Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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25. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the number of housing units now leased under the rental assistance scheme and social leasing schemes under local authorities; the cost of these two schemes to the Exchequer in 2013; and the projected cost for 2014. [51821/13]

Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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This question is about the total amount spent on the rental assistance scheme and what is described as the social leasing scheme. This is in addition to the money spent on rent supplement. I ask the Minister to address this issue because there is concern about what has been spent in 2013 and the projected figure for 2014.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The rental accommodation scheme is operated by the Department in conjunction with the Department of Social Protection. Approximately €50 million will be spent in 2013 on assisting local authorities in providing essential accommodation under certain criteria for particular clients on their social housing lists. The same sum will be available in 2014, in conjunction with the Department of Social Protection.

Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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There is €50 million for RAS in 2013 and there will be a similar figure for 2014. There is also a social leasing scheme, but the Minister has not given the figure for that. There is the RAS and the social leasing scheme, a long-term leasing scheme being undertaken by local authorities, which the Department encourages. I am seeking the figures for that scheme as well for 2013 and 2014. While RAS is a quick solution, in view of the fact that building and land costs are low at present there is an opportunity to invest in social housing infrastructure and to get a return on it over the next 20 or 30 years.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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These schemes are extremely important for all local authorities. It is now the time of the year that local authorities prepare budgets for the following year, although Ennis Town Council has postponed its budget meeting until the new year. In the context of these schemes and the budget allocations, when will the Department give the allocations to town councils for 2014, given the uncertainty at present because some of these town councils will no longer exist after the middle of next year?

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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With regard to Deputy Stanley's question, I will get the figures for him on the social leasing scheme. I do not have them with me today, but I will provide the information for 2013 and 2014.

Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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It is mentioned in the parliamentary question.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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It is not included in my reply, and I apologise for that. I will refer back to the Deputy with the figure later today. On housing policy in general, the Department is reviewing the policy and the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, is very conscious that new initiatives are required. We must also get the incremental purchase scheme up and running, apart from the direct provision we are giving local authorities to get a construction programme going.

On Deputy Breen's question, it was 2 December 2012 when allocations were notified to local authorities for 2013. We are not far from the same date this year and I expect we will be in a position to make allocations under the general purpose grants and all of the other funding arrangements in a short while. Under the service level agreements with local authorities Irish Water will also make financial provisions amounting to €528 million.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputies who tabled Questions Nos. 26 to 28, inclusive, are not present.