Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 187: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the levels of social housing he expects to provide in 2012; if it is the case that even a portion of the spend currently spent on rent supplement could provide for a vigorous new social housing programme to address the housing waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35079/11]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 188: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the social housing targets for 2012; the number of the 100,000 families and persons on the housing list he intends to have rehoused; the reason there are still large numbers waiting on housing lists for four or five years or more; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35080/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 187 and 188 together.

Details of the expected social housing targets for 2012 will be provided as part of the announcement of budget allocations for housing authorities which will be made as early as possible in 2012.

The Housing Needs Assessment carried out in March 2011 shows that the numbers of applicants on the lists for 4 years or longer has increased from just over 10,000 in 2008 to over 24,000 in 2011, and from 18% of total net need in 2008 to 25% of total net need in 2011. The number of those on the list for longer than 4 years increased by 134% in the three years, compared with an increase of 75% in the list as a whole. There are likely to be many contributory factors to the increase and these may vary from one authority to another. As part of the review of allocation schemes I have indicated my intention to provide for a move towards a "time on the list" approach in the future to address at least one of the contributory factors.

It is not the case that diverting funding from rent supplement would enable a more vigorous social housing programme. For every new unit acquired or constructed through such a transfer support for 20 or more households on rent supplement would have to be withdrawn. The capital programme would not be in a position to absorb the additional volume of households thus requiring social housing.