urban and Priority Area Plans, including new bespoke plans for Gaeltacht and Island communities.
• Provisions to deter abuse of planning processes: Provisions to deter abuse of planning processes through spurious planning submissions and appeals, as well as a ban on requesting payment for not opposing development.

More about the bill

Timber in Construction Steering Group publishes two new reports?

The Timber in Construction Steering Group?whose aim is?to create the conditions to increase the use of timber in construction published two new reports during October.?

The first report identifies key policies, strategies and regulatory frameworks used in other countries? influencing the greater adoption of timber in construction.

The second evaluates the current approach in Ireland to teaching engineers and architects in third level institutions on the use of timber in construction.

Minister for Housing, Heritage and Local Government, Darragh O’Brien added:

“I am pleased to see the significant work and progress made by the Timber in Construction Steering Group in contributing towards meeting Ireland's housing needs. It is important to build an understanding of how other countries have incorporated policies that support timber construction while ensuring the highest standards of building safety in the Irish context.?        

More about the reports

Housing for All homepage : The Housing for All webpage contains information on the plan, including a detailed outline of the objectives and actions under each of the plan's pathways.

Quarterly progress reports: Quarterly progress reports set out performance to-date against the targets and actions set out in the plan in a clear and comprehensible way.