The Land Development Agency is on course to purchase more private land and build more private housing projects, following a meeting of the Cabinet committee on housing in Dublin.
The planned change to the LDA's remit flows from ministerial concern at the slow rate of housing output, with completion targets for this year likely to be missed.
Among those attending the meeting today, were Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris, Minister for Housing James Browne and Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers.
The LDA's existing focus is on social and affordable homes on large sites, but that's now due to be broadened to allow more private homes to be built as well.
In addition, the agency has said it has lined up 32 State-owned sites for development, but now it's going to be able to purchase more land from the private sector.
In previous meetings of the Cabinet committee on housing, there were discussions on how to speed up the transfer of lands to the LDA from state agencies.
During today's meeting, there were also talks on the reform of the Government's Housing For All plan, which is due to be published next month.
While changes to the Rent Pressure Zones were not on the agenda, a decision on the question could be taken by the Cabinet as early as next Tuesday.
Sources close to Mr Harris suggested that a balance had to be struck between protecting renters but also removing roadblocks which limit housing supply.
However, Opposition parties are likely to vigorously oppose any changes to either the Rent Pressure Zones or changing the remit of the LDA.
The Government target for housing completions in 2025 is 41,000.
However, only 30,300 were finished last year, and Mr Browne told RTE's Prime Time it would be "extremely challenging" to hit the 2025 housing targets.
An ESRI prediction for 2025 suggested only in the region of 34,000 homes would be completed, and 37,000 in 2026.
The institute warned that "most of the risks weigh on the downside", suggesting those lower targets also might not be met.
Homelessness figures hit a record last month with 15,580 living in emergency accommodation, including 4,775 children.
That was an 11% increase on April last year, and does not include people sleeping rough, sofa surfing, living in domestic violence refuges or International Protection centres.
The cost of renting increased by 3.4% in the first 3 months of 2025, according to Daft.ie.
The survey suggested that the average open-market rent is now above €2,000 - another first.
