Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 July 2023
385. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications and total funding sought from individual local authorities under the land acquisition fund; how much funding has been approved and drawn down to date by local authorities; and if there are plans for future land acquisition funding for local authorities. [33849/23]
View answer386. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications and total funding sought from approved housing bodies under the land acquisition fund; how much funding has been approved and drawn down to date by AHBs; and if there are plans for future land acquisition funding for AHBs. [33850/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 385 and 386 together.
Housing for All sets a target to deliver an average of 33,000 new build homes each year in the period 2022-2030. This includes the delivery of an average of 10,000 new build social homes during this period. To support the delivery of new build projects, Housing for All includes an action to support local authorities to acquire the necessary land to deliver new build projects.
In November 2022, I established the Housing for All Land Acquisition Fund, with the Housing Agency responsible for the management and the operational arrangements for the Fund. An allocation of €125m was paid to the Agency to establish the Fund. The Agency is continuing to assess applications made by local authorities for the acquisition of sites. Increased construction activity by Approved Housing Bodies will be supported by the long-term leasing of sites acquired on behalf of local authorities.
The Housing Agency will be submitting a report to my Department following the completion of the current assessment process, including details of the numbers of applications and expenditure. I will provide details on this matter following receipt and consideration of the report in my Department.
