Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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267. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of houses that have been bought by the Dublin local authorities in other counties in 2016 and 2017; the locations of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31978/17]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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While the acquisition of new and previously-owned houses and apartments through my Department’s Social Housing Investment Programme has been a strong feature of social housing delivery, local authorities in Dublin or elsewhere do not acquire properties in other counties.

Statistics for acquisitions completed in 2016 are being finalised, but it is estimated that almost 2,000 houses and apartments were purchased for social housing use last year, involving all the local authorities and also Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs). Further significant acquisitions will be made this year, including through the allocation of €70m for the Housing Agency to establish a revolving fund to acquire some 1,600 units over the period to 2020 for social housing use.  The fund will be replenished by the Agency through the sale of units primarily to the AHB sector.