Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Housing is a key priority for this Government and, as outlined in the programme for a partnership Government, I will prepare an action plan for housing within the Government's first 100 days, working with other Government colleagues. We hope to do this by the end of July or the middle of August. The action plan will build on the considerable work already carried out or under way, and will draw on the important work of the special Oireachtas Committee on Housing and Homelessness. It will include actions to expedite and boost the supply of all types of housing, including social housing, in the immediate, medium and longer terms. While it is important to boost housing supply for all, the action plan will focus in particular on those experiencing the most difficulty in accessing the housing and rental market at the moment.

The targets in respect of social housing delivery have been set for each local authority out to 2017. The target for 2016 is 17,000 units, and I am committed to meeting that target and my ambition is to exceed it if possible. I have asked all local authority chief executives for their ideas and proposals to expedite delivery of social housing this year. In respect of capital programmes, 1,500 units are targeted for delivery through construction and acquisition by local authorities and approved housing bodies, AHBs. Local authorities will also return a further 1,500 voids to productive use. Under the social housing current expenditure programme, 3,000 units are to be delivered through the acquisition, leasing or construction of houses and apartments by local authorities and AHBs. In addition, 1,000 units will be delivered under the rental accommodation scheme, with 10,000 households being assisted under the housing assistance payment scheme.

Given that Deputy Alan Kelly put down the question, I wish to state for the record that the former Minister did a lot to respond to a very difficult housing need in the past two years and has put foundations in place upon which I can build. It would be appropriate to recognise that today.

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