Bernard Allen
Ceist:211 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the integrated housing supports his Department will establish for persons in need. [14922/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 20 May 2004
Ceisteanna (211)
Freagraí scríofa
Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. N. Ahern)
Local authorities were requested to submit details of five year action plans covering a full range of housing programmes to the Department by the end of May. The plans will enable local authorities to identify priority needs over the coming years. They will provide a coherent and co-ordinated response across all housing sectors, including delivery by the voluntary and co-operative sector and use of private rental accommodation to meet long-term housing assistance needs. My Department must agree the plans. They will ensure that local authorities will adopt a strategic approach to meeting housing needs in their areas and will ensure that they avail of the certainty provided by multi-annual expenditure programmes.
The Government's positive commitment to the social housing programme is shown in its increased provision for social and affordable housing in 2004. The total housing provision, Exchequer and non-Exchequer, in 2004 of €1.884 billion represents an increase of 5.4% on the 2003 provision. The increase in the housing provision will allow for 5,000 starts under the main local authority programme, an increase of 500 above 2003 levels. There will be a further 500 commencements under area regeneration programmes in 2004. The voluntary and co-operative housing sector will also provide 1,800 units of accommodation in 2004.
The social and affordable housing needs of over 13,600 households were met in 2003 compared to almost 8,500 in 1998. It is the highest level of housing provision, across a full range of social and affordable housing measures, for over 15 years.