Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

People in a higher income bracket have left local authority housing because they have gone for affordable units, which cater for a substantial need.

Housing is a local issue, and we must recognise that needs and responses to those needs must be conceived and designed to take account of this. Recognising the particular affordability issues in the Dublin area, the Government established the affordable homes partnership last year to co-ordinate and add impetus to the delivery of affordable housing in and around the capital. The partnership is chaired by Des Geraghty, is now well-established and is making good progress on the implementation of its work programme.

I mentioned the pilot land swap of a site at Harcourt Terrace last year, and the 193 housing units secured in exchange for the site in the south-west of the city are now available at reasonable prices. The partnership has also advertised a further land swap involving a site on Nutley Lane, and where the swap mechanism is appropriate it will be employed in advancing other projects in the coming months. Crucially, the partnership also has a role in bringing forward additional land for housing development. It invited submissions in November 2005 from parties interested in providing and developing land primarily for affordable housing and the submissions received on foot of this are now being considered.

I also acknowledge the work done by the voluntary and co-operative housing sector in meeting social housing needs. With the increase in the capital limits announced recently I expect that sector to receive a boost. Altogether the needs of some 14,000 households will be met from funding for social and affordable housing measures in 2006.

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