Dáil debates

Wednesday, 4 October 2006

Priority Questions

Social and Affordable Housing.

1:00 pm

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 110: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of dwellings completed and handed over to date for affordable housing under Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31183/06]

Photo of Noel AhernNoel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Up to end June 2006, 1,837 affordable homes were acquired under Part V, while 2,373 dwellings were under construction and 3,012 were proposed on foot of agreements with developers.

In addition to the number of affordable housing units acquired under Part V, the end-June figures also indicate that 950 social units were acquired, with 1,428 under construction and 1,097 proposed. Some 51 land transfers to local authorities have been completed involving 40 hectares. A further 259 partially or fully serviced sites have been transferred to local authorities and voluntary housing bodies and €38 million has been received in lieu of land. This output reflects the use of the various flexible options now available to satisfy Part V obligations.

It is important to stress that not all housing output in the State is subject to Part V. Regularly, the mistake is made that in viewing output under Part V one simply applies a percentage to the total overall housing output to determine the Part V contribution, but that is not the case. Part V is restricted to multiple housing developments on land zoned for residential use, or a mixture of residential and other uses. Therefore, not all housing developments are subject to Part V. It does not apply to planning permissions granted prior to the introduction of Part V, many of which are still being built on. It is estimated that just over 10,000 units of the total housing output last year was subject to Part V.

I have no doubt that Part V will play an increasing role in the delivery of social and affordable housing in the future. However, it is not intended that Part V should be the only mechanism for the provision of social and affordable housing. The main local authority housing construction programme together with the voluntary and co-operative construction programme and the various affordable programmes continue to be the major contributors to the national social rented and affordable housing stock.

It is envisaged that approximately 8,000 social and affordable units will be delivered under Part V in the next three years.

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

When commencing the Planning and Development Act on 31 October 2000, the then Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Noel Dempsey, said it was not an exaggeration to say that Part V of the Act would bring about the most fundamental changes in how local authorities plan and provide for housing.

Since the Act came into effect, approximately 400,000 private houses have been built. The Minister of State has said that 1,837 have been delivered for affordable housing and 950 for social housing. We were supposed to get 20%, but the figure he announced today is not even 1% of the total number of private houses built here since the Act came into effect. It is barely 1% of half the number of houses built. The only exaggeration here is the degree to which the Government exaggerated its promise. It promised 20% but delivered only 1%. That is the Government record on social and affordable housing under Part V, seven years after it was announced, six years after it was enacted and five years after it came fully into force.

Whatever the Minister of State may say about the Government's role in terms of house prices and the housing market, delivery on Part V was the one thing it was supposed to achieve. It was supposed to deliver 20% of the private housing output for social and affordable housing. It has delivered less than 1%. This is a monumental failure on the part of the Government and the Minister of State with responsibility for housing.

Photo of Noel AhernNoel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The changes being made and those that will come from the legislation will have a fundamental effect.

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

When? The Government has had seven years to do it.

Photo of Noel AhernNoel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The figures I gave demonstrate that almost 3,000 units have been delivered.

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The figures are 1,837 and 950.

Photo of Noel AhernNoel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Right, 2,787.

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Less than 1% of the total.

Photo of Noel AhernNoel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Over 3,800 are under construction and agreement has been reached for 4,000 more. I consider these figures fundamental. I am blue in the face saying that, as we all know, Part V applies to new planning permissions, not to unzoned land——

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Because the Government changed the law.

Photo of Noel AhernNoel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The figures are adding up and will continue to do so. In the future Part V will be seen as a significant means of providing social and affordable housing. There is no doubt that it takes time to deliver the dividend, but it is coming. The figures indicate that and each quarter they are on an upward graph. Part V is and will be a fundamental delivery mechanism for social and affordable housing into the future.

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Given that, seven years after this measure was announced, which promised that 20% of private housing would be social and affordable, less than 1% is delivered, will the Minister of State tell us how many more decades of Fianna Fáil rule will be required before we reach the 20% target?

Photo of Noel AhernNoel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy fully understands the rules relating to Part V, but he continues to try to mislead——

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government has had seven years, but less than 1% has been delivered.

Photo of Noel AhernNoel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

——by selectively quoting figures. We know Part V does not apply to existing planning permissions, to unzoned land, one-off housing or schemes of under five units. However, Part V will be a significant contributor——

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

When?

Photo of Noel AhernNoel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Now, today, and next year.

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Some 1,800 out of 400,000——

Photo of Noel AhernNoel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy knows that planning permission lasts for five years and many of the houses on sale this weekend got their planning permission five to seven years ago. No one action can be taken overnight to ramp up the delivery of affordable units. However, as the old planning permissions die out, the dividend in the future will be considerable.

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That is rubbish. The Minister of State knows as well as I do that a planning permission has a five-year life. Any planning permissions developers got before this Act was published in 1999 have expired. Anybody who had a 1999 planning permission would have to get new planning permission. Therefore, what the Minister of State has said is rubbish. The Act should now be fully operational. The problem is that the Government, which has been in office for almost ten years, promised the people, including all the young people trying to get houses, that a social and affordable housing scheme would deliver 20% of the private housing development.

The figures the Minister of State gave us, the 1,837 affordable and 950 social units, have made up less than 1% of the total private housing output of the country since the Act came into effect. No matter how he spins it or what excuses the Minister of State offers, this is a monumental failure on the part of Government and an absolute betrayal of all the people who are trying to provide a roof over their heads while mortgage rates are rising and after ten years of rising house prices.

Photo of Noel AhernNoel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I suggest it is Deputy Gilmore who is putting a spin on the situation. Many of the housing units currently on sale are still exempt.

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That is because after 2003 the Minister of State made them exempt.

Photo of Noel AhernNoel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy knows well also that many of the big developments, particularly in the Dublin area, got ten-year planning permissions from the local authorities. The dividend on affordable units is delivering and coming forward——

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It has delivered less than 1%.

Photo of Noel AhernNoel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Not alone have we got Part V, there are other schemes. Last year these schemes, including Part V, delivered nearly 3,000 units. This will increase to 8,000 over the next couple of years. The dividend from Part V will be considerable, not to mention the good work the affordable homes partnership will do and the different land swaps that will be made. The Deputy will always try to make something look small. If the Deputy wishes me to add all the schemes——

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Minister of State is good at double addition.

Photo of Noel AhernNoel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

——I can do so and the figures will look much more impressive. Part V is and will be a very good source of affordable houses in the future as the old planning permissions die out.