Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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42. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government in view of his acceptance of the severity of the housing crisis, his plans and the streams of funding he is making available for social housing; the new potential sources of funding he has identified for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34304/14]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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Increasing both public and private housing supply is a priority for this Government and the Construction 2020strategy, published on 14 May 2014, provides a framework and action plan to secure a properly functioning and sustainable construction sector. It provides for a strategic approach to the provision of housing based on real and measured demand and addresses the full range of relevant issues including the planning process, financing, access to mortgage finance and the construction workforce.

The preparation and publication of a Social Housing Strategy is a commitment under Action 8 of Construction 2020and my Department is currently finalising the Strategy. The economic context in which we must address social housing need is such that innovative solutions must be found which will harness new funding streams while continuing to protect the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. My intention is that the Strategy will provide the basis for an enhanced approach to social housing provision in Ireland. It with contain clear measurable actions aimed at increasing the supply of social housing to meet the needs of households over the next five years. The strategy will be considered by Government in the coming weeks and will be published thereafter.

The level of funding available to housing authorities in 2015 for housing programmes is currently being considered in the context of the Estimates process.  In light of budgetary demands and given the centrality of housing to the Statement of Government Priorities 2014 – 2016, I am working with my colleagues in Government to ensure that appropriate funding priority continues to be given to social housing.