Senator Eugene Murphy has revealed that 779 new homes have been built in Roscommon since the government took office in July 2020, up from 497 in the previous four years.
The statistics, compiled from Fianna Fáil’s Housing For All plan, also show that from January to June 2024, building began on 94 new homes in Roscommon.
Commenting on the figures, Senator Murphy said: “Since we entered government in 2020, our top priority has been doing everything we can to help people to afford to buy or rent a home.
“We are using every lever at our disposal to tackle the housing crisis and the statistics show that progress is being made.
“The Help to Buy Scheme is helping first time buyers in Roscommon get their first home.
“For renters, The Rent Tax Credit is helping with the cost of rent, with almost 4,000 Rent Tax Credit claims made in Roscommon from 2022 to 2024.
“We are also increasing supply of social homes, with 314 social homes delivered in Roscommon from 2020-2023 and we know that this is working, with the social housing waiting list in Roscommon down by 9.3% from 2019-2023.
“Supply is the key to addressing our housing needs and it is increasing. Nationwide, 33,784 new homes commenced construction in the first six months of this year which is more than the number of homes which started in the whole of 2023.
“In addition to new homes, we want to tackle vacant and derelict buildings. In Roscommon, €1 million has been provided under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund which is targeted at rejuvenating and regenerating areas. As well as that, 144 vacant social homes have been returned to productive use through the Voids Programme since 2020.
“We also want to make it easier for people to remain in their homes independently for longer where they wish to do so and €6.1 million has been allocated under Housing Adaption Grants in Roscommon alone.
“The statistics show there is positive momentum and I will do everything I can to keep this momentum going and tackle the housing crisis,” Senator Murphy concluded.
