Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

This is a good news story. We set out to deliver 27,000 units between 2007 and 2009. This year we will deliver 9,000 units, which is on target. Record funding of €1.7 billion will be provided in 2008, which is a 16% increase on last year. Local authorities will deliver 6,500 social housing units and in the first nine months of the year, they delivered almost 4,500. The voluntary and co-operative sector was due to deliver 2,000 units and it has delivered in excess of 1,500 already, while RAS, which was due to deliver 500 units, has delivered 796. As a result, output has increased by 66% compared to the first nine months of 2006, which is a record achievement. More than 11,000 social housing units will be under construction at the end of 2007. This programme will continue in 2008. Local authorities will provide 6,600 units while the voluntary and co-operative sector will provide 2,000. We will continue the implementation of RAS and I have also asked the affordable homes partnership to lease 1,000 accommodation units in the Dublin area under the scheme over a three-year period to meet the need outlined by the Deputy.

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