Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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1062. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government for details of the programme for social housing purchases in 2015; the number of units that have been purchased to date; that are expected to be purchased by the end of 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37773/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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The Social Housing Strategy 2020provides a comprehensive response to the need for social housing and targets the provision of over 110,000 social housing units to 2020, through the delivery of 35,000 new social housing units and meeting the housing needs of some 75,000 households through the Housing Assistance Payment and Rental Accommodation Scheme. Social housing targets have been set for each local authority out to 2017 and these are available on my Department’s website, along with the associated provisional funding allocations, at the following link: . The targets set and the funding allocated are being invested in a combination of building, buying and leasing schemes by local authorities, designed to accommodate over 25% of those currently on the housing waiting list in the area.

Given the time-lag between approval and delivery in terms of construction projects, a successful programme to remediate vacant units, as well as the acquisition by local authorities of properties through turn-key developments and other purchases, are important parts of social housing delivery this year.

Specific information on social housing units acquired and constructed in respect of all local authorities is published on my Department’s website at the following link: . Local authorities have advised me that they are advancing the purchase of some 1,000 units this year and that the vast bulk of these purchases will be finalised between now and the end of the year.

My Department is working with local authorities to ensure that maximum delivery takes place and I am confident that by utilising all delivery mechanisms under current and capital expenditure programmes, the authorities will continue to deliver social housing targets in 2015, in line with the Social Housing Strategy.