Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 105: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether the housing needs assessment should be conducted annually; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22284/05]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 779: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress on the report, Housing Need Assessment 2005; the local authorities which have submitted their returns for the report; the local authorities which still have returns outstanding; when the completion of the report is expected; and when the report will be published. [23368/05]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 105 and 779 together.

The most recent triennial statutory assessment of need took place in March 2005. This assessment is intended to be the most rigorous to date as it requires local authorities to collect detailed data on all households on the waiting lists. For the first time, an IT framework has been developed which will enable my Department to analyse data in respect of all households in much greater depth. The procedure involves each local authority transmitting its assessment results in an IT format to the Local Government Computer Services Board. Following a detailed validation process, the results are then collated centrally in a database.

The Department is maintaining continuous contact with local authorities to ensure that their returns are submitted as soon as possible. To date, approximately 20% of local authorities have already submitted their returns and the remainder are currently in the process of finalising them. It is anticipated that the results will be published in September this year.

The frequency with which needs assessments are conducted will be kept under review following the outcome of the current assessment.