COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, April 13, 2026

QUESTION NO. 27

QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons

To ask the Chief Executive for a detailed report setting out the number of people wishing to sell their home in order to right size and the funding available for the scheme?

REPLY:

The council currently operates the Age Friendly Housing and Rightsizing Scheme. This voluntary programme allows private homeowners aged 55 or older to move from larger, under-occupied homes into purpose-built, energy-efficient age friendly accommodation. 

Private homeowners wishing to rightsize can apply for  inclusion on the Community List (Financial Contribution Scheme). As part of the application, homeowners must agree to one of two financial options based on their age of either a discounted sale where they would sell their current home directly to the council at an age-related discout or a private sale with contribution where they would sell their home privately and provide an age-related financial contribution to the council from the net proceeds. The current demand for the Age Friendly Housing and Rightsizing Scheme is exceptionally high, with 73 applications on the Community List (Financial Contribution Scheme). 

Under the Second Hand Social Housing Acquisitions Programme, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has allocated €13.3m to SDCC for 2026. This funding is specifically ring-fenced for acquiring vacant homes to support persons exiting homelessness.