Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Social housing is a key priority for the Government, as evidenced by the additional €2.2 billion in funding announced for social housing in budget 2015 and the publication of the social housing strategy 2020 in November 2014. The strategy builds on the provisions contained in budget 2015 and sets out clear, measurable actions and targets to increase the supply of social housing, reform delivery arrangements and meet the housing needs of all households on the housing list. Importantly, it restores the State to a central role in the provision of social housing. The total targeted provision of over 110,000 social housing units through the delivery of 35,000 new social housing units and meeting the housing needs of some 75,000 households through the housing assistance payment and rental accommodation scheme will address the needs of the 90,000 households on the housing waiting list in full, with flexibility to meet potential future demand. In committing to provide these 35,000 new social housing units, at a projected cost of €3.8 billion, the strategy marks a fresh start for social housing in Ireland.

Under the relevant actions of the strategy, national targets for the delivery of social housing on a local authority by local authority basis are to be agreed for each year in quarter one 2015. This process is well under way and all local authorities have submitted delivery proposals, across all delivery mechanisms, for the years 2015 to 2017. These are being examined in my Department.

Total housing provision in 2015 will result in an investment of almost €800 million across a range of housing programmes. I expect some 7,400 new social housing units to be provided this year. In addition, a further 8,400 households will be assisted through the housing assistance payment. The social housing strategy sets out an ambitious agenda for delivery and it is one that all of the key stakeholders and I are determined to meet.

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