James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 362: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to expedite the purchase of single houses by Westmeath County Council, which requires sanction from his Department, causing delays in providing accommodation to those on the housing list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20027/09]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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Local authorities have recently been advised of their housing programme allocations for 2009. Based on these allocations, it will be a matter for housing authorities to finalise their plans for the composition, management and delivery of their programmes, including purchases, taking into account existing commitments, identifying priority projects and proposals and providing a time line for delivery and a sustainable funding plan for each project and their programme as a whole.

Housing authorities have delegated sanction to purchase individual housing units from within their social housing allocation subject to meeting certain conditions, including having identified the number of units in their Housing Action Plan returns and focusing on achieving best value for money having regard to the threshold limits set by the Department and the prevailing housing market conditions in their area.