Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 February 2010
342 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to provide social housing through long-term leasing and the rental accommodation scheme from landlords in the private sector in 2010; the percentage of developments that can be used for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5448/10]
View answerIt is anticipated that the leasing initiative and the Rental Accommodation Scheme programme will deliver between 4,000 and 4,500 units in 2010, accounting for 50% of the total social housing output expected this year. My Department has not specified a limit on the number of housing units that can be leased for social housing purposes. A circular and guidance note to housing authorities states that authorities must have regard to the overall objective of building sustainable communities and, in that context, take account of the concentration of social housing in a particular development or in the general area where leased properties are proposed. This would include taking account of social housing acquired under Part V of the Planning and Development Acts. The leasing initiative is intended to further the Government's objective of building sustainable communities. Leased properties, because of their broad geographical distribution, will facilitate rather than impede the widely endorsed aim of supporting the development of mixed-income and mixed-tenure communities.
