Batt O'Keeffe (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy for his good wishes for the season ahead. Policy issues on the provision of social and affordable housing may be decided at national level but the detailed implementation of those policies and the delivery of projects is a matter for the individual local authorities. It is the responsibility of local authorities to assess the need for housing in particular locations.

In supporting local authorities in their strategies for delivery, this Government has been innovative in its approach to developing policies and ambitious in setting national targets. It ensured strong programmes of social and affordable housing through the provision of substantial resources on a multi-annual basis. In 2006, some €2 billion is provided for investment in social and affordable housing across the country, more than double the expenditure in 2000.

As a result of the investment in recent years and vacancies arising in the social housing stock, the needs of some 100,000 households have been met over the period 1997 to 2005. This includes more than 18,700 households in the Dublin city area and 3,700 households in the Fingal area.

Continued increases in the supply of housing has improved access to housing for first time buyers, which is a Government priority. In the Fingal area the overall growth in housing supply in 2004 was 280% higher than in 1996. Further increased output in north Dublin will arise from developments now under way following the provision of the north fringe sewer. In addition to private units, significant numbers of social and affordable homes will become available through Part V. The establishment of the affordable homes partnership to co-ordinate and add impetus to the delivery of affordable housing in and around the capital is an example of the Government's innovative arrangements to deliver affordable housing.

Building on progress achieved from our investment to date, we announced an increased social and affordable housing programme when launching our new housing policy framework, Building Sustainable Communities, last December. In the draft social partnership agreement, Towards 2016, we have committed to further additional investment in social housing with 27,000 new units to be started or acquired over the period 2007 to 2009. Continued growth is expected in affordable housing, particularly in the Dublin region.

The main strategy for delivery of the Government's social and affordable housing programme is through the five year action plans for social and affordable housing developed by each local authority. The Government made record financial allocations in 2006 to respond to these action plans, with some €150 million made to the two local authorities mentioned for the main local authority social housing programme, traveller accommodation programmes and remedial works excluding major regeneration projects. The action plans are currently at the midway stage and are being reviewed. We must ensure that local authorities are capable of integrated planning and delivery of social and affordable housing. The Government has put in place the policy framework and is making available the necessary resources. Local authorities have a key role in ensuring that action plans are implemented by bringing forward quality projects which respond to local need.

The Government places great emphasis on building sustainable communities. That is the reason it brought forward a policy framework setting down these principles last year. The principles include building good quality housing, having a good tenant mix and investing heavily in good social integration. Fundamentally, it means building homes in communities where people want to live and enjoy living. I urge local councillors to be aware of these issues and of the importance of progressing this agenda in the course of their deliberations in the council chambers.

There are few strategic areas in the city council area available for housing. It was extraordinary that the council sold land that could have been used for social and affordable housing to private interests. That council is in the control of the Labour Party——

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