Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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531. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his views on correspondence concerning homelessness and tackling the housing crisis as a matter of priority (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5040/16]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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A shortage of supply is at the heart of the current challenges in the housing sector and a comprehensive set of responses to increase the supply of all forms of housing, while also taking action to stabilise the rental market as that supply increases, was put in place during the last Dáil.

In order to stimulate the extra supply of houses, in line with the Government’s Construction 2020 Strategy, a number of important measures have been taken aimed at improving housing delivery viability and increasing supply. The measures include the introduction of a vacant site levy; reductions in development contributions and a targeted development contribution rebate scheme in Dublin and Cork to encourage large scale developments at affordable prices; revised Part V provisions; initiatives to improve financing; implementation of new apartment guidelines; and legislative amendments to introduce greater flexibility and streamlining to the Strategic Development Zone provisions of the Planning and Development Acts. In addition, NAMA is aiming to deliver 20,000 residential units before the end of 2020, with 90% of these units to be in the greater Dublin area.

The Social Housing Strategy 2020sets 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 housing list with flexibility to meet future demand. In total, 110,000 new social housing units are targeted for delivery with 35,000 new units to be delivered and 75,000 households to be supported , mainly through the Housing Assistance Payment Scheme.

Evidence that the Strategy is delivering can be found in the report, Social Housing Output in 2015, which is available on my Department’s website at the following link:

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As a result of the focused approach adopted in 2015, some 13,000 social housing units were provided, representing an 86% increase on the 7,000 units delivered in 2014. I am committed, while I remain as Minister, to maintain the momentum achieved in 2015 and, to that end, an ambitious target of a further 17,000 units has been set for delivery in 2016.

A significant number of measures are being taken to address homelessness by securing a supply of accommodation to house homeless households and mobilise the necessary supports in order to deliver on the Government's target of ending involuntary long-term homelessness by the end of 2016. These measures have been identified in the Government's Implementation Plan on the State's Response to Homelessness (May 2014) and in the Action Plan to Address Homelessness(December 2014). Substantial progress has been made in implementing these plans. Progress in implementing these plans is reported through the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform. The plans and progress reports are available on my Department's website at the following link:

These Plans represent a whole-of-Government approach to dealing with homelessness and the implementation of measures identified in these plans is being overseen by a group of senior officials drawn from key State agencies concerned including my Department, the Department of Social Protection, the Department of Health , the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the Health Service Executive, Tusla, the Irish Prison Service and housing authorities.