Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 5 Apr 2001

Vol. 534 No. 2

Written Answers. - Housing Forum.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

32 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the progress made to date by the housing forum established under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness; when it is expected that the forum will complete its work and publish a report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10156/01]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Molloy)

The housing forum has met on four occasions to date and the next meeting is scheduled for 10 May 2001.

It was agreed in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness that the forum would meet quarterly over the lifetime of the programme, and accordingly, it is not intended to produce a specific report or reports by particular dates. However, the forum, in the context of its ongoing work, will decide the timing and nature of reports, if any.

The forum has considered a range of issues to date including the report on Social and Affordable Accommodation – Building the Future published by the National Economic and Social Forum and the report of the Commission on the Private Rented Sector. Progress reports on the implementation of the measures contained in the Government's Action on Housing have also been considered and a framework for information provision to facilitate the forum's monitoring role has been agreed.