Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 842: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the integrated housing package project has been completed within his Department; if not, the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10097/06]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 844: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if local authority housing can be applied for on-line; if not, the reason this service is not available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10119/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 842 and 844 together.

As stated in the reply to Question No. 282 of 16 February, the Local Government Computer Services Board, LGCSB, has been commissioned to develop an integrated housing project on behalf of local authorities and my Department.

A two-phase approach has been adopted for the implementation of the project. An interim package, Housing Operations Made Easy, HOME, based on a product developed by Kerry County Council, is currently being rolled out to all local authorities, with the exception of Dublin City Council which, due to the scale of its operations, is implementing and financing the development of a system to meet its own needs.

Greater reliance on external ICT consultancy support is envisaged in relation to the final phase of the integrated housing system and the LGCSB is now engaged in public procurement for this purpose. The project has not yet been completed and due to its complexity and scale the final phase of the project will take some time to complete.

As regards the availability of facilities to apply for local authority housing on-line, various on-line services are available in local authorities including downloading of applications and limited on-line application services. For instance, facilities exist for on-line housing applications in Westmeath County Council, whereby applications may be completed on-line and are then processed in the same way as other applications received. In the absence of on-line citizen authentication services, supporting documentation such as proof of identity, income details, etc., must still be submitted in the traditional way. Also, while it is intended to incorporate an on-line housing application facility in the integrated housing system in the future, my Department has strongly advised local authorities to interview housing applicants when they apply for housing in order to advise them on their housing options and to facilitate them in applying for the housing option most appropriate to their circumstances.