Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 182: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the assertion by the Irish Council of Social Housing in September 2005 that Ireland is building social housing at a slower rate than other European countries, in view of the fact that Ireland has one of the highest completion rates for private housing; the actions he will take to remedy the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30391/05]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 694: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the fact that, despite the very high levels of home ownership here and the building boom in recent years, we have the lowest level of social housing output in the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30767/05]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 182 and 694 together.

The nature of and demand for social housing varies among European countries depending on need and policy approaches also reflect this diversity of conditions. Overall national housing output provides a more straightforward point of comparison, and in this context the Government's approach to increasing overall supply has had major success and has enhanced access to housing generally. This has occurred alongside a very active response by the Government to higher levels of Irish housing need. In the current year the Government has allocated record levels of funding to local authorities for their social and affordable housing programmes. Total capital spending on social and affordable housing output in 2005, including non-Exchequer finance, will amount to some €2 billion and will assist in meeting the housing needs of over 13,000 households. This compares with 8,400 households in 1998.

In addition, it is anticipated that a number of households currently in private rented accommodation will transfer to the new rental accommodation scheme being introduced. These households will continue to be mainly accommodated within the private rented sector. There are up to 30,000 households in receipt of rent supplements for a period in excess of 18 months who, on the basis that they are assessed to have long term housing needs, will be transferred to the new rental accommodation scheme over a four-year period.

Five-year action plans for the period 2004-08 for social and affordable housing have been developed by local authorities, which will ensure that the resources available are used to best effect and will help ensure a more coherent and co-ordinated response across all housing services. This will allow for the planning of activity for local authority own build, Part V arrangements and output by the voluntary and co-operative housing sector. Provision has been made for a mid-term review of the plans in 2006 which will allow for adjustments to be made in light of actual performance and any new housing policy initiatives arising in the interim.