Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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7. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which he has evaluated current housing needs in terms of dealing with the already large number of persons on local authority housing lists, which is increasing on a daily basis; the increased incidence of homelessness arising from supply and demand; if he expects to be in a position to deal with the serious problem of homelessness on a county basis; if he will develop a strategy to address these issues by way of short-term plans such as the purchase of existing units where available and, in the medium to long term, the identification of suitable sites, zoned where possible, or the prospect of acquiring such sites under the strategic infrastructural deficit heading with a view to ensuring a comprehensive housing programme on an ongoing basis, thereby eliminating the prospect of a repeat of the current crisis, which is due to the pursuit of incorrect policies over a 15-year period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34320/14]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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This question seeks to emphasise the urgent and ever-increasing housing problem, with particular reference to various locations throughout the country, some of which are affected more than others. While I welcome the Minister's indications to date, I am anxious to see progress in the strategy to address the two strands of this problem.

Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for his question and wish to reiterate the Minister's comments, in that the provision of housing units is a high priority for the Government. Action No. 1 of Construction 2020: A Strategy for a Renewed Construction Sector provides for a national framework for housing supply to be established on a statutory footing, with an annual national statement of projected housing supply and demand to be published every June. The Housing Agency has been asked to take the lead in implementing this action.

The proper management of all State land is critical. Accordingly, lands that have been transferred to the Housing Agency and lands held by local authorities that are suitable for development will be the first sites considered in any future targeted social housing building programme. In line with the commitments under the Construction 2020 strategy, a housing supply co-ordination task force for Dublin has been established, with an immediate focus on addressing supply-related issues.

On 20 May, the implementation plan for the State's response to homelessness was published. In it, the Government's approach to delivery of its objective of ending involuntary long-term homelessness by the end of 2016 was outlined. This plan sets out a range of measures to secure a ring-fenced supply of accommodation for homeless households within the next three years and to mobilise the necessary supports.

The social housing strategy referred to by the Minister, to be developed under Construction 2020, will provide the basis for an enhanced approach to social housing provision. It will contain clear, measurable actions to be taken to increase the supply of social housing and, most importantly, reduce the number of people on waiting lists over the next five years. I expect that the strategy will be ready for consideration by the Government in the coming weeks.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State. I congratulate him and the Minister on their appointments and wish them well for their tenures in office, which we hope will be long.

The two issues arising are moveable feasts, for want of a better description. First, the numbers on the waiting list are constantly changing. One cause is that a number of people have shifted addresses repeatedly in recent years and, as a result, were not included in the updating process and were missed out in the programme. In County Kildare, there are 6,500 families registered on the housing list. That number is increasing daily. Second, 30 or so families are registered as being homeless, yet there is no homeless accommodation and no provision has been made for acquiring purpose-built houses. Would it be possible to develop a two-stage strategy to acquire urgently required emergency housing and to zone land or use currently zoned land to provide an adequate supply of houses adjacent to those areas where it is most needed?

Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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The Government recognises the challenge of providing housing units. The housing shortage exists for a reason: the policy of previous Governments was to abdicate responsibility for direct provision of local authority houses. In tandem, the problem was exacerbated when the Part V element of private developments, which was intended to address many of the housing gaps, failed to deliver the numbers sought due to the economic crash.

That is why the Government is now giving this matter its full attention. As the Minister, Deputy Kelly, previously outlined, a comprehensive social housing strategy is being prepared as we speak, it will be adopted over the coming weeks and will be published at that stage. There will be a number of responses within that strategy. Direct provision of local authority houses and other funding models, perhaps like those the Deputy mentioned, will all be examined. The real estate investment trust, whereby long-term landlords invest in properties, will also be examined. That has been seen as a successful model in other countries like Canada.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I remind the Minister to keep an eye on the clock. I call Deputy Durkan.

Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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A number of responses are needed to urgently respond to this problem.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I respectfully suggest that County Kildare is a classic example of where the shortage of houses is very severe and is becoming more severe on a daily basis. If the Minister of State and his Department are willing to engage with the local authority staff in Kildare, I have no doubt they will identify the full extent of the problem and the likely development of the problem over the next few years. Will it be possible to engage with them on that basis and also with other local authority areas that are similarly affected?

Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Yes. I recognise that Kildare has its demands and it is recognised by Government that the greater Dublin area, the commuter areas and other large urban areas in the country have a far greater demand on social housing provision. That is why there is a medium to long-term strategy, as well as a short-term one, where a national framework for housing supply is being established and will be put on a statutory footing. This is the strategy towards which the Government will be working to ensure provision is provided where demand is greatest and priorities will be listed in that format.