State to stop buying turnkey homes for social housing

No new turnkey acquisition proposals will be considered for funding by the Department of Housing after December 31, 2027

Housing minister James Browne has previously hit out at the low level of direct builds by local authorities and argued that reliance on turnkey purchases has reduced the supply of homes available to first-time buyers, with many being acquired for social housing. Stock picture

The Government is to end its reliance on buying turnkey homes for social housing, with local authorities and approved housing bodies (AHBs) instead moving to deliver more own-build homes.

Housing Minister James Browne will announce plans to phase out the scheme, with December 31, 2027, set as the final date for applications for turnkey acquisition funding. 

The move is intended to give local authorities and AHBs time to adjust before the model is discontinued.

After that date, no new turnkey acquisition proposals will be considered for funding by the Department of Housing.

Mr Browne has criticised the current system, arguing that it gives the State no influence over the type of units delivered because developments are commenced or even complete when the offer to sell to a local authority is made.

The minister has previously hit out at the low level of direct builds by local authorities and argued that reliance on turnkey purchases has reduced the supply of homes available to first-time buyers, with many being acquired for social housing.

The move will see a greater share of future social housing delivered through own-build programmes run by local authorities and AHBs, as well as partnership projects involving the Land Development Agency.

Developers involved in social housing projects will be brought in at an early stage so schemes can be designed around identified housing needs and standardised designs.

Meanwhile, Taoiseach Micheál Martin and justice minister Jim O’Callaghan will update Cabinet on an apology on behalf of Government over failings in the investigation into the murder of Brian Stack by the IRA in 1983.

Mr Stack was chief prison officer at Portlaoise Prison during the 1980s and was the sole prison officer in the State killed by violence related to the Troubles. 

His family will receive an apology in the Dáil on Wednesday.

• Elaine Loughlin, Political Editor