Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 July 2020
14. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to provide social and affordable houses in County Louth over the coming two years in view of the fact that 5,070 persons are now on the housing list in the county and only an additional 222 houses are going through the approval stage at present to be delivered by the end of 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17503/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhen it comes to specific parts of the Country, such as Louth, each local authority, which is also a housing authority and planning authority, is best placed to understand the local housing need and to target supply, availing of the suite of State supports available and working with delivery partners such as Approved Housing Bodies.
I understand that, based on the most recent data, as of June 2019, there were 1,468 households qualified for social housing support on Louth County Council’s list, a reduction of 43.5% on the 2,600 households qualified for social housing in Louth in 2016.
When it comes to social housing delivery in Louth, over the period 2016 to 2019 some 4,464 additional households were supported under programmes funded by my Department. Of this 982 were under build, acquisition or leasing schemes.
I intend to target new build social housing in particular, and there are big opportunities for Louth. The total established pipeline of activity under Rebuilding Ireland for Louth at end 2019 was some 1,229 homes across 129 sites, consisting of 663 completed homes and 566 more moving through various stages of approval and getting on-site. I want to work with Louth County Council to expand and accelerate this programme.
In terms of affordable housing, I will outline my detailed plans in the Autumn having consulted with delivery partners and reviewed progress to date. I would like to see all local authorities, where there is an affordability challenge, engaging with this process and bringing forward ambitious proposals.
