Written answers

Wednesday, 13 January 2016

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Local Authority Housing

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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876. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which he continues to liaise with the local authorities with a view to monitoring the full extent of the local authority housing requirements and the continuation of an accelerated housing programme to meet demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1259/16]

Photo of Alan KellyAlan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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Since the publication of the Social Housing Strategy my Department has intensified its engagement with local authorities, ensuring their capacity and preparedness for delivery of the ambitious targets to 2020.

I have met with the Chief Executives and Directors of Housing of all local authorities to ensure that they have the support they need to deliver on the Strategy. In addition to these engagements, my Department is in touch with local authority counterparts on a weekly basis, if not indeed more frequently at times. My Department has also organised multiple information events for Local Authority Housing personnel, covering issues such as: targets under the Strategy; the Local Authority perspective on Social Housing; what makes a good Scheme; project appraisal; social housing delivery options; the Social Housing Proposals Clearing House.

A Local Authority Directors of Housing Network has been established, the Chair of which appraises the Network of the latest updates from the Project Board and the Oversight Group established to drive implementation of the Strategy. My Department has also undertaken a number of seminars for Elected Council Members, through the Association of Irish Local Government, in relation to the objectives of the Strategy, with regard to both social housing delivery and the broader reform agenda.

I recognise that on-going and open communication between the various stakeholders, in particular between my Department and local authorities, is key to this Strategy’s success and therefore such communication will continue to be maintained, via the governance structures of the Social Housing Strategy and well as through other less formal information and networking events.

Of course the capacity of local authorities to deliver social housing is not limited to its executive. Local authority elected members must support social housing provision on the ground and particularly through the Part 8 planning process. I would urge all Deputies to be aware of the social housing programme in their local areas and to ensure that the local authority is supported to deliver it.

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