I refer to the reply to Question No. 25 of 28 June 2005.
The Government has responded actively to intensified needs by expanding social and affordable housing output. New multi-annual action plans have been prepared by local authorities for the provision of social and affordable housing over the period 2004 to 2008. These are designed to assist local authorities in identifying priority needs over the coming years and providing a coherent and co-ordinated response across all housing services.
I have secured financial envelopes for the next five years to underpin the multi-annual approach in the action plans. This year, over €2 billion of Exchequer and non-Exchequer funding is being made available, which represents a significant and growing investment in social and affordable housing. Overall, in 2005, output under the various social and affordable measures will meet the needs of in excess of 13,000 households.