Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 90: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his real intentions regarding the provision of social housing units until 2010 in view of the fact that there have been 13,000 fewer social housing units constructed than committed to in the last national development programme; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Government has repeatedly committed itself to eradicating homelessness by 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28623/07]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Significant progress on the delivery of social housing was made under the National Development Plan 2000-2006, with almost 41,000 local authority and voluntary and co-operative houses completed. The Government is committed to building on that momentum and, as agreed in Towards 2016, some 27,000 new social homes will be commenced or acquired in the 2007-2009 period. The resources being made available under the National Development Plan 2007-2013 will allow for similar levels of activity post 2009 and it is estimated that some 60,000 new units of social housing will be provided over the full period of the Plan. The actual delivery will be determined as part of the mid-term review of the NDP in accordance with the commitment in Towards 2016 to review progress taking account of market developments and capacity.

The commitment in the partnership agreement to eliminate the long-term occupancy of emergency homeless accommodation by 2010, similarly, remains a key objective. Work is underway on the finalisation of a revised and updated Government Strategy on Homelessness, having regard to the Independent Review of Implementation of Homeless Strategies published in 2006. A key priority will involve refocusing on the provision of accommodation in the social, voluntary and private rented housing sectors, exploiting the significant potential of the Rental Accommodation Scheme in this area and ensuring the availability of appropriate outreach and resettlement support.