Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 Dec 1998

Vol. 498 No. 4

Written Answers. - Local Authority Housing.

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

The post budget provision for voted capital expenditure for 1999 is £2,308 million.

The information on the percentage of capital expenditure relating to the provision of local authority housing, which is the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, is set out in the following table:

Capital Expenditure on the provision of Local Authority Housing as a percentage of total voted Capital Expenditure.

Year	LA Housing Capital Expenditure	Gross Voted Capital Expenditure	Housing as a % of Total Capital Expenditure £000
	£000	£000	%
1999	161,746	2,307,868	7.0
1998	141,420	1,949,832	7.3
1997	127,379	1,579,815	8.1
1996	115,883	1,449,018	8.0
1995	116,924	1,262,419	9.3
1994	92,036	1,093,765	8.4

In addition, local authorities spend a considerable amount from their own resources on house construction. In 1999, this will amount to £67.5 million, bringing total capital spending on housing next year to £227.246 million.

I would also draw the Deputy's attention to the "Summary of 1999 Budget Measures", page 27 of which sets out details of housing initiatives in the coming year.

"In the coming year, the capital allocation for local authority and social housing will increase by £28 million to £237 million. This increase will finance an additional 600 "starts" bringing the total to 4,500; a continuation of the redevelopment of Ballymun; the first year of a five year programme to redevelop deprived areas in inner city Dublin; a £2 million increase in the allocation for hostels for the homeless."

The budget figure quoted includes both Exchequer funds of £161.7 million and local authority own resources.