Rental Sector
Dail Éireann — 2026-06-25
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James Browne (FF), Wexford

I thank Deputy Sheehan for raising what is an important issue, namely, measures to reduce cost-rental rents. The cost-rental model was first introduced under the plan Housing for All and it has been continued and significantly expanded under the new plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities. It is designed to provide secure, long-term homes for households on moderate incomes at rents that are significantly below private market levels.
The cost-rental support schemes in the new housing plan are key measures in seeking to address affordability challenges in the rental sector. This is why, under the new housing plan, the Government has committed to growing the provision of affordable cost-rental properties across the country.
What has been achieved in this area in the past number of years is significant. Cost-rental housing did not exist in this country five years ago. From a standing start in 2021, and because of the actions of this Government and the unprecedented level of funding provided in successive budgets, almost 6,000 new cost-rental homes had been delivered up to the end of last year and a substantial pipeline is currently in place. This is supporting people on moderate incomes who would otherwise struggle to afford rent to move into good quality homes at rents they can afford. It provides long-term security of tenure, provides a home and gives people who avail of the schemes a chance to plan for their future.
We are only getting started. I am not for one moment suggesting that we have done enough. We must do more. Clearly, we are not yet at the stage of supplying enough cost-rental homes to meet the demand. We have more work to do to ensure that units are made available at rental levels that remain affordable and sustainable. This remains a key challenge and one that is a priority for me and my Department.
While this is a real success story, I am not resting on my laurels. The homes that have already been delivered at heavy discounts to equivalent private rental market rates are meeting real demand, are incredibly popular and are providing much-needed secure and affordable homes in the rental sector. I am providing substantial funding to local authorities, the Land Development Agency and approved housing bodies to support cost-rental delivery. Since the introduction of the tenure in 2021, approximately €2.25 billion in departmental funding has been approved for cost-rental projects.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-06-25/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-27T06:54:51+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-06-25