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

Question 44: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of approved applicants for local authority housing in 1996; the number of such applicants in 2005; the percentage of housing output represented by social housing in 1996; the percentage in 2005; the number of social housing units completed to date in 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42630/06]

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

The assessment of housing need undertaken by local authorities in March 1996 indicated that a total of 27,427 households were in need of housing while the corresponding figure for March 2005 was 43,684 households. The March 2005 figure was a decrease of almost 10% on the corresponding figure of 48,413 households in March 2002. The decrease in the numbers on the waiting lists has resulted from the positive impact of the Government's investment in the provision of social and affordable housing.

Of the 33,321 new houses completed in 1996, 3,593 were social housing units, which represented over 10% of total output. In 2005, 80,957 new houses were completed, of which 5,559 units were social units, representing almost 7% of total output. The number of completed social housing units at the end of September this year was 3,340. It is expected that the total social housing output for this year, including acquisitions, will be in the region of 6,800. Overall, it is estimated that the needs of over 14,000 households will be addressed through social and affordable housing measures this year compared with 8,600 in 2000, six years ago.

Additional resources will be provided next year to address social and affordable housing need. A record provision of €1.5 billion is being made available, which is a 9% increase in Exchequer housing programmes over this year's levels and double the provision of six years ago.

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

I thank the Minister of State for his reply, notwithstanding the fact that he managed to describe a 16,000 increase in social housing numbers between 1996 and 2005 as a decrease. Did he see "Prime Time Investigates" last night? It showed the scandalous way in which home buyers in this country are being ripped off by estate agents and mortgage brokers, because of the failure of the Government to regulate these bodies. What action will he take to regulate estate agents and other professionals in the housing market? What action will he take to end the scandal of unfinished housing estates? What action will he take to regulate management companies and management charges? What will he do to end the rip off of young people trying to buy a home of their own?

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

Unfortunately, I did not see the programme last night, but from what I have heard, it covered areas that are not under my Department's responsibility.

Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Minister of State was out knocking on doors.

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

The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform has proposed that managing agents answer to the regulator dealing with estate agents. Mortgage brokers are already under the financial regulator and the data protection office. Several Departments are involved with management companies, including the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment when some management companies do not fill their company law requirements. The Law Reform Commission is working on an overall report, but several Departments are involved. The brokers also have to deal with the Department of Finance and the Central Bank.

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

I am surprised the Minister of State with responsibility for housing would not have taken time to watch a programme — well signalled in advance — dealing with an issue so central to housing policy. I am also surprised the extensive media monitoring units, available to the Government at the expense of the taxpayer, did not do the job for him so he could address the issue today. Instead, he has kicked to touch and stated it is the responsibility of other Departments.

The Labour Party proposed a Bill over five years ago to regulate the housing market, which was shot down by the Government. We have brought a number of private members' proposals before the House which dealt with taking charge of unfinished housing estates and the regulation of housing management companies and management charges, all of which were shot down by a Government that promised to do something in the future. After ten years in office, is it acceptable that the Government allows the scandalous rip-off that we saw demonstrated on television last night? Young people trying to buy a home of their own are being ripped off by unscrupulous chancers who have licence to do as they like from a Government which seems more interested in keeping some people's pockets full than protecting the consumer interests of home buyers.

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

I was not at home last night and I did not see the programme. I will try to view it this week. Nobody gave me a tape of it this morning. Questions were previously asked about the media monitoring service, of which I am aware.

We have acted on the issue of unfinished estates.

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

The Government half implemented our proposals.

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

Deputy Gilmore is stretching the question a bit.

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

I am asking about housing for which the Minister of State has responsibility.

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

The Deputy moved on a bit from that. I did not get to one part of the original reply and I am afraid that the Deputy might misinterpret the data I gave him.

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

I can count. There are twice as many people on the housing list now.

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

The information given was complete and thorough, but it did not include acquisitions. Local authorities buy approximately 1,000 units per year. If one were trying to make an accurate comparison between the numbers in social housing ten years ago and today, one would need to allow for the acquisitions. However, we could not give that figure because of the way the Deputy asked his question. Local authorities acquire houses through new buildings and second-hand purchases. We also need to look at the number in receipt of rent allowance.

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

Too many.

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

Okay. However, the number has risen from 30,000 to 60,000 in ten years. If the acquisitions and the number of private houses on rent allowances are factored in, things would be different.