Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Local authorities and approved housing bodies are utilising a wide range of delivery approaches to accelerate the provision of social housing. This multifaceted approach includes acquisitions, as proposed by the Deputy. I will provide data in this regard as I go through my reply.

The range of delivery approaches available includes the remediation of vacant social houses, many of which were voids, in respect of which regeneration has been very successful; the lease of units; the use of the rental accommodation and housing assistance payment schemes; and the construction projects, including construction of modular units to which the Deputy referred. The Government is also approving direct acquisitions by local authorities and approved housing bodies.

A strong pipeline of new social housing construction projects is now in place following on from the announcement earlier this year of the first major direct build social housing programme under the strategy. Recognising that these projects will take time to come on stream, the Minister, Deputy Kelly, and I have encouraged local authorities to acquire suitable properties for social housing, while being sensitive to local market conditions and ensuring value for money for the taxpayer. I expect that in the region of 700 such units will be acquired by local authorities this year.

In relation to NAMA residential properties, I expect more than 2,000 units to be secured for social housing purposes from the engagement that has been ongoing between my Department, NAMA and the local authorities for a number of years. NAMA is also funding the construction of an estimated 20,000 new residential properties in major urban centres and 10% of that output, some 2,000 further units, will be, as per Part V, provided for social housing. Approximately 400 new local authority housing posts have been approved by my Department to ensure capacity and preparedness for delivery of the social housing targets, including the appointment of architects, engineers, financial and administrative staff. As I said, the approach being taken is a multifaceted one. I assure the Deputy that every avenue is being explored to ensure delivery of the social housing which we all acknowledge is badly needed.

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