On March 31, some €325 million was assigned to support second-hand acquisitions in 2025. Under revised agreements, local authorities will be able to target funding available for acquisitions at their discretion “whether on tenant-in-situ purchases or other purchases”.

Although families with children, older people, or those with disabilities are to be prioritised under the tenant-in-situ scheme, “no household is excluded”, a spokesperson for the Department of Housing assured.

Since 2022, about 7,000 second-hand social homes have been acquired at a cost of €2 billion, and the Government’s commitment “couldn’t be clearer” with the expansion of the acquisition programme in 2025, Mr. Browne added.

The remaining €111 million, which has been pledged to fund 82 new social housing projects to deliver 1,325 homes, was allocated from the €450 million for social and affordable housing previously announced.

These projects, costing a total of €517 million, aim to deliver all homes from 2025 to 2027, of which 575 will be built this year, according to the Department of Housing. The 82 projects will see new social homes delivered across 21 counties, including 542 in Dublin and 234 in Cork.