Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

For the HAP scheme, it is important that I clarify that we have a target of approximately 8,000 units to be delivered this year. We expect the the figure to be slightly lower this year, but we will reach the target in the first six or seven weeks of 2016. We are putting HAP scheme funds into the voids programme, as the Minister outlined. We have far exceeded the targets set, for which credit is due to the local authorities. We asked them to step up to the mark to deal with voids and they did. As a result, we expect over 2,500 voids to be turned around this year. They are the most logical and obvious place in which to invest because we need to bring existing housing stock back into beneficial use as soon as possible.

On acquisitions in some local authority areas, as the Minister said, it represents better value for money for taxpayers to buy rather than build houses. We expect over 750 social housing units to be delivered through direct acquisition by year end. They will be ready for immediate occupation once the acquisitions have been completed. Building projects are also under way.

We have been asked how much it will cost to resolve the crisis.

I want to make it quite clear that it is not just about the money. Money is being provided and obviously resources and funding are very important, but there are other issues also, especially in the private sector in which there is a very dysfunctional market which affects the entire housing sector. There are issues within local authorities and approved housing bodies. Over 3,000 units have been approved by the Department and there is funding to deliver these units, but there is a process by which they will be occupied. Planning under Part 8 by the various local authorities must be gone through and builders must then be procured through the tender processes before building can take place. There is a time lag between approval and actual allocation and occupation of units. All resources are being put into and efforts made by the Department and local authorities to prioritise this.