Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

Output from Part V has been increasing in recent years according as general housing activity has expanded and planning permissions which predated the implementation of Part V have been increasingly built out. From a position in 2002 where just 46 homes were delivered, provisional data indicate that 1,600 affordable homes and approximately 600 social homes were delivered under Part V in 2006. The total of approximately 2,200 homes delivered last year represented a very significant increase of approximately 60% on the corresponding level of delivery in 2005.

Predictions of future output under Part V are necessarily subject to a number of uncertain variables. These include the volume of housing development for which planning permission is granted, the finalisation of individual agreements between local authorities and developers, and the timing of commencement and phasing of individual developments. Notwithstanding the uncertainty associated with these variables, it is estimated that 3,500 social and affordable homes will be provided under Part V in 2007, of which it is estimated 2,400 will be affordable homes. This would represent a further significant increase in delivery of close to 60% compared with last year's level of activity.

I am satisfied that Part V is rapidly gathering momentum and is being implemented effectively across the country, contributing significantly to the provision of social and affordable housing, within the comprehensive policy approach contained in the Government's recently launched statement Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities.

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