Written answers

Thursday, 7 December 2017

Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government

Housing Data

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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289. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to outline the extent to which each of the local authorities in the greater Dublin area can indicate the likely number of new housing starts or new houses available for renting which are likely to become available in the next two to three months; his views on whether emergency powers are required to address issues in relation to the crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52531/17]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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294. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if the efforts to deal with the acute and increasing housing requirement throughout the greater Dublin area will be accelerated; if in the context of his discussions with the relevant local authorities, he can identify specifically the degree to which the housing need is being met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52536/17]

Photo of Eoghan MurphyEoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 289 and 294 together.

In relation to the number of new housing starts or new houses that will become available for renting, over the coming period, the housing activity reports, which are available on my Department’s website, show that 19,246 new homes were granted planning permission in the 12 months to end-June 2017, an increase of 49% over the same period last year. Commencement notices are up by 37%, with notices for 17,151 new homes nationwide submitted in the year to end- October. Estimates from most economic and property commentators suggest that over 18,000 new homes will be built this year, a substantial increase on the 2016 figure of around 15,000 new homes. Clearly, all relevant indicators – including planning permissions, construction commencement notices and connections to the ESB grid - are showing very significant upward trends in home-building activity.

While my Department publishes data on total housing commencements, it does not break these down into local authority build and non-local authority build. With particular regard to the needs of those on housing waiting lists, including those in the greater Dublin area, under Rebuilding Ireland, 50,000 social housing homes will be delivered through build, rapid build, refurbishment, acquisition and leasing over the period 2016 to 2021, alongside an accelerated roll-out of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Scheme to meet the needs of some 80,000 households.

In recognition of the serious challenges we face in terms of housing, the Government has prioritised the development and implementation of the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness. There is already strong evidence that the focus on increasing and accelerating housing supply in Rebuilding Ireland is yielding results. In 2016, the housing needs of over 19,000 households were met through a range of social housing programmes, supported by expenditure of over €935 million. A further €1.4 billion is being provided in 2017, to meet the housing needs of 21,000 households, a target which I am confident will be exceeded.

In addition, my Department has put in place new targeted timelines for social housing construction projects that set out the optimum timeframe from initial project concept through to design, planning, procurement and mobilisation of contractor on site. The programme puts an onus on all stakeholders to advance projects through the process in a timely manner.

My Department will continue to engage actively with all local authorities, including all four Dublin authorities, to deliver social housing through all available avenues, with a particular emphasis on additional construction projects. I am satisfied that delivery on the range of targets in Rebuilding Ireland provides a strong platform for meeting the needs of those individuals and families on social housing waiting lists, including those in the greater Dublin area, and those experiencing homelessness.

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