Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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1322. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the successful launch of an affordable housing scheme in Ballymun (details supplied); his plans to support local authorities in replicating this scheme elsewhere; the details of the €10 million that was set aside from the sale of Bord Gais for an affordable housing pilot scheme in budget 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34679/17]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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On 10 July 2017, I was delighted to attend the “hand-over ceremony” at the Ó Cualann Co-Housing Alliance in Ballymun, and I was very impressed by this project. Working with Dublin City Council, AIB and industry professionals, Ó Cualann are delivering new 2-, 3- and 4-bed, A2 rated, top quality homes in Dublin with sales prices ranging from €140,000 to €220,000. The Ó Cualann project demonstrates what can be achieved when Approved Housing Bodies, local authorities, industry professionals and banks are prepared to work together in a co-ordinated, collaborative and proactive way.

Given the housing affordability pressures faced by many households, particularly in certain parts of the country, the supply of affordable housing is a top priority for the Government. It is for this reason that the overarching objective of Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessnessis to increase the supply of new homes to 25,000 per annum by 2020, with a particular emphasis on homes at more affordable price points, in areas where demand is greatest.

On 27 April, details of some 1,700 hectares of land in local authority and Housing Agency ownership were published on the Rebuilding Ireland Housing Land Map. This land bank has the potential to deliver some 42,500 homes nationally. All local authorities have been requested to prepare Strategic Development and Management Plans for their lands and my Department has highlighted this project to local authorities in that context.

As set out in the Strategy for the Rental Sector, published in December 2016, the commitment to develop an affordable rental model is now to be progressed through kick-starting supply in rent pressure zones. Lands held by local authorities in such zones are to be brought to market on a competitive tendering basis, with a view to leveraging the value of the land to deliver the optimum number of units for rent, and in particular targeting middle-income households, in mixed-tenure developments. This is intended to allow the rental units to be made available at below market prices without the need for ongoing rental subsidies. Accordingly, the provision of €10 million earmarked for the affordable rental scheme is being redirected to support additional activity under other housing programmes within my Department.

In this regard, Dublin City Council and the Housing Agency, in partnership with Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, have developed detailed proposals for specific sites they control in Dublin. My Department is currently working through those proposals with the project sponsors. The final model for bringing forward public lands for housing, including an affordable rental element where appropriate, will be informed by the outcome of the consideration of the initial pathfinder sites.

In parallel, as part of the targeted review of Rebuilding Ireland, my Department is examining the broader issue of housing affordability. Again, the outcome of the consideration of the specific proposals referred to above will be factored into that review process and my Department will also be consulting more broadly with local authorities generally.