Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 September 2004
51 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the Government’s policy on the level of social housing rental stock which should be maintained in the State; his views on whether certain policies being pursued by some local authorities will result in a severe diminution in the level of social housing rental stock in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22615/04]
View answer
The Government is committed to the continued expansion of the social housing rented stock by both local authorities and voluntary housing bodies.
I am not aware of any specific proposals by local authorities to reduce the level of the local authority housing stock.
52 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of houses started and completed to date under the commitment included in the Sustaining Progress agreement to construct 10,000 affordable houses; when work will commence on the lands in Dublin, Meath and Kildare as announced on 13 July 2004 were to be handed over for this purpose; the location and acreage of the sites involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22563/04]
View answer
I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 1 and 2 of 30 September 2004.
On 13 July 2004, the Taoiseach announced a number of sites which had been made available by the Minister for Agriculture and Food and by a number of local authorities for the affordable housing initiative. These include lands in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown, Fingal, South Dublin, Kildare and Meath and the details are set out below. Development on these projects will now be progressed subject to planning, procurement and other statutory procedures, with a view to construction commencing at the earliest possible date.
In the Dublin area, sites were announced in three local authority areas. In Dún Laoghaire Rathdown, a number of sites in the Sandyford-Ballinteer area have been identified as potentially suitable for housing units under the AHI. In Fingal, a one hectare site was announced in Cappagh-Blanchardstown, and in South Dublin, 13 hectares at Backweston, Celbridge have been identified.
In Meath, there are four sites in Kilmessan (3-4 acres), Ballivor (½ acre), Winetown, Navan (3 acres) and Kells (4 acres). In Kildare, a further 6 hectares at Backweston, Celbridge were announced while sites in Athy and Clane, which in each case are part of a larger mixed social and affordable development, have also been identified.
