Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 February 2017
22. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the way in which the planned construction of 14 social housing units in County Galway will address the housing crisis there (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9028/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn Monday last, I published a Status Report for Social Housing Construction Projects, which lists all approved projects, including those delivered in 2016 and those at various stages of advancement through planning, design and construction. This report, which includes 10 projects for the Galway City Council area, can be accessed at the following link:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/rebuilding_ireland_-_social_housing_construction_status_report_-_q4_2016.pdf .
In addition to the Galway City Council projects listed within the Status Report for Social Housing Construction Projects, a scheme to deliver 73 new units is earmarked for Ballyburke as part of the €300 million public private partnership (PPP) model for new social housing.
As well as these construction projects, under Rebuilding Ireland, my Department is also working to meet the needs of those on the housing waiting list through a range of other programmes. These include funding to support the return of vacant social homes, through which funding Galway City Council has remediated around 70 social homes between 2014 and end-2016, and the acquisition of second-hand houses and apartments, where suitable opportunities arise. Details on the number of properties purchased to end quarter three of 2016, as well as those leased and constructed by all local authorities, including Galway City Council, are available on my Department’s website at the following link:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/social-and-affordble/overall-social-housing-provision.
Information on quarter four of 2016 is currently being finalised and will be published shortly.
The blended approach to delivering social housing includes also the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS), the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme and a variety of leasing arrangements under my Department’s Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP). Information on delivery in 2016 under each of these programmes is available on my Department’s website at the weblink above.
