Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, has announced that more than 2,000 affordable home supports were delivered in the first quarter of 2026, an increase of over 76% on the same period in 2025.

The strong performance across affordable housing programmes continues the momentum of 2025 and brings the total number of affordable supports delivered since 2021 to more than 24,000.

James Browne TD said: "We are seeing strong performance across the delivery of all affordable housing supports for the first quarter of the year. It builds on what was already record delivery last year and provides a solid foundation for continued progress throughout 2026.

"Affordable home supports are critical to people and are enabling individuals and families across the country to become homeowners, access secure long-term rental accommodation at below-market rents and bring vacant properties back into residential use."

Starter Homes for Purchase Scheme: The scheme delivered 287 homes in Q1 2026, an increase of more than 122% compared with Q1 2025. Since its launch in 2022, more than 2,700 Starter Homes for Purchase have been delivered by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies and the Land Development Agency, supporting first-time buyers and fresh starters into home ownership.

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Cost Rental: A total of 472 new Cost Rental homes were delivered in Q1 2026, up 317% year on year. Since the tenure was introduced, more than 6,600 Cost Rental homes have been provided nationally by Approved Housing Bodies, local authorities, the Land Development Agency and through the Cost Rental Tenant-in-Situ Scheme, offering secure, long-term rental at below-market rates.

First Home Scheme: The scheme recorded a 63% rise in supports drawn down in Q1 2026, with 442 supports compared to 271 in Q1 2025, helping eligible purchasers bridge the gap between their mortgage, deposit and the cost of a newly built home.

Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant: Some 816 grants were paid in Q1 2026, a 29.3% increase on the same period last year. The continued growth in grant payments reflects the success of the scheme in returning vacant and derelict properties to residential use and supporting the regeneration of towns, villages and rural communities nationwide.

Officials said the robust first-quarter performance builds on record delivery in 2025 and provides a strong platform for continued progress through 2026. Further details and the latest affordable housing delivery statistics are available at Overall Social and Affordable Housing Provision - gov.ie: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/overall-social-and-affordable-housing-provision/#affordable-housing-delivery