147. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the action he proposes to take to address the growing housing deficit given that Government never met their targets for social and affordable housing delivery under Housing for All; if he will revise the targets contained within Delivering Homes, Building Communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17104/26]
Sentiment score: -0.08
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. I want to ask the Minister today about the targets for social and affordable housing delivery under Housing for All. Given that it has become abundantly clear that the Government will not meet the targets this year, and it has never met them for social and affordable housing, will the Minister revise the targets contained within the new housing plan in order to take account of this and deal with the growing housing deficit?
Sentiment score: 0.08
The Minister's rental reforms are going to increase homelessness, certainly in the short term. One of the leading issues in regard to addressing homelessness is having an adequate supply of social and affordable housing. Based on the quarter 3 construction status report, the Minister is only going to, as of that date, meet 30% of his target for social housing delivery. In 2024, 10,596 were delivered against a 12,930 goal. Is the Minister going to revise the targets he has for an average of 12,000 new social homes in his current housing plan in order to deal with that deficit? The targets in that plan are too low given the demand that already exists, given the issue with the Minister's rental reforms and given the fact that a 56% increase in social homes is needed just to close the deficit.
Sentiment score: -0.01
Going by the Minister's response, he is saying that 9,289 new-build social homes-----
Sentiment score: 0.00
There were 9,089 built. That is still, over the lifetime of Housing for All, beneath the target of that plan. I am asking, in particular, about the 2026 budget allocation. For example, that does not take into account that there was an underdelivery of around 4,000 units under the previous housing plan and the Minister has already underestimated the level of need in his new housing plan. He has not actually taken into account that the figures suggest that overall, under Housing for All, the Government did not reach its targets. The fact of the matter is that the Minister's measures are already having an effect in his own county. We have not seen housing assistance payment, HAP, levels increase and the market rent reset is going drive rents up and increase homelessness because people will not be able to pay the rent.
Sentiment score: 0.03
The Minister did not meet his target.
Sentiment score: 0.00
The International Monetary Fund, IMF, was there.
Sentiment score: 0.00
The IMF was there because Fianna Fáil crashed the economy.
Sentiment score: 0.00
Fianna Fáil crashed the economy.
Sentiment score: 0.00