Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 102: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has completed his consideration of the NESC report published in December 2004, and the other recent reports which have a bearing on the housing sector; if it is his intention to bring forward proposals resulting from his consideration of these reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11125/05]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 106: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress made by the Government in its consideration of the recent NESC report on housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11058/05]

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 130: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if it is his intention to bring forward proposals to implement the recommendation in the recent NESC report on housing for the construction of the 73,000 units of social housing in net terms between 2005 and 2012. [11123/05]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 102, 106 and 130 together.

The Government is giving careful consideration to the findings of Report No. 112 of the National Economic and Social Council, Housing in Ireland: Performance and Policy, and other recent reports with a bearing on the issues arising.

The NESC report provides an important analysis of the Irish housing system and an agenda for the future development of policy. Importantly, the report recognises that the general thrust of existing policy is well directed. My Department is examining the issues raised in the report and is considering new measures that are desirable both in the short term and in the more medium term. These matters will be considered by Government shortly.

While this review of housing policies is timely, it will also be important to maintain a focus on delivery. The Government continues to support strong programmes of social and affordable housing, with investment of some €2 billion being made available for these purposes in 2005 to further increase the output of social and affordable housing. It is planned that the needs of in excess of 13,000 households will be met through various social and affordable housing measures in 2005. In addition, it is anticipated that a number of households currently in private rented accommodation will transfer to the new rental accommodation scheme now being introduced. These households will continue to be mainly accommodated within the private rented sector.

Five-year action plans developed by local authorities for social and affordable housing programmes will ensure that these resources are used to best effect to deliver the optimum level of quality housing in a manner which breaks cycles of disadvantage and dependency.