Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 October 2020
284. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the Cork social housing task force; the number of times it has met to date; the reports completed to date by same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31732/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Cork Social Housing Delivery Group was established in June 2015.
The Group is chaired by Ms Geraldine Tallon, former Secretary General of the Department of the Environment and Local Government. Its membership includes the Chief Executives of Cork City and County Councils and their senior housing officials and the CEOs of the Housing Agency, Irish Council for Social Housing and Cooperative Housing Ireland, as well as relevant staff from my Department.
The Group committed to meeting 3 to 4 times a year to help develop a strong pipeline of projects in order to meet social housing delivery targets under the Social Housing Strategy and subsequently Rebuilding Ireland.
Both local authorities are on target to exceed their build targets and their combined build, acquisition, leasing targets under Rebuilding Ireland for the period 2016 to 2021.
Given the progress made and the strong delivery position the last meeting of the Group was held in November 2019 and it has not been deemed necessary to convene further meetings since that time.
My Department continues to support the work of the Cork local authorities through targeted monthly housing delivery meetings and quarterly technical review meetings. In addition, the newly formed Sectoral Housing Delivery Co-ordination Office is now established and operating, assisting local authorities and my Department in relation to delivery of sectoral housing targets.
In light of the foregoing, the requirement for further meetings of the Cork Social Housing Delivery Group will be kept under review in consultation with stakeholders.
