Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 February 2018
768. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the extent to which construction companies have been approached with a view to providing direct build local authority houses in counties Kildare, Wicklow and Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10117/18]
View answer769. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if a cost benefit analysis has been carried out on a proposal to encourage construction companies to build local authority houses on county council lands in counties Kildare, Wicklow and Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10118/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 768 and 769 together.
The delivery of social housing in each local authority area is a matter in the first instance for the local authorities themselves. However, I would encourage all local authorities, including those in Kildare, Wicklow and Meath, to use all available approaches to expedite delivery of new social homes.
This can include local authority managed construction projects, those advanced with approved housing bodies, Part V agreements with developers, turnkey construction in partnership with developers and any other suitable arrangements with developers that deliver good quality and early social housing.
I am not aware of any formal cost benefit analysis on the possible direct provision of social housing by developers. However, all capital-funded new social housing construction projects, irrespective of the nature of the development, are subject to the Capital Works Management Framework and the Public Spending Code. Therefore, I am satisfied that appropriate value for money scrutiny is in place to assess all delivery proposals.
Following from the review I undertook of Rebuilding Ireland last September, my Department established a new delivery team to work with Minister of State English and with all local authorities and approved housing bodies in exploring all options for early social housing delivery.
