Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 March 2022
104. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social housing and affordable housing projects under construction in Galway city and county by the location address, the number of units, project status and the expected completion date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11949/22]
View answerFor the purpose of tracking social housing delivery, a Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR) is published each quarter by my Department. This provides details of the individual social housing build projects in the programme of each local authority, including Galway City and County local authority areas.
The report provides details of locations of the schemes, the number of homes being delivered and the current status of each scheme, including those currently on site and under construction. The most recent CSR publication covers the period up to the end of Quarter 3 of 2021, and is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/feea9-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q3-2021/. Information on Quarter 4 of 2021, will be available shortly and will be added to the published data. Further specific information on their build programmes, including expected completion dates, will be available from the local authorities.
Under Housing for All, the funding is in place to support both Galway local authorities, including approved housing bodies with whom they work, and I'm keen that they progress their social housing schemes as quickly as possible and that they receive the support of public representatives in the advancement of their programmes.
The Affordable Housing Act 2021 established a basis for four new affordable housing measures, to deliver on the Programme for Government commitment to put affordability at the heart of the housing system and prioritise the increased supply of affordable homes through (1) delivering affordable homes on local authority lands, (2) the introduction of a new form of tenure in Cost Rental, (3) a First Home shared equity scheme and (4) expanding Part V planning requirements to increase the 10% contribution requirement to 20% and to apply it to cost rental, as well as social and affordable housing. The First Home shared equity scheme will be available nationally on a demand-led basis. This scheme will primarily support first-time buyers purchasing new homes through the private market. It is anticipated this scheme will be open for applications in the second half of this year. The national 2022 target delivery for the First Home Scheme is 1,750.
At a national level, 2,550 Affordable Purchase homes and 1,580 Cost Rental homes are targeted for delivery for 2022. Annual targets will increase incrementally in subsequent years.
Delivery of affordable housing will be underpinned by Local Authorities' Housing Delivery Action Plans. Having reviewed the submitted Plans, my Department has held meetings with Local Authorities. The information shared in these meetings, and through a two-day Housing Summit held last week with all local authorities, will facilitate more informed target setting for each area. Updated Housing Delivery Action Plans will be published by the local authorities, including the both Galway authorities, later this year.
Galway City Council received approval in principle from my Department in August 2019 under the Serviced Sites Fund (now the Affordable Housing Fund) for approx. €4.4 million for a project at Merlin Park Lands. It is anticipated that this development will deliver 85 affordable purchase homes and Galway City Council have advised my Department that this project will be completed by 2024.
Additional affordable housing delivery in the two Galway local authorities will also be facilitated through the expanded 20% Part V requirement.
