Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

355. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if a value for money evaluation has been carried out with respect to leasing of social housing; if so, if he will publish same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36133/20]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

A spending review and analysis of capital and current expenditure on housing supports has been carried out by the Irish Government Economic & Evaluation Service (IGEES) staff within the Department of Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, published in July 2018.  This report focuses on the comparative analysis of delivery streams particularly related to cost effectiveness, including leasing. This report can be found at the following link:

This Report found that the net present cost (NPC) of delivery through leasing varies nationwide and can, in specific areas, be above or below the NPC of delivery through construction or acquisition.  There are a number of factors to consider, along with cost, when considering whether leasing is good value in the long term for the State, such as the overall mix of delivery, the speed of delivery, the quality and appropriateness of the accommodation, sectoral capacity and flexibility, the availability of capital and the availability of land. 

While the Government's priority is to accelerate the social housing build programme, it remains the case that more homes can be provided by including leasing programmes, than could reasonably be expected to be delivered under construction and acquisition programmes alone.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

356. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if there has been a policy change with regard to Part V housing; if so, the details of the changes; if a change has occurred (details supplied); if changes have been made to the financial calculation of Part V in 2020; if so, the details of same; if long leasing is a substitute for Part V purchases; if so, the guidance his Department has given to local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36147/20]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There has been no policy change with regard to Part V housing and no changes have been made to the financial calculation of Part V in 2020.  A review of the Part V provisions is ongoing in light of the Programme for Government commitments in relation to the delivery of affordable homes through Part V.

The Part V Guidelines issued in January 2017 under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 set out that the priority option which should normally be pursued by local authorities is the acquisition of social housing on the development site, by means of transfer of ownership to the local authority or to an Approved Housing Body.  There has been no change to this policy. However, in certain circumstances, including in the case of build to rent developments, it may be more practicable for a local authority to enter into a leasing arrangement for Part V units.  It should be noted, however, that the decision is one for the local authority, as per the provisions of Section 96(3)(c) and (h) of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended).