Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021
799. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to a question to the European Commission (details supplied), if he consulted with the Commission in relation to making public land available to not for profit housing associations to build social and affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20338/21]
View answerThe Approved Housing Body (AHB) sector in Ireland has played, and will continue to a play, a significant role in the provision of social housing for low-income households and has done so using land made available to it by local authorities. The Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, commits to putting affordability at the heart of the housing system. The Government also views the AHBs as key partners in the delivery of affordable housing under the new Cost Rental model both the immediate future and over the longer term, for which the forthcoming Affordable Housing Bill will provide a statutory foundation.
In the case of public land owned by local authorities, the disposal of such land to AHBs is first and foremost a matter for local authorities. In the case of land held by Government Departments and their subordinate agencies and companies, its disposal is governed by general public interest considerations and the Government’s specific commitment to deliver public and social housing, as set out in the Programme for Government.
The forthcoming Land Development Agency Bill will allow the Minister to set an affordability requirement, varying according to local needs, for the delivery of affordable homes for sale or rent on public lands.
