Circulation: Area of Clip: Page 1 of 2
Irish Times-Budget* Wednesday, 15 October 2014 Page: 2
82059 75700mm²
If we build it, they will vote for us Analysis
Ciaran Hancock
i
The Government’s commitment and up to 150 for people with builders to set aside up to 10 to invest substantially in disabilities requiring institutionalper cent of any new private social housing over the coming care. developments for social In addition, Mr Kelly’sfigure housing. This is helpful in years was broadly welcomed yesterday, but the devilwill be includes 3,000 units that will speeding up delivery, but the in the detail and we won’t have be leased and 2,000 via the reality is this initiative will take fullsight of that for a couple of rental accommodation a long time to deliver. weeks. The Government has also scheme. In the Dail, Minister for indicated that public-private Separately, funding for the partnerships (PPPs) would be Public Expenditure and housing assistance payment is used to fund €300 million of Reform Brendan Howlin being increased to €23.2 million the capital investment in the announced a €2.2 billion next year to assist up to next three years, while a investment in social housing 8,000 families to secure out to 2018to provide 10,000 “suitable accommodation”. “minimum”of €400 million units for those currently on could be sourced from an The housing association local authority waiting lists. Cluidyesterday summed up the “off-balance-sheetfinancial A couple of hours later, at a scale of the challenge facing vehicle”,which will probably press briefing in Government the Government, pointing out include a loan from the European Buildings,his Labour Party Investment Bank. that 90,000 families areon colleague, Minister for the Again, details on these waiting lists across the country, Environment, Community and with one-third of those livingin aspects have yet to be fully Local Government Alan Kelly, “seriously substandard housing”. ironed out, but we can only said a broader strategy out to hope the PPP aspect proves 2020 would be announced in While the numbers circulated more fruitful for local the next fortnight. authorities this time around by the Government were The “majority” of the given how a number of impressive, questions must be additional social housing high-profile schemes collapsed asked as to whether the provision would be provided in capacity is there for the local when the economy crashed in the Dublin region, Kellyadded, authorities to deliver on this late 2008. but he preferred to focus on The importance of this plan. what willbe delivered in 2015. social housing initiative is Kellytalked tough on this This is where it gets confusing.aspect, saying he wouldbe a illustrated by the fact that Kelly’sdepartment has been While Howlin talked about “very angry Minister if it given an extra €180 million for doesn’t happen”. building 10,000 units out to However, this is no guarantee capital programmes this year. 2018,Kellysaid up to 16,000 that either the local authorities As the old adage goes: if you units could come on stream or the construction industry build it, they will come. In the next year. How does that break context of its social housing will have the capacity to down? The housing capital spend in deliver the units in the timeframe plan, the Government, 2015will amount to €453 million, set out by the Government. particularly the Labour Party, must be hoping for a case of if which it is hoped will we build it, they willvote create up to 4,500 construeThis is Ireland, after all. for us. tionjobs. Sites have to be identified Some 946 units are expected (some heat-mapping has taken to either be built or acquired by place), housing units have to be local authorities in 2015.This planned and designed, funding compares with just 200 this has to be approved for each While thenumbers scheme, and developments will year. have to be tendered to builders impressive, Specific needs and other groups. questions must be Another 1,000 vacant or asked as to whether boarded-up units are to be Reality the capacity is there refurbished. About400 new Planning laws to be drawn up for the local housing units will be provided later this year will oblige authorities to for people with specific needs deliver on this plan
66
Irish Times-Budget* Wednesday, 15 October 2014 Page: 2
Social Housing in Hollyhill in Cork city. There is no guarantee local authorities or the construction industry will have the capacity to deliver the units in the timeframe set out
Circulation: Area of Clip: Page 2 of 2
82059 75700mm²