Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 8 Nov 2000

Vol. 525 No. 3

Written Answers. - Local Authority Housing.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

373 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the number of houses purchased by applicants through the various local authority loan/mortgage schemes in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25176/00]

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

Details of the number of houses purchased by applicants through the various local authority loan-mortgage schemes in each of the past five years are contained in the housing statistics bulletins, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

374 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the number of housing units to date allocated by the various local authorities under the affordable housing initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25177/00]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

375 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the number of applicants who have been housed under the affordable housing initiative in each local authority in County Kildare since the inception of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25178/00]

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

I propose to take Question Nos. 374 and 375 together.

The allocation of dwellings under the affordable housing scheme is a matter for individual local authorities and this information is not available in my Department. However, details regarding progress under the scheme, the numbers of houses completed, commenced and in progress in each local authority area, are published in my Department's quarterly and annual Housing Statistics Bulletin.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

376 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his plans to encourage the local authorities to provide an adequate number of private sites to those who are in a position to house themselves under the affordable housing system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25179/00]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

377 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his plans to encourage the various local authorities in County Kildare to provide the necessary number of private sites to meet the needs of those affected by the serious housing crisis in the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25180/00]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 376 and 377 together.

Local authorities may provide housing sites at low cost to assist persons in housing need to provide their own housing. My Department has encouraged local authorities to review the scope for expanding the use of the sale of sites scheme in order to meet increasing housing needs. My Department have also advised local authorities that should they require additional funds under the scheme it is open to them to make adjustments within their overall housing capital allocations to cater for any increased demand for private sites that may arise.

The affordable housing scheme involves the provision by local authorities of new houses for sale to eligible purchasers at a discount from the market value. As part of the measures to increase the supply of affordable housing set out in Action on Housing I introduced a site subsidy for houses provided by local authorities under the affordable housing scheme and also in respect of new houses sold by local authorities under the shared ownership scheme. The level of subsidy is £30,000 in the major urban areas and £25,000 in other areas.