Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 May 2024
69. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the impact of Housing for All in Carlow to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24421/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra131. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the action he is taking on social and affordable housing in Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24422/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 131 together.
Housing for All, the most ambitious housing plan in the history of our State, was published in September 2021. The Plan details a comprehensive suite of actions that has and will continue to increase the provision of housing through accelerating supply and increasing the affordability of homes for our citizens, including those in Carlow.
Data in relation to new dwelling completions is published by the CSO on a quarterly basis. In Carlow, 625 homes have completed between Q4 2021 and Q1 2024 inclusive. In relation to housing commencements in Carlow, building began on 919 homes between September 2021 and April 2024 inclusive, with 556 of these commencing since the start of 2023.
Following the publication of?Housing for All, I asked all local authorities to prepare Housing Delivery Action Plans to address social and affordable housing needs in their areas over the period 2022-2026, in line with targets set in Housing for All. A copy of Carlow County Council’s Housing Delivery Action Plan is available on their website.
My Department publishes comprehensive social and affordable housing statistics on a quarterly basis in all local authority areas. The social housing delivery and pipeline for County Carlow is strong.?From 2021 to 2023, Housing for All has delivered 536 social homes in Carlow through build, acquisition and lease. The Construction Status Report shows there were 14 schemes of 163 homes on site in Carlow at the end of Quarter 4 2023, with a further 4 schemes of 37 homes at various stages of design and procurement. Additionally, to end 2023, 32 affordable housing solutions have been delivered in Carlow with 44 Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant applications approved.?
Under Call 2 of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, a preliminary allocation of €17.1 million has been approved to fund the Public Realm and Pedestrian Linkage Proposal for Carlow Town. This proposal, comprising of 6 individual projects, is a continuation from the Carlow Town project under Call 1 which seeks to provide Carlow Town with plentiful, accessible and exciting public spaces. This will improve town centre linkages and increase pedestrian mobility from Potato Market through to Barrack Street with wider connectivity to Carlow College and the Railway Station.
Housing for All is having a tangible impact across the country. The Plan will continue to deliver nationally for years to come including for the people of Carlow.
