Niamh Smyth
Question:54. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way the construction of social housing can be accelerated with restrictions on residential construction now lifted. [23001/21]
View answerWednesday, 5 May 2021
Questions (54, 69, 79)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:69. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures he is taking to make up for the time lost during the Covid-19 construction lockdown given the ongoing and significant demand for housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23007/21]
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Paul McAuliffe
Question:79. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the measures being introduced to escalate the scale of housing being built in 2021 following the construction sector shutdown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23009/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 54, 69 and 79 together.
Increasing the supply of public, social and affordable homes is priority for my Department. The Programme for Government includes a commitment to deliver 50,000 new social homes with a focus on new build homes.
In January, the enhanced Level 5 restrictions introduced by Government involved most residential construction being halted from 8 January until 12 April. Certain essential social housing projects, which were scheduled for completion by 30 April were allowed to continue. This has ensured that social housing continued to be delivered during the first four months of the year. However, the restrictions have involved delays on the majority of housing projects.
It is vital that the supply of housing is accelerated for the remainder of the year and I have been engaging with stakeholders in this regard. I have asked all local authorities to engage with developers, contractors and Approved Housing Bodies to take all possible measures to maximise delivery for the remainder of the year. I have issued a circular to local authorities granting extended discretion in relation to construction working hours, with a view to assisting the construction sector to compensate for lost output. Last week, I also announced further measures to support social housing delivery. This includes a voids programme to provide funding to local authorities to remediate approximately 3,000 vacant properties; an increased focus on Buy and Renew construction to repurpose vacant and underutilised properties as social homes, and a programme of targeted acquisitions.
I will continue to work closely with stakeholders through the year to ensure that the necessary measures are taken to maximise the delivery of housing.