Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 March 2025
469. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in light of the ongoing delay in his Department's approvals for affordable housing projects funded via SHIP, CAS, CALF, CREL and AHF, if he believes it important to deliver affordable housing units at the proposed development at Ashewood Glen, Ashbourne, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14082/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for the delivery of the housing targets set under Housing for All rests with individual local authorities, which identify the social housing need in their administrative area and are best placed to make decisions on potential sites for development. It is therefore a matter for individual local authorities to identify suitable sites and bring forward proposals to my Department in line with the number and type of households on their housing lists and their social housing development policy.
My Department granted Stage 2/Pre-Planning approval for a 79 unit project at the location in question in July 2024 and I understand that the Part 8 planning process is currently ongoing.
Further details on the advancement of the project will be available directly from Meath County Council. The project when constructed, would be funded through my Department's Local Authority Housing Capital Budget.
All local authorities, including Meath County Council, have developed and published their Housing Delivery Action Plans setting out their plans to deliver social and affordable housing during the period 2022-2026. This follows a comprehensive Housing Needs and Demand Assessment. Each local authority's Action Plan is available on their official website.
The Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) is available to all local authorities to assist towards the cost of developing affordable housing at locations where significant affordability needs have been identified.
My Department, the Housing Agency and Housing Delivery Co-ordination Office of the Local Government Management Association continue to be available to assist local authorities in relation to ongoing development of their affordable housing delivery programmes.
