Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 30 May 2001

Vol. 537 No. 3

Written Answers. - Local Authority Housing.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

85 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the total number of houses built by local authorities in the past four years; the number of persons on the housing list four years ago; the number of persons currently on the housing list; the number of such persons in receipt of rental subsidy four years ago; the number of persons currently in receipt of rental subsidy in lieu of rehousing; his plans to make a serious impact on the housing crisis; if he has in mind the declaration of a housing emergency in order to focus departmental and local authority efforts on the seriousness of the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16011/01]

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

The number of houses completed and acquired by local authorities in the past four years was 3,217 in 1997, 3,290 in 1998, 3,713 in 1999 and 3,207 in 2000. I am encouraged by the fact that at the end of 2000 more than 5,000 local authority houses were under construction – the highest level for 15 years. This increased level of activity is borne out by the provisional completion figures for the first quarter of 2001 which indicates that local authorities completed or acquired almost 800 houses in the first three months of 2001, an increase of 150% on the corresponding figure for the first quarter of 2000. Based on this level of activity, I expect authorities to complete or acquire more than 5,000 houses in 2001 and start in excess of 7,000 houses. This is the highest level of activity for many years and evidence that the multi-annual programme approach is beginning to bear fruit.

The results of the statutory assessment of housing needs undertaken by local authorities at the end of March 1999 indicated a total of 39,176 households in need of local authority housing. The previous statutory assessment of housing needs was undertaken at the end of March 1996 and indicated a total of 27,427 households in need of local authority housing. From ongoing contacts by my Department with local authorities it is estimated that needs increased by around 20% between March 1999 and March 2001. The next comprehensive statutory assessment of housing needs is due to be undertaken by local authorities at the end of March 2002.

The Government is fully aware of the increased level of social housing need and priority is being given by tackling this need. I have taken a range of measures to assist local authorities to expand their housing programmes and to expand overall social housing output. This has included the introduction of a four year multi-annual programme for the period 2000-03 to assist better forward planning by local authorities and to increase output. This programme provides for 25,000 local authority houses in this four year period. By way of contrast, in the early 1990s local authority housing output was averaging about 1,000 units per annum.

The greatly increased targets under the multi-annual local authority housing programme together with the projected almost eightfold increase in voluntary housing output under the national development plan is indicative of the Government's commitment to tackling social housing need in a way that is responsive to the volume and range of needs and to the necessity to secure quality social housing provision that contributes to social inclusion. Local authorities are aware that the provision of social and affordable housing is a major priority and that the necessary funding for their housing programme is in place. Capital funding for the provision of local authority housing in 2001 has increased by more than 44% on the provision in 2000 and by almost 150% since 1997. The multi-annual housing programme will be implemented successfully and the targeted output over the four year period of the programme will be successfully achieved.

I presume the Deputy in referring to rental subsidy is seeking information on the number of households in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance rent supplementation. The scheme is operated by the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs. It is understood that there were 36,800 cases of rent supplementation in 1997 and there are currently 42,591 cases. While detailed figures would not be available, it is estimated that the majority of these cases would not, for various reasons, be seeking local authority housing.

Gay Mitchell

Question:

86 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has received plans for local authority house building in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11492/01]

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

Dublin Corporation has submitted its housing programme for 2001 to my Department, which is to build or acquire 760 housing units as part of the multi-annual housing programme for the period 2000-03. Under the multi-annual programme, the corporation has been allocated 2,650 housing starts for the years 2000-03. The corporation's programme for 2001 includes the acquisition of 300 housing units and the construction of 460 housing units.

In addition to the corporation's main local authority housing programme, there are major regeneration programmes under way in Dublin. There are almost 500 new houses currently under construction under the Ballymun regeneration project and it is expected that a further 400 will begin construction this year. There are also major regeneration schemes under way in a number of large flat complexes in Dublin's inner city involving a combination of demolition, refurbishment and new build. There are approximately 160 new houses under construction on five projects. While these measures are additional to the main local authority housing programme, they represent significant new and additional social housing activity.