Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I too want to see the optimum delivery of social and affordable housing as quickly as possible from all large strategic housing sites. In respect of local authority sites, their development, including tenure mix, is in the first instance a matter for each council and its elected members.

The Government has put in place more than €6 billion in multi-annual funding for social housing. Local authorities and approved housing bodies are currently working on a significant construction programme of more than 11,000 new homes. My Department continues to support and work with local authorities to develop their major housing development sites. At this point, all the sites have been mapped on the Rebuilding Ireland housing land map, which is accessible on the Rebuilding Ireland website, and all local authorities are in the process of finalising and submitting strategic development plans for their respective landbanks.

Housing affordability has been examined by my Department as part of the targeted review of Rebuilding Ireland, taking account of the measures already taken and those announced as part of budget 2018. The outcome of this, including any additional measures, will be outlined in the coming weeks.

Of the 3,500 homes planned to be delivered within the Poolbeg strategic development zone, SDZ, it is intended that 350 units will be delivered as social units under Part V. In addition, a further 550 will be delivered under a commercial agreement, with the majority earmarked for affordable homes but with potential for additional social housing, particularly designed for older people. In terms of other SDZs, it is open to local authorities to propose a similar approach with the planning schemes. My Department will be happy to engage on any such proposal.

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