Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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2058. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans to establish a housing executive with emergency acquisition and building powers for the four Dublin counties and other urban regions in view of the scale of social housing provision now needed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38653/17]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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2059. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will introduce housing emergency legislative powers including a full cap on rents and property acquisition and build out powers for local authorities or a national regional housing executive. [38654/17]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 2058 and 2059 together.

All key indicators of construction activity show that residential construction is ramping up considerably and the recent ESRI Summer Quarterly Economic Commentary published on 22 June 2017 forecasts that house completions will reach 18,500 this year and 23,500 in 2018, suggesting that the overarching Rebuilding Ireland target of 25,000 homes per year by 2020 will be met and quite likely exceeded to meet the pent-up demand. 

Moreover, 47,000 social housing units will be delivered in the period to 2021 from a budget of €5.35 billion. In 2016, some 19,000 social housing supports were provided, through newly built homes, refurbishments and acquisitions as well as through the Housing Assistance Payment Scheme. In 2017, I expect that some 21,000 households will have their social housing needs met. 

We are now one year into the implementation of the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan and many key actions have been delivered or are in train. It is therefore an opportune time to take stock, in the light of current and emerging trends in housing and homelessness, in order to assess the progress and impact made to date, ensure that it remains responsive to evolving issues, and identify further actions and increased ambitions that may be required.

In this regard, my Department has undertaken a review of Rebuilding Ireland, in consultation with key stakeholders and the general public. I expect this work to be completed over the coming weeks, with a focus on accelerating construction and new supply. Details of new initiatives will be outlined as they are finalised.