Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 October 2018
523. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of one-off rural social houses built in each local authority area in each of the years 2007 to 2017. [40713/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra524. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the estimated number of one-off rural social houses which will be built in each local authority area in 2018. [40714/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 523 and 524 together.
Data on the number of social homes delivered by local authorities is published on my Department's website at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/social-and-affordble/overall-social-housing-provision. This data includes the number of properties constructed, purchased and leased by all local authorities in previous years.
In addition, my Department also publishes quarterly information on the pipeline of new social housing construction that is currently in place, with the report covering the period to end Quarter 2 of 2018 being available at the following link: http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/minister-murphy-publishes-latest-social-housing-construction-report/. This sets out the size and location of the social housing construction projects in development under Rebuilding Ireland across all local authority areas.
These information sources do not separately identify those developments that are single rural dwellings. It is the local authorities that are responsible for the identification of the social housing need in their areas and for the development of appropriate responses to meet the need identified. There is no requirement for local authorities to deliver a precise number of single rural dwellings, as it is a matter for them to prioritise projects to meet their overall housing need.
I am pleased to see the progress being made on new social housing projects, as evident in the latest quarterly social housing construction report, building on what has been already delivered, but I am keen that all local authorities further accelerate their programmes and I have assured them that the necessary funding is available to support their work in this regard.
