Vol. 566 No. 4
253 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the number of housing units provided by his Department in each of the past five years, excluding those provided by the voluntary sector; the extent to which the numbers on local authority waiting lists have been reduced or increased in the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13171/03]
Details of the number of dwellings completed /acquired by local authorities in each of the years 1998 to 2002 are published in my Department's annual housing statistics bulletins, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library.
The results of the statutory assessment of local authority housing need, which was undertaken by local authorities in March 2002 indicated that a total of 48,413 households were in need of housing, compared with 39,176 households in March 1999. Detailed information on the results of the 2002 assessment was published in my Department's September 2002 quarterly edition of the Housing Statistics Bulletin, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library.
254 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government when the affordable housing initiative was announced by his Department; the number of affordable houses acquired by eligible applicants on an annual basis to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13172/03]
258 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the total number of affordable houses acquired by or for eligible applicants in County Kildare since the inception of the schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13180/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 254 and 258 together.
The affordable housing scheme was introduced in March 1999. Information on annual activity under this scheme and the other affordable housing schemes by individual local authorities is published in my Department's housing statistics bulletins, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library.
255 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his plans to meet the housing requirements of those who are unable to acquire a home of their own at reasonable cost; if he can advise such persons as regards the best means of achieving their objective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13174/03]
The Government's strategy to increase housing supply to meet demand and to improve affordability, particularly for first time purchasers, is proving effective. 2002 was the eighth consecutive year of record housing output, when 57,695 units were completed, an increase of 9.7% on 2001. This increase in housing output is having the effect of moderating house price trends with a reduction in average year on year house price increases from a peak of around 40% per annum in 1998 to more moderate levels currently.
The moderating trend in house price increases when combined with Government measures and other factors, including high levels of economic growth, lower tax levels, increased disposable incomes, increased employment, lower mortgage interest rates and low inflation, has impacted positively on housing affordability. Demographic changes continue to drive the demand for housing, including social housing. The Government therefore remains committed to continuing with measures to boost the supply of housing and in this way seek to bring moderation to the rate of house price increases and also to assisting low-income groups and those with social housing needs by means of the range of targeted social and affordable housing programmes.
Activity is increasing significantly under the affordable housing and shared ownership schemes, which assist households unable to purchase in the private market to own their own houses. Some 882 affordable housing units were built in 2002, about three times the output in 2001, and some 1,686 households benefited under the shared ownership scheme.
Total capital funding for housing of €1.7 billion is being provided this year, a near 7% increase on the amount provided in 2002 which should enable the housing needs of over 12,000 households to be met this year. The provisions under Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, will assist in the delivery of social and affordable housing and the housing initiative included in the new national partnership agreement Sustaining Progress also seeks to increase the supply of affordable housing. In conjunction with the existing affordable housing and shared ownership schemes these instruments will become increasingly important in providing greater access to home ownership by lower income groups in the medium term. The Government is committed to ensuring that the demand for housing is met in a sustainable manner and will continue to monitor and review housing developments and policies as necessary.
256 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he intends to take a new housing initiative in an effort to combat housing problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13178/03]
I refer to the reply to Question No. 124 on today's Order Paper.
257 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the maximum loan available on a county basis through the SDA and SOL systems; the ability of such loans to facilitate the purchase of a house in the present market climate; if he intends to do anything to rectify the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13179/03]
The implementation and management of the local authority loan schemes are a matter for individual housing authorities. The current maximum loan available to borrowers through the ordinary house purchase loan scheme is €130,000. Where borrowers are unable to acquire a home with an SDA loan, they can consider a shared ownership loan under the shared ownership scheme. In operating the shared ownership scheme, housing authorities should have regard to local circumstances in determining maximum finance and price limits or any other conditions they believe appropriate. In determining the maximum loan available under either the SDA scheme or the shared ownership scheme local authorities must also consider the purchaser's ability to pay, that is, mortgage repayments should not exceed 35% of net household income.
Of the 1,686 transactions completed under the shared ownership scheme last year over 36% were in respect of house prices in excess of €155,000, under 10% were in the price range of €140,000 to €155,000 and the remaining 54% were in respect of house prices less than €140,000. My Department is keeping the terms of these schemes under review.
Question No. 258 answered with Question No. 254.
259 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the current tendency to pressurise local authorities and voluntary organisations into extremely high housing densities for both local authority and private housing; if his attention further has been drawn to the social consequences of such policies in the past; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13181/03]
My Department's guidelines for planning authorities on residential density, published in September 1999, set out the types of locations appropriate for higher residential densities, the range of densities appropriate to various locations and the need to achieve a high quality of residential environment. The guidelines specifically provide that one of the criteria to be taken into account by planning authorities in considering applications for higher density housing developments is the "provision of an appropriate scaled range of social and community facilities, including shopping, education, health and childcare."
Any planning application for higher density housing development would be considered by planning authorities in the context of their development plans. Section 10 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provides that each development plan must contain objectives for, inter alia: the integration of the planning and sustainable development of the area with the social, community and cultural requirements of the area and its population; the preservation, improvement and extension of amenities and recreational amenities; and the provision, or facilitation of the provision, of services for the community including, in particular, schools, crèches and other educational and childcare facilities.
I am therefore satisfied that adequate safeguards are in place to ensure that a high quality residential environment is achieved in relation to all new higher density housing developments and I have no proposals at this time to review policy in this regard.
