Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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25. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the progress that is being made on reducing the social housing waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33396/17]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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The results of the statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments carried out in 2016 show that there were 91,600 households on local authority housing waiting lists, as at 21 September 2016. This figure represents an increase of 1,728 households, or 1.9%, on the 89,872 households recorded in the last summary, which was carried out in May 2013. The results of the 2016 Summary are available on my Department’s website at the following link: .

The Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, published in July 2016, sets out the Government’s approach to addressing the current challenges in the housing sector. It is focused on increasing supply across all tenures and, in respect of social housing, the target is to deliver 47,000 housing units through build, refurbishment, acquisition and leasing over the period 2016 to 2021, alongside an accelerated roll-out of the Housing Assistance Payment Scheme (HAP). This activity is being supported through a significantly increased investment programme of €5.35 billion.

While still at an early stage of implementation, there is already strong evidence that the focus on increasing and accelerating housing supply in Rebuilding Ireland is achieving results. In 2016, the housing needs of over 19,000 households were met through a range of housing programmes, supported by expenditure of over €935 million. A further €1.3 billion has been provided for 2017 to support the accelerated delivery of social housing and the achievement of the 2017 target to meet the housing needs of over 21,000 households.

Looking ahead, my Department has published Status Reports on Social Housing Construction Projects, the latest of which is available at the following link: . The report provides details of over 600 social housing projects, involving the construction of over 10,000 new social homes across the 31 local authority areas. The scale of the construction pipeline, as at end-Quarter 1 2017, represents a major escalation in the social housing build programme and more projects are being added on an ongoing basis, to ensure we deliver on the Rebuilding Ireland targets.

The need for the earliest possible delivery in respect of social housing is understood by all concerned, using the most appropriate mix of delivery mechanisms including construction, refurbishment, acquisition and leasing. In addition, the national roll out of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme was completed on 1 March 2017. There are currently more than 24,000 households being supported by the scheme, with the security of knowing that, subject to appropriate adjustment in their differential rent, they can continue to avail of support under the scheme as their household income increases.

Notwithstanding the progress being made, the Taoiseach signaled the Government's intention to carry out a focused review of Rebuilding Ireland as we approach the first 12 months of its implementation. This review is now underway, with an emphasis on strengthening the measures already in place and identifying new initiatives that add value.