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Social and Affordable Housing

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 May 2021

Wednesday, 5 May 2021

Questions (80)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

80. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way that social housing units will be made available in 2021 in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23023/21]

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Written answers

My Department supports all local authorities intheir provision of new social homes through a range of programmes, with delivery targets set and published for each local authority. For 2021 I have set targets for Mayo County Council of 91 new social homes via build programmes and 65 homes through leasing. The precise projects that will be advanced over the course of 2021, are a matter for Mayo County Council and the Council will be fully supported by my Department based on the delivery they achieve.

In recognition of the likely impact of the COVID-19 restrictions on all but a limited number of social housing sites, I recently announced additional measures to support the delivery of social housing in 2021 including a programme of targeted acquisitions by local authorities and an increased focus on Buy and Renew construction with a particular emphasis on rundown vacant properties that local authorities can repurpose as social housing units.

To provide transparency on new social housing projects being advanced, my Department publishes a Social Housing Construction Status Report each quarter with details of all social housing developments completed or under construction in each local authority area, including Mayo. The report for Quarter 4 of 2020 is available at the following link: https://rebuildingireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Final-Report.pdf.

The Government will be publishing a new housing strategy this year, which will set out details of social housing delivery out to 2025, including social housing targets for 2022 onwards. While Mayo County Council already has a social housing construction programme in train, I am keen that they are proactive in adding to this pipeline and in working with Approved Housing Bodies to advance their existing projects as speedily as possible. It is also important that the Council housing team has the continued support of Councillors and public representatives in advancing their social housing delivery projects.

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