Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 3 Dec 1998

Vol. 497 No. 7

Written Answers - Housing Sites.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

154 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if local authorities will release private serviced sites to suitably qualified applicants with a view to addressing the housing market of those with incomes of less than £20,000 per annum, who cannot buy a home for their families; the number of these sites available to the local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26261/98]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Molloy)

It is open to local authorities to utilise existing housing landbanks, or to acquire land, to make housing sites at low cost available for the purposes of assisting persons in housing need to provide their own housing. Such housing may be provided either individually, with the help, if necessary, of the other social housing measures including shared ownership, local authority house purchase loans and the mortgage allowance, or collectively, through the voluntary housing schemes, special group shared ownership projects or housing co-operatives.

The provision by local authorities of low cost sites, either serviced or unserviced, to people in need of housing is a long standing social housing option. I and my Department regularly encourage local authorities to be creative in their response to the social housing needs of their areas and, in particular, to avail of the full range of options available to them, including the provision of sites. I regard the provision of low cost sites by local authorities as an important element in their response to the housing needs of their areas.

Information is not available in my Department on the number of sites which may be available from local authorities to assist low income potential house owners.