Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 11 Apr 2001

Vol. 534 No. 4

Written Answers - Local Authority Housing.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

171 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the number of houses built and occupied under the public housing programme in each local authority area in the year ended 31 December 2000; the number of persons accommodated from the housing waiting lists; the likely number of houses to be constructed in 2001 based on the performance to date; if he can now predict the length of time required to accommodate those now on the housing waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11098/01]

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

Figures in relation to the number of local authority houses completed or acquired in 2000 for each local authority area, together with the number of first time lettings by local authorities, are currently being compiled in my Department and will be included in the annual bulletin of housing statistics for 2000, which will be published shortly.

I expect that local authorities will complete or acquire over 5,000 houses in 2001 which, together with the increased output from the complementary social housing measures and vacancies occurring in the existing stock, will enable the housing needs of around 11,000 households to be met this year. Increased social housing output over the coming four years should meet the needs of over 50,000 households. This level of social housing output will impact positively on the number of householders on waiting lists and on the time taken to provide accommodation to those on the waiting lists.