Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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54. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if a housing needs analysis will be commissioned for the offshore islands in view of the fact that housing has been identified as a major issue by many living on the islands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24323/20]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department, which is represented on the Interdepartmental Committee for Island Development chaired by the Minister of State for the Gaeltacht and Sport, recently wrote to the 5 local authorities having inhabited islands within their administrative areas to ascertain the extent to which applicants for social housing have indicated a preference for housing on the islands. The responses received indicate that, in total, 83 social housing applicant households have expressed a preference for housing on 12 of the islands off the coast of Counties Cork, Donegal, Galway, Kerry and Mayo. The information returned regarding housing need on the Islands has been provided to the Interdepartmental Committee.

The local authorities concerned will have regard to the information on housing need on islands as part of their analysis of overall housing need in their administrative area and it will be for them to determine how best to meet it, including the type and location of new social housing development. My Department remains supportive of all efforts to provide social housing to those in need.