Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 May 2021
308. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the unit size of social leased housing units by county in tabular form; the number delivered that were directly built by local authorities and approved housing bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23080/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra309. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of the way in which the social leased programme will address the family size numbers and single person units who are on the list; the criteria for accepting single, two bedroomed and three bedroomed units as social leased units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23081/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 308 and 309 together.
While the Government’s objective is to focus strongly on local authority led build activity, long term leasing is an important option available to local authorities to supplement delivery and secure high quality social housing on a long term basis.
The social housing long term leasing programme allows local authorities and approved housing bodies to lease suitable properties from private owners for periods of between 10 to 25 years. The leasing programme does not fund properties built by local authorities or an approved housing body.
Local authorities lease dwellings taking account of local need, the suitability of dwellings, sustainable communities considerations and value for money. These properties are allocated to households on the social housing waiting list. As such, the type and size of dwelling leased, and the allocation of those dwellings, is a matter for the relevant local authority having regard to its most recent housing needs assessment.
Data relating to property size is not recorded by my Department. Generally, one, two and three bedroom houses and apartments are leased. A smaller number of four bedroom houses are leased.
Data on social housing leasing, funded by my Department, in respect of all local authorities to end 2020 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.
Data in respect of Q1 2021 is currently being collated and will be published when available.
