Finian McGrath
Question:196 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government the number of people on social housing waiting lists; and the number of units which will be built in 2004. [31851/03]
Written Answers. - Local Authority Housing.
Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. N. Ahern)
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. Detailed information on the results of the 2002 assessment has been published in my Department's September 2002 quarterly edition of the Housing Statistics Bulletin, copies of which are available in the Library.
It is expected that local authorities will achieve 5,500 house starts in 2004 under the main local authority housing programme. This includes 500 new house starts under regeneration programmes. Through the various social and affordable housing schemes, it is estimated the needs of more than 12,500 households will be met in 2004, compared to almost 8,500 households in 1998.
Question No. 197 answered with Question No. 194.