Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 June 2015
15. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government how the social housing targets for 2015-2017 are to be met; in particular, how many of these new social housing units will be new builds and how many will be leased from the private rental market; and his views on whether the funding being made available to local authorities will be adequate to meet these targets. [22326/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe social housing targets that I announced for all local authorities out to 2017 include almost 7,500 units that will be capital-funded and 15,400 current-funded units, of which 11,400 will be delivered through leasing and 4,000 delivered through the Rental Accommodation Scheme.
Local authorities are responsible for the detailed planning of social housing provision based on the needs of their areas. It is a matter for each local authority to identify the appropriate initiatives to respond to their housing need, including consideration by them of options to acquire available properties, new building developments, leasing and the provision of housing supports through the private rental sector. A breakdown has been provided to local authorities in relation to their targets as between capital-funded and current-funded units.
The estimated cost to the Exchequer for the delivery of the additional 35,000 new units to be delivered under the Social Housing Strategy to 2020 is €3.8 billion. The funding provided through Budget 2015 will provide the required kick start to the delivery of the targets in the Strategy and I am confident that my announcement of over €1.5 billion for the delivery of the targets out to 2017 will meet the full delivery cost of these units.
