I propose to take Questions Nos. 300, 304 and 306 together.
Proposed Exchequer capital investment for the period 2006 to 2008 is estimated at almost €4 billion. This investment approximates to €6.5 billion when non-voted and current spending provisions are included. Details in relation to the 2006 housing provision are set out in the 2006 Revised Estimates for Public Services and Public Capital Programme. While the overall level of funding for the Department for 2007 and 2008, including the housing programme, has been agreed under the 2006-2010 multi annual capital envelopes, individual programme provisions for those years will be settled as part of the normal estimates process.
Building on this figure, the new housing policy statement, Housing Policy Framework: Building Sustainable Communities, outlines a substantially increased programme of investment in social and affordable housing in the 2006-2008 period. This investment will be undertaken in response to identified need, with some of 23,000 new units of social housing to be commenced and 15,000 units of affordable housing to be delivered over the same period. In addition, further households will be assisted through the new Rental Accommodation Scheme. In total, we expect some 50,000 households to benefit from various social and affordable housing measures over the coming three years.
Investment for the period to 2013, is being considered in the context of the next National Development Plan 2007-2013 (NDP). The relevant material of the NDP is being drafted by my Department and while the final content and focus of the overall Plan will be a matter for decision by Government, priorities for investment in housing and related areas will take account of a number of factors including the key policy challenges highlighted by the NESC report, the results of the 2005 Housing Needs Assessment and the housing policy framework document. It would not be practicable definitively to determine costs for time frames beyond this period.