Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 511: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of boarded up houses held by local authorities over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31155/10]

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 512: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of houses held by local authorities and in need of repair over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31156/10]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 511 and 512 together.

I refer to the reply to Question No. 407 of 1 June, 2010. The number of boarded up houses held by local authorities continuously fluctuates as houses become vacant and are remediated, re-let or demolished. Information, other than that made available through annual Local Authority Service Indicator Reports, is not collected on the number of such houses.

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 515: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the housing schemes provided by local authorities; his plans to abolish any; if he will introduce new housing schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31166/10]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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Local authorities operate a range of housing supports, including support involving the voluntary and cooperative sector, for households with varying degrees of need, from the most vulnerable and disadvantaged households, including homeless people and people with disabilities, to middle income households whose needs may be more modest. The various supports available are detailed on my Department's website, www.environ.ie.

I am determined to ensure that the schemes in place are framed in a manner which continues to optimise delivery of supports to the households who must need them. To achieve this, it is essential to tailor available Exchequer supports to prevailing market conditions, and explore alternative solutions to address housing needs, having full regard to the sustainable communities philosophy outlined in the Government's housing policy statement Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities.

To these ends, the range of delivery mechanisms continues to be adapted and expanded. For example, last year I announced the introduction of a new Social Housing Leasing Initiative, through which I expect a substantial number of dwellings to be provided to meet housing needs. This, together with the Rental Accommodation Scheme, complements the traditional capital funded programmes operated through local authorities and the voluntary and co-operative housing sector.