Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 87: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the way he proposes to address the issue of long waiting lists for social and affordable housing, having particular regard to the fact that some applicants are on waiting lists for ten years or more, notwithstanding, the housing boom; if he will set an objective to meet the housing requirements of all such applicants on an ongoing basis within a two year period; if he will further ensure the availability of housing options for such families who are currently often forced into relying on subvented rental accommodation with obvious negative consequences for themselves, their families and the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42501/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 545: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of people on housing waiting lists, those awaiting social housing or affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42901/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 545 together.

The statutory assessment of housing need is undertaken by local authorities on a triennial basis. The most recent assessment of need for social housing, 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. In the context of affordable housing it is not possible to provide a national figure as many authorities do not maintain a waiting list and simply advertise when schemes are coming on stream.

National data available on the duration that applicants spend on waiting lists for social housing is as follows:

My Department has successfully promoted a range of measures to provide additional social housing in recent years, and is committed to maintaining a strong programme of social housing provision into the future. In the three year period 2007-2009 we are specifically committed to increased investment in social housing with 27,000 new units to be started over the period. This will include the commencement/acquisition of an additional 4,000 new housing units through a combination of local authority, voluntary and co-operative housing and RAS long-term contractual arrangements for new supply as provided for under Towards 2016.

Government has been and will continue to be resolute in its determination to address issues of housing affordability. A range of targeted schemes to assist first time buyers has been put in place in recent years. These include the Shared Ownership Scheme, the 1999 affordable housing scheme, affordable housing through Part V of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2006 and the Affordable Housing Initiative under Sustaining Progress. Output under the various schemes is projected at some 3,000 homes this year. For the period 2007-2009 we have set ourselves an even more ambitious target of some 17,000 homes to meet continuing need.

Finally, arising from commitments set out in the Housing Policy Framework document — Building Sustainable Communities and the new Partnership Agreement, Towards 2016, a new, more objective, approach to the assessment of housing needs is being developed. Under the new approach housing assessment will provide the basis for access to a wide range of housing support options.