Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 April 2015
171. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide, in tabular form, the details of those on local authority housing waiting lists in Waterford city and county from 2009 to 2015. [16041/15]
View answer172. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of persons deemed to be in overcrowded accommodation in Waterford city and county from 2009 to 2014 and in 2015 to date. [16042/15]
View answer189. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of persons who currently have allocated medical points in Waterford city and county. [16184/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 171, 172 and 189 together.
Based on the results of the statutory social housing needs assessments carried out in 2008, 2011 and 2013, details on the numbers on social housing waiting lists in Waterford during the period concerned, including the number who were categorised as having a housing need due to their current accommodation being overcrowded, are as follows:
|
Year |
Waterford City Council |
Waterford County Council |
Dungarvan Town Council |
Total on list |
|||
|
|
On List |
Over- crowded |
On List |
Over- crowded |
On List |
Over- crowded |
|
|
2008 |
932 |
33 |
510 |
29 |
348 |
16 |
1790 |
|
2011 |
1520 |
82 |
553 |
19 |
302 |
16 |
2375 |
|
2013 |
1374 |
27 |
375 |
15 |
128 |
5 |
1877 |
The full results of the assessments undertaken in 2008, 2011 and 2013 are available on my Department’s website at the following links:
2008: http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/StatisticsandRegularPublications/HousingStatistics/FileDownLoad,27868,en.pdf.
2011: http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Housing/FileDownLoad,27864,en.pdf.
2013: http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Housing/FileDownLoad,34857,en.pdf.
The 2013 results are not directly comparable to previous results as the 2013 summary was the first to employ new and updated methodologies and to be carried out under the 2011 Social Housing Assessment Regulations.
My Department does not hold details on the number of households currently on waiting lists in Waterford which have been awarded medical priority. Decisions as to the priority to be awarded to individual households, for medical or other circumstances, in the allocation of dwellings are a matter for the housing authority concerned, having regard to section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2009 and the associated Social Housing Allocation Regulations 2011.
In relation to the current level of overcrowded accommodation in Waterford, my Department does not hold information on the number of households in such accommodation. However, applicants for social housing support are required to indicate on the prescribed application form if their existing accommodation is overcrowded, in order to determine the applicant’s need for housing.
The Social Housing Strategy 2020 includes a commitment to increase the regularity of the Housing Needs Assessment by undertaking it on annual basis, from 2016 onwards.
