Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 March 2014
37. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the analysis that was carried out to determine the effect of the 20% requirement for social and affordable housing in any development above five houses; and the potential effects on development of removing these requirements and the social and affordable housing stock. [11915/14]
View answer41. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way the Government’s commitment to the principles underlying Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 is expected to be borne out in the context of the pressing and major crisis in housing provision; the way future proposals in this area will address the housing crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11898/14]
View answerI propose to take Question Nos. 37 and 41 together.
The Government’s 2011 Housing Policy Statement announced the standing down of all affordable housing schemes in the context of a full review of Part V of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2013. Details regarding the review are available on my Department’s website www.environ.ie. The period for public submissions has closed and submissions from a variety of interested parties are now under consideration in my Department.
I am fully committed to the principle that there should be a social housing gain from private developments, but it must be recognised that in the present context, where the number of applications for planning permission for new private developments are at an extremely low level, the social housing gain is correspondingly very low. I believe that we need to strike a balance between stimulating the construction sector to enable it to meet demand, while still ensuring that there is a proportionate social housing gain from any increased activity in the sector.
I expect to be in a position to formulate future policy approaches and actions, taking account of the consultation process, in the near future.
