The Minister for Social and Family Affairs has informed the House regarding changes in the SWA rent supplement scheme recently announced by her that there will be provision for exceptions regarding the homeless, people at risk of becoming homeless and other vulnerable people. She has also specifically assured the House that people who have particular problems and difficulties will be cared for and that nobody will be made homeless because of the measure. Accordingly, the question of additional provision in that context does not arise.
Lone parents and persons on low incomes who are unable to provide housing for themselves from their own resources are entitled to apply for social housing, which is provided by either a local authority or a voluntary housing body. The Government's positive commitment to the social housing programme is shown in the increased provision for social and affordable housing in 2004. The total housing provision, Exchequer and non-Exchequer, in 2004 of €1.885 billion represents an increase of 5.5% on the 2003 provision. The increase in the housing provision in 2004 will allow for 5,000 starts in 2004 under the main local authority housing programme and a further 500 under regeneration programmes. In addition, the voluntary housing sector will provide over 2,000 units of accommodation in 2004. Many of the housing units being provided by local authorities and voluntary bodies in 2004 will be let to lone parents and persons on low incomes.
