Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 March 2015
853. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans in relation to the tenure mix of new social housing developments, in order to avoid problems historically associated with social housing crises in the past. [11089/15]
View answerMy Department has produced considerable policy and technical guidance documents to assist local authorities in promoting Sustainable Communities. The local authority development plan process is a key instrument in putting the policies in place in this regard.
In considering any new social housing delivery initiatives local authorities must take account of the overall development concerned and the breakdown of the types of occupancy within that development. This is necessary to ensure that the delivery of social housing is to be carried out in a way that is consistent with the Government's commitment to the key principle of developing sustainable communities.
Under Section 19 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, a housing authority may provide, facilitate or manage the provision of social housing support, including social housing provided under Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. In performing its functions, a housing authority shall have regard to its housing services plan and the need to (a) counteract undue segregation in housing between persons of different social backgrounds and (b) ensure that a mixture of dwelling types and sizes and of classes of tenure is provided to reasonably match the requirements of households.
Under Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, each planning authority must include, in any development plan, a housing strategy for the purpose of ensuring that the proper planning and sustainable development of the area of the development plan provides for the housing of the existing and future population of the area in the manner set out in the housing strategy. A housing strategy must take into account, for example: the need to ensure that housing is available for persons who have different levels of income; the need to ensure that a mixture of house types and sizes is developed to reasonably match the requirements of households, including special requirements of elderly persons and persons with disabilities; and the need to counteract undue segregation in housing between persons of different social background.
