Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 28 Nov 2002

Vol. 558 No. 3

Written Answers. - Local Authority Housing.

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

51 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his estimate of the total current number of applicants on local authority housing lists based on the most recent assessment of housing needs; the amount by which he estimates the number of applicants has increased since the last assessment of housing needs, conducted in Spring 1999; the number of local authority houses completed during 2000 and 2001; the projected number for 2002 and 2003; the number of voluntary sector houses completed in 2000 and 2001; the projected number for 2002 and 2003; the steps he intends to take to address the housing needs identified in the assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23877/02]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Cullen)

I refer to the reply to Priority Question No. 4 on today's Order Paper. This indicates that the results of the most recent statutory assessment of local authority housing need showed that at 28 March 2002 a total of 48,413 households were in need of housing. This represents an increase of 23.5% on the results of the previous assessment undertaken at end March 1999.

The Government has been conscious of the increased level of social housing need and has been responding actively to this situation by expanding on our social and affordable housing output. This year we will deliver the highest level of output under the range of social housing measures for over 15 years. I anticipate that total social housing output this year taking account of new local authority housing, vacancies arising in existing houses and output under other social housing measures will meet the needs of approximately 13,000 households on waiting lists compared to just over 8,500 households in 2000.

Local authority housing output, including both new build and acquisitions, amounted to 5,022 units last year, an increase of 1,815 units or 57% on the 2000 output of 3,207 units. Local authorities will complete or acquire some 5,500 houses in 2002 and approximately 4,000 houses in 2003. Voluntary bodies provided 951 units in 2000, 1,250 units in 2001 and are expected to provide 1,500 units this year and 1,750 units in 2003.