The Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH) has welcomed the publication today of the revised National Development Plan.
Speaking after the launch of the plan ICSH CEO Donal McManus said:
“The revised National Development Plan has allocated just over €28 billion to housing for the next five years separate to water and other related funding. This is welcome. As always, we await the exact allocations in Budget 2026, but our hope is that a substantial amount of additional funding will be allocated to continue Approved Housing Body (AHB) led social and affordable cost rental housing delivery.
“The focus on investment in infrastructure in the revised NDP is long overdue. AHBs, like other housing providers, have been encountering water and energy infrastructure challenges as new homes are completed.
“Construction sector innovation and the removal of blockages to delivery in terms of infrastructure deficits is key to ensuring homes are built as efficiently as possible.
“The revised NDP sets the scene for the long-awaited revised Housing for All plan and the AHB forum report, due in September.
“It is key that the momentum in terms of the delivery of social and cost rental homes is at a minimum maintained and built upon. It is key that a dedicated AHB unit, as was previously set in place by Government, will be reactivated so that streamlined and effective processes are in place. This will ensure that funding requirements over the various AHB schemes is co-ordinated and allocated to meet housing needs in a timely manner.
“The AHB sector has built up knowledge and expertise in terms of delivering, managing, and maintaining public housing. AHBs are well placed to continue this progress through the next housing plan and beyond.”
