Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 December 2004
106 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the pre-budget submission from the housing organisation, Focus Ireland, calling for the provision of funding for 10,000 additional social housing units; the number of such units for which funding has been provided in the Estimates for 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32663/04]
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I am aware of the submission by Focus Ireland referred to in the question. The Government has responded actively to the increased level of social housing need by expanding social and affordable housing output significantly. The total Exchequer provision for 2005, of which €50 million of the capital element was announced in the budget, means that my Department will spend a record €1.3 billion on supports for social housing in 2005.
This represents an increase of 19.8% on the expected outturn for 2004. This increase in provision for 2005 will allow us to make substantial further investment in our social and affordable housing programmes. These funds will enable the needs of over 13,000 households to be met through the broad range of existing social and affordable housing programmes operated by my Department and the local authorities.
The long-term housing needs of about 5,000 current recipients of rent supplement will be addressed through the new rent accommodation scheme. We expect increased activity under the main local authority programme, where we expect to start 5,500 new local authority houses, compared to an average of 4,700 in the last three years. Investment will continue in our ambitious regeneration programmes and other social housing measures, including houses completed by the voluntary and co-operative housing sector. We expect additional output under affordable housing schemes, with over 3,000 households likely to benefit from these schemes in 2005.
Earlier this year we initiated the development of five year action plans by local authorities for social and affordable housing. Focus Ireland has welcomed this approach. These plans provide a means of ensuring that these resources are used to best effect. The plans will allow for maximum output to be achieved through the effective planning of programmes and prioritisation in line with needs. Overall, our priority is to ensure that housing is delivered in a manner that breaks cycles of dependency and disadvantage. Good progress is being made in assisting the broad range of housing needs and this indicates the important priority that the Government attaches to this area.
