Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 180: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of social houses completed in each year since 1998; and his estimate of the average cost per unit. [14076/04]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Details of social housing output since 1998, both under the local authority housing programme and by the voluntary and co-operative housing sector, are set out in my Department's housing statistics bulletin. Copies are available in the Oireachtas Library.

Average unit costs for social housing for each of the years from 1998 to 2003, inclusive, are as follows:

The Government's positive commitment to the social housing programme is shown in the increased provision for social and affordable housing in 2004. The total housing provision, Exchequer and non-Exchequer, in 2004 of €1.884 billion represents an increase of 5.4% on the 2003 provision. The increase in the housing provision will allow for 5,000 starts under the main local authority programme. This is an increase of 500 above 2003 levels. There will also be a further 500 commencements under area regeneration programmes in 2004. In addition the voluntary and co-operative housing sector will provide 1,800 units of accommodation in 2004.

The social and affordable housing needs of over 13,600 households were met in 2003 compared to almost 8,500 in 1998. This is the highest level of housing provision under the full range of social and affordable housing measures for over 15 years.