Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1432: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason his Department proposes to exclude town councils from receiving housing allocations directly on an annual basis; the evidence that his Department has that this change will increase efficiency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29884/08]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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I have recently provided all housing authorities, including Town Councils with an indication of the general level of Exchequer funding that will be available over the next three years for the main housing investment programmes. My Department will meet with each housing authority to discuss their plans as part of the Housing Action Plan review process, which is due to commence in early October.

It is recognised that over time the management and integration of operational programmes has become more complex and some pooling of resources at a county level is required to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of the programmes. Against this background and in the context of developing further the multi-annual financial framework for the housing investment programmes, I am considering how to provide greater flexibility for housing authorities in the management of their programmes. The successful delivery of housing investment programmes depends on all housing authorities, including Town and Borough Councils. In this context, the aim is to strengthen the capabilities of all housing authorities to enable them better to deliver housing services at local level in an integrated and effective manner.

Currently, only one local authority manages its housing programme on a county at large basis. For the remaining authorities, allocations continue to be made directly to individual City, County, Borough and Town Councils.