Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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101. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will accept a proposal to fund the provision of urgently needed affordable housing in an effort to address a most serious social and economic issue; if a means could be found to bring such a proposal into line with public expenditure and reform guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9950/14]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The 2014 Estimate for the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government sets out an allocation of €575.8 million for a range of social and affordable housing programmes.  In addition, a capital carryover amount of €22 million was approved for housing related expenditure.

As set out in the Ministers and Secretaries Amendment Act 2013, Ministerial Expenditure Ceilings are decided by Government within the context of a Government Expenditure Ceiling. As outlined in Circular 15/13 issued by my Department, the fiscal framework in place at EU level places constraints on this overall Government Expenditure Ceiling.

The National Treasury Management Agency reporting directly to my colleague the Minister for Finance has responsibility for ensuring that sufficient funding is available at all times to meet the day-to-day requirements of the Exchequer and it is a matter for the Agency to decide when and how much to borrow in the light of those needs.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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102. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which discussions have taken place with his colleagues in the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government with a view to agreement on a public expenditure proposal in respect of social and affordable housing which might meet the approval of his Department in the context of public expenditure constraints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9951/14]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Extensive discussions took place with my colleagues in the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government in the context of the 2014 Estimates  resulting in an  allocation for 2014  of €575.8 million for  a  range of social and affordable housing programmes.   In addition, a capital carryover amount of €22 million was approved for housing related expenditure. There will be further  engagement between the two Departments during the  year  and  in the  negotiation of the 2015 Estimates.