1. Deputy John Connolly asked the Taoiseach for an update on the programme for Government. [67574/25]

Sentiment score: 0.00

The Taoiseach mentioned housing at the outset. One of the commitments in the programme for Government regarding housing was to repurpose the local authority affordable housing purchase scheme to become part of the starter home programme in order to enhance uptake. I am not sure we will have any difficulty with uptake; the difficulty is with supply. We are conscious that we are trying to generate supply across the entire sector. Last year, Galway City Council managed to complete nine affordable houses and Galway County Council completed 17. The local authority advised me it is finding it challenging to fund affordable housing programmes. In 2023, I voted to develop 30 affordable houses in Galway city, but they are yet to break ground. The local authority has advised me it is a funding issue. We need to examine and enact that commitment. We need to make sure the affordable scheme is something that local authorities can develop because they play an important role in increasing supply.

Sentiment score: 0.09