Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 116: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he will set up a housing authority under the auspices of his Department whose objective will be to shape and influence the development of housing policy through research, market analysis, information and advice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22741/07]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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In line with the Government's housing policy statement Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities, my Department, in fulfilling its lead role in developing and implementing Government housing policy, works in partnership with other stakeholders, housing authorities and other supporting agencies.

At Government level, integrated approaches are advanced through the Cabinet Committees on Social Inclusion and on Housing, Infrastructure and PPPs, and their supporting cross-departmental teams. In terms of wider interactions with stakeholders, the Minister of State for Housing, Urban Renewal and Developing Areas chairs the Housing Forum which provides social partners with an input to policy development.

Sharing of best practice on housing policy and implementation also forms an important aspect of ongoing dialogue with Northern Ireland counterparts. In addition, engagement with EU and UN structures provides an opportunity to exchange knowledge and forms an important component of evidence based policy development.

My Department works jointly with local authorities across the full range of delivery mechanisms. In addition, support for the implementation of programmes is provided by the work of a number of bodies which operate under the Department's aegis. These include—

The Private Residential Tenancies Board supporting the modernisation and development of the private rented sector;

The Affordable Homes Partnership supporting the expanded affordable housing programme, particularly in the Greater Dublin Area;

The National Building Agency assisting in the delivery of housing, including regeneration programmes;

The Housing Finance Agency providing finance for local authorities and the voluntary and co-operative sector;

The Dublin Docklands Development Authority progressing development, including housing, in the Dublin docklands area, working closely with Dublin City Council;

The Centre for Housing Research undertaking research to inform policy and the development of best practice guidance and delivery of training to support housing practitioners.

I am satisfied that these arrangements provide a robust framework for the development and implementation of effective housing policy. Our approach has been responsive to housing need, reflected in both the level of overall housing output and a major expansion of social and affordable housing programmes.