Tuesday, 14 Jul 2015

Written Answers Nos. 862-877

Planning Issues

Questions (862)

Finian McGrath

Question:

862. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding roads in Dublin 13. [28740/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

In so far as this relates to a matter which is a condition of a planning permission or planning permissions, enforcement of planning control is a matter for the planning authority, which can take action if a development does not have the required permission, or where the terms of a permission have not been met. Planning authorities have substantial enforcement powers under the Planning and Development Act 2000. A planning authority may issue an enforcement notice, non-compliance with which is an offence, in connection with an unauthorised development, requiring such steps as the authority considers necessary to be taken within a specified period. If an enforcement notice is not complied with the planning authority may itself take the specified steps and recover the expense incurred in doing so. A planning authority may also seek a court order requiring any particular action to be done or not to be done.

The Planning and Development Act 2000 also places clear statutory obligations on planning authorities in relation to unauthorised development. A planning authority must issue a warning letter in relation to written complaints regarding unauthorised development, or other unauthorised development it becomes aware of (except in the case of trivial or minor development).

There is also a statutory obligation to carry out an investigation and expeditiously decide whether an enforcement notice should be issued or a court order should be sought, under section 160 of the 2000 Act. Where a planning authority establishes, following an investigation, that unauthorised development (other than development that is of a trivial or minor nature) has been or is being carried out, and the person who has carried out the development has not proceeded to remedy the position, then the planning authority must issue an enforcement notice or seek a court order, unless there are compelling reasons for not doing so.

Under section 30 of the 2000 Act, I am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case, including a matter of planning enforcement, with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be concerned.

Rental Accommodation Scheme Criteria

Questions (863)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

863. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if direction has been issued by him or his Department to local authorities to contact those on the housing list to fill out a rental accommodation scheme questionnaire, threatening them with the closure of their housing application if they do not respond in 14 days, despite the fact that they did not apply for the scheme; his views on such directions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28821/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

Local authorities are responsible for administering the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) in accordance with the statutory provisions of the Scheme, as well as guidelines and directions issued by my Department. No instruction has issued from my Department to local authorities on the matter referred to. The RAS is targeted at those in receipt of rent supplement for 18 months or more. Section 19 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, which was commenced in 2011, defined Social Housing Support, which included RAS dwellings. From 1 April 2011, RAS tenants were formally deemed to be “in receipt of social housing support” and, as a consequence of having their housing needs met, could not remain on the general housing waiting list.

Foreshore Licence Applications

Questions (864)

Jim Daly

Question:

864. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is satisfied that a foreshore licence application (details supplied) has remained in the Chief State Solicitor's office for four years without being finalised; the reason for this delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28827/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

My Department is currently awaiting a response to a letter of 10 April 2015 from my Department to Rosscarbery Rowing Club. The application will be progressed as soon as a response is received.

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Questions (865)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

865. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the limited availability of properties within the rent supplement and housing assistance payment limits; his further views that the position is forcing some persons into homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28847/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The implementation of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a key Government priority and a major pillar of the Social Housing Strategy 2020. The HAP scheme will bring all social housing supports provided by the State under the aegis of local authorities. The scheme will remove a barrier to employment by allowing recipients to remain in the scheme if they gain full-time employment. HAP will also improve regulation of the rented accommodation being supported and provide certainty for landlords as regards their rental income. Further to the enactment of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 on 28 July 2014, the first phase of the HAP statutory pilot commenced with effect from 15 September 2014 in Limerick City and County Council, Waterford City and County Council and Cork County Council. HAP commenced in Louth, Kilkenny, South Dublin and Monaghan County Councils from 1 October 2014. Subsequently, Dublin City Council became part of the statutory HAP pilot, with a specific focus on accommodating homeless households. Dublin City Council is implementing the HAP pilot for homeless households in the Dublin region on behalf of all 4 Dublin local authorities, which became operational on 18 February 2015. A review of the Homeless HAP Pilot (Dublin) will begin shortly and preparation of data for this report has now begun.

The second phase of the HAP statutory pilot has recently commenced with the HAP scheme becoming operational in Donegal County Council on 25 May 2015, in Offaly County Council on 15 June 2015 and in Carlow, Clare and Tipperary County Councils and Cork City Council on the 29 June 2015. There are now over 2,500 households in receipt of HAP across the local authority areas taking part in the statutory pilot scheme and consideration is currently being given to the sequencing of a further cohort of local authorities to commence HAP on an incremental basis this year.

The operation of the Rent Supplement scheme is a matter for the Minister for Social Protection. The Department of Social Protection published a review of the maximum rent limits under the Rent Supplement scheme on 27 March 2015 and this review is available on that Department’s website. In the context of the implementation of HAP, my Department works closely with the Department of Social Protection, and closely monitors data gathered by HAP pilot authorities. This data are important in the context of the further roll out of HAP and the maximum rent limits that may apply in local authorities where HAP is operating will be kept under review in this context.

A range of measures are being taken to secure a ring-fenced supply of accommodation to house homeless households and mobilise the necessary supports in order to deliver on the Government's target of ending involuntary long-term homelessness by the end of 2016. These measures have been identified in the Government's Implementation Plan on the State's Response to Homelessness (May 2014) and in the Action Plan to Address Homelessness (December 2014).

Progress in implementing these plans is reported through the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform. The plans and progress reports are available on my Department's website at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/SpecialNeeds/HomelessPeople/.

Register of Electors

Questions (866)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

866. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the closure of many rural Garda Síochána stations, if he will consider amending the requirements for inclusion on the supplement to the register of electors, to allow an official of a local authority to witness an applicant's form for inclusion on the register; if he will amend or delete an applicant's need to establish in writing that the applicant is unable to progress the registration process in the presence of a member of An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28861/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

An application for inclusion in the supplement to the register of electors must be signed by the applicant in the presence of a member of An Garda Síochána from the applicant’s local Garda station who must first be satisfied as to the person’s identity before signing, dating and stamping the form. The Garda may request photographic or other identification. Where the applicant establishes in writing that he is unable to progress the application in this way, the form can be signed by the applicant in the presence of an official of the registration authority who is satisfied as to his or her identity. Again, photographic or other identification may be required. If neither option is viable due to physical illness or physical disability, the application form must be accompanied by a medical certificate. Most applications for entry on the supplement are made in a relatively short period of time close to a polling event. Registration authorities have less opportunity therefore than they have at the annual revision of the register to make the necessary inquiries about an application. The provisions regarding verification of applications for entry on the supplement to the register of electors are in place to strengthen the security aspects of the supplement procedures.

I am satisfied that the provisions in the Electoral Act 1992 serve to assist registration authorities in processing applications for entry in the supplement. I do not think that a requirement on an applicant to state in writing the reason why they are unable to get the application form signed by a Garda is unreasonable in the circumstances. I consider that the current arrangements strike a reasonable balance between facilitating voter registration and ensuring that there are adequate measures in place to counteract any possible abuse.

Election Management System

Questions (867)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

867. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason it continues to be necessary to use primary school buildings as polling booths; if he will consider allowing other buildings to which the public have access to be used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28862/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The primary role of my Department in electoral matters is to provide an appropriate policy and legislative framework for a modern and efficient electoral system. Within that framework, local returning officers are responsible for all matters in connection with the actual conduct of elections and referendums. This includes, in accordance with section 94 of the Electoral Act 1992, the provision of a sufficient number of polling stations, conveniently distributed for the accommodation of the electors entitled to vote there. Guidance issued to Returning Officers by my Department in advance of electoral events advises that when schools are used as polling stations, every step should be taken to ensure that schools are not closed unnecessarily and that disruption of school work should be kept to a minimum. The Guidance advises that, where possible, school halls should be used instead of classrooms and that voting compartments and other equipment should be fitted up and dismantled after school hours. The Guidance also advises that it is open to returning officers to hire a hall or other premises if they consider it to be appropriate. Electoral law provides that a returning officer may, for the purposes of taking a poll and counting the votes, use a school or any room in a school free of charge.

Housing Estates

Questions (868)

Michael Colreavy

Question:

868. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the provisions that are made in order that individual members of a residents' association do not become personally liable for an open public space, in a situation where a residents' association has taken over responsibility for the public space from a developer. [28872/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

I am not aware of any legal provisions in relation to this issue, which may be a matter in relation to which legal advice should be sought. It is open to the residents of an estate to request the local authority to take in charge the roads and open spaces under section 180 of the Planning and Development Act 2000.

Derelict Sites

Questions (869)

John Browne

Question:

869. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to bring forward legislation to address the hoarding of empty premises on high streets in towns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28887/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

The Urban Regeneration and Housing Bill 2015, which is currently progressing through the Oireachtas, provides for a measure to encourage the development of vacant, underutilised sites in urban areas. The Bill will introduce a vacant site levy, aimed at incentivising the development of empty and underutilised sites in central urban areas for residential or regeneration development. Under the provisions of the Bill, the levy will be charged on the registered owners of vacant sites at a rate of 3% of the market value of each site, with reduced or zero rates applying in specific circumstances.

The Bill also contains an amendment to section 23 of the Derelict Sites Act 1990 to provide for the derelict site levy not being payable in respect of any land where the vacant site levy is payable under the Urban Regeneration and Housing Bill, when enacted.

The levy will facilitate the achievement of the primary objective of the measure which is to bring the sites in question forward for residential or regeneration development.

Derelict Sites

Questions (870)

John Browne

Question:

870. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the Derelict Sites Act applies to brownfield sites in circumstances where a building has been razed and the site is left vacant but in a unkempt condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28888/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

The Derelict Sites Act 1990 provides that local authorities are required to take all reasonable steps, including the exercise of appropriate statutory powers, to ensure that any land within their functional area does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site. To this end, local authorities have been given substantial powers under the Act in relation to any such sites, including powers to require specified measures to be taken in relation to a derelict site, to impose a levy on derelict sites, or to compulsorily acquire any derelict site. The definition of a derelict site in Section 3 of the Act refers to “any land which detracts, or is likely to detract, to a material degree from the amenity, character or appearance of land in the neighbourhood in question”, including structures which are in ruinous, derelict or dangerous condition.

The administration of the Derelict Sites legislation at a local level is a matter for the relevant local authority. While my Department updates, on an annual basis, a Schedule of Urban Areas in line with sections 4 and 21 of the Act, it is a matter for the relevant local authority to determine the most appropriate use of the legislation within their respective functional areas.

In addition, the Urban Regeneration and Housing Bill 2015 is currently before the Oireachtas and I am confident of its early enactment. This Bill will introduce a vacant site levy, aimed at incentivising the development of empty and underutilised sites in central urban areas for residential or regeneration development. Under the provisions of the Bill, the levy will be charged on the registered owners of vacant sites at a rate of 3% of the market value of each site, with reduced or zero rates applying in specific circumstances.

The Bill contains an amendment to section 23 of the Derelict Sites Act 1990 to provide that derelict site levy shall not be payable in respect of any land of which the vacant site levy will be payable under the Urban Regeneration and Housing Bill, when enacted.

The levy will facilitate the achievement of the primary objective of the measure which is to bring these sites forward for residential or regeneration development.

Homeless Accommodation Funding

Questions (871)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

871. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the €18 million shortfall of funding for homeless services; the reason this shortfall arose; his plans to meet Dublin city councillors and the Dublin City Council manager on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28934/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

€37.16 million has been allocated to the Dublin Region for 2015 in respect of costs incurred by housing authorities with regard to accommodation and related services for the homeless. This is an increase of 19% on the region’s initial allocation (of €31.32 million) in 2014 and represents over 70% of all the homelessness funding allocated by my Department to housing authorities nationally. The Dublin Region housing authorities are estimating total expenditure of €68m in 2015. While this is an increase of €12m on 2014, an amount almost €20m greater than that provided in 2014 has been requested. The bulk of the envisaged additional costs relate to emergency accommodation in hotels.

My Department has been in active discussions with Dublin City Council (as the lead authority for homelessness in the Dublin Region) in relation to these expenditure projections. The City Council is now proposing to allocate a further €5.1m from its own resources with further proportionate amounts to be provided by the other Dublin authorities. My Department will continue to engage with the Dublin authorities regarding the extent of their requirement for possible further Exchequer funding, which will be addressed towards the end of Quarter 3 in the light of expenditure actually incurred at that stage.

My Department meets with the Dublin City Council executive on a regular basis to discuss a range of housing issues, including funding and costs in relation to homelessness. I am satisfied that these meetings provide an appropriate mechanism for engagement on the issues involved but I will keep the matter under review.

Housing Assistance Payments Implementation

Questions (872)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

872. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to roll out the housing assistance payment programme to County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28975/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The implementation of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a key Government priority and a major pillar of the Social Housing Strategy 2020. The HAP scheme will bring all social housing supports provided by the State under the aegis of local authorities. The scheme will remove a barrier to employment by allowing recipients to remain in the scheme if they gain full-time employment. HAP will also improve regulation of the rented accommodation being supported and provide certainty for landlords as regards their rental income. Further to the enactment of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 on 28 July 2014, the first phase of the HAP statutory pilot commenced with effect from 15 September 2014 in Limerick City and County Council, Waterford City and County Council and Cork County Council. HAP commenced in Louth, Kilkenny, South Dublin and Monaghan County Councils from 1 October 2014. Subsequently, on 18 December 2014, Dublin City Council became part of the statutory HAP pilot, with a specific focus on accommodating homeless households. Dublin City Council is implementing the HAP pilot for homeless households in the Dublin region on behalf of all 4 Dublin local authorities.

During the legislation’s passage through the Oireachtas in July 2014 an undertaking was given that a progress report would be prepared for the relevant Oireachtas Committee. I can confirm that data from the pilot sites have been gathered and I submitted a report to the Oireachtas Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht at the end of April 2015, with an information session held for Oireachtas members and their staff on 23 June 2015. Based on the findings of that review, the second phase of the HAP statutory pilot has recently commenced with the scheme becoming operational in Donegal County Council on 25 May 2015, in Offaly County Council on 15 June 2015 and in Carlow, Clare and Tipperary County Councils and Cork City Council from 29 June 2015.

There are now over 2,500 households in receipt of HAP across the local authority areas taking part in the statutory pilot scheme.

Consideration is currently being given to the sequencing of a further cohort of local authorities to commence HAP on an incremental basis this year; I can confirm that my Department is in contact with Kildare County Council with a view to commencing the HAP scheme in this administrative area later this year.

Local Authority Housing Provision

Questions (873)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

873. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to secure additional funding to purchase social housing units in order to stem the homelessness crisis in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28976/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The Social Housing Strategy targets the delivery of over 35,000 new social housing units over the period to 2020. Building on this, I issued ambitious targets to all local authorities out to 2017, the delivery of which will have a strong impact for those homeless and on the housing waiting lists. The target for County Kildare is 1,283 social housing units; this includes 433 units for delivery under capital programmes, with a provisional funding allocation of €80m to support this. With funding and targets in place out to 2017, it is a matter for Kildare County Council to identify its area’s social housing need and to respond as required, including planning and undertaking new social housing developments and acquiring suitable built properties to meet this need. The provisional funding allocation of €80m will support the development of new social housing units and also the purchase of units that may be privately owned. A similar approach applies to funding sanctioned by local authorities to approved housing bodies, which can be for either new build or the acquisition of existing housing units.

In relation to building proposals for new social housing, I announced a major social housing construction programme on 5 May covering all 31 local authorities, with €312m investment and over 1,700 housing units to be built across some 100 separate projects. For Kildare County Council, this included approval for the construction of 29 units at Bishopsland, 18 units at Rathangan and 10 units at Prosperous. Details are available on my Department’s website at http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/News/MainBody,41340,en.htm.

This was the first such announcement under the Social Housing Strategy and further announcements will be made as local authority proposals for the delivery of social housing units are evaluated.

My Department has also funded acquisitions to support new social housing for Kildare County Council within the targets and provisional funding allocation notified to them. It is likely that further acquisition opportunities will be identified by the Council as part of delivering on the above targets.

Housing Assistance Payments Data

Questions (874)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

874. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of housing assistance payment tenancies that were secured in 2013 and 2014; if these tenancies have resulted in a reduction in the waiting lists for social housing, per county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28977/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

Further to the enactment of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 on 28 July 2014, the first phase of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) statutory pilot commenced with effect from 15 September 2014 in Limerick City and County Council, Waterford City and County Council and Cork County Council. HAP commenced in Louth, Kilkenny, South Dublin and Monaghan County Councils from 1 October 2014. Subsequently, on 18 December 2014, Dublin City Council became part of the statutory HAP pilot, with a specific focus on accommodating homeless households. Dublin City Council is implementing the HAP pilot for homeless households in the Dublin region on behalf of all 4 Dublin local authorities. The second phase of the HAP statutory pilot has recently commenced with the HAP scheme becoming operational in Donegal County Council on 25 May 2015, in Offaly County Council on 15 June 2015 and in Carlow, Clare and Tipperary County Councils and Cork City Council from 29 June 2015.

No HAP tenancies were secured in 2013 as the pilot scheme only commenced on 15 September 2014. There were 485 households being supported by HAP at the end of 2014. There are now over 2,500 households in receipt of HAP across the local authority areas taking part in the statutory pilot scheme and consideration is currently being given to the sequencing of a further cohort of local authorities to commence HAP on an incremental basis this year.

Applicants for social housing support are assessed by the relevant housing authority in accordance with section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions)  Act 2009, as amended and the associated Social Housing Regulations 2011. Households that qualify for social housing support on assessment are entered onto the housing authority’s waiting list and are considered for the allocation of suitable tenancies in accordance with the authority’s allocation scheme. The most up-to-date available figures for housing list numbers, which relate to 2013, predate the introduction of HAP. However, the Social Housing Strategy 2020 published by the Government in November 2014 includes a commitment to undertake a summary of social housing assessments on an annual basis from 2016.

As HAP is deemed to be a social housing support under section 19 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, as amended, the over 2,500 households in receipt of HAP across the local authority areas taking part in the statutory pilot scheme would no longer be included on the local authority “waiting list” for social housing support. However, HAP recipients may access other forms of social housing supports by applying to go on the local authority transfer list.

I issued a statutory direction to all authorities involved in the HAP statutory pilot, instructing them to take the necessary steps to ensure that households benefiting from HAP can avail of a move to other forms of social housing support, should they wish to do so, through the transfer option. I also directed that HAP recipients, who apply to go on the transfer list, should get full credit for the time they spent on the waiting list and be placed on the transfer list with no less favourable terms than if they had remained on the waiting list. In practice, housing authorities inform HAP recipients in writing of their entitlement to apply to go on the transfer list when they are approved for HAP.

Local Authority Housing Provision

Questions (875)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

875. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the lack of adequate and available housing stock, due to policies over a period of years that have resulted in a lack of investment in local authority housing and in affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24802/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

As the Deputy will be aware, the Government published Construction 2020: A Strategy for a Renewed Construction Sector in May 2014 which is aimed at addressing issues in the property and construction sectors and ensuring that any critical bottlenecks that might impede the sector in meeting residential and non-residential demand are addressed. My Department is leading on a range of measures under Construction 2020 to support increased housing delivery. In particular, the Urban Regeneration and Housing Bill 2015 provides for changes in development contributions, revisions to Part V arrangements and a new vacant site levy. The Bill is currently before the Seanad and I expect it to complete its passage through the Houses of the Oireachtas before the summer recess.

Social housing is a key priority for the Government, evidenced by the additional €2.2 billion in funding announced for it in Budget 2015 and the publication of the Social Housing Strategy 2020 in November 2014, itself an action under Construction 2020. The total targeted provision under the Strategy of 110,000 social housing units includes the delivery of 35,000 new social housing units through Pillar 1. The private rental sector, through Pillar 2 of the Strategy, will accommodate up to 75,000 eligible low-income households primarily through the new Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme. Importantly, the Strategy restores the State to a central role in the provision of social housing.

Since the Strategy was published, details of over €1.5 billion for building, purchasing and leasing schemes, to accommodate 25% of the housing list by 2017, has been announced, with €312m approved for the first tranche of building 1,700 social housing units. The projects will have a knock on effect of creating approximately 3,000 jobs in construction. This announcement covers some 100 separate housing projects, across all 31 local authorities, the details of which are available on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/News/MainBody,41340,en.htm.

Further announcements of new unit delivery under the Capital Assistance Scheme and the broader social housing investment programmes will be made in the coming weeks and months.

The Government is committed to ensuring that every household will have access to secure, good quality housing suited to their needs at an affordable price in a sustainable community, as demonstrated by its action-driven approach under Construction 2020 and the Social Housing Strategy.

Local Authority Housing Provision

Questions (876, 877)

Dominic Hannigan

Question:

876. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the next grant will be paid to Meath County Council for social housing development; the amount; the number of units it will build; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29061/15]

Dominic Hannigan

Question:

877. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the process his Department, in conjunction with Meath County Council will use, other than building, if he will provide additional social housing units in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29062/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 876 and 877 together.

I announced targets for the delivery of social housing for all local authorities out to 2017 in April last, under which Meath County Council was set a target of 519 social housing units, supported by €27.8m of investment. This funding is being invested in a combination of building, buying and leasing schemes to accommodate people on the housing waiting lists. Of the 519 units announced for County Meath, 134 units are to be delivered via capital-funded programmes, with 385 units under current-funded programmes.

I announced the first phase of direct-build projects under the Government’s Social Housing Strategy in May 2015, involving €312m of investment, comprising some 100 projects and 1,700 housing units. This included 83 new units for County Meath at a cost of over €17.1m. Full details, including specifics of the projects to be progressed, the funding allocated and the number of units to be delivered across all local authorities, are available on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/News/MainBody,41340,en.htm.

I also announced targets and funding for local authorities to return vacant or boarded-up social housing units to productive use, which is part of their delivery targets. The number of such units targeted for County Meath for 2015 is 25.

When I announced the first phase of direct-build projects under the Social Housing Strategy, I stated that further assessments are being carried which will result in the approval of additional projects and I expect further announcements will be made shortly as additional proposals from local authorities are evaluated.

Under the Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme, previously referred to as the Social Housing Leasing Initiative, the number of additional social housing units that are targeted nationally to 2017 is 11,400. The number targeted in respect of County Meath is 284. However, it is important to highlight that the Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme is a national fund without individual authority funding allocations. Where a local authority can exceed its target, it should be possible to fund such additional units with the agreement of my Department.

The number of additional social housing units targeted for the Rental Accommodation Scheme nationally to 2017 under the Social Housing Strategy is 4,000. The number of such units targeted in respect of County Meath is 101.