Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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1954. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding a scheme for affordable sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36923/17]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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Housing authorities have powers to make low-cost sites available to persons who are qualified for social housing support and to voluntary or co-operative not-for-profit housing associations. I have no plans at present to amend the conditions under which such sites are made available.

The Government recognises the housing affordability pressures faced by many households, particularly in certain parts of the country. It is for this reason that the overarching objective of the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness is to increase the supply of new homes to 25,000 per annum by 2020. In particular, the aim is to increase the supply of high quality social and affordable homes, to buy or rent, as quickly as possible, in areas where demand is greatest.

The issue of affordability is being examined by my Department, in the context of the ongoing review of Rebuilding Ireland, with an emphasis on  identifying new initiatives that add value and raise ambition with regard to increasing the supply of housing, including affordable homes, where they are needed. I expect this work to be concluded in the coming weeks.