Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the prospect of addressing the housing list in Dublin City Council's Area B in view of the 1,400 to 1,500 empty housing units in the North Fringe district; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7900/11]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Housing authorities have scope to include an acquisitions programme within their Social Housing Investment Programme, which receives capital funding from my Department. The number of acquisitions in any particular area will depend on the total funding available to the authority and the priority it applies to the acquisition of new and second-hand units relative to other projects within its programme. Additional housing units are supplied through the leasing of suitable properties, including in the context of the Rental Accommodation Scheme.

During 2010, Dublin City Council acquired 168 units of accommodation under its Social Housing Investment Programme, consisting of a mixture of apartments and houses. The Council has been allocated over €100 million in 2011 under the capital investment programme, including Ballymun Regeneration.

In addition, in 2010, a total of 478 units were supplied by the Council under the Rental Accommodation Scheme and 285 by way of long-term leasing. A further 550 units are due for supply in 2011. Current spending under RAS and long-term leasing will amount to over €24 million for the Council in 2011.

My Department understands that Dublin City Council is currently in the process of developing a Local Area Plan for the North Fringe that will address issues such as the remediation and completion of estates and the provision of local services.