Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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349. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he has given any directive or guideline on social housing provision for 2016 to Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council; if he has taken such action in relation to the number of apartments and houses which will be provided and allocated to citizens and families on homeless lists in housing area B of Dublin City Council and in the Howth Malahide housing area of Fingal County Council in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3833/16]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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350. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he has given any directive or guideline on social housing provision for 2016 to Dublin City Council and to Fingal County Council; if he has taken such action in relation to the number of apartments and houses which will be provided and allocated to citizens and families on housing and transfer lists in housing area B of Dublin City Council and in the Howth Malahide housing area of Fingal County Council in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3834/16]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 349 and 350 together.

Local authorities are responsible for the detailed planning of social housing provision based on the households needs in their respective areas. In this case, it is a matter for Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council to identify the appropriate initiatives to respond to the housing need. This includes consideration by them of options to acquire available properties, as well as building, leasing and the provision of housing supports through the private rental sector.

The allocation of social housing support to qualified households is, in the first instance, a matter for the local authority concerned, in accordance with its allocation scheme made in accordance with section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and associated Regulations.

However, I did issue a Ministerial Direction, under Section 22(17)(a) of the 2009 Act, which applies until 31 January 2016, requiring key local authorities to prioritise homeless and other vulnerable households in the allocation of tenancies under their control. The four Dublin local authorities have been directed to allocate 50% of all available dwellings to such households. I am currently reviewing the operation of the Direction.

The Social Housing Strategy 2020sets out a strategic framework for meeting the State’s social housing needs to the end of the decade. The Strategy sets out clear, measurable actions and targets to increase the supply of social housing, reform delivery arrangements and meet the housing needs of all households on the social housing list.