Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I was just about to give the Deputy that figure. It will be in excess of 22,000 units. These figures were in the public domain last week. The Deputy has read and digested the strategy. The current figure is 22,273 units, but I would like to increase it somewhat, if possible.

The Deputy need not have concerns about reform. The changes being considered are meant to facilitate people. This is not a question of full cost recovery. I do not envisage a change in local authorities' differential rent systems, but I want to ensure consistency of approach. In many ways, local authorities are doing completely different things.

A range of other reforming steps is necessary. For example, we are creating a passport. Housing need does not respect local authority boundaries. Someone who moves between local authority areas should not have to start the rigmarole all over again. That is a crazy situation. We will introduce a new tenant purchase scheme, which will be broadly welcomed across the political spectrum. It will be sustainable and give people choices. We are also considering the possibility of tri-space lettings. Some local authority managements and representatives have raised with me the issue of the amount of time that is lost between the time someone is offered social housing and the time he or she refuses it or, for whatever reason, becomes unable to accept it. This could happen twice in respect of the same property. Someone is missing out because of the lost time. I intend to use a web-based system primarily so that people might see in advance what is available, determine whether they meet all of the requirements and declare their willingness. If a person or family does not take a unit, another person or family will get it automatically. These proposed measures are very progressive and necessary. They should have been dealt with a number of years ago.

Some 926 units have been provided by NAMA. By the end of next year, it intends to make in excess of 450 further units available for social housing. If it builds at the scale for which it has planned up to 2020, and given the changes I will introduce in respect of Part V to deliver actual units instead of just giving permission for same, there will be a further contribution of 2,500 units.

This is positive.