Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 77: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress made with regard to the announcement on 24 February 2005 to swap State-owned lands for private sites on which housing development has already been completed to help fast track the provision of the 10,000 affordable houses promised under Sustaining Progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11064/05]

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

My Department has been examining an additional strategy as a means of speeding up delivery of affordable units under the affordable housing initiative, AHI, under Sustaining Progress. This consists of a land swap option which proposes that high value land in State ownership, which has been made available to the AHI, be exchanged with builders-developers in return for housing units already completed on a site or combination of sites owned by that developer. Rather than build units on the State land by way of the traditional procurement and development process, it is considered that this approach may have the advantage of delivering the units more quickly while at the same time ensuring value for money for the State asset.

The Harcourt Terrace site was advertised on 17 November on a pilot basis to test this approach. I understand there was considerable interest in this site and Dublin City Council, following a short-listing process, is currently in the process of selecting a successful bidder for the site. It is expected that negotiations will be completed shortly.

The outcome of the piloting of this approach, which is being closely monitored at all stages, will then be evaluated with a view to using the land swap option on other AHI sites.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 79: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will update the House in relation to the delivery of social and affordable housing through Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000. [11120/05]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 128: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that half of the country's local authorities have failed to acquire any social or affordable houses under the terms of Part V of the Planning Act 2000; the steps he intends to take to ensure that all local authorities make full use of this facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11066/05]

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 135: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will report on the benefits that have accrued to the State to date from the receipt of dwellings, financial contributions and sites under Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11175/05]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 79, 128 and 135 together.

Part V of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2004 is fully operational and all relevant residential planning applications are now subject to a Part V agreement. Apart from the provision of housing units to the local authority on or off-site, an agreement under Part V may provide for a range of other options. Notwithstanding the availability of these options, my Department's stated preference, which has been communicated to local authorities, is for the provision of housing units whether on-site or off-site.

Final figures are not available yet for 2004, but it is estimated that some 800 social and affordable housing units had been acquired by local authorities by the end of 2004; nearly 1,900 were in course of acquisition; and a further 2,800 were earmarked for acquisition on foot of Part V agreements with developers. In addition, nine land transfers to local authorities have been completed involving 6.72 hectares; a further 150 partially or fully serviced sites have been transferred to local authorities and voluntary housing bodies; and some €10 million has been received in payments in lieu and under the withering levy. It is clear from the returns that there has been activity in all of the city and county councils under at least one of the options available for complying with Part V.

It is envisaged that some 6,000 social and affordable units will be delivered under Part V between 2005 and 2007. Additionally, payments in lieu, which are ring-fenced for housing capital purposes only, together with land and sites accruing from the take-up of the alternative options will further supplement the overall provision of social and affordable housing. On this basis, I am satisfied that the provisions of Part V are being suitably progressed and that they will contribute significantly to the supply of social and affordable housing going forward.