Ivan Yates
Question:298 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the numbers of people currently on local authority housing waiting lists; and if he will provide a breakdown for each local authority. [24969/00]
Written Answers. - Local Authority Housing.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:360 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the extent to which the local authority housing waiting lists have been updated in each local authority area; the extent to which the figures reflect the true housing situation in their respective areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25163/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 298 and 360 together.
The results of the assessment of housing needs undertaken by local authorities at the end of March last year indicated a total of 39,176 households in need of local authority housing. In addition, the housing needs of a further 6,400 households were considered by local authorities as being most suitably met by other measures, including voluntary housing, rent supplementation and other social housing schemes. A breakdown of the results for each local authority is contained in the Housing Statistics Bulletin, September quarter, 1999, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library. I am satisfied that the assessment provided a true reflection of the level of housing need in the individual local authorities. Statutory assessments of local authority housing needs are major undertakings which are normally carried out every three years. While many local authorities have updated their waiting lists on an informal basis since the last statutory assessment, these updatings would not, for example, include inspection of applicants' accommodation and the figures would not be strictly comparable to those derived from the statutory assessment.