Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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395. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the progress made on the review of Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended in 2002; his views on the need to ensure retention of Part V as an essential option in providing housing to the large numbers of people waiting for social housing and in overcoming social segregation; the role he envisages not-for-profit housing bodies will play in Part V provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27261/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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As a result of the economic downturn there has been an associated significant decline in construction activity. As the extent of social housing gain from Part V is directly related to private housing construction, the current situation is that Part V is delivering little in terms of social housing. I am committed to the principle of a social housing gain from private development but to maximise that gain we need a properly functioning and sustainable construction sector. I believe that the Part V mechanism has the potential to again be a significant contributor to social housing in the context of a recovering housing market.

The Government's recently published Construction 2020 – A Strategy for a Renewed Construction Sectoraims to build a competitive, innovative, and sustainable construction sector. Action 9 of the strategy provides that the review of Part V will be completed in Q2 of 2014. It is anticipated that any legislative changes required on foot of the review will be incorporated into the General Scheme of a Planning Bill, which is currently in preparation.

While the local authorities will continue to have the lead role in addressing social housing need, in their capacity as statutory housing authorities, the growing role of the not-for-profit sector, as represented by the Approved Housing Bodies, and other potential investors must also be further developed. My intention is that the Social Housing Strategy, provided for in Construction 2020 and now in preparation, will be both challenging and innovative, and will provide the basis for an enhanced approach to social housing provision in Ireland.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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396. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to a recently published report (details supplied) on the future of social housing; his views on the model of social housing provision proposed in the report; and if the recommendations contained therein may be included in the Government’s social housing strategy due to be published in quarter 3 of 2014. [27276/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I am aware of, and I very much welcome, the report as a timely input into the development of a Social Housing Strategy. The recommendations contained in the report will be taken into consideration in the context of the development of the Strategy.  Submissions in relation to the strategy have been publicly sought and may be made up until the end of July through the Housing Agency. Fuller details are available on the Agency's website, (). It is expected that the Strategy, which was announced in Construction 2020, will be published following consideration by Government in Quarter 3 of this year.