asked the Minister for the Environment the nature and form of the directive that he has given to each housing authority in connection with the survey of housing stock throughout the country; when and where the local authorities are carrying out this survey; the criteria on which the survey is based; the factors being taken into account; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Housing Stock Survey.
44.
Housing authorities are obliged by section 53 of the Housing Act, 1966, to assess at least once every five years the supply and condition of housing accommodation in their areas. The last such assessment of housing needs carried out by authorities determined the level of accumulated needs at 30 June 1976 and prospective needs in the five-year period ending on 30 June 1981. The assessments provided the basic data for the formulation of national housing policy generally since then.
The Government are now anxious to assess the level of house building requirements over the next few years in the light of the progress made since 1976 and to facilitate the forecasting of capital requirements for housing on the basis of need. Accordingly, on 31 January 1980 I asked housing authorities to carry out an overall assessment of housing needs, in a more standardised manner than on previous occasions, in order to determine the level of accumulated need as at 31 March 1980 and the prospective needs in the five-year period ending on 31 March 1985. I requested the authorities to furnish my Department with their assessments not later than 30 September 1980. I also asked authorities to carry out sample surveys of houses in their areas for the purpose of the assessment of needs where an adequate survey had not been undertaken within the last three years.
In carrying out the assessment of housing needs, authorities have been asked to have regard generally to guidelines described in a manual entitled "Housing Needs Assessment", prepared by An Foras Forbartha in conjunction with my Department. The manual takes into account established international practice in housing needs assessment. In carrying out the sample survey of the housing stock authorities have been asked to use the techniques described in guidelines entitled "Conducting a sample survey of the housing stock", also prepared by An Foras Forbartha in conjunction with my Department. These guidelines provide step by step notes on survey techniques which will facilitate housing authorities in conducting the survey and ensure a standardised approach to the question of sampling.
A survey will entail the inspection of 500 to 1,000 houses in an area and will generally be done on a county borough and a countywide basis only. Some of the larger towns may also conduct a survey. When carrying out the survey housing authorities will be seeking information about the age, structural condition, and standard of facilities in the housing stock. A standardised survey form is being used generally and, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to append a copy of the form to my reply in the Official Report.
An Foras Forbartha are assisting the majority of authorities by provision of the necessary documentation, training the personnel involved and analysing the survey returns by computer. Some authorities are already engaged in carrying out the survey, while the balance are making the necessary detailed preparations.
The results of the surveys will form the basis for the detailed assessment of accumulated housing needs. The analysis of the overall assessments will be made by my Department, with a view to the formulation of a housing strategy for the next few years.
Following is the survey form referred to:
