John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 550: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the estimated cost to the State of providing the housing necessary to clear the local authority housing waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26922/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The most recent assessment of need for social housing was undertaken by local authorities in March 2005 and indicated that there were 43,684 households on local authority waiting lists compared with 48,413 in March 2002 — a decrease of almost 10%. The decrease in the level of housing waiting lists has evolved from the positive impact of the Government's investment in the provision of social and affordable housing.

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 amounting to close to €4 billion in Exchequer capital spending over the period 2006 to 2008. The Government have committed in the draft social partnership agreement, Towards 2016, to further additional investment in social housing with 27,000 new units to be started or acquired over the period 2007 to 2009. It is envisaged that these new units will be delivered through a combination of local authority social housing, voluntary and co-operative sector social housing programme and long-term contracts for new supply under the Rental Accommodation Scheme.

Further households will benefit from the full implementation of the Rental Accommodation Scheme involving contractual arrangements with landlords for existing properties transferring from rent supplement. Over the same period it is expected that some 17,000 units of affordable housing will be delivered. As a result of the various social and affordable housing measures the needs of some 60,000 new households will be met over the period 2007-2009. The housing policy framework also proposes a package of reforms 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.