Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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570. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government to set out the average cost of the construction of completed social housing units in each of the years 2011 to date in tabular form as well as the estimated future average cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43752/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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The averages for the all-in construction costs for a local authority house from 2011 up to 2013, which is currently the last full year for which this analysis is available, are set out in the following Table.

The prevailing economic conditions at present suggest that housing costs, including social housing costs, are more likely to rise rather than fall during 2016. This is due to the fact that housing supply currently falls significantly short of housing demand and construction input costs are subject to inflationary pressures, as the construction industry transitions from under-activity over an extended period to significant growth in all sectors (i.e. residential, commercial and civil construction).

It is not possible, however, to state the estimated future average cost of construction of social housing units given the range of factors that apply. Over and above cost issues, the nature of the social housing units that might be developed in any one year, as well as their location and various other factors, will all impact on such a figure. Value for money is and will remain a critical and inherent objective of the process to develop future social housing.