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Local Authority Housing.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 June 2004

Wednesday, 2 June 2004

Questions (253, 254, 255, 256)

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

246 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the net number of new local authority houses likely to be provided by his Department in 2004, excluding the works of housing associations or voluntary groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16810/04]

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Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

250 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the average length of time a housing applicant can expect to wait on housing lists throughout the various local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16815/04]

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Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

251 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the extent to which he has communicated directly with the various local authorities with the objective of reducing housing waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16816/04]

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Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

252 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of local authorities which have sought extra funding from his Department to deal with the housing waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16817/04]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 246 and 250 to 252, inclusive, together.

It is estimated that local authorities will complete-acquire in the region of 5,000 housing units 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 who 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.

Financial allocations of €773 million were recently notified to local authorities by my Department for their main housing construction programmes and for refurbishment works to houses under the remedial works scheme as well as for the provision of Traveller accommodation. I consider that these allocations will be sufficient to allow authorities undertake their nominated programmes for 2004.

Regarding contact with local authorities on their housing waiting lists, I refer to the reply to Question No. 4 of today on the preparation of action plans by local authorities.

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