Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 January 2024
370. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many counties have established a housing forum in their counties; whether his Department recommends the establishment of a forum in each county; if additional funding is likely for counties that have established forums; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3095/24]
View answerCurrently there are two main established forums across the local authorities, the Dublin Housing Delivery Group and Galway Social Housing Taskforce.
The Dublin Housing Delivery Group (DHDG) was established in June 2021 to co-ordinate and drive delivery of social and affordable housing in the four Dublin local authorities.
Membership of the DHDG includes the Chief Executive of the four Dublin Local Authorities, the Chief Executive of Housing Agency (HA), programme co-ordinators from the Housing Delivery Co-Ordination Office (HDCO) and Assistant Secretaries and Principal Officers from the Social and Affordable Divisions of my Department.
The group is supported by housing delivery and planning staff in the four Dublin local authorities and by relevant staff of my Department and the HDCO. Other stakeholders such as AHB representatives or the LDA are invited to meetings as appropriate.
The Galway Taskforce provides a supportive framework to help maintain momentum on housing delivery.Continuing close relationship between the authorities themselves which are enhanced by the regular Taskforce engagements, as well as ability at a central level to support the frontline delivery of every housing authority is an important benefit of the Task Force. The Taskforce also addresses a range of related issues, including affordable housing, traveller accommodation and homelessness, taking a holistic approach to these issues across the combined City and County.
While this is an operational matter for local authorities my Department will continue to engage with any local authority who wishes to establish a housing forum.
