Barry Cowen (Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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102. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the locations for the 650 rapid build social housing units to be completed in 2017 and the 500 to be delivered in 2018, in tabular form. [39298/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As set out in the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, a total of 1,500 rapid build units will be delivered by 2018. Rapid-build housing offers a more stable environment than the use of hotels for families in need of emergency accommodation.

My Department is working closely with the four Dublin local authorities in relation to the Rapid Delivery Programme. 22 rapid build units have already been delivered and are occupied. Enabling works on sites for 131 of the units in Ballyfermot, Drimnagh, Belcamp and Finglas in Dublin have been completed and construction commenced during November. These homes will be handed over to Dublin City Council, on a phased basis, from the end of the year and delivery will be completed early in 2017. My Department is working closely with the Council to expedite delivery.

In addition to the four projects set out above, further work is underway across the four local authorities. The additional sites in question are in Dublin City, Dun Laoghaire, Cherry Orchard, Tallaght, Blanchardstown and Balbriggan. Construction dates will be finalised in the context of completion of procurement and award of contracts.

By the end of 2016, 350 units will be advancing through the various stages of delivery, including construction. Sites are being identified and planning requirements advanced for a further 650 rapid build homes in 2017, across the 4 Dublin local authority areas and also in Louth, Wicklow, Kildare, Meath, Cork, Waterford, Galway and Limerick. This will ensure that the commitment in Rebuilding Irelandto deliver 1,000 rapid build homes over 2016 and 2017 is met. Further sites will be identified for the delivery of an additional 500 units in 2018.