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The Government is preparing to unveil its latest National Housing Plan, a strategy that aims to reshape Ireland’s housing landscape over the next six years. Ministers have described the initiative as an unprecedented investment in housing, although opposition figures remain sceptical about its potential impact.

The plan sets out an ambition to deliver 300,000 homes by 2030, including 90,000 aimed at first-time buyers. Housing Minister James Browne has argued that the new measures will increase supply, reduce homelessness and help accelerate the delivery of much-needed homes across the country.

Opposition spokespeople voiced concern that the State is not proposing the level of structural change required to address ongoing shortages. Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Rory Hearne said early indications from the plan suggest insufficient ambition, arguing that current targets for affordable and social homes represent only a modest increase on existing commitments. He highlighted repeated shortfalls in previous delivery figures and called for significantly higher annual targets, noting that around 30,000 affordable homes would be required each year to keep pace with demand.

Hearne also questioned whether the Government has the capacity to meet its own objectives, and suggested that a change in administration may be needed to achieve what he considers meaningful reform.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin, speaking ahead of the Cabinet discussion, insisted the new plan will avoid the shortcomings of past approaches. He described the expected level of funding as unparalleled, with reports indicating that the Land Development Agency could receive an additional €2.5 billion. This would bring its total allocation to almost €8.75 billion, supporting the development of 14,000 homes by 2029 and enabling greater use of both public and privately acquired land.

Reducing family homelessness is expected to be a central element of the strategy. More than €100 million is anticipated to be allocated next year to help households that have been longest on local authority waiting lists. The plan is also likely to emphasise stability in housing policy to encourage further private sector investment in new residential and mixed-use developments.

Local authorities are expected to be given expanded powers, including wider use of compulsory purchase orders to tackle vacant and derelict buildings. Additional measures may include a target of returning 20,000 vacant properties to active use with support from refurbishment grants, along with a new advisory grant to help bring unused homes and shop units back into residential use.

Sinn Féin’s Housing Spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin has urged the Government to adopt more ambitious targets and stronger protections for renters, including measures to curb rent increases and prevent evictions. He also called for clear, measurable commitments to end long-term homelessness by 2030, supported by increased resources for planning authorities and planning courts to speed up decision making.