I propose to take Questions Nos. 478, 480, 481 and 485 together.
My Department publishes a range of datasets relating to housing market activity on the statistics section of its website. Details of commencement notices received by each of the 31 local authorities are published as a monthly series, which can be accessed through the following weblink:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/house-building-and-private-rented/construction-activity-starts.
The latest Monthly Housing Activity Report (March 2018), which is available on www.rebuildingireland.ie, shows that targeted interventions under Rebuilding Ireland are working. The next Monthly Housing Activity Report will be published shortly.
As regards the outlook for the coming years, the Central Bank in its Quarterly Bulletin (Q2 2018), which is available at the following weblink, https://www.centralbank.ie/docs/default-source/publications/quarterly-bulletins/qb-archive/2018/quarterly-bulletin---qb2-2018.pdf?sfvrsn=4, forecasts that both housing and non-residential building should continue to recover strongly. The Bank has forecast growth for the construction sector as a whole of 14.8% and 11.7% for 2018 and 2019 respectively.
While it is not possible to directly match the commencement information to social housing provision, as social housing may be delivered in a number of ways, it is expected that over 4,400 new build social homes will be delivered by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) either directly, through turnkey arrangements or under Part V arrangements, the latter reflecting the growth in private sector housing activity.
Looking overall at social housing delivery in 2018, it is expected that more than 25,000 additional households will have their housing need met, including just under 8,000 units to be built, acquired or leased by local authorities and AHBs, and in excess of 17,000 additional flexible housing solutions through the Housing Assistance Payment Scheme and the Rental Accommodation Scheme.
This will have a direct impact on social housing waiting lists. The 85,799 households assessed as being qualified for social housing support nationally in 2017 saw a decrease of 6.3% on the comparable figure for 2016. The resources provided through Rebuilding Ireland are allowing us to respond in a significant manner. Over €1.4 billion was provided for investment in housing in 2017 and this is being increased significantly to €1.9 billion this year. This investment will yield substantial delivery activity and ensure that we make further significant progress towards meeting the overall target of delivering 137,000 social housing tenancies in the period to 2021, supported by an overall Exchequer commitment of over €6 billion.
One of the key outcomes of the second Housing Summit with local authority Chief Executives held earlier this year was a commitment to drive greater transparency and accountability at individual local authority level on the delivery of the targets under Rebuilding Ireland. On foot of a detailed process of engagement since then between my Department and individual local authorities, I have now advised local authorities of the social housing targets for 2018 and also for the multi-annual period to 2021. In setting local authority targets for 2018, I have been explicitly clear with local authorities that these are minimum targets, and that where additional capacity to deliver arises, we will work in partnership with local authorities to drive that accelerated delivery. The targets for each local authority have been published and are available on the Rebuilding Ireland website at the following link: http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/minister-murphy-publishes-social-housing-delivery-targets-for-local-authorities-2018-2021/.
In direct response to the housing challenge and in order to support housing authorities deliver on their responsibilities and obligations, a number of dedicated structures have been put in place to support Approved Housing Bodies and local authorities to maximise their delivery potential and to harness the best that is available in their functional areas.
New rapid delivery construction is a vital part of the overall social housing delivery programme and 208 new homes have already been delivered through this scheme. An additional 24 rapid projects, involving over 650 new homes, are now being advanced, 283 of which are scheduled for delivery in 2018. New social housing construction schemes are being added to the pipeline on a continuous basis, both through the local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies.
Of particular note has been the establishment of a framework of rapid build contractors by the Office of Government Procurement, which means that local authorities across the country can now run quicker procurement competitions and advance rapid build projects to site more effectively and efficiently. While the rapid build housing programme is being implemented to expedite social housing supply, it should be noted that these homes are being built to the highest construction standards.
All stakeholders are acutely aware of the challenge around homelessness and are highly focussed on delivering long-term sustainable solutions for those individuals and families experiencing homelessness. For families on the waiting lists who are experiencing homelessness, we will continue to work on further solutions to give them the support they need. During 2017, over 4,700 adults that were homeless, or at risk of homelessness, entered into independent sustainable tenancies.
The actions, targets and resources available under Rebuilding Ireland provide a strong platform for meeting our challenges in the housing sector. I am satisfied that delivery of the Plan remains firmly on track and I and my Department will continue to work with all delivery partners to ensure that targets continue to be met.
