Vol. 555 No. 1
213 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the progress made in each local authority regarding implementing the requirement that all new housing developments should have a minimum 20% of social and affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17588/02]
All planning authorities prepared their housing strategies in accordance with Part V of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, by the statutory deadline of end July 2001. All development plans have been varied to include the housing strategies and, accordingly, the social and affordable housing requirement now applies to all relevant residential planning permission applications. I should point out that the legislative requirement is for a maximum 20% social and affordable housing rather than a minimum 20%.
Local authorities are now implementing their housing strategies. I understand that some 53 units have been or are about to be occupied with many more units the subject of pre-planning discussions and final negotiations between authorities and developers-builders. Some of the larger authorities have estimated that around 300 units may come on stream by end year.
In order to ensure that housing strategies and Part V in general is meeting the objectives for which it was enacted, with particular reference to social and affordable housing, a review of its operation is currently under way in my Department. It is intended to bring the results of the review to Government as soon as possible.
Question No. 214 answered with Question No. 162.
Question No. 215 answered with Question No. 186.
Question No. 216 answered with Question No. 11.
