John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 134: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether the private sector has a role in the provision of local authority housing over the next ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11016/05]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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It is appropriate that the private sector should play a considerable role in the provision of social and affordable housing. Under Part V of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-02, private developers provide dwellings to local authorities for letting to households on their waiting lists. It is anticipated that in 2005 local authorities will acquire some 600 social housing units from private developers in this manner; this will be supplemented by affordable housing units provided under the same arrangements.

Private developers are also providing housing units to local authorities by way of turnkey developments under the local authority housing construction acquisition programme. It is expected that in 2005 some 500 units will be provided by way of turnkey developments.

In addition, my Department is actively promoting a number of public private partnership projects. The regeneration of Fatima Mansions by Dublin City Council, which is being undertaken as a PPP project, has already commenced construction. The city council is also developing PPP projects for the regeneration of the O'Devaney Gardens St. Bricin's area and St. Michael's Estate. The introduction of the new rental accommodation scheme will also extend the opportunities for private sector property owners to contribute to meeting the long-term housing needs of households currently in receipt of rent supplement payments.