Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 November 2013
431. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the capital allocation he is making available for social housing in 2014; the number of housing units that will commence construction in 2014 in each local authority area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48941/13]
View answer464. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government how the lottery funding for social housing will be distributed around the country; the specific factors that will be taken into consideration in respect of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49300/13]
View answer465. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the planned projects that will now not go ahead considering that capital funding for social housing has been reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49301/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 431, 464 and 465 together.
In July 2012 I announced details of a three-year funding programme of €100 million to deliver some 800 new units of voluntary and local authority owned social housing. In addition, Budget 2014 provides for the allocation of a further €50 million from the sale of State assets to fund infrastructural investment primarily in the housing area, including €30 million to recommence a State house building and refurbishment programme; €10 million for an unfinished housing estate resolution project; and €10 million for housing adaptation grants. When this is taken into account, funding for housing for next year is effectively maintained at 2013 levels.
It is provisionally estimated that some 5,0 00 units will be provided for social housing in 2014 through leasing and existing capital programmes. This includes some 175 new units for people with special housing needs, which will be funded under the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS). It is expected that 200 new units will be delivered under the Social Housing Investment Programme (SHIP). Furthermore, I expect the recently announced €30 million additional Exchequer investment in social housing to deliver up to 500 local authority homes for families on the housing waiting list. Approximately half of this investment will facilitate the construction of new infill housing developments in areas with a high demand for social housing. It is intended that €15 million will be invested in bringing vacant and boarded-up local authority houses back into productive use.
The detailed arrangements for the implementation of the housing construction and refurbishment measures are being developed by my Department at present and I intend to announce these as soon as possible with a view to having the investment programme up and running as early as possible in 2014. My Department will be requesting local authorities to submit proposals for inclusion under both measures in due course.
