The Housing Agency has today launched its further call for apartment builders to seek funding under the €450m Croí Cónaithe (Cities) Scheme, a Government fund to deliver more apartments for first-time buyers and other owner-occupiers.
The scheme is designed with sufficient capacity to incentivise the delivery of up to 5,000 new apartments over its lifetime (subject to developer demand) in five cities – Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford - by making funding available for developments that would not otherwise be viable.
The scheme works by bridging the viability gap between the cost of building apartments and the market sale price (where the cost of building is greater).
Calls for expressions of interest in previous years have resulted in a strong pipeline of projects in partnership with a number of prominent housebuilding firms such as Glenveagh, Cairn and Park Developments, and the Land Development Agency.
Over 1,080 apartments have been approved for scheme funding to date under 10 contracts. A further 12 applications are currently being considered with the potential delivery of over 1,600 units.
The first homes completed under the scheme are already on offer for sale to first-time buyers and other owner-occupiers with more coming to the market this year.
Martin Whelan, Chief Executive of the Housing Agency, said: “The Croí Cónaithe (Cities) Scheme is working effectively and gaining strong momentum in delivering much-needed new homes for first-time buyers and other owner-occupiers. It is adding to housing supply by funding a range of apartment developments that might not otherwise be built.
By bridging the viability gap, the scheme is providing opportunities for individuals and families to buy a home in the city they want to live in, close to where they work and close to the amenities they need. The scheme is good for owner-occupiers and good for the cities they want to live in.
Many of Ireland’s most prominent housebuilding firms are already using the flexibility the scheme offers to add significantly to their housing output and we want more developers to join them this year.”
The further call for expressions of interest opens today and the deadline for receipt of proposals is 5pm on Friday, 15th August, 2025. Proposers must already have planning permission and are invited to submit proposals via the eTenders online portal.
More information and access to the Expression of Interest Application Form can be found here.
