Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
721. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average length of time spent on the social housing list County Wexford; the plans to reduce these times; the number on the social housing list for each of the past 12 months and each month of 2021 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40619/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority area is provided in the annual statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA).
The most recent summary, conducted in November 2020, shows that 61,880 households were assessed as qualified for and being in need of social housing support. This represents a decrease of 6,813 households or 9.9% on the last assessment in June 2019. Since 2016, the numbers have decreased from 91,600 to 61,880, a reduction of 32.4%.
Below is the link to the summary report for 2020 which includes breakdowns by each local authority, including for County Wexford, across a range of categories.
In relation to the average waiting time to be allocated a house, information of this type is not held by my Department. However, details on the length of time spent on the record of qualified households (waiting lists) can be found at tables 2.8 and A1.8 of the report.
It should be noted that the SSHA is a point in time snapshot of the demand for social housing support in each local authority area and does not necessarily reflect the dynamic nature of entry to and exit from the housing waiting lists. As such, my Department does not have information on the number on the social housing list for each of the past 12 months and for each month of 2021 to date.
2020 Report
www.gov.ie/en/publication/970ea-summary-of-social-housing-assessments-2020-key-findings/#:~:text=The%20Summary%20of%20Social%20Housing,is%20not%20currently%20being%20met
With regard to reducing waiting times, increasing the supply of social, affordable and private housing is a priority for this Government. The Programme for Government commits to the delivery of 50,000 new social homes with a focus on new build homes.
In 2021, the Government has made available €3.3 billion for housing delivery programmes. Subject to delays arising from COVID-19 restrictions, this funding will support the delivery, subject to the impact of COVID-19, of 12,750 social homes, including 9,500 new build homes. The Government will soon be publishing a new housing strategy, which will set out details of social housing delivery for 2021-2025. In addition to supporting households in homes allocated by local authorities, eligible households are supported in the private rental market through the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP).
My Department publishes a Social Housing Construction Status Report each quarter, which contains details of all social housing developments completed, under construction or at the planning and design stage in each local authority area. The most recent report, published on 28 May 2021, covers the period up to the end of Quarter 1 2021 and is available at the following link: rebuildingireland.ie/news/minister-obrien-publishes-social-housing-construction-status-report-for-q1-2021/.
The data pertaining to the Construction Status Report for Quarter 2 will be collated in the coming weeks and published thereafter.
The Department also publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on social housing delivery activity on a quarterly basis including Build and Acquisitions. This data includes details on the number of social housing units provided by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies up to Quarter 1 2021. This data is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/.
