Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

I expect 6,000 social and affordable units will be delivered under Part V between 2005 and 2007.

Recognising the affordability issues in the Dublin area, the Government last year established a new agency, the Affordable Homes Partnership, to co-ordinate and add impetus to the delivery of affordable housing in and around the capital. The partnership is well established and is making good progress on the implementation of its work programme, including the advancement of affordable housing projects on State lands and co-ordination of the provision of housing related infrastructure.

The new housing policy statement, Building Sustainable Communities, provides the framework for a wide-ranging review of housing policy. To support the introduction of these policy initiatives, my Department has commissioned a research study into apartment size and space standards that will feed into new planning guidelines due later this year. I share the concerns about the quality of some apartments. Additional guidance on best practice mechanisms in the effective linkage of the development of new residential areas with the provision of wider social infrastructure such as schools and amenities is also envisaged.

The Green Party motion proposes the recovery of betterment due to land rezoning, through the introduction of a complex mechanism first proposed in 1973, the designated area scheme, whereby local authorities would be required to designate and acquire all development land in the State at its existing value, plus 25%.

Before addressing this proposal, it is worth pointing out that there are already a number of existing mechanisms that in effect recover increases in value arising from planning decisions to improve public infrastructure. The longest standing is capital gains tax.

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