Bernard Allen
Question:64 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment his views on whether the allocations for house construction given to each local authority is adequate to meet the housing crisis here.
Written Answers. - Local Authority Housing.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:167 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment the total number of local authority housing applicants likely to be accommodated in 1991; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 167 together.
I do not accept that there is a housing crisis in the country. Furthermore, I am satisfied that the capital allocations to local authorities for their housing construction programme in 1991 — an increase of 35 per cent over 1990 — the increased capital provision for the voluntary housing scheme, and the various initiatives announced inA Plan for Social Housing represent a reasonable response to existing housing needs.
I expect that up to 6,000 households eligible for local authority housing will be accommodated by local authorities in 1991.