Written answers

Thursday, 27 September 2007

Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Social and Affordable Housing

5:00 pm

Photo of Jack WallJack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 192: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when moneys will be allocated to a local authority (details supplied) in County Kildare for the purchase of social houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21265/07]

Photo of Batt O'KeeffeBatt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The local authority made a submission in respect of the development in question recently. The matter is still under consideration.

Photo of Arthur MorganArthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 193: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the level of funding he plans to provide to local authorities for the provision of specialised housing units for older people which is both affordable and appropriate to their housing needs as outlined in the Programme for Government. [20696/07]

Photo of Batt O'KeeffeBatt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Housing policy and support, as set out in my Department's housing policy statement, Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities, is designed to reflect the needs of our growing and diverse population and to target supports at the particular needs of people in different phases of their life. Backed by an unprecedented €18 billion investment in housing programmes provided for under the National Development Plan, 2007-2013, my Department's social housing investment programme is focused on meeting the needs of individual residents by providing them with homes for life in safe and well-planned neighbourhoods.

State support for the accommodation needs of older people or people with special housing needs, ranges from grant schemes which allow people to remain in their homes to the provision of specific sheltered housing options. For many older people, grants to adapt or improve their homes or address mobility problems can prolong independent living for as long as possible. New grant schemes to replace grant support for adapting homes of people with a disability and of older people, will be rolled out later this year. The new schemes will be more streamlined with greater targeting to those most in need.

Assessment of need is critical in determining housing supports, including supports for older people, and my Department is implementing a new means of assessment to provide an improved basis for policy development and service delivery. Local authorities have in place multi-annual Housing Action Plans which encompass delivery of social and affordable housing in their areas. These plans provide the framework for the delivery of a coherent and holistic response to local housing need, including specific housing needs of older people. This includes provision by the Voluntary and Co-operative Housing sector.

Capital allocations to individual local authorities are determined on the basis of the Housing Action Plans submitted. Exchequer capital spending in 2007 on social housing new build and renewal programmes will amount to over €1.2 billion and some €66m will be spent on grants to adapt private housing. The Department does not have data on the proportion of this spending which will specifically benefit older people.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.