Housing targets do not include goals for social and affordable homes

By Cate McCurry and Cillian Sherlock, PA

New housing targets agreed by the Coalition do not include a breakdown for social and affordable homes, according to a senior Government spokesman.

The coalition leaders have agreed a target of 50,500 homes a year on average between 2025 and 2030.

The new figures start from 41,000 homes next year and rise incrementally to 60,000 by the end of the period.

However, a Government spokesman said there was no breakdown of how many of 303,000 homes will be affordable and social homes.

The senior representative said that would be debated during the upcoming general election before being decided by the next Government.

Welcoming the new goals, Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien said: “The targets we set will only ever be the floor, not the ceiling, and as has been proven over the two full years of the Housing for All plan, where we can surpass our targets, we will.”

Taoiseach Simon Harris said: “I am pleased we have an opportunity today to advance the national planning framework.

“It is absolutely key because, without that, you don’t have an ability to scale up the housing supply in the way that it needs to happen.”

Tánaiste Micheál Martin said the new targets were “much more challenging” to reach and claimed he would be “wary of” any party which claims it can build above those targets.

Mr Martin added: “Particularly when they want to crucify the first-time buyer as the main opposition party wants to, or indeed undermine the Land Development Agency, which we legislated for in the lifetime of this government.”

Mr O’Brien said it was “crucially important” to show “the pathway forward” on delivering new housing.

He said: “The housing targets are one element of it, but really the important piece is the national planning framework of how we will deliver that, what land requires to be zoned, where those properties are going to be built and how we will move forward between now and the end of the decade.

“I insisted that we get the national planning framework agreed. That will go to Cabinet today.

“I have been able to get agreement with the three leaders on the new housing targets to 2030, which I will bring to Cabinet and show a significant increase in our targets.”