Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 115: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he expects to achieve his stated ambition of a minimum of 2,000 additional homes in 2009 under the leasing initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35817/09]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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To date, my Department has issued full funding approval in respect of some 842 properties under the Social Housing Leasing Initiative. In addition to this, a further 367 units have been issued with provisional approval. This gives a total of 1,209 properties approved to date, covering 17 different housing authority areas. Furthermore, there are a number of leasing proposals currently being assessed by my Department, which together with other proposals expected to be brought forward in the weeks ahead, should result in the achievement of our ambitious 2,000 unit target by year end.

I also recently announced the extension of the leasing arrangements to the voluntary and co-operative sector, so that in addition to local authorities being able to provide leased accommodation, the voluntary sector will now also be able to provide such accommodation. This will, I believe, contribute greatly to the provision of many more homes under the leasing programme. Delivering on the target of providing 2,000 units under the Social Housing Leasing Initiative in 2009 will continue to be one of my Department's key priorities for the remainder of the year, with a view to making a significant contribution to meeting housing needs and, at the same time enabling the State successfully to avail of the cost effective opportunities in the market.