Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 94: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the action he proposes to take to address the inadequacy of public housing programme to meet requirements with particular reference to the need to make sufficient provision to meet the housing needs of all applicants on local authority housing lists throughout the country; if he will indicate or outline a programme with specific objectives over the next three years in this regard; if he has in mind strategic plans to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10173/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 179: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of local authority housing starts expected in 2009 having regard to the capital allocation made by his Department to the various local authorities throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10385/09]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 179 together.

The number of households on a local authority's waiting list continuously fluctuates as households on the list are allocated housing and new households apply for housing support. It is up to individual housing authorities to plan the composition, management and delivery of their social housing investment programmes having regard to the specific social housing priorities in their areas and to the Exchequer funding allocations available to them, which are based on their identified 2008 statutory assessment of housing need. To ensure that these programmes are delivered in a coherent and coordinated manner City and County Councils have put in place multi-annual Housing Action Plans which encompass delivery of social and affordable housing in their areas, including Town Councils. These programmes will be considered by my Department as part of the annual Housing Action Plan Review process which is currently underway.

It is expected that through the social housing investment programme and the voluntary and co-operative housing programmes in 2009, and, having regard to the availability of suitable housing in the current housing market, including through the recently announced long-term leasing initiative, good progress will be made this year in meeting social housing needs.