I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.
The affordable housing initiative under Sustaining Progress and the Part V mechanism are major elements of the Government strategy for the provision of social and affordable housing and are expected to deliver substantial output over the coming years. In addition to longer established programmes, which are operating this year with total Exchequer and non-Exchequer funding of €1.8 billion, this represents a significant and growing investment in social and affordable housing.
To date, under Part V agreements with developers, a total of 315 social and affordable housing units were acquired by local authorities up to the end of June 2004. Part V continues to gather momentum. A total of 2,500 social and affordable units are now planned or proposed. It is clear that the Part V measure is now bearing fruit and that it will contribute significantly to the provision of social and affordable housing.
Under the affordable housing initiative, substantial progress continues to be made. Part V affordable units are an important contribution to the initiative. Furthermore, over 50 projects on State and local authority lands are planned. It is projected that these projects, together with some 2,100 affordable units coming under Part V, will deliver a total of approximately 8,900 units to the initiative. My Department is currently engaged with a number of other Departments and State agencies with a view to securing further land to reach the agreed target of 10,000 units.
Construction has commenced on the Finglas Road site which will yield 160 housing units, 80 of which will be delivered next year. A number of other projects has been advertised for expressions of interest, including the St. Bricin's military hospital site which was advertised as part of the O'Devaney Gardens redevelopment and will eventually supply 200 housing units. Following a shortlisting process, it is understood the request for proposals for the St. Bricin's site will be issued next month.
The Jamestown Road and Infirmary Road projects were advertised last week and will yield a combined total of 465 housing units. All projects are being progressed as a priority with activities being paralleled as necessary with a view to early delivery of units.
I assure the House that the necessary structures have been put in place at central and local level to oversee and expedite projects with a view to early delivery of housing units. It is not possible, however, to dispense with mandatory planning and procurement procedures which necessarily take some time to complete before construction commences.
My Department will continue to work with the parties to the pay agreement to expedite effective implementation of the initiative. There is a strong commitment in Government to deliver on this initiative and the substantial progress made to date emphasises this commitment. I am satisfied that both measures are an effective response to housing needs, particularly for first-time buyers, and will result in an increased supply of social and affordable housing.