Vol. 503 No. 6
37 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the local authorities which have taken steps to implement the affordable housing initiative announced on 2 March 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10737/99]
42 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if local authorities have been notified of the details of the scheme of affordable housing announced on 2 March 1999; the number of applications received by local authorities to date; and the number of dwellings to be provided under this scheme in 1999. [10845/99]
55 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the unique situation which prevails in Dublin for house purchases in view of the escalating house prices and the difficulties in promoting the affordable housing scheme initiative; if special consideration will be given to ensure that the principle of the affordable housing scheme to low income earners will be available to people wishing to live in the corporation catchment area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10817/99]
77 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the number of houses which will be made available in 1999 under his proposals for affordable housing; the number, if any, of such housing units, private sites or alternatives identified by him through the local authorities; if he expects to make a serious impact on the number of local authority housing waiting lists and a substantial number of people whose income prevents them from qualification for local authority housing or loans but who are unable to acquire a home in the inflated housing market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10856/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 37, 42, 55 and 77 together.
The new affordable housing scheme involves the provision by local authorities of additional new houses for low income house purchasers on land provided by the authorities. The scheme is targeted primarily at major urban centres and their hinterlands where house prices have created an affordability gap for low income house purchasers and where the problem of house price escalation has been most acute. I also recognise that there are certain other areas where particular factors, such as strong demand for holiday homes, have increased house prices and created an affordability gap for local people. I have asked local authorities to consider the provision of affordable housing in areas where such circumstances exist.
Initial details of the scheme were issued to all housing authorities on 3 March and copies were made available to Deputies and placed in the Oireachtas Library. My Department met with the county and city managers to provide further briefing and to respond to any queries. Subsequently a comprehensive circular regarding the scheme issued to all housing authorities on 8 April and copies have been placed in the Oireachtas Library. Local authorities have been requested to assess the extent to which the scheme could appropriately be used in their areas and to formulate proposals for specific developments which could be brought to construction at the earliest possible date. To avoid any delay in the implementation of the scheme, I have not asked local authorities to submit proposals to my Department for approval and the services of the National Building Agency are available, on request from a local authority, to assist them in undertaking projects under the scheme including land acquisition, design, tendering, contracting etc.
The scheme has been welcomed by local authorities. While it is very early days yet to see the impact of the scheme countrywide, I am already aware of proposals, some ready to commence construction, in a number of areas including Dublin, Galway, Meath, Mayo, Wexford, Westmeath and Wicklow. The proposals for Dublin are within the Dublin Corporation area. I am confident at this stage that we will reach our target of 400 houses for 1999.
