Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his question. As outlined by the Minister, the implementation of the HAP scheme is a key Government priority under the Social Housing Strategy 2020, which sets out a range of ambitious targets. The scheme is vital if we are to meet housing demand, which, as the Deputy rightly points out, is increasing. The funding that has been committed under the social housing strategy is evidence of our commitment in this area. More than €3 billion has been ring-fenced for the provision of a mixture of housing solutions. All Deputies will know from their constituency clinics that local authorities have not been building houses for the past 12 years. We came into government at a time when houses were simply not available in local authority areas and voids were not being turned around quickly enough. The Minister and I have given a major focus to improving the turnaround of voids. For the first time, we are measuring how long these turnarounds are taking and how much they are costing. That will help to reduce the housing lists, but it will take time.

The construction of new homes, likewise, will take time, because it involves the issuing of tenders and so on before construction can commence. Huge investment is going into that area. In the meantime, we must put in place other solutions, one of which is the HAP scheme. I would expect the Deputy to welcome the funding we are putting in place to bring benefits to tenants in terms of security of tenure, improved accommodation standards and so on. Every local authority that administers a HAP scheme must ensure properties are inspected and brought up to standard within eight months. Something had to be done to bridge the gap in accommodation provision until the new house-building programmes commence. The HAP scheme is working very well in that regard in seven local authority areas and is about to be rolled out in 12 more areas around the country. I am confident that this component of the social housing strategy will help to address the demand to which the Deputy referred.

See this speech in context