Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 148: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the way he will deal with the local authority housing waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5700/11]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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The Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2009, provides for a new process of housing needs assessment for applicants for social housing support. The Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, made under that Act, will come into force on 1 April 2011. From this date, all applicants for social housing support will be assessed under new eligibility criteria, including maximum net income limits prescribed by Regulation.

In tandem with the progressive implementation of the provisions of this Act, I intend to undertake a wider review of social housing policy generally to examine how best the needs of those on housing waiting lists can be met in the context of the further development of sustainable communities, while taking account of new housing options and the level of funding and resources available.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 149: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to purchase some of the unfinished housing estates and finished houses to take care of the housing needs of persons awaiting social housing. [5806/11]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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The sourcing of suitable housing units to meet social housing needs in individual areas is primarily a matter for the statutory housing authorities and approved housing bodies. Providing an enhanced legal and policy framework within which the statutory and other housing bodies can meet social housing need is a high priority for the Government. In order to deliver on this priority, I intend to undertake a wider review of social housing policy generally to determine how best the needs of those on housing waiting lists can be met in the context of the further development of sustainable communities and the overall financial parameters which apply. In this context it will be important to ensure that the current surplus housing stock can, where appropriate and sustainable, be deployed to meet social housing needs.