Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 December 2014

Tuesday, 2 December 2014

Questions (111)

John Halligan

Question:

111. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the recent announcement regarding the provision of additional social housing here to accommodate the current high level of housing shortage the level of additional housing stock that will be built to accommodate the housing crisis in Tramore, County Waterford; his views that there is a massive lack of housing available in this local town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45864/14]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The funding that is provided by my Department to local authorities for social housing on an ongoing basis supports both the development of new social housing units and the acquisition of units based on the priorities set by the local authority. 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. Looking forward, Budget 2015 has seen the provision of capital funding for social housing increased by €180 million. This will see an acceleration of local authority direct development and acquisition, and of the provision of social housing units via approved housing bodies. My Department will be working with all local authorities, including Waterford City and County Council, regarding their priorities for social housing across their areas of responsibility in the short term and over the life of the new Social Housing Strategy 2020, which I published last week.