Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 159: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there has been any discussion between him and Dublin City Council in respect of extending the timeframe for funding for the provision of social housing units at a location (details supplied) in Dublin 1; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27781/11]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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My Department granted approval of a loan of €4.7 million to Dublin City Council under the Capital Loan and Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) for the provision of 21 units of accommodation at the location in question. I understand that the developer is in receivership and that it is not possible to say when the issues surrounding this may be resolved. CLSS is currently being wound down and any claims for such schemes must be submitted and drawn down before the end of 2011. There are no plans to extend CLSS beyond this timeframe.

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 160: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the funding that he has allocated for the construction of social housing units at a location (details supplied) will be used in an alternative way to acquire lands in that vicinity for the future provision of social housing there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27782/11]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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My Department issued approval to Dublin City Council in September 2009 for the acquisition of 112 social units and associated ancillary facilities, including community and day care facilities at the location in question, in the sum of €34.5 million. It is understood that a number of legal issues have arisen in connection with the planning of the development and construction has yet to begin. Until these are resolved it is not possible to comment on how the project will be advanced.

Should Dublin City Council wish to make alternative proposals these will be subject to assessment in the usual way with regard to need and the current financial constraints. The straitened resource environment has accelerated the shift away from a reliance purely on programmes of construction and acquisition, towards the Capital Assistance Scheme, Rental Accommodation Scheme and adaptation and improvement works, primarily focused on meeting the most acute needs.