Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The cross-departmental group has dealt with those issues, mainly through submitting reports to Cabinet sub-committees. I hope there will be greater success in the delivery on a cross-departmental basis of water and sewerage programmes and roads programmes. Most of the issues concerned cover at least four or five Departments. The senior officials group and the individuals concerned work closely together. Departments involved include the Departments of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Transport, Finance, Agriculture and Food and Education and Science. In all the areas referred to by the Deputy, the Departments have been engaged in these issues in recent years.

Substantial progress continues to be made in the provision of social housing under Sustaining Progress. Some 70 projects on State and local authority lands are planned. Together with Part V housing provision, more than 10,000 housing units will be provided. Many of the units have yet to be delivered and in many cases it may take another few years. Suitable lands have been identified. The affordable housing initiative process which was established last year is working to deliver the units. It is reckoned that between 2006 and 2008, 15,000 housing units will be provided. The Affordable Homes Partnership Agency is considering in several areas swapping land for housing units, following the Harcourt Street model. That would be the fastest way to achieve housing provision.

The 2004 legislation facilitates direct sale of affordable housing from builders to eligible persons nominated by the planning authorities. That matter is being pursued by the Irish Home Builders Association with a view to ensuring accelerated delivery in Part V areas and affordable housing. On many of the State lands, the planning process, local authority commitment and approval and service delivery will take time. More housing units will be rolled out this year, but it will take until 2008 before the figure of 15,000 is reached.

The national spatial strategy is still Government policy. It is taken into account in the national development plan and in other planning initiatives.

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