Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 565: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of new housing starts for each local authority in 2008. [17283/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The Government's housing policy statement Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities and the National Development Plan 2007-2013 (NDP) reflect the strong commitment to expand social housing provision contained in the social partnership agreement Towards 2016. Under the agreement, local authorities are to deliver 21,000 social housing starts over the period 2007-09.

Data in relation to social housing starts are published in my Department's Quarterly Housing Statistics Bulletins, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas library and on my Department's website, www.environ.ie. Data for the period ending December 2007 were published on 2 May 2008 and show good progress towards achieving the 21,000 starts target for the local authority housing programme, with 6,857 homes commenced, purchased or acquired under long-term lease in 2007.

The Exchequer provision for social housing for 2008 and 2009 is expected to allow for a further 14,000 starts in this period. Housing allocations for 2008 were announced on 2 May 2008 and greater precision as to the number of starts likely in 2008 will be available once authorities, taking account of their allocations, finalise their work programmes for the year.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 566: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has sanctioned the appointment of a preferred bidder in respect of the redevelopment and rejuvenation of the Market Square and the mixed use development on the Market Square, Dundalk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17301/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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In accordance with the relevant Department of Finance guidelines relating to Public Private Partnerships my Department, having satisfied itself that all necessary procedures have been complied with, has sanctioned the award of contract to the preferred bidder in this case.