Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 June 2004
47 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his proposals to address the housing waiting lists with particular reference to the 60,000 families on local authority lists and a further 20,000 who are disqualified from such lists on income grounds but do not qualify for an adequate mortgage from financial institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16569/04]
View answer62 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of persons on local authority housing lists at the latest date for which figures are available; the way this figure compares with the corresponding figure for the equivalent dates in each of the previous five years; the total number of local authority dwellings completed or acquired in 2002 and 2003, and the anticipated number for 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16502/04]
View answer
I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 62 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. There is no evidence to indicate that the numbers of households on the housing lists have risen to 60,000. The next statutory assessment of housing need is due to take place in March 2005.
Local authorities completed-acquired 5,074 units in 2002, 4,972 units in 2003 and at this stage it is estimated completions-acquisitions will be approximately at the same level in 2004. In addition, the voluntary housing sector provided 1,360 units in 2002, 1,617 units in 2003 and is expected to provide 1,800 units in 2004.
The Government has been conscious of the increased level of social housing need and have responded actively to this situation by expanding social and affordable housing output. For example, it is anticipated 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 around 13,000 households. This compares with some 7,000 households in 1993.
The affordable and shared ownership schemes benefit low income house purchasers and those households having difficulties securing loans from financial institutions. Last year 1,524 affordable housing units were built while almost 1,000 households benefited under the shared ownership scheme. Output under both schemes, at this stage, will be approximately at the same level in 2004.
