Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 May 2023
338. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the extent to which consideration has been given to appointing building contractors to deliver a specific number of local authority/affordable housing on a county basis depending on the demand, with a view to ensuring the delivery of housing for those immediately in need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23984/23]
View answer339. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the extent to which he can direct/offer building contracts to various building contractors to deliver housing on public or private lands to meet the needs of those in need of affordable house/local authority housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23985/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 338 and 339 together.
Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 47,600 new build social homes; 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing and 28,500 new affordable homes in the period 2022-2026. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn in funding through the Land Development Agency and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency.
In terms of implementation, the plan is showing clear delivery as detailed in the seven comprehensive quarterly progress reports published on my Department’s website to date. This is due in no small measure to the concerted efforts of a broad range of delivery partners who are directly responsible for delivery in line with the agreed targets I have put in place for the supply of additional social and affordable homes by local authorities, by Approved Housing Bodies and by the Land Development Agency.
Strong governance arrangements, coupled with detailed planning, funding and oversight of programmes and measures by my Department, working closely with delivery partners mentioned above, are in place to ensure full implementation of Housing for All in compliance with Public Spending Code requirements including EU and National Public Procurement Policy and Guidance.
I am satisfied that this configuration of roles and responsibilities is appropriate, noting in particular that section 149 of the Local Government Act 2001 assigns legal responsibility for the executive functions of a local authority, which includes procurement, with the relevant Chief Executive, while similar legal responsibilities apply to the Directors and Boards of the Land Development Agency and AHBs.
Under Housing for All, each local authority was required to prepare a Housing Delivery Action Plan. This Plan sets out details of both social and affordable housing delivery as appropriate over the period 2022-2026, in line with targets set under Housing for All. In preparing the Plans, local authorities were required to include details of land available to deliver housing and details of land acquisition requirements. The Plans have been published on local authority websites.
Under my Department’s Affordable Housing Programme, funding is available to all local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies to deliver additional affordable housing stock through direct construction or in partnership with developers through 'turnkey' projects. As such, housing developments are constructed by professional contractors/developers in line with those agreements.
Significant progress is being made to deliver the ambitious targets contained in Housing for All and my Department is working closely with the local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies, the LDA and other stakeholders to accelerate the delivery of social and affordable housing.
The Government and I are keenly aware of the key role which robust and effective procurement must and does play in ensuring delivery across each social and affordable housing delivery stream under Housing for All. For this reason the plan includes a number of measures designed to support procurement capability and strengthen the capacity of local authorities to initiate, design, plan, develop and manage housing projects.
In the past year for instance I have sanctioned over 320 additional posts in housing delivery teams across the local government system.
The Housing Agency’s Procurement and Development Unit has been expanded and now provides strong technical services and supports to local authorities and AHBs, including procurement, design and modern construction methods.
The Housing Delivery Coordination Office is also in place to ensure good programme and project management by local authorities, together with ensuring coordinated procurement framework arrangements are in place where sensible and appropriate.
In this way Housing for All, in resolving the housing challenges we currently face, is also building the capacity for a strong and sustainable housing system in the longer term.
