Vol. 519 No. 7
52 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if an audit can be carried out to determine the availability of building land or sites to facilitate the provision of affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14757/00]
Local authorities are required to zone land to meet identified needs over the lifetime of their development plans, and to ensure that the land is sufficiently serviced to address these needs. Under the Planning and Development Bill, each local authority will be required to prepare a housing strategy, addressing the housing needs of all sectors of the population for the period of the development plan, including the need for social and affordable housing. This need will have to be factored into the amount of land zoned for residential purposes for the period of the development plan.
It is evident that measures taken to increase the supply response are producing results, supported by very positive progress in the provision of key infrastructure projects. An initial assessment of local authority landbanks shows that there is existing and projected serviced land in the four Dublin authorities to support about four years' output at 1999 output levels. Indications from other key authorities also shows a positive position – Kildare 4.6 years' supply, Meath 7.6 years, Waterford Corporation 6.8 years, and Galway Corporation 8.2 years.
In the context of the broader range of Government policies and initiatives requiring land, for example, private and social housing, immigration, decentralisation, health, education, etc., the development of a comprehensive register of State properties and land holdings that will allow the Government determine the extent, size and use of the State property portfolio is being considered in consultation with the Minister for Finance.
