Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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831. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans for a dramatic reappraisal of public housing policy with a view to ensuring the early provision of a specific number of houses well above that anticipated already to ensure a reasonable chance of a home within a specific time for those currently on local authority waiting lists and those waiting to go on such lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20850/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Government set out its housing priorities in the Programme for Governmentacross numerous areas, including homelessness, affordable home ownership, public and social Housing, the Land Development Agency, rent reform and planning and my Department is focused on moving those priorities forward.

The Programme for Government commits to the delivery of 50,000 new social homes, with a focus on new build homes. In 2021, the Government has made available €3.3 billion for housing delivery programmes. Subject to delays arising from COVID-19 restrictions, this funding will support the delivery of 12,750 social homes through Build, Acquisition and Leasing, including 9,500 new build homes.

It is intended to publish a new Housing Strategy 'Housing for All' later this year and this is being developed at the moment using a whole of Government approach. The delivery of more social and affordable homes will be a key focus in the Plan. The new strategy will set out details of social housing delivery for 2021-2025, including social housing targets for 2022 onwards.