Vol. 486 No. 3
54 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the total number of persons who have applied to a local authority for housing; the total number within each local authority area; the percentage of applicants who have remained on a housing list for the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2373/98]
Local authorities carried out an assessment of housing needs at 29 March 1996. Details of the assessment for each local authority were published in the 1996 Housing Statistics Bulletin, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library. In summary, the assessment indicated that 27,427 households were assessed as then in need of local authority housing. This compares with the figure of 28,624 households in the 1993 assessment. My Department does not have information on the numbers of current applicants for local authority housing, nor on the percentage of these who have remained on the housing list for the past three years. The next statutory assessment of local authority housing needs is due in March 1999 and the results will provide the basis for the future planning of the Government's response to social housing needs.
An Action Programme for the Millennium sets out the Government's commitment to a continuing house construction programme by local authorities and voluntary groups. A programme of 3,900 housing starts and acquisitions has been notified to authorities for 1998. These, together with output from the complementary social housing measures and vacancies occurring in the existing local authority housing stock, will enable the needs of some 10,000 households to be catered for in 1998. Improvements in the terms of the social housing schemes, which I announced last November, are expected to increase housing output from these measures.
According to the Minister of State there are just over 27,000 applicants on local authority housing lists. However, my information is that there are over 37,000 applicants, which represents over 100,000 men, women and children looking and waiting for local authority accommodation. Does he agree this is a crisis and it is time his Department rejigged its audit unit because the statistics are completely out of date? It took me two days last week to find out that 37,000 applicants are on housing lists. The Minister of State has shown that the figures he presented are out of date.
The Deputy is not correct as the figures I quoted are the results of the housing assessment carried out by the previous Government. The 1996 assessment of housing needs classified 27,427 households as being in need of local authority housing. While the total number of households assessed amounted to 37,718, local authorities categorised separately those households whose needs could be met by other social housing measures, such as improvement works in lieu of local authority housing, rent supplementation under supplementary welfare allowance, voluntary housing, etc. The figure of 27,427 represents the number of households on waiting lists on 29 March 1996 as assessed by the previous Government.
How many people are looking for local authority housing at this time?
A total of 37,718 households were assessed. The figure for those on waiting lists given by local authorities is 27,427. I am giving the Deputy the full picture and this information was available to the previous Government.
That is three years old.
I am not sure if Deputy Hayes's figure relates to the procedures employed in carrying out the assessment in 1996 where households were classified under various headings other than local authority housing.
It relates to applicants on housing lists.
I do not know what the figure is today because the next assessment will not take place until 1999 and preparation is being made for that now. Guidelines for it will issue to local authorities in September and under the Housing Acts there is a statutory requirement on local authorities to undertake an assessment every three years.
As the Minister of State is not sure about the number of people who are seeking housing, will he arrange to have an immediate assessment carried out without having to wait until 1999? Does he accept that the housing assessment and figures he quotes from the local authority housing lists are no longer a reliable basis on which to assess housing needs because thousands of families cannot afford to buy a home and their incomes are too high to allow them to go on a local authority housing list? What plans has he to extend eligibility for local authority housing lists to such people?
The next assessment is not due until March 1999 and the guidelines on it will issue to each local authority in September after consultation with some major authorities. The conduct of the assessment by local authorities is an administratively complex task, needs a good deal of preparation and requires statutory notice. One simply cannot issue a letter and expect to receive all necessary information by return post. The assessment is complex and involves much consultation with relevant authorities in order to have a meaningful understanding of what the figures mean. I will happily take any suggestions from Deputies into consideration bearing in mind there is no system which cannot be improved.
How many local authority starts were allocated this year and what was their unit cost?
The total figure is 3,900 but I cannot provide the unit cost as I do not have it with me. However, I will happily supply it to the Deputy if it is available.
(Dublin West): Does the Minister of State agree that with 37,000 families on the lists and 3,900 starts allocated, Government funding for local authority housing is hopelessly inadequate? Is he aware of the intense suffering of families on housing lists, such as the unbearable stress of overcrowding? Does he further agree that the insane and obscene rise in prices for new houses will make that situation even worse? Will he declare a housing emergency and set aside emergency funds for a crash programme to meet the needs of those on housing lists? Will he revamp the shared ownership scheme and the loans and grants scheme so that workers with salaries that would not qualify previously will now do so in view of the crazy rise in house prices?
I must correct the Deputy when he says the total number of houses to be provided is 3,900 as the estimate is for 10,000 when everything is taken into consideration, including social housing assistance provided by the State. The State also provides private housing assistance. The Deputy asked me whether I was aware of the anguish and concern of families while they wait for public housing. I have represented my constituents for about 33 years and interview them on a weekly basis. I am well aware of the concern, anguish and heartbreak for families who do have a home and anything the Government and I can do in order to try to improve that situation shall be done.
I have already greatly improved the level of assistance available in the voluntary housing sector through substantial increases in funding. That was done with the specific intention of making it easier for organisations working in that area to help meet the urgent housing needs of many families. The Government provided a substantial increase in funding for public housing against that provided last year.
(Dublin West): It is totally inadequate.
That said, I realise there are people who will have to wait some time before they get an allocation——
(Dublin West): Up to five years.
It might be that long in some cases. I am not happy with that and I wish to improve the situation. I am also aware from contact with people waiting for housing and people who have been housed that there are other social aspects which give cause for concern. Some people who have been allocated houses find the conditions in which they live unbearable and seek transfers to new areas. People can feel under stress because of a high level of harassment that takes place and that is an aspect of society that concerns me. In many cases getting a home is not a happy solution to the housing problem. There are other aspects to be considered.
(Dublin West): That is due to the lack of community, leisure and other facilities.
These are factors and I hope to be able to make a contribution in that regard. There will always be limitations to what can be done. In the case of some local authorities that are building houses in rural areas problems arise getting builders because there is such a high level of demand at present. I do not say that is the cause of the long housing lists but it is another factor. There is a certain house building capacity which is being pushed to the limit at present. Almost 40,000 houses were built last year which is a great increase on previous levels. We want to see that increase continue. The level of house building in the private sector is exceptionally high. I am aware that levels of building in the public sector have been higher in the past and I hope to increase levels.
Has the Minister of State set a target percentage during his period of office for the reduction of the housing lists? His party sets clear targets for tax reduction and it should set targets for reducing the housing lists, be it 20, 30 or 40 per cent. On 5 January the Minister of State announced the construction programme and indicated that 3,900 new constructions will take place in 1998. In reply to Deputy Higgins and in that press statement he indicated that a total of 10,000 new households will be provided for during 1998 and that leaves 6,100. How will that difference be made up?
The figure is made up from new lettings; some people leave local authority housing and move into private housing or emigrate. Houses are surrendered on a regular basis and this creates an opportunity to take people off the housing lists. Voluntary housing must also be added in. There are a variety of ways in which people on the housing lists are housed. The assessment made by the previous Government was 9,500 and we hope to make it 10,000 this year.
And the first question about the target?
As much as I can.
