Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The number and method of delivery of social housing units in future years will be determined in the course of the annual Estimates process. The social housing strategy, which is to be published in the third quarter of 2014, will inform the upcoming Estimates discussions. The financial parameters within which we continue to operate will not facilitate a return to large-scale capital funded construction programmes. However, earlier this year, I signalled a return to modest levels of new social housing construction, with an announcement of 1,000 new housing starts over the 2014 to 2015 period. The Government also recognises the importance of a wider response to social housing support needs through a variety of mechanisms.

In the 2014 Estimates, funding for housing, at more than €587 million, was effectively maintained at 2013 levels. This includes a €50 million capital stimulus to support construction and related programmes, primarily in the housing area, including €30 million to recommence a public housing building programme. As part of the Government’s additional €200 million stimulus package for the construction sector, announced in May 2014, a further €50 million is also being provided for social housing delivery. Through this overall level of funding, I expect the final output across all social housing programmes for 2014 to be in the region of 6,000 new housing units.

In March 2014, I announced the approval of 56 social housing construction projects, with an overall value of some €68 million, under the local authority housing construction programme for 2014-2015. This will deliver 449 new units of accommodation for people on the housing waiting list.

Some €20 million of the May 2014 stimulus announcement will be made available for further new local authority projects, details of which I intend to announce shortly.

Earlier this year I also announced details of a new measure with funding of €15 million which will be invested in bringing 952 vacant and boarded-up local authority houses back into productive use. Some €20 million of the additional May 2014 stimulus will be used to fund the refurbishment of an additional 1,000 vacant units.

I also announced details of the allocations to local authorities under my Department's capital assistance scheme. I realise my time is running out and I want to get to Part V.

Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 has contributed to increased social integration and more sustainable mixed tenure communities. The review of Part V, which deals with affordable housing and ensuring there is a social housing gain from private development, will be completed shortly. Any legislative changes required on foot of the review will be incorporated into the general scheme of a planning Bill, which is currently in preparation. As the social housing gain under Part V is contingent on the extent of private development taking place, it is not possible at this time to estimate the number of units that will be delivered under Part V.

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