In the first instance it should be noted that, to the extent that the Exchequer contribution has to be financed, there will be an impact on the level of general government debt.
The Deputy should note that the Central Statistics Office (CSO) has not formally reviewed the planned Affordable Housing Fund. This work will commence once the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage provide the necessary information regarding the scheme and any associated legislation, if applicable, to the CSO. Accordingly, the response below should be considered in an ex-ante context and is based on publicly available information.
Any impact on the general government balance of the €60 million allocation to the Affordable Housing Fund will occur at the time the State, through the Affordable Housing Fund and/or the Local Authorities, engages with the private sector. Such transactions will be counted as general government expenditure and thus decrease the general government balance.