Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 104: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of persons on local authority housing lists at the latest date for which figures are available; the steps he will take to reduce waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35141/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 560: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to deal with housing waiting lists in each local authority area throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35576/07]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 104 and 560 together.

The most recent assessment of need for social housing was undertaken by local authorities in March 2005. The results of that assessment indicated that there were 43,684 households on local authority housing waiting lists. Data in relation to these assessments for each housing authority are available on my Department's website at www.environ.ie. The next statutory assessment of housing need is due to be undertaken by housing authorities in March 2008.

The Government is well placed to deliver on the commitments in Towards 2016 to start or acquire some 27,000 new homes for those in need of social housing over the next three years. The total Exchequer provision for social housing in 2007 is almost €1.4 billion — an increase of 10% on the 2006 provision. This funding is supporting the commencement of a significant number of new social housing units, and further progress under the regeneration programmes, as well as bringing to completion a large number of units under both the local authority and voluntary housing programmes. Further increases in funding will be provided in 2008 to ensure that momentum on the range of social housing is maintained.