John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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642. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if there is a maximum number of housing units that a local authority may purchase from a private developer; and if there is a maximum value of individual units beyond which a local authority may not purchase. [39859/19]

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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643. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the rules governing the purchase of residential units in new developments by local authorities. [39860/19]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 642 and 643 together.

My Department is supporting local authorities in the provision of social housing across a range of delivery mechanisms including through new build activity, as part of which some authorities work in partnership with developers through turnkey arrangements. Delivery is also happening through long-term leasing and acquisitions. 

As housing authorities, the local authorities are responsible for the identification of the social housing need in their areas and for the development of appropriate responses to meet this need. While there is no prescribed maximum scale or size for new social housing development, the approach to developments by the local authorities is dependent on the precise circumstances and location and they are best positioned to assess this, in line with guidance provided by my Department through the publication 'Quality Housing for Sustainable Communities', which is available on my Department's website at the following link:  www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/migrated-files/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Housing/FileDownLoad%2C1979%2Cen.pdf.

In seeking funding approval from my Department for new social housing homes, whether through build, acquisition or leasing activity, local authorities must confirm that they are satisfied that the proposal is appropriate to the local area, supports the development of sustainable communities and represents value for money. For the latter, an independent valuation is usually provided by the local authorities who also work within guide costs from my Department, which vary depending on location and sizes of properties.