I assume the question refers to the years 2003 and 2004. 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.
The Sustaining Progress special initiative on housing and accommodation reflected the Government's expectation that the resources available in 2003 would allow for the needs of about 12,000 households to be met through the various social and affordable housing measures. A similar level is expected to be achieved again in 2004. This compares with almost 8,500 households in 1998.
My Department is receiving returns from local authorities in respect of the outturn for 2003. It is, however, estimated that there were 5,000 house completions-acquisitions in 2003. Pending the full receipt of returns from local authorities it is not possible, at this stage, to give a firm indication of the expected number of completions-acquisitions in 2004.
