Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 November 2014
538. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the announcement will be made regarding the €2.2 billion investment in social housing provision; if he will provide a break down of the allocation and the number of new builds by council yearly to 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45382/14]
View answerSocial housing is a key priority for Government, as evidenced by the additional €2.2 billion in funding announced for social housing in Budget 2015, which will assist in increasing social housing delivery, including newly built units, in 2015, 2016 and 2017. The funding that is provided by my Department to local authorities for social housing on an on-going basis supports the development and acquisition of new social housing units based on the priorities set by the local authority.
For 2015, I expect that some 7,400 new social housing units will be provided under these initiatives. It is a matter for each local authority, as the housing authority for its area, to identify the social housing need and to respond as required and my Department is working with all local authorities regarding their targets for 2015 and beyond, within the context of the available funding nationally.
The soon to be published Social Housing Strategy will build on the provisions contained in Budget 2015 and will set out clear, measurable actions and targets to further increase the supply of social housing, through a range of delivery initiatives in order to continue to protect the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in our society.
