Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Independent)
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170. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he has received an application from Wicklow County Council seeking permission to purchase housing stock for public use in Arklow in view of the fact there is a difficulty with new build; the position regarding the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44461/14]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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My Department has not received a specific proposal from Wicklow County Council relating to housing stock in Arklow. However, the funding that is provided by my Department to local authorities for social housing on an ongoing basis supports both the development of new social housing units and the acquisition of units based on the priorities set by the local authority.

It is a matter for each local authority, as the housing authority for its area, to identify the social housing need and to respond as required and my Department continues to work with all local authorities regarding their work on social housing developments and acquisitions. Looking forward, Budget 2015 has seen the provision of capital funding for social housing provision increased by €180 million. This will see an acceleration of local authority direct build and acquisition of properties. The targets for housing units to be delivered through this increased funding is 946 units through local authorities and 440 through approved housing bodies.