An Action Programme for the Millennium specifically pledges a continuing house construction programme by local authorities and voluntary groups and also the improvement and extension of the social housing programmes generally. On foot of these pledges and in response to increasing needs, substantially increased resources are being provided for the full range of social housing programmes in 1999.
Almost £230 million is available for the local authority housing programmes in 1999, an increase of £35 million on last year. This will meet expenditure commitments on the ongoing programme at end of 1998 as well as the "starts" authorised for 1999. The financial allocations for the ongoing programme, including new starts, will be notified shortly to local authorities.
Nationally, the local authority housing construction programme allows 4,500 "starts" this year, the highest level since 1986. Dublin Corporation has been notified of a programme of 600 housing "starts" for 1999, an increase of 100 "starts" on 1998. In relation to houses which the corporation may purchase under their 1999 programme, I am aware that the price of such purchases has, in common with house prices generally, increased appreciably in recent years.
The response of Dublin Corporation to housing needs is not confined solely to the 600 "starts" authorised for 1999. Last year, the corporation provided housing accommodation for 1,700 households from a combination of newly constructed houses, purchased houses, refurbishment of existing flats, casual vacancies and the complementary social housing measures. I understand that the anticipated number of households which will be housed this year is of the same order.
In addition to their housing construction programme, significant resources are also being made available to Dublin Corporation for redevelopment and refurbishment of its existing housing stock. The corporation continues to obtain significant funds under the remedial works scheme – a total of £74 million since the inception of the scheme, including £8 million in 1998. I have also approved the corporation's proposals for the comprehensive redevelopment of nine run down flat complexes throughout the city for which a provision of £6.5 million has been made this year. The redevelopment proposals consist of a mix of some new buildings, refurbishment of some flats, where this is considered feasible, and the demolition of other flats and their replacement with low rise housing at a total cost of £87.8 million spread over a five year period.
