Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. Increasing both public and private housing supply is a critical issue and the Government's construction strategy, Construction 2020, published on 14 May, is a blueprint for a properly functioning and sustainable construction sector. It provides for a strategic approach to the provision of housing based on real and measured demand and addresses the full range of relevant issues, including the planning process, financing, access to mortgage finance and the construction workforce. The Government has committed, under action 8 of Construction 2020, to publish a social housing strategy. This strategy, which isin preparation, will provide the basis for an enhanced approach to social housing provision in Ireland. The strategy is being developed by my Department, with input from key personnel in the Housing Agency and the National Economic and Social Council. A public consultation process was undertaken by the Housing Agency during the summer. A wide range of submissions from key stakeholders were received and have informed the development of the strategy.

The social housing strategy will build on the strengths of the sector's key players and provide for a coherent, sustainable and reliable framework for the delivery of social housing support in Ireland. The strategy will necessarily concentrate on social housing issues, but it will also make the connection with key issues affecting the Irish housing market as a whole. It will quantify the nature of the challenge with regard to housing need, housing demand and housing supply. Based on 2013 figures, 89,800 households are in need of social housing supports. The Construction 2020 target of tripling annual housing output in the next six years further informs the scale of the challenge. A range of delivery mechanisms are being considered and the strategy will provide pathways for the delivery and financing of the increased supply of social and public housing which will be required in the coming years.

In the context of the issue raised by the Deputy, Dublin City Council launched a pilot rent-to-buy scheme in 2010. This scheme was intended to provide Dublin city with a further option for dealing with unsold affordable houses. All properties under that pilot scheme have been allocated and I understand no further offers are being made at this time. The Government's 2011 housing policy statement announced the standing down of all affordable housing schemes in the context of a full review of Part V of the Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2013. The review of Part V of the Planning and Development Acts, which provides for social and affordable housing supply, has been completed by the Housing Agency - at my Department's request - and submitted to the Government. I anticipate that any legislative change required on foot of the review will be incorporated into the general scheme of a new planning Bill that is expected to be published shortly.

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