Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1416: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will intervene in a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29313/08]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department's involvement in the voluntary housing scheme relates primarily to the provision of funds for individual projects. The detailed administration of the scheme, and the certification that particular projects comply with the terms of the scheme, are the responsibility of the local authority, in this instance Wicklow County Council.

On 4 June 2008, at the request of Wicklow County Council, my Department organised a meeting involving representatives of the relevant Housing Association and the Council, with the objective of putting a strategy in place for the completion of refurbishment works and the fitting out of this 15-unit housing project. It was agreed that the Housing Association would submit a report to Wicklow County Council setting out, inter alia, the cost of repairing fire damage to the building, the amount to be recouped from their insurers in respect of the fire damage and the funding required to complete the outstanding works.

The Council has recently indicated that this report is still outstanding and is therefore reviewing the options for progressing the project. My Department will continue to engage actively with the Council in this regard.

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1417: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his proposals for increasing the housing output through funding local authorities to produce social and affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29434/08]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government's housing policy statement Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities and the National Development Plan 2007-2013 (NDP) reflect the strong commitment to expand the provision of social and affordable housing contained in the social partnership agreement Towards 2016. The impact of the record levels of investment this Government is committing to these housing programmes is already evident.

Last year, over 13,000 social and affordable housing units were delivered and, overall, the needs of almost 18,300 households were met through the broad range of social and affordable housing programmes. That represents a very significant increase of 24% on the level of needs met in 2006.

The funding provided for housing programmes has been increased again in 2008, with some €2.5 billion available to local authorities and the voluntary and co-operative sectors for their activities. This will allow for the commencement of a significant number of new social housing units, further progress under regeneration programmes, and the completion of a large number of units under both the local authority and voluntary housing programmes. The supply of affordable housing has consistently increased over the past few years. From about 2,000 units in 2004, delivery reached almost 3,600 units last year and further expansion is envisaged under the National Development Plan 2007-2013.

The Government believes that home ownership should be available to as many people as possible, where this is their preferred option. Building on the general policy framework set out in Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities, the Affordable Homes Partnership was requested to examine ways of enhancing the delivery of affordable housing. The report, prepared on foot of their study, was published in April 2008 for public consultation and my Department has also consulted 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 am giving careful consideration to the report and the results of the consultation process, in addressing future directions in relation to affordable housing.