Vol. 483 No. 3
301 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the way in which he will cater for the housing needs of the various categories of housing applicants currently on housing lists with the various local authorities throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20570/97]
Social housing needs are met through the provision of local authority housing supplemented by a range of other social housing measures. It is for housing authorities to develop the full potential of the various measures open to them to respond to housing needs in their areas.
In relation to the local authority housing programme for the coming year the provision in my Department's Estimates will allow for 3,900 new houses to be started or purchased in 1998. I announced recently significant improvements in the range of social housing measures in order to ensure their continued and expanded use. It is estimated that the housing needs of some 10,000 households will be catered for in 1998 when account is taken of the accommodation provided by the various social housing measures in addition to the local authority housing programme.
302 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government whether he will enhance the capability of local authorities to offer developed private sites to persons on the housing list who are not in a position to either obtain a local authority house or acquire a house by way of mortgage due to income limitations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20571/97]
Local authorities operate the scheme to provide low cost housing sites which is designed to assist people in need of housing to obtain sites from their local authority at low cost and to provide for their housing need, either individually, with the help, if necessary, of the other social housing measures available, or collectively through voluntary housing schemes, special group shared ownership housing projects or housing co-operatives.
The local authority may determine the appropriate sale price of sites in the light of the circumstances of the applicant. A price as low as £100 per site may be charged. Where sites require specialist development works, a local authority may make a financial contribution towards the costs of such works.
