Written answers

Tuesday, 24 May 2016

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Housing Issues

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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38. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government how he will identify the most urgent and pressing issues contributing to the housing crisis; how, through the local authorities, he can make a rapid and substantial contribution by way of alleviation in the form of an immediate response to homelessness and the use of emergency accommodation to accommodate families; to implement a medium to long-term plan setting explicit targets for the local authorities in terms of annual building programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11184/16]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I will prepare and publish a comprehensive ‘Action Plan for Housing’ within this Government’s first 100 days. Ultimately, a shortage of supply of houses and apartments to buy and rent is at the heart of the challenges in the housing sector. The plan will build on what the previous Government has already done and will draw on the work of the Special Oireachtas Committee on Housing and Homelessness. The Plan will include further actions to expedite and boost supply of all types of housing in the immediate, medium and longer-terms. Under the Social Housing Strategy 2020 , targets have been set for each local authority out to 2017. Importantly, local authorities and approved housing bodies have a strong pipeline of construction, turnkey and acquisition projects, which will deliver some 3,900 homes, with approved budget costs of some €680 million. It is my ambition that the delivery of these homes will be accelerated and that the targets will be exceeded.

In addition , a programme of rapid-delivery housing provision is also being implemented to mitigate the acute issues associated with homeless ness. The units will provide accommodation for those families currently in hotels in the first instance, offering a greater level of stability while move-on options to long-term independent living are identified and secured. Again, it is my ambition to accelerate and expand the rapid delivery programme.

These and a range of other measures required to address the overall issue of housing supply will be set out in the finalised “Action Plan for Housing”.

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