John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 72: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he will take to assist the voluntary housing sector increase its output; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9511/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The voluntary and co-operative housing sector has an important contribution to make in the provision of social housing. By working in close partnership with local authorities, it plays a significant role in supplementing their efforts in providing social housing in areas where particular housing needs have been identified. It is supported by my Department through two separate funding schemes, the capital assistance scheme and the capital loan and subsidy scheme.

The Government is fully committed to developing and expanding the voluntary and co-operative housing sector by supplying the necessary financial resources and support to enable it become an important and significant provider and force in the housing area. To this end, provision of funding for the schemes has been increased significantly from €56 million in 1999 to €243 million in 2006.

In addition to providing increased funding, my Department has initiated the development by local authorities of five-year action plans, commencing in 2004, for the delivery of social and affordable housing, including the voluntary programme, to ensure a systematic and integrated approach to the effective use of these resources. In addition, and in order to further develop and assist the sector in achieving its full potential, the funding limits available have recently been significantly increased.