Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 May 2022
335. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when his Department received applications from Cork County Council for subsidy to support housing schemes for affordable provision in Clonakilty, Kinsale and Mallow, County Cork; when he expects to be in a position to make decisions with respect to these applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24927/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDelivery of affordable housing, in accordance with the schemes set out in the Affordable Housing Act, 2021 and the funding being made available, will be underpinned by local authorities' Housing Delivery Action Plans. Local authorities, including Cork County Council, submitted their initial Plans to me in December. Preparation of the Plans allowed each local authority to assess the level of demand with affordability constraint in their area based on the Housing Need and Demand Assessment and plan provision accordingly. Cork County Council submitted a revised Plan to my Department last week. I expect that all revised Plans will be ready for publication by the Summer. They will provide a comprehensive national overview of projected delivery of affordable housing.
Funding is made available by Government to assist local authority and Approved Housing Body delivery of affordable housing, for purchase and rent, through the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF), previously known as the Serviced Sites Fund, and the Cost Rental Equity Loan.
My Department received an AHF application in February 2022 from Cork County Council for AHF subsidy to support four housing schemes with affordable housing provision, two of which are situated in Clonakilty, with one each in Kinsale and Mallow. A number of essential clarifications on these applications were sought during the assessment process. The Housing Agency has advised my Department that their assessment of the eligibility of these projects will be concluded shortly.
