Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 310: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the results of the review of the 5-year Action Plans on Social and Affordable Housing by county; if the original targets for these plans have been met; the areas these targets were not met; the strategy he proposes in response to the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30188/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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In 2004 I sought local authorities to set about the preparation of social and affordable housing action plans to provide a framework for the integrated and cohesive planning and delivery over the coming years of specific social and affordable housing measures in each local authority area. Provision was made with the Department for a mid-term review of the plans to take place in 2006, to take account of both performance and any new policy initiatives.

To facilitate the review my Department has held bilateral meetings with all local authorities to discuss progress, changing needs and targets for the remainder of the Plan. Following the meetings local authorities have submitted review statements, which include commentary on overall performance; noting any significant deviations from the original planned targets and the reasons for such deviations; indicating if the overall targets are still valid in light of the recent Housing Needs Assessment or for other reasons; explaining any proposed changes to the targets for the remaining period of the plan and reviewing the plan in light of developments in areas such as Rental Assistance Scheme (RAS).

At this stage review statements have been received from all local authorities and a preliminary analysis has been carried out. Output figures for a number of schemes need to be clarified. While overall output is below target on some of the schemes, there is considerable optimism that over the full period of the plan, targets will be met. For example, Part V is now starting to gather momentum and has the potential to meet all affordable housing needs in some local authorities, while together with RAS it may overtake the main housing construction programme in other authorities, in meeting the long-term needs of a large number of applicants on the waiting list.

An Action Plan Working Group is currently being formed to carry out full analysis of this stage of the Action Plans. As well as examining performance to date the Group will make recommendations on a number of areas such as actions to improve delivery and monitoring of Action Plans in the future. In light of the fact that the review is ongoing and the detailed information sought in the Question is not fully collated, a breakdown at county level cannot yet be provided. However, considerable information on the supply of social and affordable housing, broken down by local authority is currently available on my Department's website www.environ.ie. Once the review has been finalised the report will be available from the Department.

The social and affordable action plans have provided local authorities and the Department with a focused framework for identifying needs, setting targets, measuring progress and taking account of changes in the housing policy arena. The mid-term review exercise has facilitated a reflection of all aspects of the first two years of the plan in terms of achievements and the remainder of the plan in light of developments.