Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am also increasing the current allocation for social housing by a further €69 million, to €414 million. This funding will enable local authorities to secure accommodation for a further 14,000 households. I am keen to make use of all available funding to address immediate housing needs. So, pending further developments on the special purpose vehicle that we announced, I am making €10 million available from the proceeds of the sale of Bord Gáis Éireann for an affordable housing pilot scheme. This will be an ongoing annual commitment to secure long-term increases in the housing supply.

The human cost of the legacy of boom-and-bust housing development is the number of people without a home. Addressing homelessness, particularly among families, is a key Government priority. Under the capital plan announced recently, funding is available to provide 500 modular housing units for homeless families as an emergency measure.

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