Joe Carey
Question:504. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if points made in correspondence (details supplied) will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20737/19]
View answerTuesday, 14 May 2019
Questions (504)
Written answers
My Department has been in contact with Clare County Council and agreed that, alongside increased delivery through the build programme, acquisitions of second hand properties for social housing purposes should be used more prudently compared with the high numbers of previous years. However, it is appropriate to have a continuation of a certain level of acquisitions, focused on priority cases and where good value for money can be achieved, without adversely impacting private purchasers.
It will be a matter for Clare County Council to determine the priority cases, working in conjunction with Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) operating in their area and this has been communicated to the Council. In general, it is important that we see a continued shift from acquisitions to new build for new social housing, both by Councils and AHBs, and my Department has encouraged this in its engagements with Clare County Council.