Written Answers Nos. 628-645
628. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the measures taken to ensure fire safety and fire safety compliance with regard to apartment complexes and new timber-framed housing developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13861/18]
View answerMatters relating to fire safety and fire safety compliance are dealt with by my Department by way of legislation, Regulations and Guidance Documents.
In relation to the Building Regulations, work has been on-going in my Department to review Part B/Technical Guidance Document (TGD) B – Fire (2006). A new Part B/TGD B Volume 2 (2017) came into force on 1 July 2017, in relation to dwellings. Important revisions in the TGD B Volume 2 include enhanced provision for fire detection and alarm systems in dwelling houses, guidance on fire safety in community dwelling houses, guidance on timber frame construction, including new provisions in respect of timber frame party walls, enhanced provisions in respect of loft conversions, new provisions for galleries in dwelling houses and other general updates. The existing TGD B volume 1 provides guidance on other building types, including buildings containing flats or apartments. Work is currently underway on a revision to TGD B Volume 1.
With regard to timber framed construction, in accordance with the recommendations of the Timber Frame Housing Report, a standard in relation to timber frame construction was developed. Irish Standard 440: 2009/A1:2014 Timber Frame Construction, Dwellings and other Buildings (I.S. 440) specifies requirements for materials, design, manufacture, construction details, site work and quality control for platform timber frame construction. It requires that the responsibilities for the tasks involved in the planning, structural design, site erection and inspection be agreed and recorded prior to the commencement of each project. I.S. 440 also gives specific details relating to fire, including the construction of separating walls, horizontal and vertical fire stopping, cavity barriers and detailed fire stopping junctions for walls and floors and service penetrations.
I.S. 440 is currently under review and it is intended that both external and party wall new constructions and methods will be included in the next revision of the document. Manufacturers of timber frame buildings are assessed under an approval scheme operated by the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) for compliance with I.S. 440 requirements, including Factory Production Control (FPC), and a register of compliant manufacturers is available on the NSAI website at https://www.nsai.ie/Our-Services/Certification/Company-Registration-Search.aspx.
It should also be noted that my Department has recently issued guidance on Timber Frame Walls, which have been tested to the European fire test standard and meet the performance set down in Technical Guidance Document B (TGD B) for external and separating walls in dwellings. This has been transmitted to all registered users of the Building Control Management System and to all Building Control Authorities.
Under section 18(2) of the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003, responsibility for ongoing fire safety in buildings of all kinds (other than dwellings) is placed on the ‘person having control’ of each building. In the case of a building containing flats or apartments, this may, for example, be an Owners Management Company.
Local fire authorities have powers of inspection, and where necessary enforcement, under the Building Control Act 1990 and the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003.
Typically, in carrying out inspections under the Fire Services Acts, some or all of the following aspects will be reviewed –
- The passive or inbuilt fire safety features in a building, such as the layout and escape routes from the building and the construction of the building; the required passive fire safety features relating to the use of the building and the scale and occupancy;
- The active fire safety features, such as fire detection and alarm systems, which alert persons on the premises to the danger of fire and enable them to use the means of escape;
- The management of the building, including management of fire safety, to prevent fires occurring in the first place and to manage building services and fire safety to ensure that safety is not compromised.
Guidance on these features is generally set out in relevant guidance documents and codes of practice rather than in specific legislation or regulation. My Department has published guidance documents and codes of practice for a range of building types.
A fire authority may require a ‘person having control’ over a building, or an owner or occupier of such a building, to carry out a fire safety assessment of such building and to notify the fire authority of such assessment. In such instances, the ‘person having control’ over a building may engage professional advisors to carry out these inspections and to assist with discharging their statutory duties; however, ultimate responsibility for fire safety in the building remains with the ‘person having control’.
In August 2017, my Department published a Framework for Enhancing Fire Safety in Dwellings, where concerns arise. The Framework is intended to be used as a guide by the owners and occupants of dwellings where fire safety deficiencies have been identified, or are a cause for concern. The Framework will also be of assistance to professional advisors, both in developing strategies to improve fire safety and in developing strategies to enable continued occupation in advance of undertaking the necessary works to ensure compliance with the relevant Building Regulations.
Any member of the public who is concerned about fire safety in a building should contact the person having control of the building in the first instance, and their local Fire Service if the concerns remain unresolved.
629. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when he will commence section 28(1) of the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13868/18]
View answerSection 28(1) of the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016, which amends section 42 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, relating to the extension of the duration of planning permission, has not been commenced to date because I have tabled an amendment for consideration at Seanad Committee Stage of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2016.
The amendment that I have proposed would permit the extension of the duration of a planning permission only where substantial works are carried out during the initial duration of the planning permission and allow for a maximum of two extensions of the duration of a permission, the combined duration of which would not exceed 5 years. This proposed amendment is part of a package of measures which are aimed at assisting in combatting land hoarding.
I intend to bring section 28(1), as amended, of the 2016 Act into operation as soon as the 2016 Bill is enacted.
630. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the steps he has taken to ensure that the developers of defective apartment complexes built during the boom are prevented from constructing homes in the future; the penalties that have been levied on these developers; the new regulations and laws that have been introduced to safeguard home buyers from purchasing homes in such complexes that will suffer from the same building flaws in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13872/18]
View answerIn general, building defects are matters for resolution between the contracting parties involved, the homeowner, the builder, the developer and/or their respective insurers, structural guarantee or warranty scheme. It is important to note that while my Department has overall responsibility for establishing and maintaining an effective regulatory framework for building standards and building control, it has no general statutory role in resolving defects in privately owned buildings, including dwellings, nor does it have a budget for such matters.
In this regard, it is incumbent on the parties responsible for poor workmanship and/or the supply of defective materials to face up to their responsibilities and take appropriate action to provide remedies for the affected homeowners.
Under the Building Control Acts 1990 to 2014, primary responsibility for compliance of works with the requirements of the Building Regulations rests with the owners, designers and builders of buildings. Enforcement of the Building Regulations is a matter for the 31 local building control authorities, who have extensive powers of inspection and enforcement under the Acts and who are independent in the use of their statutory powers.
Stronger compliance with building standards and the broader building control reform agenda are key priorities for Government. In particular, the Government has committed to placing the Construction Industry Register Ireland (CIRI), which was established on a voluntary basis in 2014, on a statutory footing.
At the end of May 2017, the Government approved the draft heads of a Bill for this purpose, which was referred to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government for pre-legislative scrutiny. I received the Committee’s report on 14 December 2017 and I am considering its recommendations, with a view to progressing the drafting as soon as possible.
The main objective of the Building Control (Construction Industry Register Ireland) Bill is to develop and promote a culture of competence, good practice and compliance with the Building Regulations within the Builder community of the construction sector. The establishment of a robust, mandatory, statutory register of builders and specialist contractors is an essential consumer protection measure giving those who engage a registered builder the assurance that they are dealing with a competent and compliant operator.
The General Scheme of the CIRI Bill requires that a builder demonstrate competence in the category of building works to which the registration relates. Competence is likely to be based on a number of factors including past experience. While no legislation can have retrospective effect and any breach of another statute must be prosecuted under the appropriate act, the Bill ensures that applicants declare any convictions under health & safety and/or building control legislation in any jurisdiction.
The Bill will also allow for complaints against registered builders to be made on a number of grounds and provides for a range of proportionate sanctions to be imposed after investigation.
Sanctions may be imposed in respect of any breach of the requirements of registration including, where a registered member of CIRI failed, in connection with the carrying out of building work for which they are registered, to meet the standards of competence required for such registration.
This legislation will underpin the reforms which have been made through the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations and contribute to the development of a culture of competence and compliance in the construction sector.
632. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the timeframe for the affordable rental scheme pilot project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13888/18]
View answer649. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount of funding allocated for a pilot project affordable rent scheme in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown; the amount that has been spent on compensating the local authority for costs incurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14138/18]
View answer650. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the proposed eligibility and selection criteria for a pilot project affordable rent scheme in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown; the anticipated number of residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14139/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 632, 649 and 650 together.
Against the background of the affordability pressures which exist in the rental market, particularly in our cities and other major urban areas, the Government is determined to make cost rental a major part of the Irish housing system. To do this, we will offer more affordable long-term rental options, by leveraging the value of State land to reduce the cost of provision.
Cost rental is new to Ireland and a number of pilot cost rental projects are currently being progressed in Dublin, for example, at Enniskerry Road and in Lusk. The projects are being delivered by Approved Housing Bodies, working with relevant local authorities, the Housing Agency and my Department.
The pilot projects are providing very valuable learning in terms of the design and delivery of such a new rental model in Ireland. Working with these and other key stakeholders, my Department is considering the optimal operation of the scheme, including eligibility criteria, taking account of broader policy considerations on affordable housing.
In parallel with the advancement of the aforementioned pilot projects, discussions are ongoing with the European Investment Bank to leverage its extensive experience and knowledge, in developing and supporting cost rental and other affordable housing models, with a view to developing further cost rental projects in Ireland, at a greater scale.
I expect local authorities to be pro-active in developing and bringing forward innovative concepts regarding the use of their land for the delivery of both affordable homes for purchase and rent. Arising from the second Housing Summit with local authority Chief Executives in January, I have asked each local authority to furnish a report to me, setting out their plans for delivery of both social and affordable housing, with a particular focus on affordable home provision in the main urban centres, where the greatest challenges exist. These reports have recently been received and are under consideration by my Department.
634. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of times the high-level task force to reappraise Ireland's response to fire safety standards announced in June 2017 met; the attendees at the meetings; the actions that have arisen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13890/18]
View answer635. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of local authorities' response and actions arising from the review of multi-storey units in the social housing sector requested by him in June 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13891/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 634 and 635 together.
On 27 June 2017, in response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy and in recognition of fears expressed in the context of fire safety, I tasked my Department's National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management with coordinating a high-level Task Force to lead a reappraisal of fire safety in Ireland. The Task Force was requested to oversee and report on a number of initial steps, and to urgently consider any potential life safety issues and appropriate responses. The work of the Task Force involves reviewing and reappraising existing arrangements and systems for fire safety and related issues which impact on fire safety in Ireland. As it carries out its work, the Task Force is considering information and developments arising from inquiries and reviews in the UK in relation to the Grenfell Tower fire.
The Task Force held its first meeting on 12 July 2017 and has met on 10 occasions in total. Its membership consists of the National Director for Fire and Emergency Management along with a number of senior officials from the National Directorate, the Building Standards Section and the Housing and Corporate Management Divisions of my Department, as well as representatives of the Office of Public Works, the Local Government Management Agency, two Chief Fire Officers, external fire safety consultants and a SIPTU representative.
In addition to establishing the Task Force, I requested that a number of immediate initial actions be taken. Local authorities were directed to undertake a review of fire safety in multi-storey social housing buildings and to also review fire safety in medium to high rise buildings in their functional areas. The Task Force was mandated to oversee and report on these initial actions as well as reviewing existing arrangements and systems for fire safety and related issues which impact on fire safety in Ireland.
This initial work in relation to both multi-storey social housing buildings and medium to high rise buildings has been carried out and all local authorities have reported back to my Department as requested. The Fire Safety Task Force established two sub-groups to review the returns received from local authorities. The returns indicate that multi-storey social housing buildings in Ireland are generally designed, built and equipped appropriately for domestic fire risk, although a number of fire safety issues were identified and followed up.
With regard to the review of medium to high rise buildings (greater than 6 stories or 18m high), more than 800 buildings were identified through the national survey undertaken. A number of these were identified as having external cladding which gave rise to concerns and in these cases building owners have been required by local authorities, using their powers under the Fire Services Acts, to undertake fire safety assessments in these specific buildings. National guidance on further actions in light of the results of these fire safety assessments, taking account of emerging information on the cladding issue from international sources, was prepared by the Task Force sub-group and a guidance note – "Fire safety Guidance Note 01 of 2017 Assessing Existing Cladding Systems in Buildings of More than Six Storeys, or More than 18m in Height" – was published by my Department in December 2017. The guidance note was circulated to fire authorities and placed on my Department’s website as a support for those undertaking assessments of cladding in medium to high rise building. The assessment process in individual buildings, and remediation work where deemed necessary in a small number of buildings, is ongoing and in some cases is expected to take a number of months to complete.
The preparation of the report of the Task Force has been impacted by a number of recent severe weather events, including ex-Hurricane Ophelia and the blizzard conditions and heavy snow arising from Storm Emma, which required temporary re-prioritising of the National Directorate’s resources. However, the work of the Task Force has now advanced significantly and I expect to be provided with the report by the end of April 2018, which I will consider without delay.
636. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the eligibility criteria for the Rebuilding Ireland home loan in relation to employment status in view of the fact that the website refers to continuous employment (details supplied); if the scheme is intended to include the workers who have continuous employment but are not defined as permanent; if they will be eligible for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13897/18]
View answer642. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when a reply will issue to correspondence (details supplied). [14002/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 636 and 642 together.
Following a review of the two existing local authority home loan schemes, the House Purchase Loan and the Home Choice Loan, a new loan offering, the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan, was made available on 1 February 2018. The new loan will enable credit-worthy first-time buyers to access sustainable mortgage lending to purchase new or second-hand properties in a suitable price range. The low rate of fixed interest associated with the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan provides first time buyers with access to mortgage finance that they may not otherwise have been able to afford at a higher interest rate.
The Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan is targeted at first-time buyers who wish to own their own home, have access to an adequate deposit and have the capacity to repay a mortgage, but who are unable to access a mortgage sufficient for them to purchase their first home. As with the previous local authority loan offerings, the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan is available to first-time buyers only. This is to ensure the effective targeting of limited resources.
In order to be eligible for the scheme, single applicants must not be earning greater than €50,000 per annum and the combined income of joint applicants must not be greater than €75,000 per annum.
The primary earner on the application must have at least two years' continuous employment (this can be self-employment) and the second applicant must have continuous employment for at least one year. I have asked my Department to liaise with the Housing Finance Agency to ensure that there is consistent information in relation to eligibility for the loan.
Full details of the loan’s eligibility criteria and other information is available from the dedicated Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan website http://rebuildingirelandhomeloan.ie/ .
637. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Dublin City Council will be selling off a number of pieces of land to fund the new northside and southside depot; and if the site value of the land will be provided to the Council in order that this land can be maintained for social and affordable housing. [13899/18]
View answerIn the first instance, the optimal usage, management and development of Dublin City Council's land bank is a matter for the Council itself. In relation to the specific land referenced, I understand that the Council is working on a Depot Consolidation Project, involving the rationalisation of existing depots, into two main locations, to achieve operational efficiencies and to release lands for more appropriate uses.
My Department is working in partnership with the Council to ensure the optimal delivery of new social and affordable homes from its residential land bank. To this end, and as part of the new approach to active State land management under the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, details of the Council's residential land bank were published on the Rebuilding Ireland Housing Land Map, available at http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/rebuilding-ireland-land-map/ .
Information on the Council's social housing developments, as at end Q3 2017, is available in the Construction Status Report which is available at http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/quarter-3-social-housing-construction-status-report/ . I expect to publish an updated report shortly, reflecting the position at end 2017.
My Department is also working closely with Dublin City Council on sites to help develop large mixed-tenure sites, for example, at O'Devaney Gardens and Oscar Traynor Road. In total, these two sites can accommodate the delivery of over 1,200 newly constructed homes.
638. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to raise the threshold for social housing supports in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13966/18]
View answer640. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to remove the working family payment from the means assessed for social housing supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13968/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 638 and 640 together.
The Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority, in different bands according to the area, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy.
The income bands and the authority area assigned to each band were based on an assessment of the income needed to provide for a household's basic needs, plus a comparative analysis of the local rental cost of housing accommodation across the country. The limits also reflect a blanket increase of €5,000 introduced prior to the new system coming into operation, in order to broaden the base from which social housing tenants are drawn and thereby promote sustainable communities.
Under the Household Means Policy, which applies in all local authorities, net income for social housing assessment is defined as gross household income less income tax, PRSI and the universal social charge. Most payments received from the Department of Social Protection are assessable, including Family Income Supplement. The policy provides for a range of income that can be disregarded in terms of housing assessment and local authorities have discretion to decide to disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once off in nature.
As part of the broader social housing reform agenda, a review of income eligibility for social housing supports has commenced and I expect the results of this review to be available for publication later this year.
639. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to address the problems facing persons renting and-or sourcing loans post bankruptcy. [13967/18]
View answerThe only home loan scheme available from the local authorities is the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan which was launched in February this year, replacing the previous local authority home loan schemes. The new loan will enable credit-worthy first-time buyers to access sustainable mortgage lending to purchase new or second-hand properties in a suitable price range. The scheme is targeted at those unable to access a mortgage sufficient for them to purchase their first home. As with the previous local authority loan offerings, the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan is available to first-time buyers only. There are terms and conditions which apply to the scheme, including income limits and limits on the value of the dwelling being purchased. Any person who meets the criteria and wishes to apply for a loan under the Scheme should apply to their local authority.
However, in relation to the Deputy's specific query, it should be noted that, under the credit policy issued in accordance with the Housing (Rebuilding Ireland Home Loans) Regulations 2018, there is a range of categories of people to whom the loan scheme is not available. These include people who are declared bankrupt or currently subject to bankruptcy proceedings who have been involved in a previous settlement which has resulted in a loss to a financial institution.
Where a person does not qualify for the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan Scheme, they are entitled to apply to their local authority for assessment as to whether they qualify for, and are in need of, social housing support. In such instances, they should apply to the local authority for their area for an assessment.
I have also announced a package of measures in relation to developing an affordable purchase scheme and a cost rental scheme, the details of which I intend to finalise shortly.
641. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when funding which was announced three years ago to provide extra space in Mountrath fire station will be released; when approval will be given to Laois County Council for work to proceed at this facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13996/18]
View answerThe provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs, and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Service Act, 1981. My Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for priority infrastructural projects.
In February 2016, my Department announced a five-year Fire Services Capital Programme with an allocation of €40 million, based on an annual €8 million allocation, to be used for the purchase of fire appliances and specialist equipment, building or upgrading of prioritised Fire Stations, an upgrade of the Communications and Mobilisation system and improvements to Training Centres. Upgrade/refurbishment works to Mountrath Fire Station were included as part of this 2016-2020 Capital Programme.
In February 2018, Laois County Council was approved to seek tenders for a fire station upgrade at Mountrath, subject to a maximum Departmental contribution of €130,000. When a firm tender proposal has been submitted, my Department will continue working with the Council to progress this project. The projects in the capital programme are reassessed on an annual basis and priority may be adjusted to bring forward projects offering best value-for-money and to take account of the state of readiness of projects generally.
643. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 1767 of 16 January 2018, if he will make available an unredacted copy of the report submitted by Galway City Council relative to the case of a person (details supplied); if the protected disclosure submitted by the person is being examined by an independent person outside of and unconnected to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14054/18]
View answerMy Department’s assessment of both the submission made with reference to the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 by the individual named and Galway City Council’s report in response to that submission is now at an advanced stage.
As part of its assessment, my Department wrote to Galway City Council on 22 February, 2018 seeking clarification of points of information arising from the Council’s report. The Council has indicated that it is compiling the information requested and will respond as soon as possible.
My Department will then be in a position to finalise its assessment and will be in contact with the individual concerned at that stage.
644. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if an area will be designated as a rent pressure zone (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14112/18]
View answerSection 24A of the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2016 provides that the Housing Agency, in consultation with housing authorities, may make a proposal to the Minister that an area should be considered as a Rent Pressure Zone. Following receipt of such a proposal, the Minister requests the Director of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) to conduct an assessment of the area to establish whether or not it meets the criteria for designation and to report to the Minister on whether the area should be designated as a Rent Pressure Zone. For the purpose of the Act, ‘area’ is defined as either the administrative area of a housing authority or a local electoral area within the meaning of section 2 of the Local Government Act 2001. There is no provision for any other type of area to be designated as a Rent Pressure Zone.
For an area to be designated a Rent Pressure Zone, it must satisfy the following criteria set out in section 24A(4) of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 (as inserted by section 36 of the 2016 Act): (i) The annual rate of rent inflation in the area must have been 7% or more in four of the last six quarters; and (ii) The average rent for tenancies registered in the area with the RTB in the last quarter must be above the average national rent (the National Standardised Rent in the RTB’s Rent Index Report) in the last quarter (€1,054 per month in Q4 2017).
On 21 March 2018, the RTB published its Rent Index Report in relation to Quarter 4 2017, which includes a summary of the data used as the criteria for designating Rent Pressure Zones in relation to all Local Electoral Areas in the country. This allows all interested parties to see exactly where their area stands in relation to average rent levels and increases and possible designation. The data from the Rent Index Report relating to Limerick City East are detailed in the following table:
|
Local Electoral Area |
Quarters 7% |
Average 2017 Q4 (€) |
|
Limerick City East |
3 |
€1,039.82 |
In Limerick City East , the average monthly is below the national standardised rent of €1,054 per month and in 3 of the last 6 quarters rent inflation has been 7% or greater. Therefore, of the Local Electoral Area of Limerick City East does not meet the criteria for designation at this time.
The Housing Agency will continue to monitor the rental market and may recommend further areas for designation. Where, following the procedures set out in the Act, it is found at a future date that additional areas meet the criteria, they will be designated as Rent Pressure Zones.
645. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the basis on which the target of 500 Part V units was set for 2018; and the details of the targets by each local authority area. [14117/18]
View answerOver the course of Rebuilding Ireland, it is estimated that some 4,700 social housing homes will be delivered through new build Part V units.
In terms of the trajectory of delivery for Part V, my Department has set overall targets for such delivery based on the pipeline in place for Part V and also anticipated new build activity in the private market. Part V output is reported on the Department's website at the following link:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/affordable-housing/affordable-housing-and-part-v-statistics.
69 Part V units were delivered in 2016. Indicative output for 2017 shows that this increased substantially to over 380 units, and 590 units are profiled for delivery in 2018.
My Department is currently finalising targets with each Local Authority, including for Part V social housing homes delivery across the period 2017-2021, with a particular focus on 2018, details of which will be published once finalised.
