Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 May 2012
221 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of local authority houses likely to be built or acquired from existing housing stock by each local authority in the current or future years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22492/12]
View answerGiven the reduced level of capital resources available under my Department's Social Housing Investment Programme, there is a shift away from the traditional local authority housing construction and acquisition programmes towards more flexible funding models based around the Social Housing Leasing Initiative, the Rental Accommodation Scheme and using more limited Exchequer funds to leverage private finance for the delivery of new housing supply.
With a view to making optimum use of the capital funding available under the housing programme over the 2012-14 period, I intend to announce details of a 3-year programme of new local authority housing construction and acquisition later this year. Local authorities were requested, in October 2011, to submit proposals for projects to be advanced in 2012 and the following two years. Authorities were advised that priority consideration will be given to projects that complete earlier phases of projects, provide small infill developments and/or can leverage additional housing units through a combination of capital and leasing monies. It is not possible at this stage to provide details of individual projects or the numbers of housing units to be delivered under the programme.
222 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which funding is available through the local loans fund or otherwise to meet the housing requirements of first time house buyers or those on local authority housing waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22493/12]
View answerNo funding restrictions have been placed on local authorities for the purposes of providing loan finance for house purchase or home improvement. Allocations totalling over €51m issued to local authorities for House Purchase and House Improvement lending in April 2011, an increase of almost €20m (or 61%) on the 2010 allocation of almost €31m. These allocations represent borrowings ceilings rather than financial provisions. Allocations for the provision of loan finance in 2012 are currently being prepared.
