Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

A Deputy asked me what is the Department's housing priority. In 2015, 90% of the overall increase in capital spending across government went to housing. That shows how important it was that we reversed the trend of depending on Part V and all of the rest.

I shall address the issues raised about the Department's turnaround processing times by Deputy Cowen, who has left, Deputy Stanley, other Deputies and perhaps Deputy Boyd Barrett. The Minister of State, Deputy Coffey, and I are determined to make turnaround times for processes to deliver social housing a lot quicker. As a result, we are putting in place a number of changes following our interaction with local authorities which will improve the processes for the assessment and approval of housing projects. I suspect that the measures will be broadly across the political spectrum.

Many members will not be aware of the following. We have agreed with local authorities that they will be allowed to develop projects comprised of up to 15 units and budgets of less than €2 million with a one stage approval process. We will assess how the initiative works and are open to changes, if necessary. The initiative is a positive development because it ensures that the process is almost devolved.

We are also looking at the thresholds under which local authorities can purchase units without prior approval from the Department. In other words, we will set thresholds. In cases where local authorities meet the new thresholds then they would not have to undergo the Department's process which removes a layer. That is a good thing to do.