Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 February 2005
247 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has satisfied himself that developers are not providing affordable housing as part of their schemes and are instead offering financial contributions to the relevant local authority; if not, his plans to address this serious matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6271/05]
View answer
Apart from the provision of housing units to the local authority on or off site, an agreement under part V of the Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2004 provides for the transfer of land or sites to the local authority within the area of proposed development or within the functional area of the local authority; the transfer of fully or partially serviced sites to the local authority within its functional area; the transfer of fully or partially serviced sites to an approved housing body or other nominated persons; the payment of money in lieu of land, new units or sites; or any combination of these options.
Part V is fully operational in all local authorities and all relevant residential planning applications are subject to a part V agreement. While it is a matter for local authorities to identify the order of priority to be given to each of the above options in their housing strategies, I understand that most local authorities favour the provision of housing units on site as the preferred option. On the basis of returns to my Department, at the end of September 2004, a total of 390 social and affordable housing units had been acquired by local authorities, more than 1,800 were in progress and almost 2,700 proposed on foot of part V agreements with developers.
On this basis, I am satisfied that the provisions of part V are being suitably progressed and that they will contribute significantly to the supply of social and affordable housing into the future.
248 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views in regard to affordable housing policy; his further views in regard to the number of houses allocated under the scheme; his plans to improve the number of houses to be allocated; the number of meetings he has had with local authorities in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6273/05]
View answer
Access to affordable housing for first-time buyers is an important objective of Government housing policy and we will continue to monitor and review housing developments and policies as necessary to achieve this aim. Our policy has been to make housing supply more responsive to demand and, in this way, to bring moderation to house price increases, thus improving affordability and access, particularly for first-time buyers.
There is clear evidence that the measures introduced by this Government to boost supply are having effect. The year 2004 is likely to be the tenth year of record overall house completions with more than 75,000 completions expected. From 2001 to the end of September 2004, a total of 233,000 private houses have been completed in the State. This increased supply, supported by Government measures, means the market is supplying houses in many areas of the country at affordable prices.
In addition to measures to support a market response to unprecedented demand, the Government has placed a particular emphasis on the delivery of targeted schemes of affordable housing. This includes the shared ownership scheme, the 1999 affordable housing scheme and, more recently, the provision of affordable housing through part V of the Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2002 and the Sustaining Progress affordable housing initiative.
Substantial growth is anticipated in affordable housing output over the coming years, as the part V mechanism and the Sustaining Progress affordable housing initiative take effect. Since 1997, more than 13,000 households have benefited through affordable housing measures and it is envisaged that more than 11,000 units will be delivered from the various affordable schemes between 2005 and 2007. This year alone, it is provisionally estimated that these schemes will produce some 3,500 affordable housing units.
The allocation of affordable houses is a matter for each local authority in accordance with the scheme of allocation priorities adopted by its elected members. My Department is in regular contact with local authorities concerning different aspects of the various affordable housing schemes and, where necessary, meets with local authority officials to discuss these matters.
Affordable housing targets are included within the five-year action plans for social and affordable housing introduced last year. My Department has discussed these plans with all the local authorities involved.
