John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 126: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the way the aims of the Government's new housing policy statement Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities will assist in providing the delivery and quality of social and affordable homes here. [7492/07]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 133: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason the housing policy document Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities does not contain a provision regarding the construction of social housing units specifically by local authorities, in view of the fact that there are nearly 44,000 people on social housing waiting lists here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7337/07]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 134: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the way the roll-out of vital social infrastructure can be delivered before or at the same time as new housing units, rather than significantly after they are built; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7416/07]

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 137: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the way he proposes to deliver evolution of housing policy to reflect the diversity of communities as envisaged in Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7398/07]

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 151: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his proposals to reform housing policy; the new measures he will introduce to assist people acquiring social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7426/07]

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 154: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of the 600,000 houses estimated to be built over the next nine years that will be social housing units provided by local authorities.. [7333/07]

Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 166: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the way he proposes to deliver supply of sufficient homes of the right type, in the right locations, integrated with other infrastructure requirements as envisaged in Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7396/07]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 126, 133, 134, 137, 151, 154 and 166 together.

The housing policy statement Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities sets out a range of actions to ensure that housing is delivered in a way that builds sustainable communities and encourages continuing improvements in quality. A range of guidance documents to support the building of sustainable communities will issue to local authorities. These will include guidance building on the existing suite of best practice guidance on urban planning and reinforcing the need to make connections with transport, schools and other social infrastructure. Resources are being provided under the National Development Plan 2007-2013 to support transport infrastructure, servicing of land and social infrastructure.

Sustainable communities provide a means for newcomers to integrate and participate fully in society. A focus on building sustainable communities should ensure better social integration, which will enhance the vibrancy of communities for all. To inform evolving policy in this area my Department is supporting research under the auspices of the National Consultative Council on Racism and Inter-Culturalism to consider issues arising for neighbourhood planning, housing provision and estate management policy from increased ethnic and cultural diversity.