Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 November 2023
126. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has responded to date to the Galway Social Housing Taskforce Chairperson’s Report on Progress to end-2022; the details of any engagement between his Department, Galway City Council and Galway County Council with regard to resolving the staff retention issues highlighted in the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48428/23]
View answerMy Department continues to work proactively with both Galway City and Galway County Councils. Quarterly meetings are held between representatives from my Department and the Councils housing teams to cover a range of issues relating to the Councils' social housing programme, including reviewing progress in advancing individual projects and to seek to resolve any challenges arising. In addition there are ongoing frequent project specific contacts between my Department and the local authorities.
I announced additional staffing resources across all local authorities in December 2021 to support housing delivery. Galway County Council received sanction for 13 new posts while Galway City Council received sanction for an additional 6 new posts for their housing team. Both local authorities continue to work to find a solution to retention of staff in a tight labour market.
The period covered by the Chair's latest report up to and including 2022 was particularly challenging, given the disruption to construction following the pandemic, with some temporary site closures, supply chain difficulties, construction inflation, labour and skills shortages followed by the impacts of the Ukraine war.
The task force will continue to focus on enhancing cooperation between the two Councils and other partners with a view to supporting strong delivery of social and affordable housing.
