Vol. 540 No. 1
353 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans he has to make private sites available to those who qualify for such sites; the number of such sites allocated by each local authority in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20168/01]
357 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his plans to substantially increase the number of private sites available to eligible applicants through the aegis of the various local authorities in the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20172/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 353 and 357 together.
Local authorities may provide housing sites at low cost to assist persons in housing need to provide their own housing. My Department has encouraged local authorities to review the scope for expanding the use of the sale of sites scheme in order to meet increasing housing needs. My Department has also advised local authorities that should they require additional funds under the scheme it is open to them to make adjustments within their overall housing capital allocations to cater for any increased demand for private sites that may arise.
As part of the measures to increase the supply of affordable housing set out in Action on Housing, I introduced a site subsidy for houses provided by local authorities under the affordable housing scheme and also in respect of new houses sold by local authorities under the shared ownership scheme. The level of subsidy is £30,000 in the major urban areas and £25,000 in other areas.
Comprehensive information on the provision of sites is published in my Department's various housing statistics bulletins, copies of which are available in the Library.
