Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 69: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of affordable houses built here for the years 2003 to 2007 and to date in 2008; the steps being taken by him to ensure adequate and timely supply of affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27580/08]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 84: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the percentage of the numbers of houses built for the years 2004 to 2007 and to date in 2008, that were social, voluntary or affordable housing, as required by Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000; the steps he is taking to ensure this requirement is realising adequate numbers of affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27581/08]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 84 together.

Information on housing activity, including under Part V, up to the end of 2007 is available on my Department's website at www.environ.ie. Information is also published in my Department's Housing Statistics Bulletins, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library. My Department is collating data on output for the first quarter of 2008, which will be published in the near future.

It is important to stress that not all housing output in the State is subject to agreements under Part V. Part V applies only to housing developments of five or more units or on lands of 0.1 hectares or more which is zoned for residential use, or a mixture of residential and other uses. It does not apply to planning permissions granted prior to the introduction of Part V, many of which, until recently, were still being built out.

Up to end 2007, 5,133 affordable and 2,482 social units were acquired on foot of agreements with developers. Over 114 acres of land have been transferred by developers to local authorities, with an estimated capacity to yield over 900 further homes and 419 partially or fully serviced individual sites had been transferred to local authorities and voluntary housing bodies. In addition, housing authorities had accepted approximately €84.3 million from developers in lieu of land as part of Part V agreements. A further €11.6 million had also been received under the "withering levy". These funds are ringfenced for use by authorities for Part V purposes or for their housing functions generally.

Local authorities have been regularly advised by my Department to conclude Part V agreements at the earliest possible stage to ensure the successful delivery of social and affordable housing. The continued increase in output under Part V indicates that local authorities generally are acting in accordance with this advice.

In relation to affordable housing supply generally, the Affordable Homes Partnership, working closely with my Department, continues to focus on specific initiatives to increase the supply in the Greater Dublin Area and provides comprehensive advice to local authorities countrywide on many aspects of affordable housing. In addition, the Partnership was requested to conduct a study on ways in which the range of existing affordable housing mechanisms might be improved or expanded in order, principally, to increase supply and accelerate delivery. The resultant report, "Increasing Affordable Housing Supply", was published in April 2008 for public consultation and my Department is also consulting with the social partners in relation to the report's recommendations. The report recommends some improvements in aspects of programme delivery and also recommends a new product to replace the existing range of schemes. I will give careful consideration to the results of this consultation process, in deciding on future directions in relation to affordable housing.