Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 February 2019
41. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on whether legislation allowing developers to deliver 10% of social housing units required per development off site is acceptable in the housing emergency in Dublin and nationally; if the legislation relating to this exemption will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8472/19]
View answerLocal authorities have been advised in Guidelines on Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000, issued under section 28 of the Act in January 2017, that the priority option to be pursued in relation to Part V agreements is the acquisition of social housing on the site which is the subject of the planning permission. However, in some cases acquiring homes on the development site is not an efficient use of resources, for instance where:
- land costs are particularly high;
- the homes are of significantly higher specification than would be the case in a local authority owned housing project; and
- there are excessive annual management fees.
My Department considers all requests from local authorities for sanction for funding in terms of the acquisition of homes under Part V in the light of the key aims of Part V, including social integration. However, on some occasions it has been necessary for local authorities to use the off-site option in view of the prohibitive costs of some on-site homes.
My Department remains committed to working with the local authorities to find the best balance and to deliver social housing stock in the places where it is needed but at a price that is acceptable to the Exchequer.
