Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 838: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in view of the recent proposal to exchange State-owned lands with developers in return for the provision of houses in other areas, there is a danger of a loss to the State and an extension of the already serious housing crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22784/05]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I refer to the reply to Question No. 25 of 28 June 2005.

The Government has responded actively to intensified needs by expanding social and affordable housing output. New multi-annual action plans have been prepared by local authorities for the provision of social and affordable housing over the period 2004 to 2008. These are designed to assist local authorities in identifying priority needs over the coming years and providing a coherent and co-ordinated response across all housing services.

I have secured financial envelopes for the next five years to underpin the multi-annual approach in the action plans. This year, over €2 billion of Exchequer and non-Exchequer funding is being made available, which represents a significant and growing investment in social and affordable housing. Overall, in 2005, output under the various social and affordable measures will meet the needs of in excess of 13,000 households.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 839: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of houses under construction throughout County Kildare excluding the voluntary sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22785/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 840: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of local authority houses which are likely to be provided in County Kildare in 2005 and 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22786/05]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 839 and 840 together.

The number of local authority houses under construction at 31 December 2004 in County Kildare was 260 units. A breakdown between Kildare County Council and the county's urban authorities will be available in the 2004 annual Housing Statistics Bulletin, to be published shortly. The figure for the end of March 2005 will be published in due course in the quarterly edition of the Housing Statistics Bulletin.

The three local authorities in County Kildare — Kildare County Council and Athy and Naas town councils — have indicated to my Department that they propose to commence or acquire 644 units at various locations throughout the county during the course of 2005. The proposed number of starts likely to be provided in 2006 by the three authorities in county Kildare is 417 units, as set out the county's action plan for social and affordable housing for 2004-08.