Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 546: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has satisfied himself that adequate numbers of family sized homes are being built here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42902/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 548: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will outline what constitutes a housing unit; if this refers to a one, two, three or four bedroomed house, flat or apartment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42904/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 546 and 548 together.

Local housing strategies, provided for under the Planning and Development Act 2000, determine housing requirements under local development plans. In developing these strategies, local authorities must ensure that there is an appropriate mix of dwelling types and sizes to cater for a range of housing needs.

My Department has been reviewing the guidelines on residential density with a view to updating them later this year to achieve higher residential density of a suitable scale at appropriate locations. The updating of the guidelines will in particular focus on the quality of new developments and will take account of the extensive experience built up since the introduction of the guidelines in the design, assessment and development of higher density proposals. The revised guidelines will also reflect the need to promote the building of sustainable communities, particularly in terms of adequate facilities, amenities, schools, transport and leisure infrastructure.

In addition, new Housing Policy Framework: Building Sustainable Communities was published in December 2005. This sets out an agenda for an integrated package of policy initiatives on matters which include supporting higher densities and compact urban settlement through design innovation in the creation of new homes, new urban spaces and new neighbourhoods, whilst also ensuring an appropriate mix of dwelling types and sizes to cater for a range of housing needs. My Department has also commissioned a research study into apartment size and space standards, which will inform the revised planning guidelines on residential densities. The thrust of these will focus on the need to ensure that apartments are family-friendly, both in terms of their overall floor area and also facilities such as storage space and external play areas. Guidance will also be included on best practice mechanisms in the effective linkage of the development of new residential areas with the provision of wider social infrastructure such as schools and amenities.

In response to the question on what constitutes a housing unit, my Department receives data from ESB Networks on the number of new meters installed into newly built residences, and these data form the basis for the number of housing units completed. These units include apartments, and single or multiple bedroom houses.

We are currently building housing units at the rate of over 20 homes for every 1,000 persons living in Ireland. This is well ahead of the building rate in the European Union and has been achieved during a time of high economic growth and full employment. In fact only four years ago the rate of house building was running at 15 units per 1,000 persons. Household size has also been falling with the 2002 Census figures revealing on average 2.9 persons from over 3.5 twenty years ago. These data in themselves suggest that the housing stock is well positioned to meet the needs of different family sizes.

With the support of a range of policy initiatives and measures, my Department will continue to work with planning authorities to ensure that the unprecedented rate of population growth and housing development, currently being experienced in Ireland, is planned for in a manner that will, over the longer term, support a more balanced regional development and the creation of sustainable communities.