Public Spending Code

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 March 2019

Tuesday, 5 March 2019

Ceisteanna (597)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

597. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to raise the threshold for the single stage approval process for social housing from €2 million to €7 million; if such a proposal is consistent with the public spending code; the engagement his Department has had with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on the matter; and if this proposal was agreed as part of the pre-budget 2019 negotiations. [10687/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

A raising of the threshold for the single-stage approval process for social housing construction projects is currently being examined in the context of a review of the Public Spending Code. This review  by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is well underway and my Department is liaising with that Department on the matter. 

In the meantime, the existing arrangements, which covers social housing construction projects with an all-in budget up to €2 million and up to 15 homes, remain in place and available to local authorities.