Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 January 2019
1130. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the steps he is taking to provide a greater number of one-bed social housing units nationally in view of the increased demand for the units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54246/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe delivery of social housing at a local level, whether by local authorities themselves or in partnership with Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), is a matter for the local authorities and that local ownership includes responsibility to match supply with demand, in terms of the size of new social housing units provided. However, my Department also influences this activity, through its engagement with local authorities and AHBs and, specifically, in its role in approving funding for new social housing build projects.
The assessment by my Department of proposals for new social housing includes a comparison of the proposed size and scale of the housing units with the social housing needs for the area and family composition of the waiting list. For example, my Department might approve funding on condition that smaller property types are included in a new social housing proposal, to meet the identified housing need.
Acquisitions of existing properties can also be an opportunity for local authorities and AHBs to target smaller housing units where these better match housing need.
My Department is also working with Dublin City Council on the establishment of a Design Build Contractor Framework to deliver resedential developments through the use of volumetric construction methods. This framework will shortly be available to all local authorities and will open up additional opportunities to deliver volumetric/rapid delivery apartments for social housing use.
