Ms Caroline Curley:

I thank the Chairman and members for the invitation to attend today. As they already have my written submission, I will keep my remarks brief.

There is adequate land zoned to meet the housing requirements as set out in our core strategy in the county and city development plans. It will also meet the requirements indicated in the Housing Agency's recently published document, Housing Supply Requirements in Ireland's Urban Settlements 2014-2018. However, there is still a need for measures to encourage financial institutions to lend money to ensure more proactive private sector housing output. Expansion of the "living in the city" tax scheme should also be considered to bring additional life to the city centre by bringing back into full use living space in our Georgian quarter. It is also important that investment continues on public realm works to ensure an attractive city centre.

Investment in flood defences is required in a number of areas within the city to ensure that existing built land is not flooded and also to ensure that land that can be used for future housing development is protected. The current housing waiting list for Limerick city and county has 3,843 approved applicants. Difficulties arise in sourcing RAS properties as landlords are withdrawing from the scheme. The void elimination programme is assisting greatly in returning vacant social properties to productive use. Limerick City and County Councils have received approval for refurbishments of 31 units in 2014.

As of 31 January we have agreed 359 new build units with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. It is anticipated that work will commence on these projects over the next two years with all to be completed by 2017. The council has also completed a thermal upgrade project to a selection of homes in all of the regeneration areas in 2013 and this project is being extended to include 300 homes in the current year.

The council is working in collaboration with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Irish Council of Social Housing with a view to the approved housing bodies playing an enhanced role in the proposed delivery of housing projects outlined in the Limerick regeneration framework implementation plan. It is important that a workable financial model comes out of this process in order that AHBs can deliver certain aspects of the regeneration implementation plan.