Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 76: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the proposals contained in the housing material of the National Development Plan which have been or are being drafted by his Department including details regarding the priorities for investment in housing contained in that material. [22478/06]

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 116: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the targets in respect of social housing his Department is proposing should be included in the new National Development Plan 2007 to 2013. [22474/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 116 together.

The preparation of the National Development Plan 2007-2013 (NDP) is being coordinated by the Department of Finance and a high level steering group, chaired by that Department and comprising senior officials of other relevant Departments, has been established to oversee drafting. The housing material of the NDP is being drafted by my Department and while the final content and focus of the overall Plan will be a matter for decision by Government, priorities for investment in housing will take account of a number of factors — including the key policy challenges highlighted by the NESC report, the results of the 2005 Housing Needs Assessment and the policy framework set out in the document Housing Policy Framework — Building Sustainable Communities which was launched in December 2005.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 77: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of local authority houses expected to be built in 2006; the extent to which this is likely to meet the need as defined in the housing waiting lists throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22463/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The most recent assessment of need for social housing which was undertaken by local authorities in March 2005 indicated that there were 43,684 households on local authority waiting lists compared with 48,413 in March 2002 — a decrease of almost 10%.

I recently informed local authorities of their financial allocations for their local authority housing programmes and have urged them to accelerate progress on the implementation of their housing programmes in order to commence construction and secure completion on as many social housing schemes as possible in 2006. The total allocation for 2006 is €942 million. This should allow for the completion of over 5,000 housing units in 2006. In December 2005, the Government launched a new Housing Policy Framework: Building Sustainable Communities which outlines key principles underpinning housing policy and investment over the coming years. Substantial increased investment in social and affordable housing is outlined in the framework. This will allow for some 23,000 new social homes to be commenced between 2006 and 2008; and some 15,000 affordable homes to be delivered. In total, some 50,000 households will benefit over the coming three years from an Exchequer capital investment package of close to €4 billion. Allied to this, a package of reforms is proposed to improve equity, efficiency and effectiveness. The focus is on improving community participation, improving services to ensure personal choice, autonomy and responsibility. The overall impact of these measures will impact positively on waiting lists for social and affordable housing