Ireland Unveils Major Housing Plan to Deliver 300,000 New Homes by 2030

Dublin: The Irish government has announced an ambitious new plan to deliver 300,000 homes by 2030, including 72,000 social housing units. The initiative, titled Delivering Homes, Building Communities, was launched without specific annual targets—an omission that has prompted strong criticism from the opposition, who argue the policy merely “repackages old ideas.”

According to the plan, homelessness remains one of Ireland’s most urgent social challenges. To address this, the government will prioritise building more one-bedroom and four-bedroom homes, noting that the proportion of single individuals experiencing homelessness is steadily rising.

The scheme also introduces a National Planning Statement for An Gaeltacht to ensure consistency and clarity in protecting the Irish language within the planning system.

Key Announcements in the New Housing Plan

€1 Billion for Infrastructure, €2.5 Billion for the LDA

Housing Minister James Browne announced €1 billion for the Infrastructure Fund to eliminate bottlenecks in housing delivery. A new Housing Activation Office will support local authorities in identifying and resolving these barriers.
The Land Development Agency (LDA) will receive an additional €2.5 billion to accelerate the construction of new homes.

The minister added that increased supply will gradually reduce the need for emergency accommodation.

€100 Million to Move Families Out of Emergency Housing

A total of €100 million will be allocated to purchase second-hand homes for families who have spent the longest periods in emergency accommodation.

2,000 Housing First Rental Units

As part of a Child and Family Action Plan, the scheme aims to deliver 2,000 rental homes under the Housing First programme. It also outlines increased housing options for older people and continued investment in high-quality Traveller-specific accommodation.

90,000 Starter Homes in the Private Sector

The plan targets 90,000 starter homes, supported by zoned and serviced land to boost private-sector supply.

€400 Million Equity Scheme for Small Builders

A new €400 million equity scheme will help small construction companies deliver more housing.

Across all sectors, €28.2 billion will be invested in housing-related infrastructure, including:

• €12.2 billion for water and wastewater services
• €3.5 billion for ESB networks and the energy grid
• €24.3 billion for the national transport network

Incentives to Regenerate Vacant Properties

• Up to €140,000 in financial support will be offered to convert vacant shops and buildings into homes, including funding for expert advice.
• €20,000 Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, with an additional top-up grant, will support the restoration of derelict properties.
• A new derelict property tax will be introduced through the Revenue Commissioners.

Key Schemes Extended to 2030

• The Living City Initiative will now include Athlone, Drogheda, Dundalk, Letterkenny and Sligo.
• The Help to Buy Scheme, offering up to €30,000 in tax relief to first-time buyers, is extended until the end of 2030.
• The First Homes Scheme will expand to include support for purchasing and renovating long-term vacant properties.

Taoiseach Michael Martin and Housing Minister James Browne defended the absence of annual targets, arguing that private-sector housing output is difficult to predict. Browne added that annual housing completion data would continue to be published and that the plan aims to maximise output by effectively combining public and private sectors.

Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris described housing delivery as “a national emergency and the greatest challenge facing the country,” emphasising the need for unprecedented investment in water, energy and transport infrastructure to support large-scale construction.

Sinn Féin housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin strongly criticised the plan, calling it a “sham” that fails to provide transparency or accountability. The absence of annual targets, he said, prevents the public from tracking progress and reflects the government’s awareness that targets would not be met.

Ó Broin accused the government of ignoring Housing Commission recommendations on supply deficits, asserting that the new plan is merely a “rebranded version of the failed Darragh O’Brien strategy.” He added that the belief that building 50,000 homes per year would resolve the crisis is “deeply flawed,” arguing that the plan does not address the underlying causes of Ireland’s housing emergency.

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