I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 69 together.
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.
Local authorities completed or acquired 5,074 units in 2002, 4,972 units in 2003 and at this stage it is estimated completions or acquisitions will be approximately at the same level in 2004.
Information published as part of the last assessment of local authority housing need undertaken at the end of March 2002 indicates that approximately 60% of households assessed as in need of local authority housing were on the local authority waiting list for less than two years. It is, however, the case that some applicants for local authority housing are on waiting lists for longer periods on the basis that their housing need has a relative lower priority compared with the needs of households that have been allocated housing. The relative priority of households on the local authority waiting lists is determined in accordance with the authorities' scheme of letting priorities, the making of which is a function reserved to the elected members.
The Government has been conscious of the increased level of social housing need and has responded actively to this situation by expanding social and affordable housing output. It is anticipated, for example, 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. This compares with 7,000 households in 1993.
