Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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804. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the steps he will take to ensure that more families can access the rental accommodation scheme in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14604/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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The Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) is a national scheme administered entirely by local authorities and is specifically targeted to cater for households in receipt of Rent Supplement from the Department of Social Protection, for over 18 months who have been assessed by their authority as having a long-term housing need.

Funding of €135 million has been provided this year to fund existing commitments and deliver an estimated 2,000 new RAS properties. Overall the number of households to be transferred from Rent Supplement in 2015 will be in the region of 3,500, with the balance of 1,500 being accommodated under other social housing options.

Along with Minister of State, Paudie Coffey T.D., I announced earlier this month housing targets for each local authority area to 2017, details of which are available on my Department’s website at the following link:

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My Department and the Housing Agency will be available to provide advice and support to authorities in respect of how best to increase delivery of units in their respective areas.