Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 January 2018
1792. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on establishing a new section that is not involved with his Department or councils that would take over the build and delivery of social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1430/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe statutory responsibility for the delivery of social housing and the ongoing maintenance of the social housing stock is a matter for the local authority sector. I have no plans to change this at this time, given the fact that the sector is now successfully delivering social housing in support of the targets set down under Rebuilding Ireland. Evidence of this fact can be seen from the 2017 Social Housing Provisional Output Figures, which my Department published yesterday and which can be accessed at the following link: http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/2017-social-housing-output-figures-published/.
Following my recent review of Rebuilding Ireland, I announced that Minister of State Damien English will lead a new delivery team in my Department working with local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) on social housing delivery. I am confident that this will further add to the impetus already in place for the delivery of much needed social housing homes, across the country, by local authorities and AHBs.
